Many choose to live a nomadic lifestyle because they believe it gives them a cheaper way of living than living in a typical home. Aside from that, they also got the chance to travel endlessly without leaving the comfort of their own home. But what about their waste? What about their garbage? Where do they dump it? Do they have to pay a fee to be garbage-free? These are just the commonly asked questions regarding where and how will an RVer find a free dumpsite. And with this article, you will know all that can help you find a free Rv dumpsite so keep reading!
To spot a free dump site, the best thing you should do is to download the applications made only for tracking free dump sites. Examples of it are Sanidumps, Allstays, Campendium, RV Dumps, and many more. Aside from that, you might also see signs on the road that will lead to free dump sites, so better keep your eyes focused on the road signs.
Finding a free dump site when RVing is one of the most important activities to keep your RV garbage-free and if you still need help, stay on this article because below, I will discuss how these applications and websites work.
Free Dump Sites For RVers: Save More, Travel More!
It is everyone’s dream to travel to all the states without worrying they will run out of budget. And that will happen if an RVer finds a dumpsite to throw their garbage for free so they can have more money for the other expenses they may encounter on the road. There are lots of free dump sites there that you didn’t know, and that is the reason why I am here. I would be more than happy to show you how you will find a free RV dump site, so let’s start!
Apps And Website To Help You Find Free Dump Sites
Sanidumps
First of our free dump site hunting is the application called Sanidumps
. Sanidumps is a free app that you can download on Google Play to help you find the nearest free dump site on the location you are in. And not just that, if you are not into downloading apps, you can also find their website and also check for public and private RV parks, truck stops, rest stops, campgrounds, and resorts. May it be free or with a fee.
They have been helping RVers for over fifteen (15) years and grow their family from there with the RVers that need their help.
Users can easily search by the country or postal code of the free dump station near you. You can find this one on their website, where they will ask you to fill the form up mainly because they rely on the user’s submitted information. And trust that they got your back because customers are their top priority.
Currently, Sanidumps has more than seventeen thousand (17) dump stations listed only for you and what’s best about Sanidumps is that they let users add a new dump station if they discover one to help other RVers.
Find It On Allstays
One of the best apps for finding free RV dump sites is AllStays. AllStays offers several services that are made only for RVers, and check your location to filter and show what the customers want to see on their map. Aside from this, AllStays also works even if you have no network service, and you will have no problem regarding this one. It will still load and display free dump stations by the state and city you are in.
To download this wonderful app, go to your App Store and search for AllStays. You can download it from there and enjoy it. AllStays has two versions, and the other one is called AllStays Pro. This version has much information with the additional full listing of RV dump stations all over the state. There is a one-time payment that costs $29.95 per year to download this version that you can also renew annually if you want to.
AllStays also provides the contact numbers of the dumpsite, so it will be a lot easier for an RVer to call and inquire about the dumpsite.
Campendium:Most Dependable App
Just like Sanidumps, Campendium also relies on the information given by the user. They will find free dump sites for you and give you campsites where you can stay and relax. That is why they are called the most dependable resources for finding campsites and boondocking sites.
For now, Campendium’s application is only available at the App Store but don’t fret yet because they have a website where you can find their users’ feedback
“Campendium has helped me find amazing, off-grid spaces as well as the best campgrounds in my travels across the US. I’m a more knowledgeable and prepared camper because of what you guys do!” said Kimberlee Arce. One of the users of campendium who commended them for being so great. This only means that Campendium did their best to provide excellent service to their users.
As you browse on their website, you will notice that almost all RVers who tried Campendium have positive feedback.
RV Dumps
Another great find is the RV Dumps. It is a website also for free dump sites which rely on the user’s submitted form. By this, you can track dump sites and offer tips because they know that finding a free dump site can be a bit tricky. RV Dumps will give the contact information, fee information, and all the things you must know about the RV dump site you have chosen when searching for the free dumpsite
Pilot Flying J
Initially, they say that Pilot Flying J was made for truck drivers to locate the closest Pilot Flying J and fuel up to the nearest RV-friendly fuel station.
If you would ask, why is it connected to free dump sites, because aside from helping RVers find the nearest Pilot Flying J fuel station, it also shows big-rig friendly stops and Pilot Flying J stations that have a dumping area.
