Toliet plugged on our retreat

Add 9 ounces of Happy Camper Extreme Cleaner, fill the tank completely with water, let it sit overnight, and empty. This will completely break down and liquefy anything in the tank.

A clogged outlet is another issue and there are a couple of ways I found to address it. Close the black tank drain valve then raise the sewer hose as high as you can and have someone else fill it with water. Have the other person reopen the black tank drain valve and quickly place the sewer hose back in the sewer drain hole. This should create a suction action that loosens the clog. Another way is back flushing. If you have a back flush system try several flush and empty cycles until it is unclogged. If you don't have a back flush system you can buy and connect a back flush valve to your tank drain and back flush the tank with as much water pressure as possible. You can purchase these valves from most RV parts stores.

For black tank maintenance I use just one ounce (about 70 cents) of Happy Camper Holding Tank Treatment dissolved in a couple of gallons of water poured down the toilet into an empty tank. Then we just use only the amount of water you normally would for flushing the toilet and using the bathroom sink (which flows to the black tank in many rigs). No extra water is necessary as Happy Camper liquefies waste, including breaking down toilet paper. Dump when at least half full. This will keep your black water tank working properly and there will be no odor.

Let the inevitable flames begin.

Like I said, each to his own. What is the difference in disposing of used toilet paper in a sealable bag or disposing of a dirty diaper or food garbage for that matter. If you use sanitary wipes, those cannot go down into the holding tank so must be disposed of somehow. There are always threads on the various forums about plugged tanks. We do not have any of those issues. And our company complies with no problem.

Before leaving on a trip I usually dump about 3 gallons of water into my black water tank. This is after putting the deodorizer down the toilet. Before pouring in the water I add about 3 caps of Calgon liquid water softener into the water. I picked up this tip on this site several years ago and think it helps to break down TP as well as solids.

" I bet you don't have many return visits from your company after making them go through that routine". referring to TP in a bag!

Perhaps that is the point/reason??:D I sure can't think of any other that makes sense to us!

B.O. Plenty wrote:
Just use lots of water, dump when it burps at me when flushing. B.O.

That is the single best thing to keep your black tank clear all the time. I have seen even old time RV'ers hooked up to sewer with their tanks open for their whole two week stay. Any solids in the tank will dry out and be like rocks in there. Turds will not rehydrate like apples, it takes forever, if at all. By waiting until your tank is full you will flush 50 gallons of waste at one time which will leave nothing behind. I also try to leave a couple of bowls in the tank at all times - while on the road or parked between trips - I figure that keeps everything soft and helps breakdown anything that may have been left behind. Just my two cents

Sometimes - well most times, people not in the know about RV toilets need a little instruction before you let them use your facilities. Otherwise you pay the price you obviously had the recent pleasure of paying.

jnharley wrote:
That is why we do not put paper down the tank. We have a supply of cheap quart sized food storage bags that we use to put the paper in. Easy disposal that way. Not for everyone but it is our RV and our rules and we have no issues with our waste tanks.

GROSS! Toilet is a toilet, use it like one. I have never had a problem emptying my black tank and can't imagine I ever will. Just use lots of water, dump when it burps at me when flushing. I use any old toilet paper and no chemicals, just water. I spend around 90 nights a year in our trailer so I know what I do works. Just the thought of bagging up my dirty toilet paper makes me GAG! I bet you don't have many return visits from your company after making them go through that routine.

B.O.

That is why we do not put paper down the tank. We have a supply of cheap quart sized food storage bags that we use to put the paper in. Easy disposal that way. Not for everyone but it is our RV and our rules and we have no issues with our waste tanks.

Hand and arm down the pipe? I think not. The next sound you hear will be fire/rescue LTAO. Printed instructions sound good. My sister jammed ours up with butt wipes. Wife put label on box DO NOT FLUSH. And are you using TP that passes the RV test or do you use any old brand that may or may not break down in a glass of water. And don't leave Kleenex in the toilet room. It may get used as TP. It will not break down and WILL cause a stoppage.

crabbin cabin wrote:
I have printed up, and laminated, a fairly complete instruction on proper use of the RV toilet and pinned it on the inside of the bathroom door. Since putting that up, over 3 years ago and many guests I have had no trouble.

Nice! I'd love to see it if you can share it. I literally thought of the same thing.