Black tank won't drain...

[belsy88]

Our black tank will not drain... When we open the drain for the black tank only a little water comes out at a time. I looked around online a little and found a few suggestions...use the awning rid to clear the clog...leave the toilet flusher open while draining...apperently they make a blank tank de clogged...? Any other suggestions/tips...?

[mister_d]

John&Joey wrote:
So where are all those out there that say TP doesn't matter?

Right here.

The key to the whole thing is to have the right amount of liquid in the tank. Single ply "RV" toilet paper doesn't dissolve sitting atop a brown mountain.

[lanerd]

John&Joey wrote:
So where are all those out there that say TP doesn't matter?

I think the issue with this subject is not the brand or type or layers of TP.....it's the quantity! With any, if you put a lot of it down the toilet you're gonna have problems....period. Doesn't matter if it's Charmin or Kirkland......single ply or 4-ply.

Ron

[bigred1cav]

Get under it close so you get a good look, and poke a stick in the hole.

[wny_pat1]

Utah?? It still might be frozen in there!

[John_Joey]

So where are all those out there that say TP doesn't matter? Or that person that likes to reach down the toilet and crush stuff with their hands? You know that never stops being funny.

Now to actually attempt to help the OP, I would suggest you go to Wal-Mart and buy that flush king (they have a cheaper model for 15-20.) Make sure you have FHU and an anti-siphon on the hose to the flush king. Close the flush king and attempt to push the clog backwards and hopefully it will break apart in the process. Open the flush king to let the bad water out, then close it. Keep repeating this until you get the clog unclogged. It will be slow going, but if it works you will still have dry shoes.

[dieharder]

pappaone wrote:
I would be willing to bet that you have a T-paper jam...don't ask how I know 😮 :S

Same here.

No amount of chemical that I put down the toilet worked. Even let it sit in storage for 2 weeks before trying again, and the TP still clogged right at the start of the drain pipe. Had to bite the bullet and quickly ram a rod up there, pull it out and hope I got the slinky back attached before the mess came flooding down. Well... let's just say I'm not as fast as I used to be and ended up with an unwanted bath before I got the slinky back up there in time.

Wear old clothes and shoes that you don't mind trashing when you do this...

[JC2]

RE-TE wrote:
Could be plugged with something else, I had this problem finally found some nut at the factory had stuffed a water proof bag down the stool. I used a coat hanger with a hook on the end got it out but took a sewage bath. Was close to a shower house thank God.
Works great now.

If that was in fact found to be true, I would have packaged it up and sent it back to the manufacturing plant along with an anonymous note thanking them for their workers efforts.:C

[RE-TE]

Could be plugged with something else, I had this problem finally found some nut at the factory had stuffed a water proof bag down the stool. I used a coat hanger with a hook on the end got it out but took a sewage bath. Was close to a shower house thank God.
Works great now.

[eHoefler]

May be a pyramid that has come loose. Do sit there with the black tank valve open while on full hook ups? Could be from a previous owner too.

[belsy88]

We used the awning rod to unclog the clog. I think it was before the tank 🙂

[computerbug]

White vinegar and baking soda let sit over night or 6 hrs. Then take it for a drive. This will break up the clog and clean the sensors. Use Scott's 1000 toilet paper from now on and you shouldn't have any more problem . Good luck Cathie

[Executive45]

Let's keep it simple:
1. Add five gallons or more hot water through the toilet opening. Let sit for 15 minutes.
2. Open black valve and see how it drains. If it drains well. Have fun! If it doesn't, go to 3.
3. Remove stinky slinky and open valve. Probe inside the pipe to ensure the valve is actually OPEN. Often the handle will detach from the valve..it only screws on..and while the handle is pulled, the valve is still closed. If the valve is closed, go to 4.
4. Try screwing the handle back onto the valve...Lefty loosy, righty tighty..then try opening the valve again. If it works, congratulate yourself..if not, go to 5.
5. Remove the four screws holding the knife valve onto the sewer pipe. Slide the knife valve out, get a new one at Camping World and reverse the procedure.

These systems aren't rocket science. But, they do require some maintenance. Some dry lube once in awhile on the knife valves will go a long ways to keeping them operating like they should. Don't put anything in the toilet that won't dissolve. Use plenty of water when flushing. Don't use toilet paper that has perfumes in it. Best test of TP is to put one sheet in a glass of water and shake vigorously for 30-45 seconds. If it dissolves, it fine for your system. If it doesn't, find one that does.

Finally, if you suffer from the dreaded, brown mountain...caused by failure to use sufficient amounts of water...then add 5 gallons of water, a bag or two of ice and take a 15-30 minute drive down a bumpy road...any in California will do...:B:B...this should loosen all your "stuff"....good luck....Dennis

[old_guy]

do you have enough water in it to begin with

[Earl_E]

Happened to me once when I had no access to buying something to fix it. I finally just sacrificed a hose, stuck it down the toilet, turned the hose on, and swung it around and around on the bottom of the tank until it hit the clog. It freed it up. I'm not recommending this but it worked when i was in a jam. I did buy the Flush King kind of thing afterwards!

[pappaone]

I would be willing to bet that you have a T-paper jam...don't ask how I know 😮 :S