RV Basics: What are RV holding tanks?
The first in a new series of RV Basics, today we tackle what would seem like a simple, easy question: What are RV holding tanks? Read on for some expert insight into those sometimes pesky but always necessary components of every RV.
Your RV’s holding tanks make it possible for you to travel and enjoy your RV without being dependent on outside facilities. Almost every type of RV has three main holding tanks: a freshwater tank, containing potable (suitable for human consumption) water; a sewage wastewater or black water tank, where waste from your RV’s toilet ends up; and a wastewater or gray water tank, that is the final resting point for water from your shower and galley (or kitchen) sink.
All three tanks tend to reside below your RV’s living space and each requires specific types of care and maintenance to ensure that they work properly, don’t give you (too many!) headaches, and that they last the life of your RV.
How big are my RV’s holding tanks?
Sizes of tanks vary according to the type of RV you have, the manufacturer, and even the model. In general, the freshwater tank is about the combined capacity of your black and gray water holding tanks. So, if you black and gray tank can each hold 50 gallons, your freshwater holding tank is probably around 100 gallons in capacity, if not just a bit more.
Motorcoaches and fifth-wheel RVs tend to have bigger holding tanks, with 40, 45, and 50-gallon waste holding tanks being very common. Travel trailers often have tanks ranging from 25 gallons to 40 gallons. Some smaller Class B RVs have tiny tanks; the smallest we ever worked on was just 6 gallons in capacity!
Not all RVs will have black and gray tanks of equal capacity. In some cases, the gray tank will be about half again as big as the black tank. For instance, if the RV’s black tank is 45 gallons in capacity, the gray tank may be 65 to 75 gallons.
How do RV holding tanks work?
Let’s be clear here: Your black and gray water tanks are not a septic system; they’re a holding system. They are designed to hold waste until you are ready to empty the tanks into your RV park’s local waste holding or municipal waste processing system.
Many RVers don’t realize that and they try to treat the tanks — especially the black one — like a septic system. If you’re one of them, you’ve probably been told that you need to add a tank additive — enzymes, chemicals, or other biological agents — to break down solid waste. That’s a huge mistake that we’ll discuss in the next installment of this series on RV Basics.
Basically speaking, waste and water from your toilet, shower or sinks travel down a pipe (sometimes there isn’t much of one under the toilet) into the appropriate holding tank. There, the tank fills up until your sensors indicate they are full or you decide that you need to empty them.
When you’re ready to empty — or “dump” — one or both of your holding tanks, you go outside and pull or open the appropriate tank’s gate valve and whoosh, the tank’s contents travel down any piping and into the articulated waste hose that you’ve connected to your RV on one end and to the sewer dump hole in the ground at your RV park on the other end.
For freshwater tanks, water is extracted from the tank via a small, onboard pump. It’s commonly located near other “hidden” appliances such as your furnace or water heater, or sometimes it’s located under your refrigerator or under the main sink area. Water from the freshwater holding tank circulates through your RV’s plumbing system, providing water to your faucets, shower, and even toilet.
That’s pretty much how holding tanks work.
What are tanks composed of?
Most RV holding tanks are plastic boxes composed of high-density polyethylene plastic. They are manufactured by a provider working with your RV manufacturer, often to their exact specifications, though there are “common” sized tanks and configurations.
RV holding tanks have bottoms that slant down toward a short exit pipe, located either under the tank or toward the front bulkhead. Gravity forced the waste and liquids out when you open the gate valve. Waste and water enter the tops of the tank, either directly from the toilet or sometimes after traveling a short distance from the drain or other area of the RV.
What do holding tanks look like?
For motor coaches, most holding tanks are fairly cubical in shape, though they may be longer as they stretch into the middle of the coach. Wastewater holding tanks in motor coaches tend to empty easier and more completely as the mass of water in waste in them drives down and out any contents when emptied.
Holding tanks in travel trailers and fifth wheels, on the other hand, tend to be much flatter. When emptied, though there may be an initial rush of waste and water, it is nothing like that in a motorcoach. That — combined with more horizontal piping — are also why waste holding tanks in these types of RVs tend to drain so slowly and, oftentimes, incompletely. Many travel trailer and fifth wheel RV owners end up putting a gate valve and cap on the end of their waste pipes to catch the inevitable seepage.
