Little background; we're going full time in July and just bought our first fifth wheel. Never really been in one before, except the one we bought so we're complete novices. We'll we got it home and the previous owner didn't drain the tanks. Found a Swivel Stik in a storage compartment so I thought why not use it. Tried it out in the yard and it sprayed water like it should. Tugged on the end and the flexible hose and both seemed secure so I started to stick it down the head and worked it up and down. Then the dreaded feeling... no more resistance. I pulled it out and only the flexible hose came out. The head with the sprayer was gone. HELP!! 2005 Keystone Raptor 3612. It's not a straight shot to into the black tank so I can't see the head of the sprayer. WHat do I do? Can I leave it there? Even if I pulled the tank, which I really don't want to do, can I really get the sprayer head out? Being a real novice, we owned the RV less than 2 weeks, we're turning to your centuries of combined experience. Thanks so much.

Don't worry about, it will eventually make its way out and into the dumping station. My son dropped a Hot Wheels car into our black tank and I actually heard it go through the hose 2 dumps later.

I don't think it would be easy to get it out and I don't think it with hurt anything to just leave it in there.

If you can't reach in with your hand and grab it, it probably can be accessed by removing the toilet. Before messing with the black tank, I'd remove the toilet first. It would be easier than the black tank. If the end fell on down and is laying at the bottom of the tank, ummm.... not sure what I'd do. I'm assuming it's too big or long to add lots of water and flush it out, right?I once had a pill bottle fall in the toilet and it went down. I figured it would probably flush out at the next campout. Well, when winterizing, I flushed the tank out. Tank was clean, and I was letting the water fall on the ground, and bingo! The pill bottle fell out.... like 6 months AFTER it fell in? Never could figure that one out. But glad it didn't clog up anything.

it will come out in the first dump of the holding tank if you wait until it almost full.

Thanks for the replies guys. Well, I don't think it'll make it's way out. Here's a link to the stick. Lost the end connected to the flexible hose. It's pretty long.http://www.walmart.com/ip/Camco-Flexible-Swivel-Stik/14504324DutchmanSport, now as far as reaching in and trying to see if I can grab it, I'd go for that. covettekent, you're right, I don't think it'll make it's way out by itself, in fact I'm pretty sure it won't since the part that fell off was pretty long. Leaving it in there, humm... maybe you're right. Maybe it'll just jostle around and clear up the stuck deposits? Wouldn't that be nice? Not knowing how the piping or drain valves line up with the tank, do you think it would make it's way into an elbow and restrict solid waste removal? Anyone knows or has a picture of the Raptor 3612 black tank plumbing?

Broke Swivel Stik end in black tank. Oops. | Good Sam Community

MtnLiving
Explorer
Jan 25, 2016
For all of you considering getting the Swivel Stik or using one, maybe you might want to reconsider....
MtnLiving
Explorer
Jan 25, 2016
The piece lost is made of plastic about 6 inches long. Not flexible.
Inspection camera is a great idea. Looked into it and Home Depot wanted $136 for 4 hours use. Found cameras that you can use with your laptop on Amazon for $20 - $40. Might actually go that route.

Flushed the black tank 15 times and I do have a clear elbow. Didn't come out. This thing is pretty big and long and I can see a 90 elbow that I know it won't make it past. Only flushed so many times because stuff (other than the sprayer) kept coming out. ; )

Wish I could just reach down and grab it. No straight shot to the tank.

We're complete novices to any type of trailer / camper etc. We tent camp and the closest we're come to any type of camper is we slept in the back of our pickup a few times. Don't think that counts. ; )

Not sure how the plumbing goes as the bottom is covered. Might just have to pull the underbelly apart and see how the whole thing links together.

RDS33, now that's an idea I might just have to do. Cut the elbow where I think it'll probably get stuck and then repair it. Just didn't want to have to resort to that.

Thank you for all your ideas. I really appreciate it. And keep them coming...

So I'm going to use a combination of all your collective knowledge. Going to get a cheap camera from Amazon and see if I can spot it. If I see it, I can measure the length of the fish tape that went in then I know how far it has gone. If it's too deep to reach from the head, I'll remove the underbelly and measure again so I know exactly where it's lodged itself. Then I can cut and repair the pipes. They are just PVC sewer pipes and it shouldn't be too hard to fix.

Sounds like a good plan? Maybe someone can add something to it?

Thanks again for all your replies. Glad I joined this forum.
HJGyswyt
Explorer
Jan 25, 2016
Hire a real plumber, they have the tools and know how to retrieve it. Money well spent.
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Jan 25, 2016
Is that flexible part made of metal? Can you put a magnet on a hose and hope you get lucky, touch it, then pull it back out the way it went in? Or use the magnet to drag it to the drain valve then pull it out that way.

Just a thought this may not work.

Take a magnet in your pocket into a wall mart and see if sticks to a new one of those things.
RDS33
Explorer
Jan 24, 2016
If the pipe from the toilet goes though the basement. Go into the basement below the elbows just above the tank and cut the pipe. You could should be able to reach in and grab it. Then repair the pipe.
Gjac
Explorer III
Jan 23, 2016
If I understand you just the flexible end came off which looks about 3 ft or less. If so I would try what John&Joey suggested first If that does not work I would try sticking a flexible garden hose down the toilet with the male end removed and see where the bends are, can you feel the missing piece, will it go all the way to the exit? I then would pull it out and shove it in past the first bend and open the water pressure full blast while inserting it deeper into the piping. Hopefully the water pressure with get it close enough to the exit to grab it with a coat hanger.
ECones
Explorer
Jan 22, 2016
Just me brain storming, but how does the drain pipe connect to the tank? Could it be removed so that you could remove it from the bottom without removing the tank?
John_Joey
Explorer
Jan 22, 2016
I doubt it will flush out since it's too heavy. I also doubt you have a line of sight to it. I also doubt a camera will be able to spot it given all the twists and turns the pipes make.

I would leave the black valve open and put the cap on the end of the line. Drive it somewhere between 25 and 100 miles. Take the cap off and see if it shook itself down the pipe from all the vibration and bouncing. Since sewage is setup to go downhill maybe you might get lucky with the sprayer.

If no luck, then one of two things. Live with it, or tear it apart.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Jan 22, 2016
bid_time wrote:
Just shine a light down in the tank, reach in and grab it. You ain't going to die.

You must have a TT or REALLY LONG arms cause OP has a 5vr and you can't reach black tank from toilet.
Hondavalk
Explorer II
Jan 22, 2016
http://astore.amazon.com/hatena001-20/detail/B006ZEOXJY

Maybe you could get lucky and fish it out with something like this