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09-30-2014, 09:18 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Urbana, IL
Posts: 53
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My first post...and it's about poop
Hello,
My husband and I currently own a 2005 StarCraft Antigua. We've owned it for three years, and for the whole time the camper has been stinky, particularly from the bathroom. I have peered down into the black tank and I'm quite sure there is a good sized poop mountain in there, and it's probably been building for the 7 or 8 years the camper was owned before we had it. I've tried most of the normal tricks to break it up, and the smell has improved. But....it's still there just a little. We have even banned going #2 in the camper and just head for the shower house when he have to.
Fast forward to today, and we just ordered a new 2015 33RLDS. Besides not doing our "doody" in the camper, what else will minimize odor? We are debating not even throwing toilet paper in the black tank because if I am correct in what I have read, it can build up and smell too? We did order it with a black tank flush. I'm not keen on the idea of driving for weeks/months with a tank full of pee either.
And yep, I'm a psycho when it comes to smells.
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10-01-2014, 04:49 AM
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#2
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 67
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If you treat your blank tank properly, you will not get odours from it. We are on our 3rd RV and have never had an issue with the tank. Key ingredient, water and lots of it, and never, never leave your blank tank open when camping. Wait until it's full or 3/4 full and then empty. If you don't have a built in blank tank flush system, buy yourself a blank tank rinsing wand. Camping World sells them. Why would you, when you have the convenience, and cleanliness of your own toilet go use a public washroom. That is one of the benefits of owning a RV. Buy a good toilet paper that breaks down quickly, like Angel Soft. If I put anything in the tank at all, it is a natural product, like RIDX, which I use maybe once a year. Add lots of fresh water and drive to your next camping site. The swishing around of the water and RIDX in your tank help clean it. Dump when you get to your site. If you flush out your tank after each dumping you will not have an issue. For Pete's sake, use the toilet, just do it correctly. There is lots of information here and other RV forums about how to use your tank wisely and keep it clean and odour free.
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10-01-2014, 05:39 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Highland
Posts: 477
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One thing people never think about is you black tank is pretty much a port-o-potty. You must keep water in it so the solids don't just sit there and dry. When your done camping for the weekend, dump your tank, but be sure to put 3-4 gallons of water in it during storage, and add about a cup or two of water to the toilet itself to keep the seals from drying out. I found out if I fill my toilet full of water before I flush, it is right at 1 gal of water, so fill your toilet 3-4 times and there is your 3-4 gallons
Last thing is the best way I found to clean my tank is find a camp ground with water and sewer. Fill your toilet all the way up with water and let sit and then flush, repeat often. this will clean everything out. Worked great for me.
good luck
__________________
Chris Moore
2010 Starcraft/Jayco 297BHS pulled by
2009 Chevy Silverado
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10-01-2014, 05:55 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: CENTRAL NEW YORK
Posts: 984
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We have a 33RLDS and never have any odor issues. It comes with a factory installed flush so just use it enjoy poops in the privacy of your own camper !!
__________________
2013 33 RLDS
2004 Chevy Avalanche 2500 8.1
2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited 3.2
2016 CTS 4 2.0T
2001 Oldsmobile Aurora 4.0
2015 Chrysler 200C AWD
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10-01-2014, 06:19 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Haycock Twp
Posts: 192
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We have a Mississippi Flush Rule - #1=3 Mississippi - #2=6 Mississippi. (apologies to any viewers from the great state of MS)
The Geo Method has been successful for us so far.
https://sites.google.com/site/cbruni/
I also make sure I have a couple gallons in the tank for the trip home and do one last dump into a bucket when I arrive. That allows the road trip to do a bit of cleaning.
This takes patience, practice and carefulness since it is essentially dealing with a toxic substance. I pour the effluents directly into my septic tank stand pipe and thoroughly sanitize the bucket.
I add some water and Geo ingredients before closing the trailer up.
My next trip will include a bag of ice to really scrub things down before winterization.
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10-01-2014, 06:46 AM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Urbana, IL
Posts: 53
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Arefbee
We have a Mississippi Flush Rule - #1=3 Mississippi - #2=6 Mississippi. (apologies to any viewers from the great state of MS)
The Geo Method has been successful for us so far.
https://sites.google.com/site/cbruni/
I also make sure I have a couple gallons in the tank for the trip home and do one last dump into a bucket when I arrive. That allows the road trip to do a bit of cleaning.