Where are my holding tanks?
Depending on what type of RV you have, your holding tanks can be located in different locations. In almost every case, access to them is on the “street” side (or, for motor coaches, driving side) of the Rv, on the opposite side of the door into your RV.
For most motor coaches, they are usually located about 2/3rd’s of the way back, placed side by side. They also tend to be “higher up” in motor coaches, not located under the RV.
For travel trailers and fifth wheels, they are normally placed about the middle of the RV, though some may be more toward the front while others may be in the back. Think about the layout of your RV’s interior: wherever there is a toilet, sink, tub or shower, there’s likely to be a holding tank nearby. Holding tanks in travel trailers and fifth wheels tend to have their tanks pretty low, under the living and storage space.
Stay tuned for next installment of RV Basics as we discuss how to care for your RV’s holding tanks.
Jim Tome, Owner
Hi, I'm Jim Tome and, along with my wife, Debbie, the owners of Kleen Tank LLC, the national leader in RV holding tank cleaning service. We've been RVers like you since 2004 and have traveled all over the U.S. in our Airstream travel trailer. We started the business about twelve years ago and have cleaned tens of thousands holding tanks in thousands of RVs. From tiny weekend travel trailers to monstrous fifth wheels to luxurious motorhomes, I've seen just about every situation there is with RV holding tanks and waste systems. I hope you enjoy our articles; I try to post at least one per week and we've got a great library of them to cover just about every problem. Enjoy!
Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.
MAKE A QUICK INQUIRY
WE'LL GET RIGHT BACK TO YOU
Ben & Patty ZastrowCORPORATE OR "PARENT" COMPANY
Kleen Tank LLC ("Parent" corporation)
844-KLEENME (844-553-3663) • Info@kleentank.com
Visit our Website • Visit our Facebook Page • Visit our Instagram Page
ALABAMA
Kleen Tank of Northern Alabama Mark & Christy Olson • Hazel Green, Alabama
256-508-6383 • MarkAndChristy@kleentank.com
Visit our Website • Visit our Facebook Page
Servicing the Alabama cities of Birmingham, Huntsville, Gunterville, Scottsboro, Muscle Shoals, and other communities in Northern Alabama. In Tennessee, serving the cities of Nashville, Tims Ford Lake area, Winchester, and other communities.
Kleen Tank of the Alabama Gulf Coast
Matthew & April Weitz • Saraland, Alabama 251-510-9248 • MatthewAndApril@kleentank.com
Visit our Website • Visit our Facebook Page
Servicing the Alabama cities of Mobile, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Foley, Theodore, and surrounding communities. In Florida, the cities of Destin, Ft Walton Beach, Pensacola, and surrounding communities. In Mississippi, the cities of Pascagoula, Biloxi, Gulfport, and surrounding communities.
Kleen Tank on the Road No. 6
Greg & Tammy Cash • Full-time RVers
256-668-0766 • Greg.Cash@kleentank.com
Visit our Website • Visit our Facebook Page
Currently located in Birmingham, Alabama and serving the nearby cities and communities of Montgomery, Auburn, Prattville, Opelika, and Tuscaloosa.
