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AngelaMandfamil's avatar
AngelaMandfamil
Explorer
Sep 01, 2019

Needing advice for black tank issue

For background: I recently bought a 31ft 5th wheel to live in full time on family property due to the high economical cost of living in my area. The problem I am having is that the people I bought the RV from never emptied the black tank and it went through a few winters of freezing and was pretty full when I got it. I emptied what I could but there is a major clog in the tank, AFTER the bottom bend from the toliet into the tank itself. I have tried numerous things to dislodge this from wands, snakes, chemicals, but nothing has been effective. To make matters worse, the property is not set up for rv dumping, and my current system is to empty into a buddy tank, and then plumbing services will come out and pump out of that. It works well when the system is not clogged. However, because its not hooked up to a sewer system, I cannot keep the tank open and send a high pressure hose through the "back door" so to speak, and have to go through the toilet itself. I am at a loss and my next step is to have a mobile RV come out and drop the tank and then manually fix the problem.

I have been considering, due to the situation where I have the trailer parked, changing out this system after getting it fixed and installing either a composting toilet or cassette toilet. We also have a harsh winter at times and this would also fix the potential issue of freezing the black tank. I do not plan on touring the country in my RV at this time, and I plan to keep it parked, as I work full time, so I really dont want to have to move the trailer monthly to have to go dump at the RV dump site. I have the ability to dump into a port a potty we have on the property on a daily basis if need be, but would prefer not to have to do this more often than weekly.

My question to those of you who are knowledgeable in this area, what are your recommendations? Should I just get the black tank fixed and hope to never have this issue again? or change the system up. Also, if you advise to change the system up, what sort of toilet would be best for my situation. I am the only person in the RV, so one adult user.

I appreciate any response, as I am new to the full time RV world, never encountered an issue such as this with a black tank, and am unsure which direction to go. thank you so much for reading.

9 Replies

  • PNW_Steve's avatar
    PNW_Steve
    Explorer
    Sep 02, 2019
    I have lived full time for extended periods both on the road and stationary.

    I found that keeping a tidy black tank becomes more difficult when stationary. My guess is that the motion helps keep things "stirred up".

    We had a 325 gallon external tank that we dumped into using a macerator pump. Then the porta-potty folks would come by and empty the big tank.

    Keeping the solids from building up in the RV tank was a challenge. I found that filling the tank with water and half a bottle of Calgon water softener and let it sit overnight helped.

    I had some issues with solids build up and failing dump valves. The final straw was when I had company and discovered that they were putting prodigious amounts OT toilet paper in the toilet. I was rightfully concerned.... When I tried to dump, it was plugged up solid.

    I tried everything I could think of to clear it. No luck... I called a septic pump company. They came out and hooked up their big vacuum to the drain. No luck... We took the big nasty vacuum hose inside the trailer and attacked it from the top. No luck.. Then I figured, if I can't suck it out, maybe I can blow it out??

    I mcgivored a connection to pressurize the drain and gently turned on the air.... It almost worked.... Some air made it past the block but it didn't break the clog free.

    However, it was enough to spray poo on the walls and ceiling.

    After cleaning up my mess I unbolted the toilet and installed a composting toilet.

    Without reservation, my new rig will have a composting toilet from day one.
  • DutchmenSport's avatar
    DutchmenSport
    Explorer
    Sep 02, 2019
    You do know that poo is combustible? In the Army, while in South Korea, we went out for our training exercises and lived in the field. Our camp consisted of tents. There was a common "latrine" area, which consisted of a 4 foot privacy fence consisting of a green tarp material and 1 barrel cut in half with a toilet seat sitting on top of each half. Every morning, someone was assigned to "latrine" duty. They had to take those barrels and set them on fire to burn up the contents. They doused it with a bit of diesel fuel (which was plentiful, since this was a tank battalion). The ash that remained was buried in a shallow 6 inch deep hole, which consisted of basically, one shovel scoop of dirt out of the ground, dump the ash and plop the dirt clod back on top. No, I never had to do "latrine duty."

    But why couldn't you catch the solid contents in some kind of bucket with a filter that will let the water drain onto the ground and catch the solids. Then take the solids and simply burn them. If you live in the country, and neighbors not too close, you could get away with this. (maybe). Anyway, it's just a thought. Filter out the solids and let the water go to the ground. Burn the solids.

    Here again, this is just an idea?
  • AngelaMandfamil's avatar
    AngelaMandfamil
    Explorer
    Sep 01, 2019
    I did not think of the large portable tank possibility. With that, I would be able to open it up and get a high pressure hose in through the dump valve and try to break it down from the other side. I did try contacting a holding tank service, but due to liability, they will not pump or vacuum out of an RV tank, hense the 40 gal buddy tank that they will pump out of. I seriously appreciate your suggestions on that. As for a professional rv tank cleaner service, we are rural, and have none in the area and my only option for that is to haul the trailer into the city and to an RV service facility where they can do it. Being that I live in it, am rural and have pets, hauling it into a service yard will take some planning and why I am doing all I can think of to fix the issue within my means. All the suggestions though have my brain thinking and giving me other idea's, so I really appreciate all your suggestions.
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Sep 01, 2019
    drill a hole in the side of the tank opposite the drain. jam a pressure washer into that hole and fire awsy.'
    bumpy
  • ItsyRV's avatar
    ItsyRV
    Explorer
    Sep 01, 2019
    Sounds like your situation isn't ideal for a DIY solution.

    The only DIY possibility remaining that I can think of is if you call one of the portable sanitation service (porta pottie peopel) companies and see if they have the large ground waster storage tanks. They are those huge 300+ gallon rectangle tanks you see at fairs and events connected to all the porta-potties. You use it, call them when full, they come pump it out and keep doing that until you are finished and have them pick the whole thing up.

    Another is of course the holding tank services that come to you with their service trucks. They clean the tanks with their pump and vacuum tank truck. They usually don't need anything but access to your unit.

    Pretty much the things you are doing with your limitations is all you can really do. So it's get a bigger waste tank or call in the pros with their tanks.
  • Bill_Satellite's avatar
    Bill_Satellite
    Explorer II
    Sep 01, 2019
    Happy Camper won't work unless you have many months to let it sit.
    I would call a professional tank cleaner if one is available. Google All Pro Water Flow and see if they can get someone to your location.
    http://allprowaterflow.com/apwf-dealers-state-listing/
    Good luck. They do know their stuff and will leave you a sparkling clean tank.
  • Lwiddis's avatar
    Lwiddis
    Explorer II
    Sep 01, 2019
    Yes, have the black tank professionally fixed. Think “professional inspection” the next time you consider buying a used RV. Did you inspect the roof? Use tape and sealant as necessary?
  • noteven's avatar
    noteven
    Explorer III
    Sep 01, 2019
    Maybe contact the people who make Happy Camper tank treatment. They make a product for removing sewer concrete deposits.

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