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Topic: All RV'ers Have Problems (Read 1142 times) previous topic - next topic

All RV'ers Have Problems

Well, I didn't want to get too specific dealing with Black Water Tanks, but everyone will have that tank that doesn't want to drain.  The solution with GV's is simple, cut a 2" dia hole towards the top of the tank, use a garden hose sprayer or one of those overhead plant watering wands to break up the ball of TP, seal up the hole with a 2" Plumbers Test Plug and your good to go.

Re: All RV'ers Have Problems

Reply #1 –
Please forgive me for stating something that's obvious to most readers, but just in case someone reading this doesn't know, don't EVER leave your black water valve open except when dumping. If you go into any RV park you'll find a certain percentage of people who hook up their sewer hose and open both valves and leave it that way the entire time (perhaps years) until they leave, only to discover that the solid waste has hardened to concrete and their tank is plugged beyond repair. The proper way to do this is to keep your black water valve closed at all times except when dumping. About two or three days before your black water tank needs to be dumped you should close your gray water valve and store up some soap suds to flush out your sewer hose after you dump. I personally never hook up anything except the electric. I fill my fresh water tank when I first arrive and use all that water over the next two weeks. After two weeks I'm out of certain groceries so I drive my coach to the grocery store to restock everything. Before I leave to go to the grocery store I dump the black water tank and wash it down with the built in sprayer, then dump the gray water tank to wash out the sewer hose with soap suds. I keep my water hose and sewer hose stowed in the cargo bay so they won't get damaged. It keeps everything working great. I'm full time in my coach and I put a lot of miles on. Most RV people seldom use their rig so I'm sure it's different for them... Again, sorry to overstate the obvious but this is important if a reader isn't aware that the black water valve should ALWAYS be kept closed except when dumping... that is all :)
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)

Re: All RV'ers Have Problems

Reply #2 –
I'm with you Scott, also adding a 3rd valve really makes a difference.

Hans
Hans & Marjet
1995 U300 "Ben" (#4719)
3176B Cat,4060HD,Jake
SKP#139131
Motorcade#17579
2006 Honda Element (towed)

Re: All RV'ers Have Problems

Reply #3 –
I added a third valve fairly early in our stewardship of this coach, and I'm really glad I did. More than once I've connected the "stinky slinky" and opened the third valve to find a flow from one of the tanks. Probably operator error in not getting a valve fully closed, but without that third valve I would have had quite a mess to deal with.

Some day I want to redo the hookup area to add a spray system for the black tank. Still working on exactly what I want to do there.

Re: All RV'ers Have Problems

Reply #4 –
You don't have a built in sprayer in your black water tank? Why does mine have one? Was mine an option or did a previous owner install it? I jumped to the conclusion that all coaches have a built in sprayer in the black water tank but this is the only coach I've ever owned... Honestly though, I wouldn't waste the time or money to install it if it is an option. There have been plenty of times when I didn't even use the sprayer and I can't see (meaning smell) any difference at all.
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)

Re: All RV'ers Have Problems

Reply #5 –
We have no "sprayer cleaner outer" on our waste tank. I do use the "third valve back flush" drill to help clean tanks and valves. I also do not hook up the dump hose except to dump tanks. I've had no clog problems. The effluent from the black tank is usually as clean as the effluent from the grey tank by the third back flush.

I sometimes hook up a fresh water hose to keep the fresh water tank full. I have an fill system with softener that bypasses the "normal" fill point. The fill system has includes a float switch to cut off the water when the tank is full. We always use fresh water from the storage tank via the 12VDC pump.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: All RV'ers Have Problems