Pilot Flying J is a free app available in App Store and Google Play, so go download it and start saving!
Stay Connected With Love’s Connect
Just like Pilot Flying J, Love’s Connect is also a free app that helps RVers find fuel stops near them whenever they need to. And for those Rvers that have pets, good news! Because aside from suggesting dump stations and fuel stops, Love’s Connect Travel Stops are also specially made forRVers who travel with their pets. What’s best about Love’s Connect’s stops is that aside from their RV-friendly stops, they also have a dog run and what we are looking for in this article, the dump station. Also, they let RVers use their private showers, so if you feel a bit icky and want to conserve your RV’s water, they are offering their shower to help you clean up on the road.
Love’s Connect app is available in App Store and Google Play.
RV Dump Stations
Last on our list is the RV Dump Stations app, it is currently unavailable on google play so that means you can only download this on the App Store. To have this one, you will have to pay a one-time payment of $.99. It is made for RVers and truck drivers to help them find the dump stations in the United States and Canada. This great app helps nomads visualize the place so they will know if they can fit in.
In addition, the reason why it is also great is that almost all of the stations have the information such as their address, phone number, and service fees so you are informed even before you go to the dump station (also so you will not panic once you learn about the service fees).
No apps? No Worries! Find RV Dump Sites By Yourself
If you think that application won’t help you find free RV Dump Sites, why don’t you focus on the things that you see on the road? Sometimes what we are looking for is right in front of our eyes.
Keep Your Eyes On The Signs
Because sometimes, when we go on a trip, we are too busy browsing on our phones to fight boredom, we didn’t even notice the signs on the road that might also help us. Have the eye of the eagle while on the road because the road signs we neglect sometimes are the ones that can help us find what we are looking for.
If you find one without the help of the applications above, then kindly submit or share it with other RVers so they can also benefit from what you saw on the road.
Look Through The Social Media Platforms
Aside from keeping us entertained while on the trip, social media platforms like Facebook also help us find what we are looking for, like people, things, food, and places. Unlike before, where things we can do in social media are very limited.
Business owners use social media platforms to create pages and gain popularity so more people will know them. You can also find and join Facebook groups that discuss all the things you need to know when Rving. And for sure, they have talked about finding free R.V. dumpsites in different locations. It is best to learn from other people’s experiences, so the next time you are on the trip, take time to use your social media for something that can help you take your garbage and have a clean R.V.
Unwritten Rules When Going For Free Dump Sites
Be mindful. That is the number 1 rule you should always keep in mind when you go for a free dumpsite. Since you are not the only one using it, practice dumping your tanks quickly and cleanly. I know it is essential for you to flush your tanks more often but being mindful that people are waiting for you to finish is a great help.
Cleaning your water tank or any RV’s tank needs a lot of water, and obviously the water you will be needing is on the dump station’s end. If you use too much of it, that can lead to asking you for additional fees. It is also important to clean yourself up, and if you think you have left a bit of a mess, kindly clean it up, for it may lead to everyone being restricted from using the RV dump station.
To add more, beckleysrvs also wrote something about the common etiquette you should know. And she said that you should dump the black water tank before the grey one so the soapy water from the tank will clean out all the residue left inside the hose. She also suggests using a 6 to 8 ft long heavy sewer hose so you can handle gray water tanks a lot easier. And lastly, is that you should always carry an extra hose (any kind of hose) to rinse residues off of your tank, and it can also help you if the dump station does not provide one. Just make sure that it is stored properly so you won’t get confused with it being your drinking water hose.
Remember that free RV dump stations are a blessing to every RVers and that we all should treat it like we are always giving our thanks to it. And it is simply leaving it clean. As years go by, there are many dump stations that have been closed because of some RVers out there that don’t know how to take care of the dump stations. Just like what beckleysrvs said, leave the place cleaner than you found it.
R.V. Waste: Know How To Dispose of Them Properly
Let’s talk now about how to dispose of R.V. waste properly. Knowing proper disposal, like handling your R.V.’s different tanks, can probably help you get rid of all the waste quickly and efficiently. But before that, if you are a new RVer, let me first familiarize you with your R.V. different tanks.
There are three different tanks in your R.V. that hold your water and waste. If you see a black water tank, know that that tank is for your wastewater and things from your “toilet activities.” The tank with all your dirty water from the shower and sink is on the gray water tank. And lastly, the freshwater tank has all your clean water to supply water to your shower and sink.