Call to find their current and upcoming locations
ARIZONA
Kleen Tank of Central Arizona Stephen & Sarah Stoller • Laveen, Arizona
480-231-2684 • Stephen.Stoller@kleentank.com
Visit our Facebook Page
Servicing the Greater Phoenix area
Kleen Tank of Eastern Arizona
David & Laura Lamb • Mesa, Arizona
602-617-3501 • DavidAndLaura@kleentank.com
Visit our Facebook Page
Servicing Mesa, Apache Junction, Gilbert, Chandler, Tempe, Scottsdale, Gold Canyon, and Queen Creek
Kleen Tank of Northern Arizona
Brian & Wendy Ellison • Camp Verde, Arizona
602-397-0239 • BrianAndWendy@kleentank.com
Visit our Website • Visit our Facebook Page
Servicing Cottonwood, Sedona, Prescott, Payson, Flagstaff, Pine, and Chino Valley
Kleen Tank of Tucson
Jenifer Crabtree • Chandler, Arizona
520-627-0125 • Jenifer.Crabtree@kleentank.com
Visit our Facebook Page
Servicing Tucson and the surrounding communities of Benson, Green Valley, Sonoita, Oro Valley, Marana, San Manuel, Sierra Vista, Casa Grande, Maricopa, Florence, Coolidge, Welton, and Yuma
Kleen Tank of Western Arizona
Joffre & Kelly Sechier • Bullhead City, Arizona
360-719-0450 • JoffreAndKelly@kleentank.com
Visit our Facebook Page
Servicing Parker, Lake Havasu, Kingman, Golden Valley, and Quartzsite
CALIFORNIA
Kleen Tank of Southern California
Joel & Jennifer Hagan • Long Beach, California
562-307-1696 • JoelAndJen@kleentank.com
Visit our Facebook Page
Servicing Los Angeles, Long Beach, Seal Beach, Anaheim, San Dimas, Oceanside, San Diego, Temecula, Murrieta, Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Indio, Hemet, and San Bernardino
Learn more about this dealer, ask for a quote, or schedule a service appointment
COLORADO
Kleen Tank of Central Colorado Everett Manson • Colorado Springs, Colorado
970-589-7677 • Everett.Manson@kleentank.com
Visit our Facebook Page
Currently servicing the cities and surrounding communities of Pueblo, Canyon City, Southern Denver, Founten, Woodland Park, Walsenburg, Castle rock, Salida, Alamosa, Calhan, Trinidad.
Kleen Tank of Northern Colorado
Jay & Jan Campbell • Ft. Collins, Colorado
970-803-8275 • Jay.Campbell@kleentank.com
Visit our Facebook Page
Currently servicing the cities and surrounding communities of Denver, Thorton, Loveland, Fort Collins, Fort Morgan, and Greeley.
FLORIDA
Kleen Tank of Daytona Beach
Bill & Un Jung Brody • Daytona Beach, Florida
813-807-1881 • BillAndUnJung@kleentank.com
Visit our Facebook Page • Visit our Instagram Page
Servicing from just north of the Orlando city limits, I-75 east to the ocean, north to and including Jacksonville
Kleen Tank of Eastern Florida
Jeff & Tina Arnold • Vero Beach, Florida
772-216-9243 • Jeff.Arnold@kleentank.com
Visit our Facebook Page
Servicing Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Stuart, Jensen Beach, Fort Pierce, Vero Beach, Sebastian, Melbourne, Titusville, Cape Canaveral, New Smyrna Beach, Daytona, Orlando, Sorrento, Ocala, Clermont, Apopka, Okeechobee, and Lake Wales
Kleen Tank of Southwestern Florida
Nick & Katrina Schafer • Bradenton, Florida
941-725-4419 • Nick.Schafer@kleentank.com
Visit our Website • Visit our Facebook Page
Servicing Bradenton, Arcadia, Sarasota, Punta Gorda, Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Estero, Naples, and Cape Coral
Kleen Tank of Western Florida
Jerry & Merrie Nott • Zephyrhills, Florida
941-274-8035• JerryAndMerrie@kleentank.com
Visit our Facebook Page
Servicing Greater Tampa/St. Pete, Clearwater, Port Richey, Crystal River, Brooksville, Floral City, Bushnell, Ocala, The Villages, Gainesville, Eustis, Orlando, Kissimmee, Lake Wales, Lakeland, Bowling Green, Wauchula, Bradenton, Palmetto, Ruskin, Wesley Chapel, and Zephyrhills
Learn more about this dealer, ask for a quote, or schedule a service appointment
Please check out our On the Road dealers, at the bottom of the page. Some are servicing areas in Florida over the winter season.
