Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 05-25-2020, 03:54 PM   #1
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 30
Exclamation Black tank full, not draining - HELP!

We have a new (2019, bought March 2020) Cherokee 264ck. For background, my son is living in it full time with his family, 3 adults using the bathroom. Been lived in since March 5 2020, never had a problem dumping before. Always dump when tank is over 2/3 full. If we had a tow vehicle, we'd try moving it, but we don't. Plus getting it into it's spot and blocking it up was not easy, even with a professional from the dealership helping.

The tank is full now, but when we open the valve to dump the tank, nothing substantial comes out, just a trickle of water, then nothing. We've added some soap, hoping that might help. Open to any advice on this. It's the only bathroom on the property, so we need to solve this soon.

HELP!
justanotherrvr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2020, 04:15 PM   #2
Site Team
 
bikendan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,607
That probably have a poo pyramid, from not using enough water.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
bikendan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2020, 04:22 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Zephyrhills FL
Posts: 1,106
Are you sure the drain valve is opening completely? If so I suspect there has not been enough water used when flushing the toilet and you have solids built up in the tank.

If so, open the valve, then pour a bucket of water down the toilet, repeat until you get a good flow out of the drain or until the water level in the tank reaches the bottom of the toilet. If the water gets up to the toilet, dump in about a triple dose of tank chemicals and let it sit overnight then try to drain it again. If you can get the water to drain reasonably well, put water down the toilet until it runs clear, close the valve, put about 1/3 of a tank of water in along with a good dose of chemicals and be sure to use plenty of water when you flush. The water is needed to be sure the solids break down so they will flow out when you open the drain valve on the tank.
__________________
(Previous) Coachmen Mirada Select 37RB
(Previous) Coachmen Freedom Express 246RKS
(Current)2022 Grand Design Reflection150 226RK
2022 F150 Powerboost Hybrid.
DougW is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2020, 04:27 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 10,907
Sometimes when they cut the circle of plastic out of the tank for the toilet, it falls into the tank. If they don't get it out, it eventually works it way to the drain and clogs it up. There are a number of posts regarding this issue.

May or may not be your issue. You might try blasting some water backwards up the drain with one of these:



If that's your problem, it may move it out of the way, but until you can remove it completely, you'll always be susceptible to the problem.
__________________
1988 Coleman Sequoia - popup (1987-2009) - outlasted 3 Dodge Grand Caravans!
2012 Roo19 - hybrid (2012-2015)

2016 Mini Lite 2503S - tt (2015 - ???)
2011 Traverse LT, 3.6L, FWD
2009 Silverado 1500 Ext Cab, 5.3L, 4x4, 3.73
2016 Silverado 2500HD Dbl Cab, 6.0L 4x4, 4.10
rockfordroo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2020, 04:29 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Payson, AZ
Posts: 3,862
just guessing, but would opening and closing the valve several times help by getting to move bit so that the liquid portion would drain? i have had times when something clogged the drain and by moving the drain a few times it broke the clog free. other than that yu need to get something into the tank to dissolve the clog.
__________________
2015 cardinal model 3825fl
2015 dodge ram 3500 dually
CHICKDOE is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2020, 04:46 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 825
For what its worth, the gauge is notoriously faulty and will tell you it's full when it's not. Maybe its not full at all. If so, just wait until the sound changes when flushing before you dump. If you're sure it's full and not draining, I'd go with the other advice.
Skip12 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2020, 04:53 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
A32Deuce's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Mount Laurel, New Jersey
Posts: 9,230
Hope no one used wipes!
If you open the valve inside and look down with a flashlight you might see what's up. If it curves into the tank, I would try a bucket of hot water to flush down.
__________________
2012 SunSeeker 3100SS Toad-1962 Futura Average 100 + days camping
A32Deuce is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2020, 05:16 PM   #8
Site Team
 
bikendan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Goodyear, Arizona
Posts: 33,607
Quote:
Originally Posted by A32Deuce View Post
Hope no one used wipes!
Yep, definite possibility.
__________________
Dan-Retired California Firefighter/EMT
Shawn-Musician/Entrepreneur/Wine Expert
and Zoe the Wonder Dog(R.I.P.)
2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255, pushing a 2014 Ford F150 SCREW XTR 4x4 3.5 Ecoboost w/Max Tow Package
4pt Equal-i-zer WDH and 1828lbs of payload capacity
bikendan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2020, 05:35 PM   #9
Site Team
 
Mr. Dan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Grayson County, Texas
Posts: 21,502
One time I couldn’t get a gray tank to drain. My valve wasn’t opening. Why? The end of the cable slide wire (frame right) had come out from under the set screw on the valve mechanism (frame left).
Click image for larger version

Name:	IMG_4974.jpg
Views:	332
Size:	212.8 KB
ID:	229892
__________________
2015 FR Wildcat 295RSX / GMC Sierra

Nights Camped: '13 = 49/'14 = 74/'15 = 74/'16 = 85/'17 = 110/'18 = 111/'19 = 86/'20 =108/'21 = 115/'22 = 135/'23 = 78; Booked for 2024 = 69
Mr. Dan is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2020, 10:54 PM   #10
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 30
The anti-siphon valve setup looks like something worth having around anyway. We did get the tanks to drain for now though.
justanotherrvr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-25-2020, 11:19 PM   #11
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 30
I want to than everyone for their help and suggestions. No wipes, they know better than to put anything but toilet paper in there. And fortunately, the problem wasn't from any debris left over from construction, though that wouldn't be unrealistic given the way they build these. Best guess is the Northern Quilted TP, bought in haste because the covid hoarders had taken everything else, was just too thick. Fortunately we snagged an economy sized pack of Scott 1-ply today, won't use the Northern again, unless the hoarders once more clean out all the 1-ply. If that happens, we'll be sure to flush 2-3 times every time the toilet is used.

I still owe this forum for this solution dug out of the archives:

"It had something in the black tank from new and stunk horribly. It wouldn't drain. We stopped at a campground for the night wondering what to do and a campground host said fill up the gray tank and black all the way then pull both valves open at the same time.. IT WORKED!! Thank you because that smell was horrid. The grey is down line from the black and creates extra vacuum on the black tank."

So we filled both grey water tanks, then opened them both about 1 second before opening the black water valve: the suction from the grey water running down pulled the clog loose. And ran the black water flush for a good long time after, to clear it out good. We may just fill the black water tank again by running a hose into the toilet, and dump again, to be extra sure of clearing out anything left in there.

Everyone, thank you again.
justanotherrvr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2020, 10:40 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
A32Deuce's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Mount Laurel, New Jersey
Posts: 9,230
Glad to hear you got it cleared. That curved sewer attachment for a hose, I put a gate attached to the going away side. I close it, turn on the water and open the black valve. You must pay attention and not do anything else. I may do this several times, but its a surprise what comes out each time you open the gate valve. I do the same with the gray tank but no where's near as often.
__________________
2012 SunSeeker 3100SS Toad-1962 Futura Average 100 + days camping
A32Deuce is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2020, 10:45 AM   #13
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 387
Three adults full timing is quit a strain on your black tank!
Roberte52 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2020, 10:48 AM   #14
Georgia Rally Coordinator
 
aceinspp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: GA
Posts: 24,359
Quote:
Originally Posted by justanotherrvr View Post
I want to than everyone for their help and suggestions.

"It had something in the black tank from new and stunk horribly. It wouldn't drain. We stopped at a campground for the night wondering what to do and a campground host said fill up the gray tank and black all the way then pull both valves open at the same time.. IT WORKED!! Thank you because that smell was horrid. The grey is down line from the black and creates extra vacuum on the black tank."

So we filled both grey water tanks, then opened them both about 1 second before opening the black water valve: the suction from the grey water running down pulled the clog loose. And ran the black water flush for a good long time after, to clear it out good. We may just fill the black water tank again by running a hose into the toilet, and dump again, to be extra sure of clearing out anything left in there.

Everyone, thank you again.
Good tip. later RJD
__________________
2020 Shasta Phoenix SPF 27RKSS (sold)
2018 Dodge Ram 2500 6.4 3:73 gearing. Traded 2015 Chevy 2500 6.0, 4:10
Traded 2015 30WRLIKS V-Lite
Days camped 2019 62
Days camped 2020 49 days camped 2021-74 2022-40 days 2023 5 days
aceinspp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2020, 01:19 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
rsdata's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Northern KY
Posts: 5,724
try disposing the wipe paper in a small trash can lined with a plastic bag...

toss the plastic bag later and don't put any paper into the black tank...
__________________
"nothing can now be believed which is seen in a newspaper. Truth itself becomes suspicious by being put into that polluted vehicle."
Thomas Jefferson to John Norvell pg. 2, June 11, 1807

2014 Shamrock 183
2014 RAM 1500 Bighorn Crew Cab, HEMI, 3.21 gears, 8 Spd, 4X4 TST TPMS
rsdata is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2020, 01:38 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Full-time USA
Posts: 123
Instead of bringing a hose inside I use 2 _1 gallon water bottles to hold the pedal open . Then you can fill it until it starts up into the bowl. Then you don't have to run outside to stop the water.
WilliamG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-27-2020, 08:03 AM   #17
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Colorado
Posts: 1,306
Use waste digester in between dumps. Keeps everything broken up for easy dumping. You can get it anywhere.
__________________
2003 Duramax
2017 Crusader 315

2016 Boston Whaler Montauk 150
Former Montana owner
Colorado Cruiser, Over the Pass and Down the Hill
Comanchecreek is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-27-2020, 11:11 AM   #18
AKA: 'tiredTeacher
 
awellis3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 1,045
Quote:
Originally Posted by rsdata View Post
try disposing the wipe paper in a small trash can lined with a plastic bag...toss the plastic bag later and don't put any paper into the black tank...
That's our SOP. No chemicals. No paper. Lots of water. No problem.
__________________
Wright and Penny
(with Fitz and Lizzie, the camping kitties)
Richmond, Va.
2010 Tundra 4X4 5.7L V8
2014 Rockwood 2604WS
Life is a cruel teacher. She gives the test first; the lesson then follows.
awellis3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-27-2020, 11:25 AM   #19
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 744
I use RV Digest It in my black water tank. It says on the bottle, if I remember correctly, to use a whole bottle in case of a poo mound and let it sit for 24 hours with as much water as you can put in the tank and the mound is supposed to dissolve in that 24 hour wait. Glad to hear you got the problem taken care of. Another pea for the Tank...er pod
Pipeman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-27-2020, 11:29 AM   #20
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: North of Seattle, WA
Posts: 17,288
Quote:
Originally Posted by rsdata View Post
try disposing the wipe paper in a small trash can lined with a plastic bag...

toss the plastic bag later and don't put any paper into the black tank...
To each their own.
e
I've been putting TP in the holding tank (as well as my family) since I started RV'ing back in the early 70's. Never a clog. Gauges get fouled by just about EVERYTHING in the tanks, not just TP so nothing gained there by saving it separately.


When I fist started RV'ing an old timer clued me in. When black tank is dumped and flushed be sure to add water back to the tank so "solids" don't stick to bottom of tank in the drop zone. Add enough so you have an inch or so of water on the bottom of the tank.
I know it's counter-intuitive to put water into a tank you've just drained but it really won't impact the number of uses possible. Will definitely make the disposal process quicker..
__________________
"A wise man can change his mind. A fool never will." (Japanese Proverb)

"You only grow old when you run out of new things to do"

2018 Flagstaff Micro Lite 25BDS
2023 f-150 SCREW XLT 3.5 Ecoboost (The result of a $68,000 oil change)
TitanMike is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
black, black tank, drain, tank

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:44 AM.