15' Escape Update

[Ray N]

Be patient Dave

Amen to that. Since reaching my late 60s, I have really grown to appreciate not having to leave the trailer in the middle of the night to use campground facilities.

 

[Dave&Jane]

Amen to that. Since reaching my late 60s, I have really grown to appreciate not having to leave the trailer in the middle of the night to use campground facilities.

That is exactly the issue that prompted us to choose the 17B, since we already are in our 60s! It would have eventually meant using a portable toilet system with the 15A, which was not an appealing thought.
For now, we keep shoes, jackets and headlamps handy for nighttime excursions to nearby campground facilities (or nearby bushes when boondocking). I'm sure a time will come when that inconvenience will overcome our reluctance to deal with the black water system.

-Dave

 

[rbryan4]

That is exactly the issue that prompted us to choose the 17B, since we already are in our 60s! It would have eventually meant using a portable toilet system with the 15A, which was not an appealing thought.
For now, we keep shoes, jackets and headlamps handy for nighttime excursions to nearby campground facilities (or nearby bushes when boondocking). I'm sure a time will come when that inconvenience will overcome our reluctance to deal with the black water system.

-Dave

Dealing with the black water system on an Escape is a snap. Dump the tank, flush/rinse it out periodically, drop a deodorizer tablet, done. When you're hooked up, even easier. YMMV.

 

[Sandra L]

Ditto to that. Also, to keep the sensors clean, I add a bag of ice cubes plus cleaning tabs prior to departing for home!

 

[rbryan4]

Ditto to that. Also, to keep the sensors clean, I add a bag of ice cubes plus cleaning tabs prior to departing for home!

I skipped that part Sandra - we had them install the Horst Probes.

 

[LeonardS]

Ice cubes?

 

[Sandra L]

Well, its the bagged ice one buys at the market or gas station (not blocks). I got the idea from either the FGRV or the Casita forum. It is supposed to provide a "scrubbing" action while driving. I must be doing something right because my factory sensors appear to be working.

 

[gbaglo]

I'm still waiting for a first person eye-witness account that confirms that the ice-cubes are helping clean the sensors.

 

[Sandra L]

I am not going in there to look!

 

[gbaglo]

A tank cleaning wand costs about $9.
One bag of ice cubes costs about $3.

 

[float5]

We have used ice but figured the ice could all collect at the valve and crack it. Maybe it cannot collect there.

 

[Sandra L]

A tank cleaning wand costs about $9.
One bag of ice cubes costs about $3.

The wand is great with a bath window for the hose to come in. I don't have one, and prefer not to have the out door hose traipsing through. (But, I also cheat by having an icemaker-my son wanted one to keep his ice chests filled when we go camping with his three daughters-they all like tents too.) However, Glenn, as usual you have a very good point!

 

[rbryan4]

I am not going in there to look!

Nor am I ! ;D

 

[cpaharley2008]

There is always the "GEO" method https://sites.google.com/site/cbruni/

 

[padlin]

I've heard dish detergent works

, but I've yet to try it.

On the bigger black tank on the 5.0TA we found we need to use 2 of the deodorizer packets.

 

[OneOleMan]

I've heard dish detergent works

, but I've yet to try it.

On the bigger black tank on the 5.0TA we found we need to use 2 of the deodorizer packets.

I wouldn't doubt dishwasher detergent would work, I use it to clean coffee crusted stainless steel carafes and thermos. Works like a charm.

 

[gbaglo]

Problem I have with these methods ( other than the wand ) is that you need quite a lot of liquid sloshing around on the trip home to clean the sensors.
When I get home, the only sani-dump charges $16.50 at an RV park.
I generally try to use the wand whenever I am at a full service park, but other than that, I give up.

 

[padlin]

Guess we're lucky, in an odd kind of way. There is a waste treatment plant 20 minutes from the house, right where we get off the highway. For $1 we can dump just before we get home from pretty much any trip. Hard to stomach in the summer though.

 

[C&G in FL]

I'm still waiting for a first person eye-witness account that confirms that the ice-cubes are helping clean the sensors.

I found a clip on the net a few weeks ago, perhaps on You Tube where a guy was testing various cleaning methods in a clear tank that could be sloshed around and the so-called ice cube method was absolutely ineffective. It did not work. Better to use ice to cool your beverage than to clean your black water tank.

I know people who do use the Geo method and claim it works.

Also, there is a probiotic tank treatment that other people I know use and swear it is effective. The website is: HoldingTankCleaning.com
I believe that this company also has videos/testimonials on You Tube. Their brochure states "Totally Green, Totally Clean." Even if it is the best thing since sliced bread, you have to obtain the product from them (not readily available everywhere to the best of my knowledge). As a result, I am considering the Geo Method.

 

[Sandra L]

Thanks all for the info on the Geo Method. I will change my ways. I must be doing something right though, as my sensors still work!