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01-11-2022, 01:46 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Morgan Hill
Posts: 34
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Don't laugh but I dropped a brush into black tank, help!
Okay, be nice. You can laugh but please help with a solution short of replacing the black tank on my 2521 Passport TT. The DW, (okay me), was cleaning the toilet with a brush when the head of the brush came off in the tube. It is now in the tank, I think, since I cannot see it. We emptied the black tank and nothing came out. Anybody with any genius ideas on how to retrieve toilet brush head from the black tank?
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01-11-2022, 02:01 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: South Jordan, Utah
Posts: 2,221
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If your toilet drain is plumbed straight down into the black tank a "grabber tool" might work. One like this is under $10 on Amazon.
It's 32" long but I didn't see a dimension for the width of the jaws when closed.
__________________
2017 Cougar 279RKSWE
2007.5 Dodge Ram 2500 6.7 Cummins
Retirement Training Completed
I think the little voices in my head have started a chat group.
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01-11-2022, 02:10 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Wickenburg
Posts: 3,271
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The one I have here at my desk is just under 2" closed, which would fit easily down the hopper. But it isn't the telescoping(?) one shown in your photo, which looks a tad bigger.
What's going to complicate this is that the brush head is probably down near the pipe exit by now, not under the hopper. It may take angled mirror on a slat, or HF industrial proctoscope to figure out where it is, then an electrician snake to hook it.
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2019 Cougar 26RBSWE
2019 Ford F-250
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01-11-2022, 02:12 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Mesa
Posts: 176
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Am I somehow a sinner because I see this as a non-issue for the most part? The only problem I see is it might jam the valve when trying to close, but at least then, you'll know where it is.
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01-11-2022, 02:16 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: South US
Posts: 712
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If you think the brush head might float try CAREFULLY filling the tank with the tank flush system. Coordinate with someone on the valve control when you get near full. A couple of on/ off burst of the valve may swirl the brush head into a position where you can see and retrieve it.
Just an idea. Never been tried that I've heard of but then who would admit it.
Good luck
RMc
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01-11-2022, 02:30 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: South Jordan, Utah
Posts: 2,221
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Quote:
Originally Posted by snoobler
Am I somehow a sinner because I see this as a non-issue for the most part? The only problem I see is it might jam the valve when trying to close, but at least then, you'll know where it is.
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Pretty sure the brush would clog the drain pipe ahead of the dump valve. Solids and paper could build up around the brush and prevent a proper "flush"
__________________
2017 Cougar 279RKSWE
2007.5 Dodge Ram 2500 6.7 Cummins
Retirement Training Completed
I think the little voices in my head have started a chat group.
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01-11-2022, 02:31 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Wickenburg
Posts: 3,271
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Quote:
Originally Posted by snoobler
Am I somehow a sinner because I see this as a non-issue for the most part? The only problem I see is it might jam the valve when trying to close, but at least then, you'll know where it is.
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There's a post somewhere here where an owner found a hammer head (from the factory) stuck in the outflow pipe. It couldn't come out the pipe end, and so had to be fished out the long way.
If I had just done something that set me up for the same kind of experience, I'd take care of it before it got to that point.
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2019 Cougar 26RBSWE
2019 Ford F-250
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01-11-2022, 02:35 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: McHenry, IL
Posts: 115
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I would try using one of those cleaning wands to try and blast the head back toward the toilet down tube, then use the grabber tool to retrieve it.
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2013 F-150 3.5 Eco
2014 Keystone Passport 245RB
"Don't worry bout the mule... Just load the wagon"
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01-11-2022, 02:39 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Wickenburg
Posts: 3,271
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Quote:
Originally Posted by locomech
I would try using one of those cleaning wands to try and blast the head back toward the toilet down tube, then use the grabber tool to retrieve it.
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From an engineering standpoint, this is the obvious solution. The problem is that it is accompanied by a very high yuck factor.
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2019 Cougar 26RBSWE
2019 Ford F-250
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01-11-2022, 02:50 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Germantown, TN
Posts: 6,308
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I'm not sure if the 'yuck factor' can be taken in consideration from this point forward. If it was a large concern then a two piece brush/wand wouldn't have been used to begin with. OP needs to just 'get with the program' so to speak and try some of these good ideas. Latex gloves and a quick rinse and get the talking part done with. All in the name of 'He'll have a story to tell."
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Jim in Memphis, Wife of 51 years is Brenda
2019 F450 6.7 Powerstroke
2018 Mobile Suites 40RSSA
2021 40' Jayco Eagle
2001 Road king w/matching Harley sidecar
2021 Yamaha X2 Wolverine 1000
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01-11-2022, 02:57 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: Wickenburg
Posts: 3,271
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Quote:
Originally Posted by notanlines
All in the name of 'He'll have a story to tell."
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You could get a genuine viral video out of pressure-washing a pooper.
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2019 Cougar 26RBSWE
2019 Ford F-250
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01-11-2022, 03:04 PM
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#12
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Morgan Hill
Posts: 34
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LHaven
From an engineering standpoint, this is the obvious solution. The problem is that it is accompanied by a very high yuck factor.
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This whole situation has given me the yucks.