This takes patience, practice and carefulness since it is essentially dealing with a toxic substance. I pour the effluents directly into my septic tank stand pipe and thoroughly sanitize the bucket.
I add some water and Geo ingredients before closing the trailer up.
My next trip will include a bag of ice to really scrub things down before winterization.
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Hey, great article, thanks. I use the laundry soap idea, but not a combo of ingredients mentioned here. I'll be trying this out for sure.
Thanks to all others who responded too.
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10-01-2014, 06:59 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saskatoon Sask Canada
Posts: 10,726
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The reason you get a mountain of poop in the black tank is someone had left the black tank valve open at the campground.. NEVER DO THIS.... always wait till the tank is near full and dump.. if it isn't and you need to dump before going on the road fill the black tank with water then dump.. Doing this I have never had a problem with my black tank.. I never use those RV chemicals in the tank they are detrimental to the ecology of your tank... if you must use something in the tank then get a box of septic tank treatment from a hardware.. but it needs to be in the tank for days...
I just watched a video on ice in a black tank and it does little to nothing for cleaning a tank... think about it .. it is slippery and sits on top of water... so how would it clean your tank? Here is the video link
http://vimeo.com/107203617
__________________
Seann
2004 Chev Silverado Duramax optioned past the max. 2009 Jayco Eagle 308 RLS 900watts of solar, Lithium batteries (400amp hour), 2000 watt (4000 surge) whole house inverter.
145days /2023 2022/151 2021[/COLOR]
93/2020,157/2019219/2018 206/2017,215/2016, 211/2015, 196/14, 247/13, 193/12
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10-01-2014, 08:46 AM
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#8
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 67
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As mentioned I rinse, and rinse and rinse. And when I think I've rinsed enough I do it one more time...
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10-01-2014, 09:06 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Haycock Twp
Posts: 192
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seann45
The reason you get a mountain of poop in the black tank is someone had left the black tank valve open at the campground.. NEVER DO THIS.... always wait till the tank is near full and dump.. if it isn't and you need to dump before going on the road fill the black tank with water then dump.. Doing this I have never had a problem with my black tank.. I never use those RV chemicals in the tank they are detrimental to the ecology of your tank... if you must use something in the tank then get a box of septic tank treatment from a hardware.. but it needs to be in the tank for days...
I just watched a video on ice in a black tank and it does little to nothing for cleaning a tank... think about it .. it is slippery and sits on top of water... so how would it clean your tank? Here is the video link
http://vimeo.com/107203617
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Cool video (had to mute the music after a couple of minutes).
I would love to see the same experiment with a tank that has had the Geo method. The idea is that the Calgon creates a more slippery surface. My intent if not to attack poo mountain. If that has happened, the situation has already gone wrong.
This does make me wonder what would happen is a bit of abrasive was added to the ice...
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10-01-2014, 09:09 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 968
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The whole point of having an RV as opposed to a tent is the conveniences it provides. You have a toilet, so you should use it! And I can't imagine using it but then putting the used toilet paper in a trash can? Yuck!
Just follow the advice others here have given. Use lots of water. Dump when you have a least 3/4 full tank. Use chemicals is you want to. We also dump out dishwater down the toilet to save room in the grey water tank. Beside adding additional water to the black tank (a good thing) I think the soap in the dishwater also helps break up the solids.
Good luck and happy camping!
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10-01-2014, 10:55 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Regina SK Canada
Posts: 634
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I used my toilet this year and there was no smells at all....I simply followed the advice of others on here and it works. I also have the same trailer as your new one, great floor plan. Enjoy!
__________________
2013 Jayco Flight 33RLDS ( Parking this at seasonal site)
2013 F150 EXL Screw 5.0 4x4 3:55 locking ( not towing the above trailer with this truck)
Spending my children's inheritances on my toys!
