I'm left wondering.....maybe someone can quench my confusion........I took my Baystar MH to the local rv service and it was there for several days.....I had drained both grey and blackwater tanks prior to dropping it off.....40 mile round trip....when I returned home I discovered the blackwater tank I thought was empty actually drained much more sewage.....I called the service center and manager was offended when I asked him if someone there helped themselves to the bathroom....he said this was normal that the tank would still have sewage come out after driving it. My issue was there was a LOT that drained. My wife and I had even cleaned prior to the service and allowed both black and grey leavers to remain open letting the water drain as we used it.Any thoughts on this...

Ask if he has a security guard...it's happened before that the guards on RV Lots hangsout in the comfort of your RV...I'd say roll with it and use a good disinfectant on the potty!

The tank has baffles which may have held back sewage when static. When you moved the MH the sewage escaped the baffles in cornering and stops.Or the service manager doesn't know his employees very well.

I really don't know of an RV repair facility that wouldn't have it's own restrooms. Employees are assuredly told not to use a customer's restrooms. Even if an employee stepped out of line and used a toilet a single use wouldn't have put much in the tank. It is entirely possible that the shop was correct in that driving the rig after the tank had been drained would loosen some additional debris.Would the service you had done require anyone to run any water? Things like de-winterizing, fixing any water lines, pumps, valves, tanks, water heaters, etc. would all require running all the water lines to remove any air in those lines after servicing. Even electrical repairs may have resulted in the techs checking that all systems were working including water pumps and electric valves.

And never leave the black tank open unless you are dumping it or you'll end up with a pyramid of dried poop in your tank, which is what you indeed may already have.

Retired VSP wrote:... My wife and I had even cleaned prior to the service and allowed both black and grey leavers to remain open letting the water drain as we used it.Any thoughts on this...Not sure how long you had the valves open but your black tank almost certainly was retaining water since there would be TP blocking the outlet pipe. Combine that with driving and sloshing things around and that could explain everything. I'll assume that you had all valves closed while you were driving since that's the law.

Blackwater Tank | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

Retired_VSP
Explorer II
Mar 21, 2014
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Do you have a black tank flusher?

Really helps move everything out after dumping.

Also a clear adapter (connects to dump line then connect sewer hose to it) really helps 'see' how well tanks drain and when they rinse clear.
Yep...got one of those but I don't use it every time...lesson learned here for sure ....I could certainly understand the water part used at the service center but the amount of solid waste that came out was baffling......I'll just have a little talk with my grandkids about eating all those "sticky" smores treats....lol. Thx for your great advise.....happy and safe travels.....we're planning a west coast from Virginia this summer and we may forego the marshmellows....lol
goducks10
Explorer
Mar 21, 2014
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Do you have a black tank flusher?

Really helps move everything out after dumping.

Also a clear adapter (connects to dump line then connect sewer hose to it) really helps 'see' how well tanks drain and when they rinse clear.

x2
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Mar 21, 2014
Do you have a black tank flusher?

Really helps move everything out after dumping.

Also a clear adapter (connects to dump line then connect sewer hose to it) really helps 'see' how well tanks drain and when they rinse clear.
Retired_VSP
Explorer II
Mar 21, 2014
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Retired VSP wrote:
bigdogger wrote:
I really don't know of an RV repair facility that wouldn't have it's own restrooms. Employees are assuredly told not to use a customer's restrooms. Even if an employee stepped out of line and used a toilet a single use wouldn't have put much in the tank. It is entirely possible that the shop was correct in that driving the rig after the tank had been drained would loosen some additional debris.
Would the service you had done require anyone to run any water? Things like de-winterizing, fixing any water lines, pumps, valves, tanks, water heaters, etc. would all require running all the water lines to remove any air in those lines after servicing. Even electrical repairs may have resulted in the techs checking that all systems were working including water puImps and electric valves.
I actually had a coupling in a waterline repaired and they did run a lot of water to check for leaks.

Well there you go.....
I certainly learned that you still have a lot of c--p in the blackwater tank even when you think you got a good "dump"....lol
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Mar 20, 2014
Retired VSP wrote:
bigdogger wrote:
I really don't know of an RV repair facility that wouldn't have it's own restrooms. Employees are assuredly told not to use a customer's restrooms. Even if an employee stepped out of line and used a toilet a single use wouldn't have put much in the tank. It is entirely possible that the shop was correct in that driving the rig after the tank had been drained would loosen some additional debris.
Would the service you had done require anyone to run any water? Things like de-winterizing, fixing any water lines, pumps, valves, tanks, water heaters, etc. would all require running all the water lines to remove any air in those lines after servicing. Even electrical repairs may have resulted in the techs checking that all systems were working including water puImps and electric valves.
I actually had a coupling in a waterline repaired and they did run a lot of water to check for leaks.

Well there you go.....
Retired_VSP
Explorer II
Mar 19, 2014
bigdogger wrote:
I really don't know of an RV repair facility that wouldn't have it's own restrooms. Employees are assuredly told not to use a customer's restrooms. Even if an employee stepped out of line and used a toilet a single use wouldn't have put much in the tank. It is entirely possible that the shop was correct in that driving the rig after the tank had been drained would loosen some additional debris.
Would the service you had done require anyone to run any water? Things like de-winterizing, fixing any water lines, pumps, valves, tanks, water heaters, etc. would all require running all the water lines to remove any air in those lines after servicing. Even electrical repairs may have resulted in the techs checking that all systems were working including water puImps and electric valves.
I actually had a coupling in a waterline repaired and they did run a lot of water to check for leaks.
HappyKayakers
Explorer III
Mar 19, 2014
Retired VSP wrote:
Thx everyone....I am really surprised at the amount of blackwater sewage that doesn't drain on the initial dump. This has been very enlightening to say the least....and yes the tanks were plugged traveling to the rv center and back home..

If you're not currently using a clear connector at the sewer outlet, you should get one. Drain black tank as you normally do. When you think it's empty, go back inside and fill the toilet all the way up to the rim and flush it. Bet you see more than 1 bowl full come out. Stuff frequently gets stuck at the outlet and needs additional water to push it (and everything else remaining in the tank) through.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Mar 19, 2014
the bear II wrote:
The tank has baffles which may have held back sewage when static. When you moved the MH the sewage escaped the baffles in cornering and stops.

Or the service manager doesn't know his employees very well.

There are no baffles in waste tank (Or fresh water tank).
Baffles would create ALL kinds of problems..

The drain lines come out the side of tank so there is a lip and liquids will remain after dumping.

What kind of service did you have done.......inside work?
Does the bathroom sink drain to black tank?

Wouldn't be surprised if employees used the facilities......and management would never admit it because I sure it's not allowed.
Proving it HAHAHA

Just be glad they didn't take a nap between the sheets.
Retired_VSP
Explorer II
Mar 19, 2014
Thx everyone....I am really surprised at the amount of blackwater sewage that doesn't drain on the initial dump. This has been very enlightening to say the least....and yes the tanks were plugged traveling to the rv center and back home..
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Mar 19, 2014
they drained both tanks and left the valve open while driving back from the dump area and over to the RV place. what water that was left should have sloshed around and dumped out on the way.
bumpy

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