Emptying Stinky Black Water Tank
Now, let’s move on to maintaining your tanks waste-free. Know that it is essential to empty your tanks regularly to keep them odor-free and clean. To start, let us first talk about how you will empty your black water tank. It is not everyone’s favorite activity, so you’re going to have to put on your rubber gloves first because you will face real stinky and dirty enemies. After putting your gloves on, get your sewer hose, then attach it to the black water tank outlet and the other side on the hose outlet of the dumping station. Keep in mind that dumping stations have different hose pipes, so it is best to have different sewer hose adapters. From there, open your black water tank’s valve and flush all the waste inside it.
When you are satisfied and feel that you flush ’em all already, close the black tank valve to stop it from draining and do the last step, which is rinsing off the residue on your sewer hose. At the dump station, you will find freshwater only for rinsing sewer hoses. What you are going to do is to connect your black water tank’s hose to the freshwater source and open the black water tank again after leaving it closed for about a minute. Open the water valve again and observe if the water that is running inside your sewer hose is getting clearer.
One thing that might help you with it is the clear pipe that you can buy online or in the market. It will let you see the water flowing inside the hose, so you will know if it is good to go.
Cleaning Gray Water Tank
Draining your gray water tank is somehow similar to how you drain your black water tank. Since the gray water tank holds all the dirty water and waste from your sink and shower, I advised you to use a cleaning detergent that helps soften stubborn dirt in it.
To drain the gray water tank, check the monitor that displays the amount of liquid inside your gray water tank. According to Toliver Truck & R.V., if your tank reaches 75% of its capacity, that is the time where you will have to put your chosen cleaning agent and drain it. After putting the cleaning soap or agent, wait an hour or more to be sure that the smuts are removed. Like what you did with your black water tank, put on your gloves and connect your sewer hose to the outlet of your gray water tank and the other end on the hosepipe of the dumping station. Drain the gray water tank completely. Note that you will have to add a cleaning agent every time you are draining the gray water tank to prevent fungi or smut from building up. It will also block bad odors that might roam around inside your R.V.
When your gray water tank is fully emptied, that is the time where you should start cleaning it. Cleaning your gray water tank is the same as cleaning your black tank. If you want, as you are cleaning your R.V. ‘s gray water tank, you can put a cleaning agent or detergent to make sure that there is no dirt left on your hose.
Refilling Fresh Water Tank
After dealing with all the dirty stuff, it is now time for you to have fresh water in your R.V. that you will need when cooking, using the toilet, and taking a bath. The freshwater tank of your R.V. can hold up to 100 gallons of water which is enough for your whole trip.
Remember that you SHOULD NOT use the sewer hose you used with your black and gray water tank when refilling for your freshwater because that would be so disgusting! Make sure that you have a separate hose only for your freshwater tank. So moving on, you can find potable water on campgrounds, rest stops, state parks, and water refilling stations you might see on the road.
Refilling from the faucet. When refilling from a faucet, the only thing you will need is the hose for your freshwater tank. Connect one end of your hose to the outlet of your freshwater tank and the other end to the faucet pipe of the freshwater station. Open the valve of the water source and wait until your freshwater tank is filled up. Once done, turn off the valve of the faucet and close the lid of your freshwater tank tightly, so it is free from dirt and spilling.
Real Cost Of Not Using Free R.V. Dumpsites
Like I have said, this article is a full guide to help you in finding free dumpsites. But what if you are too far from the location of the free dumpsite that your application had tracked.
When on the road, you can see signs that may lead to where dumpsites are. Usually, dumpsites can charge you between $20-$25 depending on the state or location you are in, and the downside is that, for that price, it may not be a full service, so you are obliged to pay another fee aside from the base price of $20-$25.
Hit The Road!
In conclusion, finding free dumpsites nowadays is not that hard, all thanks to the applications we can easily download on our phones and iPads, unlike before, where we have to travel for miles and waste too much fuel to find a free dumpsite. With this article, I hope that finally, your head won’t hurt anymore, thinking where you should dump your waste, get your freshwater and how you should properly clean your tanks.
Now, hit the road, and don’t be afraid that your R.V. will carry all the waste for weeks.