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10-01-2014, 11:05 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Regina SK Canada
Posts: 634
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Seann45
The reason you get a mountain of poop in the black tank is someone had left the black tank valve open at the campground.. NEVER DO THIS.... always wait till the tank is near full and dump.. if it isn't and you need to dump before going on the road fill the black tank with water then dump.. Doing this I have never had a problem with my black tank.. I never use those RV chemicals in the tank they are detrimental to the ecology of your tank... if you must use something in the tank then get a box of septic tank treatment from a hardware.. but it needs to be in the tank for days...
I just watched a video on ice in a black tank and it does little to nothing for cleaning a tank... think about it .. it is slippery and sits on top of water... so how would it clean your tank? Here is the video link
http://vimeo.com/107203617
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Great Video and it shows just how ineffective ice is...I just keep lots of water in mine so that it does not allow a lot of build up....as per the advice of many on here!
__________________
2013 Jayco Flight 33RLDS ( Parking this at seasonal site)
2013 F150 EXL Screw 5.0 4x4 3:55 locking ( not towing the above trailer with this truck)
Spending my children's inheritances on my toys!
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10-01-2014, 06:12 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: NW AR (God's Country)
Posts: 2,051
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Ever think of a composting toilet?
__________________
Skip
2012 Eagle Super Lite HT 26.5RKS
2005 GMC 2500 SLT HD D/A
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10-01-2014, 06:28 PM
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#14
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Lost in the Woods
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: N/A
Posts: 567
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"I haven’t had a poop, probably in six years. That’s because I’m scared of my wife."
PRESIDENT OBAMA, to a fellow delegate at the UN General Assembly on Monday.
(via CBS News)
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10-01-2014, 08:36 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Spicewood, Texas
Posts: 913
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As any water is the enemy of our aluminum and fiberglass walls....not enough water is the enemy of our poop tanks.
__________________
2015 338RETS Eagle Premier gloss sides., king.
2012 Ram 3500, crew cab 4x4 duelly Deleted
16k miles, 530HP, 1000 +torque.
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10-02-2014, 08:55 AM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Mission, TX
Posts: 175
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This is going to sound crazy, but, we don't put solids in our toilet. We also have a flushing system on our Greyhawk and I flush the black tank about every 5 days we are on the road. This makes dumping tanks fast and not unpleasant. I'ts just something we have gotten used to.
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10-02-2014, 09:20 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: CENTRAL NEW YORK
Posts: 984
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Dumping tanks might be unpleasant but the thought of using, and worse, letting my kids use, the campground toilets is much more unpleasant to me for a whole host of reasons. So not to use my campers crapper not only sounds crazy, to me it IS crazy
__________________
2013 33 RLDS
2004 Chevy Avalanche 2500 8.1
2019 Jeep Cherokee Limited 3.2
2016 CTS 4 2.0T
2001 Oldsmobile Aurora 4.0
2015 Chrysler 200C AWD
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10-02-2014, 09:28 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Haycock Twp
Posts: 192
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Fear not solids in the tank. Yes, there is risk, but it is not that substantial if the rules above are followed - especially keep some water in the tank.
Personally I will use the park restrooms but that is more as a courtesy to my family. It is a very close environment.
I would prefer my kids use the camper toilet though since I like to know that the surfaces they are touching have only our germs on them. I have my own habits that protect me but they are a bit too young to be paranoid enough to maintain the same germaphobia I have developed through years of media exposure.
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10-02-2014, 11:25 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: MD
Posts: 3,856
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Some good info. We don't poop in ours though. All the campgrounds we have stayed have surprisingly had clean bathrooms.
__________________
2017 JayFlight 28BHBE
2014 JayFlight Swift 264BH (Sold)
2007 GMC 2500 Sierra Classic Crew Cab LBZ Duramax / 6spd Allison
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10-02-2014, 11:33 AM
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#20
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Urbana, IL
Posts: 53
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobs C Class
This is going to sound crazy, but, we don't put solids in our toilet. We also have a flushing system on our Greyhawk and I flush the black tank about every 5 days we are on the road. This makes dumping tanks fast and not unpleasant. I'ts just something we have gotten used to.
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I don't think it sounds crazy. To us, it's just nasty to drive around with a tank full of feces in our camper. Maybe because the campground we use is very clean and the bathrooms are nice, it doesn't bother me to use them. I don't know, but it's our choice and we are sticking to it...unlike poo on the bottom of a black tank. (Haha, see what I did there??)
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