Leaving tomorrow for a week and a half trip and I went to drain the black water tank and nothing would come out. It was recently de-winterized and we havent really used it except for my kids to go number 1. When I look down into the tank through the toilet there appears to be some kind of solid sludge which is why it probaby wont drain. Any ideas what this could be? I could take it back to the people who de-winterized it but every time they work on it there is something else that is wrong with it.

Put twenty pounds of ice cubes and 5 gallons of water down the toilet. Then take the trailer for ride. Water and ice should break up what's in the tank.

Happened once to me, I think the last use left a wad of toilet tissue which washed to the exit gate and dried up to make a plug. I filled the black tank to about 1/2, dumped in 4 oz or more of PineSol, let it sit a few hours, then drove it around a bit and flushed. Everything came out fine.

Good suggestions!You need to use allot more water never leave waste in the tank. Waste should be under liquid at all times. Never leave the dump valve open at a full hook up site. Only open to dump every few days as necessary.

I think this is more than just toilet paper or left over residue. I can visibly see a thick sludge in the tank. I alway flush the toilet to add water to the tank before using it.

HELP !!! | Good Sam Community

nitrohorse
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
duplicate post
nitrohorse
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
Maybe a few packs of Mentos and some liters of Coke would loosen it?
dadmomh
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
I was also thinking the hot water idea rather than the cold and ice cubes. And maybe toss in some of the Calgon Water Softener used in the Geo method....can't hurt. I know the water/ice cube idea is well known, but my concern would be that the ice cubes could damage the sensors and then they wouldn't work right.....only kidding, they don't work right anyway. But I do like the hot water idea better.
uzikaduzi
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
joeprinter wrote:
I had a occurrence once where neither tank would drain, ended up being the (cutout) for the plumbing from the factory. Tech was too lazy to throw out the piece he cutout for the plumbing.

I've heard of this more than once.
JJBIRISH
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
Don’t worry about it... there is most likely nothing in it to come out if it hasn’t be used more than a few times and It isn’t leaning toward the outlet…

Just add some water before you leave, maybe some powered dishwasher soap dissolved in the water if you want, but not necessary… then dump when you get to the CG… enjoy your trip…
TWolf
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
After we get done camping, we always pour some dish soap into the black tank and let it slosh around as we tow. It seam to clean things out pretty good. Now we have the black water flush.

Have you tried sticking a hose into the tank through the toilet while at a dump station? Open your valve and flush it out that way.
ScottG
Nomad
Jul 03, 2013
Poor 5 gallons of very hot water down the toilet just before you leave. It will break up the pile as you drive.
Dtaylor
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
handye9 wrote:
Put twenty pounds of ice cubes and 5 gallons of water down the toilet. Then take the trailer for ride. Water and ice should break up what's in the tank.

To fix you immediate problem do the ice/water. When you open the valve does it "feel" like it is opening (does it feel the same as in the past) Cable broken?? Valve opening or is it stuck??
gbopp
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
The Geo Method helps keep stuff from sticking to the walls.
It works for me. JMO
joeprinter
Explorer
Jul 03, 2013
I had a occurrence once where neither tank would drain, ended up being the (cutout) for the plumbing from the factory. Tech was too lazy to throw out the piece he cutout for the plumbing.

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