Reply #6 –
Our coach ('89) came to us with the spinner sprayer already installed. Don't know by who, but someone gooped it up so it wouldn't spin. I did replace it with a new spinner from Camping World. Seems to work.
kbOzke--I installed the third valve  because I had the same problem you are having--leaking around the black tank valve. When I replaced the black tank valve I found a piece of white "stuff" (bone, tooth, or plastic) wedged down in the slot where the blade was supposed to go. This prevented the blade from closing off the black tank. I should have just bought the rubber seals but the whole valve was only $4.95
I put half a bottle of the cheap Dawn dish soap from a Dollar store and a half cup of Calgon water softener dissolved in two gallons of water down the toilet before we start out. Seems to keep things clean and odor free for awhile. (too much Pabst and the solution becomes overwhelmed  :-[  ;D ) The cheap Dawn soap ($1) is weaker than the Dawn you get in a regular retail store, according to the DW, and she ought to know, seeing as how her feet are smaller than mine which means she can stand closer to the kitchen sink with less problem than me. Evolution, you know!! (boy, am I going to get hell for this!!)
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: All RV'ers Have Problems

Reply #7 –
Our dump valves were very difficult to operate, but did not leak. I planned to replace them. I pulled them from the coach before buying new ones in order to verify that I could buy the correct replacements. I found the rubber still supple and all parts appeared to be in good condition. I cleaned the valves, lubricated them thoroughly with silicone grease, and put them back into service. They have worked well and operated with reasonable effort since the cleaning and lubrication.

I generally put some Dawn into the toilet after I empty the tanks. I also fill the toilet bowl enough to flow into the overflow holes (old toilet!) to make sure the traps for those are filled with water. We use softened water, so I don't add the Calgon. Putting the detergent and at least a gallon of water into the black tank after a dump session seems to contribute to a good cleanout session on the subsequent dump session.

Yes, we "RV'ers Have Problems," but the good practices we learn by sharing our experiences help to mitigate the problems.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: All RV'ers Have Problems

Reply #8 –
When I replaced the valve on our toilet the kit came with two plugs for the overflow holes. Directions specified to plug those holes. I forgot why, but it hasn't caused any issues since (one year ago)
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: All RV'ers Have Problems

Reply #9 –
Quote from: nitehawk –
When I replaced the valve on our toilet the kit came with two plugs for the overflow holes. Directions specified to plug those holes. I forgot why, but it hasn't caused any issues since (one year ago)
It makes sense to plug the holes. They appear to be for protection from overflow, but they don't drain the bowl as fast as our water pump will fill it. They don't really protect you from an overflow, and are likely to allow "the stinkies" to invade your living quarters.

There are traps in the path from the "overflow" holes to the "black water" waste tank. The traps will dry out and allow foul odors to easily get into the coach. It took me about three years to figure that out.  :facepalm:  If you have a toilet with the "overflow" holes, you should plug the holes, or be sure to run water through them often enough to keep the traps full of water.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: All RV'ers Have Problems

Reply #10 –
Quote from: J. D. Stevens –
If you have a toilet with the "overflow" holes, you should plug the holes, or be sure to run water through them often enough to keep the traps full of water.

I tried running water through the holes. No amount of water (I put gallons in) would stop the stink. I think the trap device breaks over time, who knows.
1998 U270 34'

Re: All RV'ers Have Problems

Reply #11 –
I have a SeaLand Traveler, never put any water in the holes, never have had any smell problems. So if there is any odor, I wonder if there is possibly an issue with the black tank roof venting...

Also my roof vents have the venturi style cap to draw air out when under way - are these standard on Foretravels...?
Peter and Tammy Fleming
1991 U300 GV 40 - Sold, owned for 4 years
Downsized to Roadtrek Popular 210 class B

Re: All RV'ers Have Problems

Reply #12 –
Quote from: prfleming –
I have a SeaLand Traveler, never put any water in the holes, never have had any smell problems. So if there is any odor, I wonder if there is possibly an issue with the black tank roof venting...

Somebody may have installed the bowl seal that does not have the hole in it in the past. Smell out the holes is a very common problem.
1998 U270 34'

Re: All RV'ers Have Problems

Reply #13 –
Quote from: krush –
I tried running water through the holes. No amount of water (I put gallons in) would stop the stink. I think the trap device breaks over time, who knows.
Yes it does, just like us.
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.
 

Re: All RV'ers Have Problems

Reply #14 –
This is testing my memory, which isn't getting better! I think the new floor seal did not have holes for the overflow holes in the toilet.
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD