Forum Discussion

Walaby's avatar
Walaby
Explorer II
Jan 01, 2017

Interesting Black Tank Phenomenon

Noticed on my most recent trip that when my black tank is almost full, the tank kinda 'burps', when I flush it. It only happens when it is nearly full.

Nice little advanced warning that I need to dump. Happened twice on this trip, and both times, I was within 4 or 5 short flushes of being full.

Mike
  • Probably means the lower end of your vent pipe is submerged. But a good warning!
  • coolmom42 wrote:
    Probably means the lower end of your vent pipe is submerged. But a good warning!

    X2, you may want to make sure your vent pipe isn't slipping down into the tank.
    If it's not moving, you have a good early warning system
  • Wow... Didn't think about that. Thanks for the tip on that. I'll check it out when I get home.

    Hope it's not moving, but thinking about it, the lower end being submerged would explain it.

    Mike
  • When full-timing, many of us used the burp to know when to empty the tank. It worked great on our fiver. Not so great on our current pull trailer. For some reason the tank will get to smelling before it burps.
  • Yeah, this is my first extended stay trip (12 days) and I don't think I've been full before.

    Mike
  • Earl E wrote:
    When full-timing, many of us used the burp to know when to empty the tank. It worked great on our fiver. Not so great on our current pull trailer. For some reason the tank will get to smelling before it burps.


    YEP ^^^^^^^

    Toilet burps......time to dump
    Sink/shower draining slower then normal.....time to dump
    Water pump goes 'burrrruuuup'.....need more fresh water/should have added some sooner
  • Old-Biscuit wrote:
    Earl E wrote:
    When full-timing, many of us used the burp to know when to empty the tank. It worked great on our fiver. Not so great on our current pull trailer. For some reason the tank will get to smelling before it burps.


    YEP ^^^^^^^

    Toilet burps......time to dump
    Sink/shower draining slower then normal.....time to dump
    Water pump goes 'burrrruuuup'.....need more fresh water/should have added some sooner
    I haven't looked at those unreliable gauges in years. My trailer tells what is needed..

    B.O.
  • Walaby wrote:
    Wow... Didn't think about that. Thanks for the tip on that. I'll check it out when I get home.

    Hope it's not moving, but thinking about it, the lower end being submerged would explain it.

    Mike


    If it has always been that way I would relax.

    If the stinky stuff gets to the level of the inlet pipe and covers it, the burp is the only thing that can happen as you temporarily reduce the air volume in the dump pipe.

About RV Tips & Tricks

Looking for advice before your next adventure? Look no further.25,102 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 18, 2025