Some say it’s the community of the campground that draws them to RVing. Others say it’s an undying love of nature that brings them out to the woods, the beach or wherever else they happen to go. Still others love just getting away from the hustle and bustle of normal life and just want to rough it for a little while.
Whatever the reason, there’s something undeniably special about setting up the camper and setting off for adventure, whether familiar or brand new. Unfortunately, there’s something not as special about getting rid of your…you know. Worse, many RV campgrounds don’t have dump stations, so it can take some digging to find out where to go!
Finding an RV Dump Station
RV dump stations are located all around the country, and while they’re not always located on campgrounds, they’re usually easy to find – provided you have the right resources. There are a few great online resources to check out, including:
There are also a few apps you can get for your smartphone:
And, of course, you can always ask campground management and staff 
.
RV Dump Station Tips and Etiquette
Whether you’re completely new to RVing or a regular camper, it never hurts to go over a few things – especially when it comes to dump stations.
- Dump your black-water tank before your gray-water tank. The soapy water from the gray-water tank will clean out some of the residue left behind in the hose.
- Don’t worry about dumping your black-water tank until it’s at least two-thirds of the way full, but whatever you do, don’t leave the black-water tank valve open when you’re hooked up at a campsite. This will cause the liquids to drain and leave you with a bunch of solid waste hardening at the bottom of the tank.
- Using a six to eight foot long, heavy-duty sewer hose makes handling your black and gray-water tanks much easier.
- Carry an extra garden hose to rinse your tanks, just in case the dump station doesn’t provide one. Store it in an area where it won’t come into contact with your drinking water hose.
Whatever you do, remember – RV dump stations are a privilege, and should be treated as such. In fact, many dump stations have been forced to close down because of repeated abuses by campers who don’t want to take care of them. The most important thing to remember also happens to be the RVer’s golden rule: leave the place cleaner than you found it. Dump station abuse causes aggravation, creates a health hazard and costs money. More than that, if you don’t clean up after yourself, someone else has to clean up after you, which is just not in the community spirit of RVing.