GEORGIA
Kleen Tank of Northern Georgia
Tom Mordaunt • Canton, Georgia
678-503-4566 • Tom.Mordaunt@kleentank.com
Visit our Website • Visit our Facebook Page
Currently servicing Chattanooga, Blairsville, Hiawassee, Gainesville, Atlanta, Canton
IDAHO
Kleen Tank of Southeastern Idaho
Dino & Tammy Church • Rupert, Idaho
208-870-6830 • DinoAndTammy@kleentank.com
Visit our Facebook Page
Servicing Pocatello, Twin Falls, Jerome, American Falls, Idaho Falls, Kimberly, Gooding, Hagerman, Filer, Bulh, Ketchum, Sun Valley, Logan, and Ogden
Kleen Tank of Southwestern Idaho
Jeff & Debbie Young • Emmett, Idaho
208-412-0560 • Jeff.Young@kleentank.com
Visit our Facebook Page
Servicing Harrah, Oklahoma.
Returns to southwestern Idaho in the spring of 2024.
ILLINOIS
Kleen Tank of Northern Illinois
Jim & Debbie Tome • Sycamore, Illinois
815-508-3878 • Jim.Tome@kleentank.com
Servicing Greater Chicagoland, Rockford/Belvidere, Joliet, Chicagoland suburbs, Ottawa, Marseilles, and Lake, Cook, DuPage, Kane, McHenry, DeKalb, Lee, Boone, Winnebago, and LaSalle counties.
Kleen Tank on the Road No. 1
Jim & Debbie Tome • Full-time RVers
815-508-3878 • Jim.Tome@kleentank.com
Visit our Website • Visit our Facebook Page
Typically servicing Northern and Central Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. Other areas throughout the year. Call to find their current and upcoming locations
Currently located in Sycamore, Illinois and servicing Greater Chicagoland, Cook, DuPage, Kane, DeKalb, McHenry, and Lake Counties and all cities and communities in the area
MICHIGAN
Kleen Tank of Michigan
Wendy & Joe Bruce • Fenton, Michigan
810-207-5355 • Wendy.Bruce@kleentank.com
Visit our Website • Visit our Facebook Page
Servicing Detroit, Traverse City, and Grand Rapids, as well as Elkhart, Goshen, and Shipshewana in Indiana
MINNESOTA
Kleen Tank of Eastern Minnesota
Kevin & Kelly Carlson • Pine City, Minnesota
320-364-3448 • Kevin.Carlson@kleentank.com
Visit our Website • Visit our Facebook Page
Servicing the Minnesota communities of Alexandria, Brainerd, Grand Rapids, Duluth, Two Harbors, Stillwater, Rochester, and St. Cloud. In Wisconsin, servicing the communities of Superior, Hayward, Rice Lake, and Hudson.
MISSOURI
Kleen Tank of Southwestern Missouri
Mike & Betty Pomante • Bolivar, Missouri 989-277-6914 • Mike.Pomante@kleentank.com
Visit our Website • Visit our Facebook Page
Servicing Springfield, Branson, Kansas City, and St. Louis
NEVADA
Kleen Tank of Las Vegas Michael Shanks • Las Vegas, Nevada
725-260-5779 • Michael.Shanks@kleentank.com
Visit our Website • Visit our Facebook Page
Servicing Pahrump, Boulder City, Laughlin, Mesquite Henderson, Moapa Valley, and Lake Mead
NEW YORK
Kleen Tank of Upstate New York Chad & Jeanine Cadwallader
518-414-3624 • ChadAndJeanine@kleentank.com
Visit our Facebook Page
Currently servicing the cities and communities of Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Chesapeake, Newport News, Suffolk, and surrounding areas.
Call to find their current and upcoming locations.
