Tiny grey tank issue

I'm trying to decide if a Phoenix Cruiser 2552 is the right RV for me.  I'm concerned about the size of the grey tank.  Most of my camping is dry camping at dog shows.  I'm lucky if I have electric.  Water is sometimes available and sewer almost never.  I can NOT dump the grey water on the ground - I'll be thrown out.  So....  how can I handle one or two military showers with a grey tank that small? 

I've read that there is a way to equalize the grey and black tanks.  Are there 3 knife valves?  (one for black, one for grey, and one for both).  I can't find a picture that shows me the details.

Thanks for any help you can give me!

Peg

Hi Peg,

Many PCs have a smaller grey tank than a black tank.  Our 2350 has the same situation.  It is "extremely" simple to flow 50% or more of the grey tank into the black tank by a simple throw of two switches, the grey tank valve switch first, the black tank 10-15 seconds following.  Wait about 20-30 seconds and then close both valves.  Since you don't own a PC yet, it will be "foggy" for you to understand.  But trust me....you won't have a problem with that matter at all.  Irene and I take back to back showers.  I shower first.  Once dry and dressed, I go out and blend the grey tank into the black tank so she can finish her shower without a shower pan with bath water that won't go down the drain.

If ordering your PC, I advise to pay a tiny bit more to have Phoenix add redundant tank valve switches inside so you don't have to go outside.  I hope to be installing redundant switches myself sometime this year in our 2007 2350.

Welcome to the Phoenix forum!
Ron Dittmer

Thank you so much Ron.  It IS foggy, but I guess I'll have to trust.  And yes, I'll put redundant switches on my list.

Peg

We had to disconnect from city water last night due to low temperatures in Elkhart.  Three of us took showers in am and did everything else we needed to do without filling the grey tank to capacity.

I'm trying to decide if a Phoenix Cruiser 2552 is the right RV for me.  I'm concerned about the size of the grey tank.  Most of my camping is dry camping at dog shows.  I'm lucky if I have electric.  Water is sometimes available and sewer almost never.  I can NOT dump the grey water on the ground - I'll be thrown out.  So....  how can I handle one or two military showers with a grey tank that small? 

I've read that there is a way to equalize the grey and black tanks.  Are there 3 knife valves?  (one for black, one for grey, and one for both).  I can't find a picture that shows me the details.

Thanks for any help you can give me!

Peg

Welcome Peg!
Mrs V and I use a 2006 2350 for 'boondocking' at festivals. We upgraded from a 1971 VW microbus, so its a palace to us.
New Years festival we could not dump grey at all for 4 days, and had no issues. I am 10th MTN INF US Army, so I know a military field shower... and it is ANYTHING but. Mrs V was happy also. 
 We use ~3 gal for a 'field' shower, ~8 for a comfy camper one. I haul the water in 6 gal cans, so i know 'zactly what we use. 

As far as equalizing the tanks... Ron has you there. PLEASE click the 'neighborly' button in his post.     

 

Our 2017 2552 with full fresh water tank and empty grey and black will give us two showers each. These are reasonable length showers. Not military type.

Every rv'er needs one of these:

http://www.campingworld.com/bodyspa-rv-shower-kit-white

Not being used to RVing we had a hard time adjusting to military showers and honestly use way more water than a 'proper' military shower.  The gray tank capacity is enough for 2 showers each and some dish washing.  However, I have had the gray tank back up in the shower once, but that is a lesson learned.

As Ron explained there is also a method to move some of the grey tank water over to the black tank once which gets you another day perhaps.

We have not done a lot of dry camping yet, but have a trip planned next month into the desert with no hookups.  That will be our first chance to really test the capabilities of the tankage as well as the solar.

Jatrax, consider dish tubs that fit in your sink. We use 3: dirty dishes, wash water, rinse water. When done, the water gets dumped down the toilet and into the black tank (after double and triple checking that no small items are hiding in the water.) Added benefits are the ability to relocate your dirty dishes to make room in the kitchen, the ability to do dishes out at the picnic table, and so on. I'll sometimes clean out the tubs after the wash up and stack the wet dishes in the tubs so I can set them out of the way until they are dry.

We use a swim suit and the outdoor shower when boondocking. ...or would they consider that dumping grey water? Always use all natural biodegradable soap.

Thanks 2 Frazzled!  I'll pass that tip on to my dishwasher 

She is a little apprehensive about no utilities but I've told her we can pack up and go anytime.  The house is on wheels after all.

We are heading out to photograph the Alvord desert, which is basically a dry lake bed in central Oregon.  Looking forward to seeing how the solar install works over a 2 or 3 day stay with no other power.

Please update on the solar. We plan to get panels added later this year.

Please update on the solar. We plan to get panels added later this year.

2 frazzled

My advice on solar is make sure you get a solar monitor like the Bogart.

When I dry camp if we have reasonable sunny days and no shading from trees:
We can watch TV in evening, use all the lights we need and the refrigerator that uses Propane. This uses about 8% of my power. I have 2 -140W arrays and batteries are usually are fully charged by the afternoon.

If it is cold, we use sleeping bags and only run the furnace in the morning until the inside temp is about 70oF. This uses about 4% more. Still no problem getting back to 100% charged.

However, if it's raining or heavy clouds it doesn't charge that much but I can still last 3-4 days without going below 50%, then I use generator or drive somewhere to dump my grey water.

Please update on the solar. We plan to get panels added later this year.

Will do!

My (limited) experience so far mirrors Keelhauler's.  With a little care the two panels should bring things back to fully charged on a sunny day.  However, my roof is not as clear as his so I am curious to see how much shadows from the on roof gear will impact things.  Also we have a compressor refrigerator so that is going to use a lot more power than a propane one.

Keelhauler when you park do you point the nose due south or something else?  My panels are not as well located as yours so I am trying to figure out the best orientation.

I usually just park the way the campsite was setup, but I do pay attention to shade from trees if there is no power.

I'm surprised that PC now installs arrays but doesn't move the antenna to the back like mine. The handle would be in the bedroom on the 2552 just behind the left wardrobe.