Just returned from another great trip dry camping in the '05 Yellowstone (class C Ford E450 chassis, 27'). We took my mom, who had 'elk rut at RMNP' on her bucket list, so 4 adult women using the toilet for 5 days.While we stopped off for RV paper en route, apparently I didn't explain clearly enough that "flushable" is a marketing term...so now I have sensors showing full on a black tank I've drained. Twice.I suspect that the plastic sheeting ("flushable" wipes) introduced into the tank are the problem.Any ideas as to HOW in the heck I can get this tank back to providing data on levels? I thought about letting it freeze and throwing in 5 gallons of hot water, but I'm in a bit of a hurry. SWMBO is planning to caravan--with our newly licensed 16 yo at the wheel of the smart car--to a 3 week tournament later this month. If that tank overflows I will never hear (or smell) the end of this!TIA for any ideas from bitter, stinky experience. I prefer to learn from others when I can.

Just don't worry about it is my advice. I've never seen plastic anything advertised as flushable. Maybe it's harder with a family, but I know about how many times I can use the head before the black tank needs to be serviced... hasn't let me down yet. The gray tank is a bit trickier... usually when the drains slow down it's time to service the tank.I use Scot brand flushable wipes, and they're simple paper, break down even faster than TP does - as soon as they get wet, they fall apart.Others will share their potions of dish soap, laundry softener, ice cubes and chicken feet used to keep the tank sparkling inside and out ;)

Have you ever tried The Geo Method for keeping your tanks clean?Or,at least, put a cup of liquid dish detergent and a couple gallons of water in your black tank after you dump the tank.I would continue to fill and dump the tank, they will come out eventually.Also, it's common for sensors to read wrong or not work. Don't get too concerned about it.When you stopped for RV paper, are you buying RV Toilet Paper?

real common for the gauges to read wrong.I use the dawn soap after each empty, it does help.

PonyGrrl wrote:Just returned from another great trip dry camping in the '05 Yellowstone (class C Ford E450 chassis, 27'). We took my mom, who had 'elk rut at RMNP' on her bucket list, so 4 adult women using the toilet for 5 days.While we stopped off for RV paper en route, apparently I didn't explain clearly enough that "flushable" is a marketing term...so now I have sensors showing full on a black tank I've drained. Twice.I suspect that the plastic sheeting ("flushable" wipes) introduced into the tank are the problem.Any ideas as to HOW in the heck I can get this tank back to providing data on levels? I thought about letting it freeze and throwing in 5 gallons of hot water, but I'm in a bit of a hurry. SWMBO is planning to caravan--with our newly licensed 16 yo at the wheel of the smart car--to a 3 week tournament later this month. If that tank overflows I will never hear (or smell) the end of this!TIA for any ideas from bitter, stinky experience. I prefer to learn from others when I can.I have not posted this tried and proven theory for awhile. Reach your arm as far down the toilet hole as far as possible. When you feel the solids, squeeze them between your fingers until they get smaller and stir them around. Dump some water in and flush, after you remove your arm . Please wash hands before cooking. This method is guaranteed. I have a self help video available if needed

I agree with 352's method, with the addition of sheathing your arm in a large plastic bag before putting it down the hole. You can turn the bag inside out as you remove your arm from the hole and then of course wash your entire hand and arm. Don't flush the bag. :-)

remove "flushable" wipes from black tank? | Good Sam Community

GordonThree
Explorer
Oct 02, 2016
Just don't worry about it is my advice. I've never seen plastic anything advertised as flushable. Maybe it's harder with a family, but I know about how many times I can use the head before the black tank needs to be serviced... hasn't let me down yet. The gray tank is a bit trickier... usually when the drains slow down it's time to service the tank.

I use Scot brand flushable wipes, and they're simple paper, break down even faster than TP does - as soon as they get wet, they fall apart.

Others will share their potions of dish soap, laundry softener, ice cubes and chicken feet used to keep the tank sparkling inside and out ;)
gbopp
Explorer
Oct 02, 2016
Have you ever tried The Geo Method for keeping your tanks clean?
Or,at least, put a cup of liquid dish detergent and a couple gallons of water in your black tank after you dump the tank.

I would continue to fill and dump the tank, they will come out eventually.

Also, it's common for sensors to read wrong or not work. Don't get too concerned about it.