NORTH CAROLINA
Kleen Tank of North Carolina
Jack & Wendy Pate • Wilson, North Carolina
252-236-1023 • Jack.Pate@kleentank.com
Visit our Facebook Page Servicing Raleigh, Fayetteville, Morehead, Lumberton, Winston-Salem Greensboro, Emerald Isle, Rock Mount, Washington, Swansboro, Jacksonville, Wilmington, Topsoil North, and in South Carolina, Myrtle Beach and Surfside
OHIO
Kleen Tank of Eastern Ohio
Rana & Chuck Murzda • Wooster, Ohio
330-464-6085 • Rana.Murzda@kleentank.com
Visit our Facebook Page
Servicing Sandusky, Medina, Millersburg, Cleveland, Canton, Akron, Boardman, Kent, Niles, and Mentor
Kleen Tank of Southern Ohio
Sam & Lori Lohrer • Fairfield Township, Ohio
513-708-5391 • Sam.Lohrer@kleentank.com
Visit our Facebook Page
Servicing Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio, and cities and communities in Northern, Kentucky
TEXAS
Kleen Tank of Central Texas
Danny & Teresa McLane • Abilene, Texas
325-812-8161 • Danny.McLane@kleentank.com
Visit our Facebook Page Servicing Abilene, Clyde, Sweetwater, Big Spring, San Angelo, and the Big Country area
Kleen Tank on the Road No. 10
Matt & Jennifer Wood
832-691-0281 • Matt.Wood@kleentank.com
Visit our Website • Visit our Facebook Page
Currently located in Houston, Texas and serving the cities and communities of Pearland, Sugar Land, Richmond, Rosenburg, Friendswood, Khema, Glaveston, Richmond, and Seabrook
UTAH
Kleen Tank of Southern Texas
Eric & Susan Grimm • New Harmony, Utah
435-590-1853 • EricAndSusan@KleenTank.com
Servicing St. George, New Harmony, Cedar City, and surrounding communities
Kleen Tank on the Road No. 9
Korey & Michelle Seeba • Full-time RVers
605-305-0861 • Korey.Seeba@kleentank.com
Visit our Website • Visit our Facebook Page
Current location: Cedar City, Utah (serving surrounding cities and communities)
VIRGINIA
Kleen Tank of Eastern Virginia
David & Charlcie Hathaway • North Chesterfield, Virginia
804-921-0875 • David.Hathaway@kleentank.com
Visit our Facebook Page
Servicing Fredericksburg, Williamsburg, Petersburg, and Charlottesville
WASHINGTON
Kleen Tank of Northwestern Washington
Kevin Kings • Full-time RVer 406-260-0649 • Kevin.Kings@kleentank.com
Visit our Facebook Page
Servicing cities within 100 miles of Seattle in all directions
WISCONSIN
Kleen Tank of Northern Wisconsin
Ben & Patty Zastrow • Oshkosh, Wisconsin
920-913-0320 • ScottAndJanice@kleentank.com
Visit our Website • Visit our Facebook Page
Servicing Oshkosh, Green Bay, Door County, Algoma, Manitowoc, Sheboygan, Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, Beloit, Janesville, Madison, Wisconsin Dells, Montello, Tomah, Necedah, Marshfield, Wausau, Keshena, Tomahawk, Marinette, Waupaca, Shawano, and surrounding communities
Kleen Tank on the Road No. 7
Chris & Kansas Dakin • Full-time RVers
256-295-3707 • Chris.Dakin@kleentank.com
Visit our Website • Visit our Facebook Page
Currently based out of Madison, Wisconsin and serve the nearby cities and communities of Middleton, Fitchburg, McFarland, Sun Prairie, and Stoughton
Call to find their current and upcoming locations
"ON THE ROAD" AUTHORIZED DEALERS
Kleen Tank on the Road No. 1
Jim & Debbie Tome • Full-time RVers
815-508-3878 • Jim.Tome@kleentank.com
Visit our Website • Visit our Facebook Page
Typically servicing Northern and Central Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. Other areas throughout the year.
Currently located in Sycamore, Illinois and servicing Greater Chicagoland, Cook, DuPage, Kane, DeKalb, McHenry, and Lake Counties and all cities and communities in the area
Call to find their current and upcoming locations
Kleen Tank on the Road No. 2
Paul & Jennifer Clark • Full-time RVers
910-849-7707 • Paul.Clark@kleentank.com
Visit our Website • Visit our Facebook Page
Currently servicing the Florida cities of Orlando, Ocala, Titusville, Clermont, The Villages, Winter Haven, Lakeland, Port Charlotte, Sebring, and surrounding communities.
Call to find their current and upcoming locations.
