I love living full time in my RV. But....the black water tank is going to be the death of me!!! Since the day I bought theme when the tank is full, it won't drain!!! I pull the valve open, I hear "some" movement but it stops...every single time!!! The dude who empties my tank can somehow get it to drain.
I need to hear from those who've ja similar issues and how you fixed it and prevented future issues. I'm so frustrated I wanna break things and set things on fire!!! Lol.
Lucky Mike said
01:12 PM May 29, 2013
Sounds like there is something in there that doesnt belong..you might want to check around and see if someone has an inspection camera or a lighted inspection mirror to take a look....
other than that make sure you put at least 2 gallons of water in the tank before using each time....make sure your use something to aid in the breakdown whether it be the GEO method or a commercial additive....and most of all make sure each time after use where solids are going in the tank sufficient water is added every-time......the more liquid in the tank , the faster it breaks down.
and no more 4-ply Charmin!!!!......it's cushy on the butt in the beginning and a pain in the butt in the end!!
-- Edited by Lucky Mike on Wednesday 29th of May 2013 01:13:53 PM
Raytronx said
06:59 PM May 29, 2013
Maybe there is a second valve? The other thing I have heard of is when the hole is originally cut in the floor for the toilet the round piece of wood falls in the tank and causes intermittent blockages as it floats around.
Just some guesses. Ray
Miss G said
10:08 PM May 29, 2013
The plumber said the black tank looked really small.... Most I've heard of are at least 10gal and up. I work all day and it's filling up in 4-5 days. I use enzymes to break the waste down and always add some water before using. Last night was THE worst yet.... BTW...the toilet paper I use is an RV paper. Even so, I try to use as little as will get the job done. I'm done with it tho... going back to Scott single ply....
Lucky Mike said
10:19 PM May 29, 2013
most black tanks are 30 gallons and up you also have to remember in some units the bathroom sink also goes into the black tank...so leaving the water run while you brush or clean up will fill the black tank quick.
you didnt mention the type of coach your in so I assumed you have a standard 60 gallon tank.....also if the tank was used improperly it could have a cone build-up .
you also might not want to hire a plumber......you are in an RV.....call an RV repair service......most plumbers are clueless as to how RV systems work or are set-up and have a hard time getting parts on the spot
Miss G said
11:08 PM May 29, 2013
Ugh...my bad.... I'm in an '04 Sandpiper by Forest River. A 5th wheel. I called this plumber because it was 9 pm and I needed a working bathroom. I think I have 2 gray tanks because I have 3 valves...2 gray, 1 black. I never leave water running....anymore....lol.
Lucky Mike said
12:08 AM May 30, 2013
the 2004 sandpiper 5ver has a 30 gallon black tank.. Except in models 30RLSS and 32RLBS which have 50 gallon tanks
grey water is... 30 gallons in these models
25RLSS 36RLTS
50gallons in this model
29BHBS 30RLSS 31RLSS 32RLBS
60 Gallon models
27RKSS 28RKBS hope some of this info helps ......all sandpipers have 42 gallon Freshwater tanks
Miss G said
02:42 AM May 30, 2013
Wowzers! Thank you!! I'm not sure which model I have...can't find the model info anywhere. And I'm not really sure where else to look. There's a paper sticker inside on of the cabinets in the kitchen...VIN but no model...
Can a 30/50 gal black water tank fill up in 5 days with 1 person??? I just adore my RV! The tank issues have really been the only downside...so far...
Lucky Mike said
03:11 AM May 30, 2013
30 gallons is probable including sink water......if your living in an rv park dumping the tank once a week is normal for a 30 gal tank.....if the coach is not being moved alot and the tank is not rinsed each time while dumping you could have pretty heavy build-up in a 10 year old unit
Miss G said
11:05 AM May 30, 2013
Would one of those tank rinsing wands be a good investment then? If so, which kind. I have a Camping World just a couple miles down the road from me.
Lucky Mike said
12:44 PM May 30, 2013
definitely
sfischer said
05:40 PM Jul 3, 2013
Miss G you might also attach one of these between your sewer outlet and hose to "see" what is actually draining when you open the black valve.
sfischer said
05:42 PM Jul 3, 2013
Miss G you might also try installing one of clear view between your sewer outlet and hose to actually observe what is being dumped from the tank.
It'll be helpful to you especially if you you a wand or some other method to clean the tank.
scrappy said
06:05 PM Jul 5, 2013
Hi Gee!
I just realized this was you.
Hope things are moving better for you now. lol.
Maybe you need to do more jazzercise in that thing to shake it loose. hahahaha.