When you stopped for RV paper, are you buying RV Toilet Paper?
midnightsadie
Explorer II
Oct 02, 2016
real common for the gauges to read wrong.I use the dawn soap after each empty, it does help.
352
Explorer
Oct 02, 2016
PonyGrrl wrote:
Just returned from another great trip dry camping in the '05 Yellowstone (class C Ford E450 chassis, 27'). We took my mom, who had 'elk rut at RMNP' on her bucket list, so 4 adult women using the toilet for 5 days.

While we stopped off for RV paper en route, apparently I didn't explain clearly enough that "flushable" is a marketing term...so now I have sensors showing full on a black tank I've drained. Twice.

I suspect that the plastic sheeting ("flushable" wipes) introduced into the tank are the problem.

Any ideas as to HOW in the heck I can get this tank back to providing data on levels?

I thought about letting it freeze and throwing in 5 gallons of hot water, but I'm in a bit of a hurry. SWMBO is planning to caravan--with our newly licensed 16 yo at the wheel of the smart car--to a 3 week tournament later this month. If that tank overflows I will never hear (or smell) the end of this!

TIA for any ideas from bitter, stinky experience. I prefer to learn from others when I can.

I have not posted this tried and proven theory for awhile. Reach your arm as far down the toilet hole as far as possible. When you feel the solids, squeeze them between your fingers until they get smaller and stir them around. Dump some water in and flush, after you remove your arm . Please wash hands before cooking. This method is guaranteed. I have a self help video available if needed
Tiger4x4RV
Nomad
Oct 02, 2016
I agree with 352's method, with the addition of sheathing your arm in a large plastic bag before putting it down the hole. You can turn the bag inside out as you remove your arm from the hole and then of course wash your entire hand and arm. Don't flush the bag. :-)
Terryallan
Explorer II
Oct 02, 2016
352 wrote:
PonyGrrl wrote:
Just returned from another great trip dry camping in the '05 Yellowstone (class C Ford E450 chassis, 27'). We took my mom, who had 'elk rut at RMNP' on her bucket list, so 4 adult women using the toilet for 5 days.

While we stopped off for RV paper en route, apparently I didn't explain clearly enough that "flushable" is a marketing term...so now I have sensors showing full on a black tank I've drained. Twice.

I suspect that the plastic sheeting ("flushable" wipes) introduced into the tank are the problem.

Any ideas as to HOW in the heck I can get this tank back to providing data on levels?

I thought about letting it freeze and throwing in 5 gallons of hot water, but I'm in a bit of a hurry. SWMBO is planning to caravan--with our newly licensed 16 yo at the wheel of the smart car--to a 3 week tournament later this month. If that tank overflows I will never hear (or smell) the end of this!

TIA for any ideas from bitter, stinky experience. I prefer to learn from others when I can.

I have not posted this tried and proven theory for awhile. Reach your arm as far down the toilet hole as far as possible. When you feel the solids, squeeze them between your fingers until they get smaller and stir them around. Dump some water in and flush, after you remove your arm . Please wash hands before cooking. This method is guaranteed. I have a self help video available if needed

My arm ain't that long
Mortimer_Brewst
Explorer II
Oct 02, 2016
Unfortunately no great ideas for you, but I'm still chuckling about the idea of your mom having "elk rut" on her bucket list. Whatever happened to privacy? FWIW I can totally understand why an elk would want this on their list.
Bipeflier
Explorer
Oct 02, 2016
Fill, flush, repeat. Unless you can get one of the "wands" down into the tank to spray around that is about all you can do. They will eventually come out.
PonyGrrl
Explorer
Oct 02, 2016
Oh, for the love of Pete, as my 74yo mom likes to say. Can't take you guys anywhere.

Thanks for the Dawn dish soap idea and I searched 'Geo Method' so this was helpful.

I'll try that this week, will report back if my sensors are restored to proper order, so that others who search for this problem in the future will know that...wait for it...everything came out all right in the end.

After radiation, chemo, surgery and recovery to the point of needing special wipes, my mom has made just about every poop joke a classroom of 5th graders could think up, but you guys managed to make me laugh. Thank you.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Oct 02, 2016
WHAT does sticking your arm down toilet have to do with black tank sensors reading faulty :H

Maybe for a 'poop pyramid' right below toilet (If line to tank is short) but crud on sensors :S

Filling tank, dumping
Using a wand down toilet
Using tank flush system if installed

Or don't be OCD about those crappy tank sensors......they will be faulty again and again as you use tanks

After a few trips you will know how long you can go between dumps

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remove "flushable" wipes from black tank?

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