Black water tank....paper pile up

ScarabChris · 07-05-2016, 04:36 PM

So I just got back from my first long trip with my Jay Feather 25BH and after 5 nights in the trailer and multiple people using the head I have encountered a problem.

The toilet paper piling up right under the toilet in the tank. To the point where I had to take a stick and shove it down and move it out of the way so other "stuff" could make it down.

Emptying the black tank did not remove the paper. I think it just didn't have time to break down. Yes it is RV paper.

How do you guys deal with this? Is there a stronger break down chemical I can use?

Grumpy · 07-05-2016, 04:40 PM

Lots of water... The bowl should be filled part way with water when doing #2...?

**norty1** · 07-05-2016, 04:41 PM

Fill it with water and drive around, dump. Repeat as necessary.

In the future, use more water with every flush and start out with several gallons.

Wrascal · 07-05-2016, 04:44 PM

Prohibit women from using that room.

Other than late at night we use the campground facilities.

ScarabChris · 07-05-2016, 05:14 PM

Yeah I figured water, or lack of it, was the problem. We do fill the bowl half way before each use. Maybe I'll put some water in it before getting started.

dewey02 · 07-05-2016, 05:20 PM

We always add a few gallons of water right after we dump.
You need some liquid in there so the solid stuff doesn't just go plop and stay right where it goes down.

BeenCamping40+Years · 07-05-2016, 06:32 PM

You weren't hooked up to sewer and left your black tank valve open the whole time did you?

Robbbyr · 07-05-2016, 07:05 PM

Ideally you add enough water after emptying the tank to cover the bottom of the black tank. In my unit that takes 5 gallons or so of water to be added before anyone "does their business". I had the dreaded "poopcano" one time in my first RV and learned my lesson quickly!

bankr63 · 07-05-2016, 08:02 PM

One more suggestion is to test your TP. Yes, you said that you are using an RV paper, but that might not mean much. There are some really good demos on YouTube (search RV Toilet Paper Test) of how to test. "The Fit RV"'s is a favorite. What these tend to demonstrate is that some RV papers fail to break down much in water, and some regular commercial papers disintegrate to pulp in no time. We went back to our usual home brand because it disintegrates to nothing in a matter of minutes in water, is softer, and about a quarter the price of RV paper.

Bigmoo315 · 07-05-2016, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bankr63

One more suggestion is to test your TP. Yes, you said that you are using an RV paper, but that might not mean much. There are some really good demos on YouTube (search RV Toilet Paper Test) of how to test. "The Fit RV"'s is a favorite. What these tend to demonstrate is that some RV papers fail to break down much in water, and some regular commercial papers disintegrate to pulp in no time. We went back to our usual home brand because it disintegrates to nothing in a matter of minutes in water, is softer, and about a quarter the price of RV paper.

What was your home brand that disintegrated well ?

P&K · 07-05-2016, 08:10 PM

We keep a covered garbage can beside the toilet and out very little toilet paper in it. (Only when necessary) We also out the chemical and water in the tank after emptying it

bankr63 · 07-05-2016, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigmoo315

What was your home brand that disintegrated well ?

We use Cashmere Premium (Costco) but I would not take that as an indication that it will work in all areas. It is most probably from the local plant (formerly Scott Paper) directly across the river from us in Gatineau QC (Canada). The formulation that comes out of other plants might be different. I suggest sacrificing a couple of squares and a Mason jar of water and 5 minutes to test your local brand to be sure.

Murff · 07-05-2016, 08:41 PM

I seem to recall reading on the JOF that Costco Kirkland 2-ply brand breaks down quickly. After using it for a few days on a two week trip, NO, NOPE, NO WAY should it be used! Biggest Poop-pyramid, ever!

After the first round, I did dump a five gallon bucket of water with Dawn dish soap that made the bottom of the tank a bit slick. Using Scott single ply TP, no more TP or poo pile!

No longer a Crappy camper!

Murff

tslarson · 07-06-2016, 04:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P&K

We keep a covered garbage can beside the toilet and out very little toilet paper in it. (Only when necessary) We also out the chemical and water in the tank after emptying it

We do the same thing and this solves much of the TP buildup problem. We have a small covered stainless garbage can lined with a plastic grocery bag and put "pee paper" into it. Empty it every couple of days and put a new bag in.

ScarabChris · 07-06-2016, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeenCamping40+Years

You weren't hooked up to sewer and left your black tank valve open the whole time did you?

No...I know better than that. I leave the grey valve open but never the black. I wait until it shows as nearly full before dumping.

Jagiven · 07-06-2016, 07:16 AM

The key is lots of water! We add a few gallons of water to the tank after dumping. Depending on your tank size you should add 5 to 10 gallons after dumping. Before dumping we fill the black tank with additional water. We try to have it at least 3/4 full before dumping.

Camper_bob · 07-06-2016, 07:42 AM

Oh no! The dreaded "Poo Pyramid of DOOM!" My step brother had to deal with this on a 5th wheel he bought last year. Worst part was it wasn't his! And it was quite "established"!

As has been suggested, use plenty of water. As for getting rid of the existing problem, I would suggest filling the tank up as much as possible and letting it sit for as long as possible. If you can add "Happy Camper" I would try that, or at least some chems for this process. Letting it sit will allow things to break down some and soften up so the tank can be flushed properly. Water softener (I use Calgon liquid softener because that's all I can get) will also help things "slide" out easier.

And then for the future, again, the other posts have it right on: make sure there is water in the tank before you use it, use plenty of water when flushing, and don't dump until you're almost full. As for what toilet paper to use? I use the Angel Soft recommended by "The Fit RV". Never had any problems in almost 3 years so far. But then our longest outing has been 3 nights, (maybe 4) so the paper doesn't really break down all that much anyway. But it's a lot better than what we use at home which doesn't want to break down much at all (it's good stuff!) We depend on LOTS of water and a good tank flush at the end of the weekend. So far, that has served us VERY well.

troutslayer · 07-06-2016, 08:08 AM

The solution is to use lots of water (as others have pointed out) or use one square of TP per visit

.

dewey02 · 07-06-2016, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by troutslayer

The solution is to use lots of water (as others have pointed out) or use one square of TP per visit

.

Followed by LOTS of handwashing!

Seann45 · 07-06-2016, 08:58 AM

Biggest mistake you made was using RV TP.. worst stuff ever made.. I have been using Kirkland TP for years with no problems.. Did you go over TP protocols with everyone in the trailer? Were some of these people kids? Some adults and most kids have problem listening and UNDERSTANDING what you are saying.. THAT ALL SAID TP needs some time to breakdown. I never dump my tank till it is full but then I have never had more than one other person in the rig with me at a time.

You may also like: