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SteveG36's avatar
SteveG36
Explorer
Mar 05, 2023

Trouble with Poop Chute

2007 Keystone Raptor. Old but well maintained.

Was camping in Flagstaff so my kids could play in the show and as luck would have it we encountered an epic 3-day snow storm. It was cold outside but not the coldest I have had the trailer in (hovered right around 30-32 degrees). My trailer is winterized - although I realize that does not mean much.

I had a hook up but I did not leave the black tank open because I did not have a heating wire for the sewage pipe and figured since we were there just a few days, I would dump at the end.

One of the boy stayed back to “Use the facilities” while the rest of us went out to play in the snow and when we returned to the trailer it WREAKED of sewage. I mean it was bad. We immediately blamed it on our son who just “used the facilities” and wrote it off, but it was BAD and the smell was lingering.

A few minutes later I began to pack up the trailer to leave and I noticed a big yellow/brown ice-cycle hanging from the trailer to the ground underneath where the black dump pipe comes out of the sheathing that covers the bottom and water was still leaking down it. UGH!!!

This weekend I brought the trailer home, opened it up underneath to find the problem. The issue, I cannot find anything. All of the pipes look good. I filled the black tank until the light came on saying it was full with fresh water and there is NO leak that I can find. I even overfilled it a bit to see if it would leak. I don't want to over do it, but still no leak.

It is entirely possible that the tank filled up while we were in Flagstaff and before I dumped it but if something burst or broke I should see a leak now with a full tank and there is nothing. Additionally, There is no overflow on a black tank that I am aware of so I have ruled that out.

I am completely perplexed. What could have happened? I am afraid to seal everything back up because SOMETHING clearly happened to created that poop/peecicle.

Looking forward to your thoughts and expertise.
  • RAS43's avatar
    RAS43
    Explorer III
    It is possible that there is a leak at the connection between the tank and the vent pipe that goes up to the roof. Fill the tank full to check by filling with a hose thru the toilet so you can see when it is full. Be sure to have a shut off on the hose.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    It is absolute the tank filled with that much use on a trailer.

    And there is a leak. may be where the pipes enter the tank may be the seal between toilet and pipe.

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