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01-11-2022, 03:33 PM
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#13
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Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,601
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There have been some good ideas here, maybe the most pertinent is to get over any kind of worry about getting "yucky" because you will unless very lucky. Another is to get it done quickly; every time you use the toilet the stuff in that brush is just going to build up then get more and more "ugly" and unpleasant to pull out.
The composition of the brush would be good to know; will it float, will it sink? That would affect the way you would approach the dilemma I would imagine. I also think the longer it's in there the more it will impede and block the contents; heck, even toilet paper does that.
I don't know where you are but those little grabbers in post #2 are also sold at our local ACE hardware (along with a couple of other kinds). I believe they were over in the lawn/yard/garden area when I was looking at them the other day.
Depending on the material in the brush you may be able to push it back from the outlet via an external flush, float it by using the tank flush or whatever other means you come up with. However you accomplish the feat I doubt it will smell like rose petals. Good luck.
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Danny and Susan, wife of 56 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
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01-11-2022, 03:46 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Norwood, CO
Posts: 667
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A light lowered into the tank. Mechanics have small cameras mounted on flexable cable to see into hard to get areas. One of those. Locate Brush. A very thin flexable fly rod with a three headed hook tied on the end.
Good luck.
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German Shepherd Guy
2018 Keystone 26RBPR
2014 Suburban 2500, 6L with 3.73 rear
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01-11-2022, 03:47 PM
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#15
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Morgan Hill
Posts: 34
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Thank you everybody. I have ordered a pressure flex hose (since the toilet is offset) and will be going on my Nextdoor feed to find a snake/auger. I will get into my coveralls, gloves, mask, and all things "coverage" to dive in. I will let you know how it goes. The moral of the story is not to be such a good "housekeeper". LOL.
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01-11-2022, 03:55 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Mico, TX
Posts: 7,395
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cjblodgett
Thank you everybody. I have ordered a pressure flex hose (since the toilet is offset) and will be going on my Nextdoor feed to find a snake/auger. I will get into my coveralls, gloves, mask, and all things "coverage" to dive in. I will let you know how it goes. The moral of the story is not to be such a good "housekeeper". LOL.
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I figured you have already heard enough dumb suggestions but I was going to tell you to ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES and go for it. You will need to talk someone into holding the toilet ball open and hope they like you well enough where they won't take a picture and blackmail you in the future.
I would personally straighten a coat hanger and fish while my wife holds the ball open and laughs at me (a lot).
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wiredgeorge Mico TX
2006 F350 CC 4WD 6.0L
2002 Keystone Cougar 278
2006 GL1800 Roadsmith Trike
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01-11-2022, 03:58 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Henniker
Posts: 2,016
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A couple of years ago I bought an endoscope. It has a 6’ long flexible articulated shaft with a camera and light (variable brightness) on the end that connects wirelessly to a smartphone. It also came with a few attachments that snap onto the end, one of which is a hook. It is waterproof and submersible so it’s okay to use it in your tank. I would suggest trying one and first locate the brush head, then develop a plan to pull it back up and out. Easy to find on Amazon for $50 or less. I have found dozens of uses for it in the camper and at home, it is awesome.
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Rob & Amy
2019 Passport 240BH SL (current)
2024 Cougar 29BHL (on order, due early May)
2022 Ford F250 7.3L Godzilla Crew Cab 4x4
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01-11-2022, 03:59 PM
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#18
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Morgan Hill
Posts: 34
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wiredgeorge
I figured you have already heard enough dumb suggestions but I was going to tell you to ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES and go for it. You will need to talk someone into holding the toilet ball open and hope they like you well enough where they won't take a picture and blackmail you in the future.
I would personally straighten a coat hanger and fish while my wife holds the ball open and laughs at me (a lot).
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You may see me on a YouTube video, for sure.
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01-11-2022, 04:53 PM
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#19
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Central
Posts: 29
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One of these will help you tremendously .
Oiiwak Industrial Endoscope 5.5mm .
https://www.amazon.com/Oiiwak-Indust...s%2C166&sr=8-3
You will find it, and quite possibly grab it with the "hook" or magnet end .
I have one and it works great and comes in handy for lots of head scratchers ! Cheap and effective .
Good Luck !
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2021 Keystone Passport 229RK
2001 Chevy Suburban 2WD 2500 8.1 - 4.10
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01-11-2022, 05:17 PM
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#20
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,846
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If you've got "lots of time and no professional tools to use" you might consider a length of 12 pound test fishing line, a treble hook and a bobber. Tie the hook to the end of the line, put the bobber an inch or so above the hook, turn off the water to the toilet, step on the foot pedal, lower the "hook, line and bobber" into the holding tank. Then turn on the black tank flush, it will "push the bobber around in the tank" and hopefully, the water currents will push the bobber into the brush. If you're "sort of lucky" a "round, red/white ball bobber" will roll around in the black tank, dragging the hook behind it and hopefully snag the brush head.
You may spend a couple hours "fishing", but this time of year, most places, boats won't float in the water and it's too cold to sit "out on the ice" so, might as well take up a new hobby, "toilet fishing in the comfort of your own RV".....
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John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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