View Full Version : well this is a crappy issue...
JNKS2010
10-18-2015, 04:47 PM
So today while preparing our Bullet 243BHS for the winter, we noticed that at the base of the toilet giant wads of toilet paper and poop! like what the hell. we have emptied our black tanks several times while camping this summer.
So now we have this issue and we do not know what to do. Any suggestions? we tried using a long pole to to try and push the blockage down but it appears to be a giant pile of crap. we did not notice any issues at all this summer with leaks of flushing issues. the only thing we noticed was that the black tank light always appeared full, we would then empty the tank and hardly nothing would come out. we even have a connestion outside above the tanks that we can connect a water line and flush out blank tank crap.
how do we fix this now that we are not even close to a dump station? do we leave all winter?
Doesn't sound like fun. I think I saw this mentioned somewhere else in the forum too. Try a search. You may want to try lots of water with chemicals and let it soak a long time then repeat and try again. Good luck.
spicercars
10-18-2015, 05:11 PM
First of all what kind of toilet paper do you use? You have to make sure whatever you use breaks up very easy. There are a couple of things to try and clean the tank. The first is to take a garden hose and try to break up the clump but be careful of spray back. The other is to fill the tank 3/4 full of water and try to drive it around and hopefully that will break it up. Also make sure when you are using the toilet when your camping to use it with number one and number two not just number two because you need liquid to break up the solid. Good luck.
chuckster57
10-18-2015, 05:52 PM
Fill the tank FULL after dumping an entire bottle of tissue digester in. Let it sit for a day, drive it around making a lot of abrupt stops and starts.
Then dump it again. In the future, don't empty the black tank unless it's at least 3/4 full. If you use it and it only shows 1/4, add water. More water means a better flush of solids.
SteveC7010
10-18-2015, 06:03 PM
Dreaded black pyramid.
Lots of threads here on proper black tank usage and maintenance all aimed a preventing this exact problem. We've been preaching the cure and prevention for years. It's been discussed over and over. I've written several extensive posts on this myself along with several others.
This should not be a mystery. All the answers are here for the reading.
mazboy123
10-19-2015, 03:15 AM
this is for the future, once you get your issue resolved, here are some suggestions.
always put about a 1/3 of water into the tank after draining it.
some people don't put toilet tissue in the tank at all, they rather use a waste basket.
fill up your tank pretty much full before you dump.
Our 301BQ has a black tank flush system. When we are back from a trip I normally flush (fill full & dump) the black tank 3 times before storing. I also use a "clear" elbow that allows me to evaluate the water coming from the black tank. BTW my storage lot has a dump station which makes it easy for me to do this.
GaryWT
10-19-2015, 07:44 AM
Does sound like not enough water being used. The tank sensors generally do not work so without enough water, nothing flows out. Be sure to use TP that will break up.
If it were me, I would fill the tank and let it sit and then make plans to go camping. Connect to sewerage and dump and keep running water until clear. Probably take awhile and the use of something to break it up some. Good luck.
I agree with Gary. I would find the closest campground and do a real good multiple fill and rinse until it's clear. Impossible to do without a sewer drain connection. Good Luck!
Gaffer222
10-19-2015, 10:30 AM
use this stuff(Read the directions)to get it cleaned out and then follow the advice of the other posters on black tank usage moving forward.
Unique Natural Products RV Digest-It Holding Tank Cleaner, 128-Ounce
http://www.amazon.com/Unique-Natural-Products-Digest--128-Ounce/dp/B0099M2RYC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1445279304&sr=8-2&keywords=rv+tank+digester
ThePressureIsOn
10-19-2015, 10:41 AM
Take a look at post #6 in this link.
http://www.keystonerv.org/forums/showthread.php?t=22463&highlight=poop+pyramid
Mr30RLI
10-19-2015, 06:41 PM
I agree with the water and lots of it solution. Find yourself a nearby full hookup site and get to it. Detergents, I use pinesol, work just as good or better than the RV packets... Google "geo method". As far as the tank depth, today's holding tanks are wedge shaped, shallow at the entry point with somewhat of a basin down stream.
