This is not a good thing. Mine did this years ago and the tank was full which makes for a messy situation. Mine was the valve handle detached from the gate and so the gate stayed shut while the handel moved freely. I had to take the gate out of the line and of course when I did that you can just imagine what happen. OK now there may be a way around this but to this day I have not come across it. I will say I had a very large mess so I would not attempt this at the RV park...maybe pull somewhere where you can clean everything up with out running too many folks off. Maybe someone out there has a better solution than what I have. I wish the best for your son in his time of trial. Joe and Sherri

Another possibility, a large clog of toilet paper is blocking the tank opening.

Four ways to solve.

Worst choice but the easiest- Buy a bunch of holding tank chemicals containing the enzymes to eat up the waste. Dump a couple of packets or bottles in the tank and let everything sit for a few weeks or months.....Possible yuck factor 3 (smells bad).

Here's the messy one- take a long stick or heavy wire and try to break up the clog through the sewer hose. Be sure to hold the far end of the sewer hose up in the air while doing this to try to keep any of the bad stuff from escaping.....Possible yuck factor 10 (has anyone seen the movie "RV").

Buy a sewer fitting with a garden hose connection and back flush with water to blow out the clog. These fittings are available at most RV supply stores and some campground stores. They are usually made from clear plastic so you also get the enjoyment of watching the bad stuff go by once the clog is eliminated. I carry one of these fittings just in case this type of clog happens.... Possible yuck factor 2 (not a pretty sight).

Last one is to drive up and down a winding road with the tank at least half full to allow the stuff to slosh around and break up the toilet paper clog.  (Note- this will not work with a very full tank, no room to slosh)... Possible yuck factor 1.

I've had to do all of the above for various reasons.

And like Speedy, I've had to take the valve apart to repair a loose handle and stuck gate... definite yuck factor of 11.

Yes that happen on the unit I have now, Jon. I was fortunate that it made its way down to the clear bend in my dump line and I say it. Wooo that would have been a mess to get out. Speedy

Good heavens, this makes me wonder what I am trying to get myself into with RVing!  Please tell me this is a rare occurrence.
gypsy

Gypsy 97,

There are at least two things you can count on when RVing..... Fun and Repairs

Just like with everything else in life, parts will wear out eventually. A stuck dump valve is a rare occurance, keep in mind the folks who have responded to this thread have been RVers for many years, 40+ for me if you count the camping trips in a tent.

I've only had a stuck valve twice and a clog once in the 35 years we've been in RV's. There are sprays and other stuff that can be used to keep the valve and parts lubricated to prevent the sticking.

The repairs for an RV aren't any more frequent than what is required with a regular house as long as you keep up the maintenance. Don't do regular maintenance and things will begin to fail.

Great news is there are usually lots of fellow RVers just waiting for the chance to help out when you have a problem. All you have to do is get out a toolbox, spread tools all over the picnic table and then stare at the offending part and scratch your head while muttering to yourself. It's like honey to bears or catnip to cats....pretty soon you'll have a whole gaggle (official term) of RVers offering to help or at least giving their advice. Kind of like this forum.

-- Edited by The Bear II at 17:14, 2008-08-13

Bear, I'm laughing over your suggestion for the toolbox on the picnic table, and will definitely keep that in my bag of tricks.  Won't you be surprised if I'm parked next to you some day and you look out your window & see the tools spread out!
gypsy

The valve can be opened manually without the cable, if you can see it. My repair was unfortunately in the underbelly. I called the manufacture and they told be exactly where to cut into the underbelly. I cut and there it was. If your tank is full you can open the valve and dump but IMHO I would take it to a dealer and have the valve replaced. No matter what anyone tells you, it's a nasty,stinky job. I know from first-hand experience.
Bob

Thanks everyone for your replys.  He finally got it to empty.  He had let a friend borrow his camper for a wk-end & is not sure if the friend had emptied the tank.  Also our son has 2 young daughters & they use lots of toilet paper. lol  He will proberly check his black tank more often. lol

Lois

We actually had the opposite problem.....the sewage valve wouldn't  close.  At first hubby thought he had left it open and was extremely embarrassed of the mess we had at the campsite.......fortunately we didn't have any neighbors.  I guess the spring went or something.

-C