Black tank back up....

[thestarfinder]

Monaco Windsor 2001.
After traveling for a few days and then a stay(1 week) in RV park black tank got full and when trying to dump thought slide gate was broken because nothing came out when opening it.
Well gate opened fine after checking but just a small amount of liquid came out not much solid..
Got coat hanger and opened gate poked around and got some stuff moving on me and ground but not a lot...
Tank indicator was reading down to a 1/4 tank..so I got some room in tank...
I'm thinking some what of a "poop pyramid" has formed near tank exit..
Someone advised to get some Rid-X and try that...And did that lastnight..
Does anyone know how long I should wait for the Rid-X to work till trying to dump/flush again?
Or any other "Black tank" back-up advice..
Thanks in advance,Tom

[lanerd]

SDcampowneroperator wrote:


A few times a year we see this problem, so simplest for minor plugs is to push it down with a stick, or down around the bends with a stiff hose, my favorite ( still yicky) for that is a length of 3/4 BX armored conduit.
We have unplugged all but the dried out ones with our phelps honeywagon adapting the suction hose down to 1" spa hose, sucking up the plug. Good luck!

OMG!!! :E

[Jim_Norman]

I added an outer valve after the two tank valves. When I dump, the black goes first, then I close the outer valve and open the gray, this flows with some force into the back tank, close the grey, open the outer valve and dump the black again, repeat until the tanks are empty, then close the black valve and either flush multiple times or fill a bucket and dump it in a couple times, then empty again. Also you want to have a clear extender so you can be sure you are running clean when you are done. Biggest issue is too much TP and not enough water. When we get ready to use the head, we make sure we have at least a couple buckets (3-5) gallons of water in the tank. Do not hook up and leave the valves open! You need to make sure the tank fills and is liquid. I rarely use any chemicals, although on occasions I will use a bottle or two of one of the orange based solutions as opposed to one of the harsh chems. I

[malexander]

Bill.Satellite wrote:
I am not even sure what you are talking about here but dang it sounds disgusting! You have to do this a couple of times per year? I have been full timing since 1997 and have never had to push anything anywhere with a stick! YIKES!

I had a 2000 Fleetwood Southwind. It had a 45 right under the toilet, I could see it. Once in a while, I'd have to push "stuff" on through it to the tank. And I do use LOTS of water in the black tank.

I've never had a problem with either of my tanks stopping up, but that 45 did cause me a few "oops" moments. There could possibly have been a burr on the pipe a little further down, that I couldn't see, that was actually causing the problem.

[Roger_in_VERMON]

At the beginning of each season I dump hot water and dishwashing gel into the toilet. 1/4-1/2 full of water I keep it there and use the toilet until our first dump. Bill.Satellite is correct. We don't dump until the tank if full. Lots of water will keep the solids moving. Always start with some water in the tank.

[doc_brown]

Mandalay Parr wrote:
Fill it full of water and try dump again. Happy Camper is what I use. There are other products too.

X2

[Bill_Satellite]

I am not even sure what you are talking about here but dang it sounds disgusting! You have to do this a couple of times per year? I have been full timing since 1997 and have never had to push anything anywhere with a stick! YIKES!

[SDcampowneroper]

If it is the dreaded pyramid, its under the loo, or in the pipe down. Many MHs & 5ers have a 45 deg. offset from the biffy to the tank. It will plug up real quick if too little water, with too much waste is flushed. #1 rule- (for#2) fillthe bowl with water, flush, twice even.

A few times a year we see this problem, so simplest for minor plugs is to push it down with a stick, or down around the bends with a stiff hose, my favorite ( still yicky) for that is a length of 3/4 BX armored conduit.
We have unplugged all but the dried out ones with our phelps honeywagon adapting the suction hose down to 1" spa hose, sucking up the plug. Good luck!

[Bill_Satellite]

Rid-X will not do anything unless you leave it for 30 days or more with plenty of water. My best suggesting is to get one of the clear sewer outlet connections that allows you to connect a hose which blow a stream of water up the outlet. This will pick away at any blockage and you will be able to see when fluids start flowing properly. Once you have an open drain you can work on the other solids which may have accumulated inside the tank. That's done with lots of water. You should be able to look down the toilet opening to see if there is a pile down there and you can flush from inside as well to get rid of that. Once the major issues are taken care of you can add water and drive. Even if you don't get it all at this point, it will get better and better over time as long as you flush with plenty of water at every flush. I would flush 2 full bowls anytime you are making a solids deposit. Don't dump until the tank it 2/3 - 3/4 full and start all over again.

[thestarfinder]

Not freezing in south Texas...83 degrees today 🙂

[ulvik]

thestarfinder wrote:
Thanks again all....I have been full timer for 5.5 years and know I didn't have the proper amount of water in black tank..Don't know what I was thinking for a four day trip but cut back on the water a bit and wham! back-up.....4 days not 4 WEEKS! DUH! live and learn...but got some great tips on tank products...we do use ice and calgon when traveling....but will put MORE water in this time!!!! Merry Christmas folks...TP

Don't worry about it we have all had our moments! Hope you got her up and going.

[rgatijnet1]

You don't say where you are. Any chance it is just frozen by the drain valve if you have experienced freezing temps?

[2gypsies1]

I wouldn't get all enthused with using ice cubes. See this video:

https://www.thefitrv.com/rv-tips/do-ice-cubes-in-the-rv-black-tank-really-work/

You really don't need any chemicals, soaps, etc. to keep a free-flowing black tank. All you need is water and don't be stingy. Also, don't dump unless you have at least 3/4 of the tank full. Run some water in it to fill, if necessary.

In 16 years of full-timing and traveling constantly, we never had an issue.

[thestarfinder]

Thanks again all....I have been full timer for 5.5 years and know I didn't have the proper amount of water in black tank..Don't know what I was thinking for a four day trip but cut back on the water a bit and wham! back-up.....4 days not 4 WEEKS! DUH! live and learn...but got some great tips on tank products...we do use ice and calgon when traveling....but will put MORE water in this time!!!! Merry Christmas folks...TP

[doxiemom11]

We had that once. The backflush worked, got things flowing. After that we made sure we used lots of water. Never used any chemicals. That was when we were new to rv's. Now 5 1/2 yrs later. No further problems. Skimping on water use when flushing is not a good idea.

Had neighbors once with clog and bad odor problem on MH they had just purchased used. The porta potty company that will come and do honeywagon service for rv's came and flushed, cleaned and gave them something to put in to soften any remaining. Came back after 24 hrs - got more cleaned out. Did final flush . All of this cost them $75