Cleaning the blackwater tank

zinger60 · 09-27-2015, 07:47 PM

We have used our camper a couple times a month since May and always used the toilet chemicals along with the liquid water softener. The camper is a 2011 and we don't know how the previous owners maintained the black water tank. We had heard about the blackwater flush wands but had never used one in our tank. We just purchased a blue tote from someone on Craigslist and he gave us one of these wands. We just got back from a 4 day camping trip and when we emptied the blackwater at the dump station before leaving, we decided to try out the wand. They had a water hose there to use for flushing so we attached the wand to it and put it through the bathroom window. After emptying the tank, we used the wand and I stood outside the camper to see when the water ran clear. I was totally amazed at what came out of our "empty" blackwater tank. We had to run a lot of water through it to finally get it to run clear. I never would have thought that there would be all this stuff left in the tank after it was emptied.

Cookies & Chips · 09-27-2015, 08:01 PM

Just today I loaned my wand to a friend with their "new to them" trailer to flush out their tank before parking for the winter ... they stirred up enough stuff in the tank, they plugged the drain valve ... it's now their new favorite RV toy.

Rupkin2 · 09-27-2015, 08:20 PM

I have a saniflush in our trailer, does the same thing for the most part.
I run the sanflush probably 20 minutes or so, unbelievable how much comes out and how long afterwards its still comeing out.

John

Cookies & Chips · 09-27-2015, 08:24 PM

I'm in the process of installing the "No Fuss Flush" on my new-to-me trailer ... so I won't be using the wand much longer myself.

txprowler · 09-28-2015, 09:42 AM

Our latest trailer came with a flush system. I can see a difference when it is turned on. It seems to stir things up rather well. One day I thought I would use my old wand after the internal system had everything running clear. To my surprise the two systems running at the same time cleared quite a bit more solids from the tank I was unaware of. I always use the internal but occasionally supplement with the wand for an even better clean out.

oxcamper · 09-28-2015, 10:22 AM

You can also use the bag of ice method and put in a couple of bags of ice and a couple gallons of water down the toilet before you head out. As you drive, the ice scours the inside of the tank. Stop and clean before you get to the campsite.

stantyszka · 09-28-2015, 11:47 AM

Totally agree. Black flush wand is one of the best tools out there. I'm very vigilant about using it when closing down the trailer on a trip. As a result, my camper does not smell like poo. 5-10 minutes each trip with the wand keeps things up to snuff.

Wolverine 1945 · 09-28-2015, 12:00 PM

Used a Toilet Wand in our old Flagstaff,,, after every trip !!!
I was amazed @ what would flush out,,,
there are some foods that we eat that do not digest !!!
Great tool if you do not have a Black Water Flush !!!

oxcamper · 09-28-2015, 12:26 PM

[QUOTE=,,,
there are some foods that we eat that do not digest !!!
QUOTE]
i DON'T EVEN WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU EAT!!!

Wolverine 1945 · 09-28-2015, 01:02 PM

[QUOTE=oxcamper;995854]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ,,,
there are some foods that we eat that do not digest !!!
QUOTE

i DON'T EVEN WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU EAT!!!

That is why I did not list them !!!

waiter21 · 09-28-2015, 01:43 PM

We do the same as Oxcamper. On our last leg of any trip, we dump all our unused ice down the toilet. If I know I'm going into storage, I may even buy a couple bags of ice and flush them down the toilet.

All that ice flopping around inside the black tank helps knock loose anything stuck to the walls and scrubs the inside of the tank.

MilCop4523 · 09-28-2015, 01:44 PM

with our new to us 09 5th wheel we had aa similar concern. we used the black tank flush and almost filled the tank with clean water then let it sit for 2 hours. drained. Almost puked...

then flushed it again and left it for 2 days and hauled to a weekend get away...
and almost puked again when we drained it.

So much stuff came out it wasnt funny.
i heard that using water softner salt diluted in hot water and then ice cubes will even take mopre stuff so this Canadian Thanksgiving we will try this again. and see what we get out for the last trip of the year.

MilCop4523 · 09-28-2015, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oxcamper

You can also use the bag of ice method and put in a couple of bags of ice and a couple gallons of water down the toilet before you head out. As you drive, the ice scours the inside of the tank. Stop and clean before you get to the campsite.

OK where exactly are you stopping and cleaning BEFORE you get to the campsite? And do State authorities know these spots?