Kleen Tank on the Road No. 3
Wendy & Joe Bruce • Part-time RVers
810-207-5355 • Wendy.Bruce@kleentank.com
Visit our Facebook Page
Servicing Michigan and upper Indiana spring through fall. Texas Coast, Lousiana, and some parts of Florida in the winter.
Call to find their current and upcoming locations.
Kleen Tank on the Road No. 4
Steve & Kate Joerger • Full-time RVers
470-538-0104 • Steve.Joerger@kleentank.com
Visit our Website • Visit our Facebook Page
Call to find their current and upcoming locations.
Learn more about this dealer, ask for a quote, or schedule a service appointment
Kleen Tank on the Road No. 5
Tim & Brenda Branstiter • Full-time RVers
308-227-9506 • TimAndBrenda@kleentank.com
Visit our Website • Visit our Facebook Page
Call to find their current and upcoming locations
Kleen Tank on the Road No. 6
Greg & Tammy Cash • Full-time RVers
256-668-0766 • Greg.Cash@kleentank.com
Visit our Website • Visit our Facebook Page
Currently located in Birmingham, Alabama and serving the nearby cities and communities of Montgomery, Auburn, Prattville, Opelika, and Tuscaloosa.
Call to find their current and upcoming locations
Kleen Tank on the Road No. 7
Chris & Kansas Dakin • Full-time RVers
256-295-3707 • Chris.Dakin@kleentank.com
Visit our Website • Visit our Facebook Page
Currently based out of Madison, Wisconsin and serve the nearby cities and communities of Middleton, Fitchburg, McFarland, Sun Prairie, and Stoughton
Call to find their current and upcoming locations
Kleen Tank on the Road No. 8
Jack & Wendy Pate • Part-time RVers
252-236-1023 • Jack.Pate@kleentank.com
Call to find their current and upcoming locations
Kleen Tank on the Road No. 9
Korey & Michelle Seeba • Full-time RVers
605-305-0861 • Korey.Seeba@kleentank.com
Visit our Website • Visit our Facebook Page
Current location: Cedar City, Utah (serving surrounding cities and communities)
Call to find their current and upcoming locations
Kleen Tank on the Road No. 10
Matt & Jennifer Wood
832-691-0281 • Matt.Wood@kleentank.com
Visit our Website • Visit our Facebook Page
Currently located in Houston, Texas and serving the cities and communities of Pearland, Sugar Land, Richmond, Rosenburg, Friendswood, Khema, Glaveston, Richmond, and Seabrook
Call to find their current and upcoming locations
Kleen Tank on the Road No. 11
Anthony & Patricia McDermott
613-404-3474 • AnthonyAndPatricia@kleentank.com
Visit our Facebook Page
Servicing Ottawa, Aurora, Barrie, Belleville, the Blue Mountains, Bracebridge, Bradford East/West Gwillimbury, Brantford, Brockville, Caledon, Cambridge, Carleton Place, Central Frontenac, Cornwall, Fort Erie, Georgian Bay, Gravenhurst, Gananoque, Guelph, Hamilton, Kawartha Lakes, Kincardine, Kingston, Leeds and The Thousand Islands,, Midland, Muskoka Lakes, Niagara Falls area, North Bay, Oshawa, Owen Sound, Perth, Petawawa, Peterborough, Quinte West, Sarnia, Sault Ste. Marie, Smiths Falls, St. Catherines, Stratford, Sudbury, Wasaga Beach, Waterloo, Whitewater Region, Windsor, Woodstock and surrounding areas.
Call to find their current and upcoming locations.
WE'RE HERE FOR YOU
CONNECT WITH US
P.O. Box 313, Sycamore, IL 60178
844-KLEENME (844-553-3663)
info@KleenTank.com
Facebook.com/KleenTank
Instagram.com/KleenTank
WHAT DOES OUR SERVICE DO?
IT'S PRETTY SIMPLE...
Fixes and corrects your RV's tank sensors almost every time.
Features innovative, hydrojetting technology.
Is a 100% mobile service. We come to you at your site.
Is environmentally safe and makes no mess at your site.
Is chemical-free and all-natural.
0 Comments