Automated sani-dumps

Yesterday we dumped our RV's holding tanks at Love's truck stop in Gila Bend. They had a dump station that you had to pay for with a token or credit card- $5. I had never seen one of these before. When you pay, you have one minute to lift the lid and put your hose in (see photo). Then you can dump your holding tanks. There is no time limit on dumping.

This morning I saw a press release at RV Daily  Report from the Oregon company that supplies these - Sani-Star. They hope to get more of these in RV parks. Charging a fee could help a park recoup their costs of disposing of waste, or it could be a profit center. According to the press release, places that have installed these to replace one with the honor system have found two to three times more RVers pay than were doing so. Not a big percentage of users pay.

Flying J's have this system also so I would think so does Pilot. If you want to see more photos, go to Sani-Star's website.

You can find a list of dump stations at RVDump.com. Their lists do not always tell you if there is a charge. Sanidumps.com also lists dump stations by state and does tell you the charge on the ones they list.

The reality is that many states have closed their free dump stations because of cost and abuse. It's getting harder and harder to find a free one. This device by SaniStar will probably increase the number of places charging to dump and add more costs to the RV lifestyle. Darn! Jaimie Hall Bruzenak

Comments

[Ed Greenberg]

I don't mind paying to dump if I have to do so. If I have choices, I'll go to the choice that lets me dump free, or free while making a purchase.

While it may cost some folks more, depending on their particular choices within the RV lifestyle, it may also increase availability of dump stations.

Everything has consequences.

Ed

[Jaimie Hall Bruzenak]

Thanks, Ed. I too prefer free! And, a reasonable fee like $5 is not hard to pay because the owner does have costs. Now $15- that's gouging, in my opinion.

Jaimie