back water tank

[cwobosn]

Need some plumbing help! I am presently at a campground in MD and my black tank reads full but when I pull to open valve, nothing. I tried backflush and nothing flows out. My guess is that the gate is closed, broken wire or not connected at gate. No luck getting RV repair help. Answers range from; no, 3 days to 4 months. I thought about taking the underbelly off then somehow opening the valve so at least the black tank will continue to drain. What is the best way to attack this problem?

[rmoparman]

Also camping in MD,or Gettysburg. Had to get blackvalve replaced from Jrs repair. Real good but must be in area:)

[Reelay]

Had a TP jam also several years back when taking two grand daughters, one grand son, wife, and myself back to Virginia. So plugged up that it was solid a snake couldn't even get through it. After adding water and using a plunger it finally broke loose. Why everyone else was swimming at the lake grandpa was sweating his butt off trying to unclog the toilet. LOL. I purchased a clear back flush extension from "Camping World" to monitor the waste being dumped out.
I haven't tried the suggestion of the Milk Bath and Laundry soap trick yet, might just do that.

[Copperlisa]

We bought a flush wand from Wal-Mart. Also learned some fabulous lessons from people on here. Start dumping all the water your tank can hold down that tank! Get everything to float and use the wand to break it apart. Also get a clear attachment for the sewer hose that has the backflush part so you can "see" what is coming out. It may take a while to work it through. Once you get it through, go back to WalMart and buy the Calgon "Milk Bath" and put a cup down your tank along with a cup of laundry soap after each time you dump the tank. Things don't stick! I swear!

2005 GMC Sierra 2500HD Ext. Cab 4x4 6.0L
1998 Jayco Designer 29RKS

[M_A_S_H]

Took wife, Mother in law, and my 4 young daughters on a trip last week and had the same issue. Ours was a TP dam.... The flushing wand in thru the toilet was able to break it up.

[3_dog_nights]

first thought was blocked sensor, but then I saw 3 granddaughters. Bet you have a TP Dam.

[cwobosn]

FrontierTown Ocean City. With 3 granddaughters maybe a blockage?

[bucky]

Where are you in MD? Maybe I can help.

[huntram]

You said you pulled the waste gate and nothing happened. Can you tell if the gate opened? You can usually feel if there is pressure from the seals when you pull it so you know the rod is in fact hooked up or loose?

If connected there must be a blockage. Are you sure you actually are full? The meters usually don't read correctly.

Can you see into your tank from your toilet? Is it a straight shot or is there a bend in the pipe? Mine curves so I can't see into the tank. I was getting a blockage in the pipe so I bought a drain tornado from Harbor Freight. You hook it up to your hose and stick it down the toilet pipe and turn the water on. It will free up anything in it's way. Move it up and down the pipe all the way down into the tank. Clean as can be! Here is the link to the tornado.

http://www.harborfreight.com/drain-tornado-96850.html

Give us more information and we can probably help you.

Brian

[solsprack]

The rod is hard to grab sometimes. I've used pliers wrapped in electrician's tape (so as not to deform it, but still afford a grip) so I can tighten the handle.

[kennethwooster]

I had a similar problem. Had to cut into underbelly. Found the rod had come loose and just needed to be screwed back in. I then pushed underbelly back up and used duck tape to hold in place.

[htowners]

You are limited on options.
I would either remove the underbelly, or cut it in a 3 sides square, with the un-cut side towards the front, so it doesn't catch the wind while driving. You can tape it, or wire tie it closed.
Trace the cable and see it you can easily get to the valve. I'm not real familuar with the cable operated valves, but it has to attach to the valve pull somehow. If you can open it, let it drain and find a valve set up like this as a temp fix.

Depending where in MD, there is a campingworld in Hanover, PA, Bridgeport, NJ or possibly even Walmart may carry them.

[slomark]

Assuming there is some water in the tank, what happens when you try to open the gate?