Get yourself a clear elbow so you can watch the action and have fun :-). Might take several flushes before you're done.
BTW, you know it's reasonably clean if the fragrance is minimal.
Frank
JNKS2010
10-20-2015, 10:38 AM
Well thanks for all the replies!! This has been a learning process to say the least.
I can def say the type of TP we have been using are of RV grade. I can also say without a doubt that we have not been putting water back into the tank after a flush. Lessons learned as new owners.
We are going to a local full hookup this weekend. Spend the day cleaning the tank and flushing it all out. I think we will re-winterize as well. It will also be a great time to see if the heater works in the trailer as well.
I plan on throwing some chemicals in Thursday with some water from an outside hose. Then before we leave adding a bag of ice so that while we are driving it will swish and a swash around the tank and hopefully loosen it all up.
I will keep you all up to date and if you would all like I can even take some pictures to share on the forum?
Thanks again again for the quick reply and all the suggestions!
chuckster57
10-20-2015, 04:10 PM
If you drive to the campground with the treatment in a full black tank, don't bother with the ice cubes, they wont do anything but cool down the liquid.
JNKS2010
10-20-2015, 06:54 PM
If you drive to the campground with the treatment in a full black tank, don't bother with the ice cubes, they wont do anything but cool down the liquid.
do the chemicals cause a heat type reaction? and I was told the ice cubes work sort of like a scrubber for the tank.
chuckster57
10-20-2015, 07:01 PM
As far as I know no heat is generated. The ice cubes work in an empty tank, the movement and bouncing on the road will bounce them around "scrubbing" the tank. In a full tank they won't bounce around.
JNKS2010
10-21-2015, 06:30 AM
As far as I know no heat is generated. The ice cubes work in an empty tank, the movement and bouncing on the road will bounce them around "scrubbing" the tank. In a full tank they won't bounce around.
Ok good to know. Thank you.
do the chemicals cause a heat type reaction? and I was told the ice cubes work sort of like a scrubber for the tank.
There's a you-tube video that shows ice cubes don't work.
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Do you leave your black water valve open while camping?
SteveC7010
10-22-2015, 02:50 AM
Do you leave your black water valve open while camping?
No!!!!
If there's no liquid in the tank, the build up of solids starts immediately and will plug up the down tube from the toilet in just a few uses. When it dries out, and it will, you will have a major mess on your hands.
I repeat, there are several extensive threads on proper black tank use and maintenance here on this forum.
If you are camping with full hookups, leave the black tank closed. When ready to dump, run extra water in first. The more liquid, the better.
We have a Bullet 272bhs and also have @#$% pile issues. Never in 30 years of trailering did we have an issue like the Bullet. Like others have said use lots of water - this is sad since the Bullet does not have a large black tank. YOUR BEST FRIEND WILL BE to buy a Camco Flexible Swivel Stik at Walmart $17.46. Attach it to your hose, stick it down the toilet, turn on the water, and blast your poop away.
JNKS2010
10-22-2015, 06:57 PM
Do you leave your black water valve open while camping?
I do not, I was only emptying the tank when we hit the full level.
JNKS2010
10-22-2015, 07:01 PM
We have a Bullet 272bhs and also have @#$% pile issues. Never in 30 years of trailering did we have an issue like the Bullet. Like others have said use lots of water - this is sad since the Bullet does not have a large black tank. YOUR BEST FRIEND WILL BE to buy a Camco Flexible Swivel Stik at Walmart $17.46. Attach it to your hose, stick it down the toilet, turn on the water, and blast your poop away.
I will have to look at that. I believe they had something similar at the rv store today
JNKS2010
10-22-2015, 07:02 PM
Do you leave your black water valve open while camping?
I do not. I was warned about doing that
Blrmaker
10-22-2015, 08:38 PM
I will have to look at that. I believe they had something similar at the rv store today
When we ran into the same issues I ended getting one these:
http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=62053-40883-UWB-1L&langId=-1&storeId=10151&productId=3597668&catalogId=10051&cmRelshp=req&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1
It does the trick for us. "bouncey:
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