Miss you.
<3
scraps
grandpalarry said
06:28 PM Jul 5, 2013
I had a bunch of clear view devices that were left over from the PO, I was never happy because when my DW uses Paper her thoughts are "the more the better", we had plugs all the time.
In order to solve this problem I bought a Flush King from CW, it allowed me to close the drain line and use the hose connection to back flush the clog, just close the valve and turn on the water for a couple of seconds then turn off the water and open the downstream valve. When you have the tank empty, introduce more water with the valve closed for about 3 to 5 min, shut off the water and pull the valve, (may take a couple of times) until the water runs basicly clear.
May be overkill but I do this everytime I dump, but sure makes me happy.
bjoyce said
06:37 PM Jul 5, 2013
grandpalarry: That is a good workaround. Trying to change DW is a non-starter, so it is better to find another way. I do suspect a change of toilet paper brand might help, but it is probably not worth the fight.
We recently moved to Costco toilet paper after my wife read it as RV friendly. It is working better than what we used to like, Albertson's Soft Choice Ultra, and doesn't lint the toilet room up. A $15 Costco pack lasts us 6 months and we just bought a second pack. It has worked well and I have not flushed the black tank in months.
I love living full time in my RV. But....the black water tank is going to be the death of me!!! Since the day I bought theme when the tank is full, it won't drain!!! I pull the valve open, I hear "some" movement but it stops...every single time!!! The dude who empties my tank can somehow get it to drain.
I need to hear from those who've ja similar issues and how you fixed it and prevented future issues. I'm so frustrated I wanna break things and set things on fire!!! Lol.
Sounds like there is something in there that doesnt belong..you might want to check around and see if someone has an inspection camera or a lighted inspection mirror to take a look....
other than that make sure you put at least 2 gallons of water in the tank before using each time....make sure your use something to aid in the breakdown whether it be the GEO method or a commercial additive....and most of all make sure each time after use where solids are going in the tank sufficient water is added every-time......the more liquid in the tank , the faster it breaks down.
and no more 4-ply Charmin!!!!......it's cushy on the butt in the beginning and a pain in the butt in the end!!
-- Edited by Lucky Mike on Wednesday 29th of May 2013 01:13:53 PM
Maybe there is a second valve? The other thing I have heard of is when the hole is originally cut in the floor for the toilet the round piece of wood falls in the tank and causes intermittent blockages as it floats around.
Just some guesses. Ray
you didnt mention the type of coach your in so I assumed you have a standard 60 gallon tank.....also if the tank was used improperly it could have a cone build-up .
you also might not want to hire a plumber......you are in an RV.....call an RV repair service......most plumbers are clueless as to how RV systems work or are set-up and have a hard time getting parts on the spot
grey water is...
30 gallons in these models
25RLSS
36RLTS
50gallons in this model
29BHBS
30RLSS
31RLSS
32RLBS
60 Gallon models
27RKSS
28RKBS
hope some of this info helps ......all sandpipers have 42 gallon Freshwater tanks
Wowzers! Thank you!! I'm not sure which model I have...can't find the model info anywhere. And I'm not really sure where else to look. There's a paper sticker inside on of the cabinets in the kitchen...VIN but no model...
Can a 30/50 gal black water tank fill up in 5 days with 1 person???
I just adore my RV! The tank issues have really been the only downside...so far... 
Miss G you might also attach one of these between your sewer outlet and hose to "see" what is actually draining when you open the black valve.
Miss G you might also try installing one of clear view between your sewer outlet and hose to actually observe what is being dumped from the tank.
It'll be helpful to you especially if you you a wand or some other method to clean the tank.
Hi Gee!
I just realized this was you.
Hope things are moving better for you now. lol.
Maybe you need to do more jazzercise in that thing to shake it loose. hahahaha.
Miss you.
<3
scraps
In order to solve this problem I bought a Flush King from CW, it allowed me to close the drain line and use the hose connection to back flush the clog, just close the valve and turn on the water for a couple of seconds then turn off the water and open the downstream valve. When you have the tank empty, introduce more water with the valve closed for about 3 to 5 min, shut off the water and pull the valve, (may take a couple of times) until the water runs basicly clear.
May be overkill but I do this everytime I dump, but sure makes me happy.
We recently moved to Costco toilet paper after my wife read it as RV friendly. It is working better than what we used to like, Albertson's Soft Choice Ultra, and doesn't lint the toilet room up. A $15 Costco pack lasts us 6 months and we just bought a second pack. It has worked well and I have not flushed the black tank in months.