Cleaning black water tank

[farsidefan1]

I've looked at several Youtubes on the subject (gross!). I have not yet purchased a 5th wheel I just got a GMC3500 with Duramax/ Allison transmission so I figure I can pull anything and we are looking around 30 footer.
I saw where one guy said if your pipes have more than 1 45 degree turn it is pretty much impossible to get any real pressure in there to clean out the tank. I'm looking at Jayco and Cougar but can't find any data on that topic online.

Question 1, is he full of ... blackwater?
2 where can I find that data on the afore mentioned 5th wheels.
He did like a cleaning device called the Tornado but again, it does a better but not perfect job.


Thanks from one who is not even a noobie yet. :R

[doxiemom11]

Just use a decent amount of water each time you flush and don't dump until your tank is full. We have been full-time for 6 years and have had no problems. We use any septic safe 2 ply toilet paper, just don't go overboard with it. No chemical, just water and we rinse tank maybe once a month.

Oh , and the level indicators for the tanks never work for more than a few weeks, at least not with accuracy. You will learn when you need to dump as the black waste tank with start making belching, gurgling noises as it near full and the gray will back up into the shower when it's overfull. We just know when based on the number of showers, etc when it's about time.

[RJsfishin]

People that think they have to "wash" their holding tanks, I'd bet are the same ones that will invite you over, then make you take your shoes off at the door.

But a little chemical in holding tanks,is always in order. If you ever camped any where down wind a dump station, you will know real quick who the cheapskates are !

[beemerphile1]

What makes anyone think they need to "clean" the black tank? Oh yeah, I forgot, it is the people selling products to newbies.

[SaltiDawg]

Old-Biscuit wrote:
...

I have yet to plug either and I use WADS of SOFT FLUFFY 2-PLY TP

...

TMI :E

[Old-Biscuit]

My 5th wheel:

Toilet line to black tank has TWO 45* elbows and drops over 3'

Waste tanks common drain header has TWO 90* elbows and is over 6' long

I have yet to plug either and I use WADS of SOFT FLUFFY 2-PLY TP


Factory installed Flush System in Black Tank is very common...almost standard feature
Grey tank(s should have them also. Dawn liquid dish soap helps.

[time2roll]

Perfect is when the sensors continue to indicate the fluid level.

[MrWizard]

there is NO such thing as a"perfect" cleaning job

lots of rinsing then a new dose of chemical, even if you are not going out again for months

and don't get me started on those that think, theirs doesn't stink and all they ever need is water, and no chemical

their biological functions are a lot different than the majority of us
OR
their nose does NOT work

[toedtoes]

Jim2007 wrote:
Hi.. I dump when tank is at least 2/3 full . Also a few times during the camping season i put put a wand down the stool. Not problems.in 11 years of camping... Jim2007

Do you insert the wand before or after you expel the stool??? :h

[MitchF150]

You don't need "pressure" to clean out a holding tank?? It's the volume of water that really matters when you actually dump it..

The main thing to know is to leave your black tank valve CLOSED until it's full..

Don't just hook up the hose and open the valves the first day you get to your site... I don't even hook up the hose until I need to dump.. And that's always on the day we leave 3-4 days after we get there.

I see people hook up the sewer hose, open both valves and think they are at home... ha, ha... Good luck with that after a few times..

Anyway, if you are learning how to camp from "youtube" good luck with that and hope it works out for ya!

Mitch

[Jim2007]

Hi.. I dump when tank is at least 2/3 full . Also a few times during the camping season i put put a wand down the stool. Not problems.in 11 years of camping... Jim2007

[MFL]

wing_zealot wrote:
Why you worried about how clean it is, it's a holding tank for poop, nothing more.

Yep, even if you did get it really clean, I'd still not use the sewer outlet for hand washing.

Jerry

[wing_zealot]

Why you worried about how clean it is, it's a holding tank for poop, nothing more.

[TakingThe5th]

The Geo Method is effective. We also add some fresh water before traveling and dump it when we arrive. Our two Cougars had a flushing system which was useful. We have a clear connection on our stinky slinky for our viewing "pleasure" when dumping. Use plenty of water when using the throne. We use chemicals, some say that is optional. If the black tank fails to raise a stink - then simply enjoy camping and flush any bad thoughts from your mind. 😄

[gbopp]

Use the Geo Method or something similar. It's a holding tank, not a FW tank. 😉