My trailer doesn't have a black tank flush system installed so I have been using the down the toilet rotary wand... Works OK but sometimes is a mess to take in / out of the trailer. I want to install something like the "Tornado" or "Quickie Flush" system but haven't to this point because the instructions say to install the cleaning head at the opposite end of the tank from the drain. That end of the tank is unreachable due to the trailers main frame member being in the way. I can however access the rear side of the tank at just about any point and install the spray head unit. WILL THIS WORK or am I wasting my time? Any other suggestions?

my quickie flush is installed on the side of my tank, mid way, with the drain directly to the right of it. Works fine..The main thing is these spray water all over anyway and will rinse just fine either way... optimally you'd be pointing directly at the drain, but you can't always have perfection..

I think mounting it where you describe is a lot better than having nothing.

I think anywhere is better than not having a flusher. I have a Tornado and I think closing the valve and putting in 3-5 gallons gets more out than just running the flusher with the valve open. I use a clear 3" extension so I can keep an eye on the flow. If I open the valve with the flusher on and wait for the tank to empty then wait and watch, it looks like everything is out and clear water is flowing out. Close the valve and fill for 5 minutes, then open the valve and a couple more piles of TP and stuff comes out. It usually takes 2-3 cycles before nothing comes out.

pdogg wrote:my quickie flush is installed on the side of my tank, mid way, with the drain directly to the right of it. Works fine..The main thing is these spray water all over anyway and will rinse just fine either way... optimally you'd be pointing directly at the drain, but you can't always have perfection..That's how I installed my Quickie in my old trailer and it worked fine. The new trailer came with the flusher installed. I still use my Flush King also to back flush.

I would not recommend the Tornado. I had one of the fixed quick flush units for many, many years without issue. I thought I would "upgrade" to a Tornado and the first one failed in about 6 months (no longer rotates) and the second in less than a year.Keep it simple with no moving parts and it really can't go wrong. I like to place the unit where I think it will hit my sensors at least somewhat but my current one is just above the drain and likely only hits the front half of the tank. That position has not been an issue as I let the tank fill somewhat as well (DO NOT WALK AWAY IF YOU ARE FLUSHING AND HAVE THE DRAIN CLOSED!!!) to ensure I get a good clean and dump. I will do it several times if the effluent (big word of the day) is not very clear.

Installed Tank Flush System | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

BoonHauler
Explorer
May 25, 2014
Lynnmor wrote:
BoonHauler wrote:
They don't work!....period! .... they add water to the tank but as for "rinsing" the tank it don't work!

I was going to install a tank flushing system on my trailer but after doing a bench test to see how efficient the spray nozzle worked I came to the conculsion that they just don't work.

If you don't believe me then I suggest you set up your own mock up and bench test it, see for yourself!

For your entertainment:
Enjoy

So, here's my comments to all three of you.

1.) The supply line pressure is the key to making a 'Rinsing' system work. So too start with what is your supply line pressure when flowing?.....

2.) So how good is the pressure and flow going to be at most the places where you dump?

3.) How big are your tanks?....mine are around 70 gallons each.

and related to the referenced video, what's the shape of your waste piping downstram of the tanks?.....if it were to go through a 90 degree elbow the spray stream would be deflected, how would that work?

I bench tested the system that spins around and from what I saw I decided it was not worth the time and effort to install it.

I'm planning on a wand with a nozzle, I think that's the best way.

There's a whole other side to this issue as well, it's what you put into the tank that creats the 'rinsing' issues, isn't it?
time2roll
Nomad
May 22, 2014
BoonHauler wrote:
They don't work!....period! .... they add water to the tank but as for "rinsing" the tank it don't work!

I was going to install a tank flushing system on my trailer but after doing a bench test to see how efficient the spray nozzle worked I came to the conculsion that they just don't work.

If you don't believe me then I suggest you set up your own mock up and bench test it, see for yourself!

I believe I increased the efficiency of my Quickie by drilling holes at key points and angles. When the flusher is turned on more solids drain out immediately. My sensors still work after 8 years. And yes I also use it to fill the tank a bit for a second drain. Mine seems to work as expected.
Lynnmor
Explorer
May 22, 2014
BoonHauler wrote:
They don't work!....period! .... they add water to the tank but as for "rinsing" the tank it don't work!

I was going to install a tank flushing system on my trailer but after doing a bench test to see how efficient the spray nozzle worked I came to the conculsion that they just don't work.

If you don't believe me then I suggest you set up your own mock up and bench test it, see for yourself!

For your entertainment:
Enjoy
Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
May 22, 2014
They work. They may not completely flush all the walls or keep everything spotless, but they do work. Filling and draining is good. Flushing is good. If you want better coverage you could install 2, one at each end.
No matter what you do there will still be some amount of build up in your tanks but flushing WILL keep the drain draining and that's a very good thing.
BoonHauler
Explorer
May 22, 2014
They don't work!....period! .... they add water to the tank but as for "rinsing" the tank it don't work!

I was going to install a tank flushing system on my trailer but after doing a bench test to see how efficient the spray nozzle worked I came to the conculsion that they just don't work.

If you don't believe me then I suggest you set up your own mock up and bench test it, see for yourself!
mchero
Explorer
May 21, 2014
My new to us rig has a tank flush system. Actually a hose bib connected to two sprayers in the Black tank, One at the far end & one mid way down one side. Works as expected.
Dave_H_M
Explorer II
May 21, 2014
pdogg wrote:
my quickie flush is installed on the side of my tank, mid way, with the drain directly to the right of it. Works fine..

The main thing is these spray water all over anyway and will rinse just fine either way... optimally you'd be pointing directly at the drain, but you can't always have perfection..

I just finished installing a new dump valve on the black tank. My flusher nozzle/entry point was in the same place.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
May 21, 2014
Dick_B wrote:
I'd look into the Hydro Flush that attaches on the end of the pvc piping and allows the Black Tank to be flushed from the outside. Much simpler than installing an aftermarket flush system and just might be as effective. The clear plastic shows when the water is clear.

They only backflush the drain line and add water to tank.......don't flush the walls down

Install the flush system......anywhere you can.
Dick_B
Explorer
May 21, 2014
I'd look into the Hydro Flush that attaches on the end of the pvc piping and allows the Black Tank to be flushed from the outside. Much simpler than installing an aftermarket flush system and just might be as effective. The clear plastic shows when the water is clear.
time2roll
Nomad
May 21, 2014
I also had trouble with tornado. First one the fitting broke. Second the fitting was made better but stopped spinning.

Installed quickie this year so the jury is still out. I bought real fittings (home depot) and connected with pex to the inlet to avoid any issues with the flimsy hose and clamp supplied. I also custom drilled additional holes to direct additional water to the rear of the tank and toward the sensors. Worst case it will just speed up the fill and drain process. Installed on the side 2/3rds toward the back (away from the drain) and seems to work just fine. Same position as the tornado.