Black Tank Disaster

[Sandi]

Hello out there.... has anyone ever had to bring the rig in to have dumped by having to take the dump valve off, because it's so stuck , can't open the gate. By trailers valve is of course in the center , not easy to reach at all. So it has a rod extention on it. I'm bringing it in and was wondering how much it's gonna cost us? He said it was 25 to dump but if the Tech has to figure it out its 75 minumum! It can't be much to install a new valve, what are they 13 bucks? Help!!!$$$$

[ALJO]

Explain a bit more about the situation. Is the rod still on the gate valve? You can loosen the four valve bolts a bit and see if you can pull the valve. What model is your unit?

[Sandi]

It's a 2006 Jayfeather, it's so low to the ground can't get under far enough to reach it. The black tank is1/2 full

[Sandi]

Would have to jack the thing up on one side to be able the get under to see if the rod is still attached.

[ALJO]

Crank up the front jack as high as possible. Be sure your TT is blocked behind the wheels and put some blocking under the hitch for extra safety. You might be able to reach the valve. When you can pull the handle more than normal the rod may be disconnected from the gate valve. If not it is just stuck

[tugboat95]

I hate working on sewer systems on boats. But it's part of the job. I'd pay good money to keep from having to work on my campers system. Camping is supposed to be fun. Good luck.

[Sandi]

Yea it's stuck alright...brought it to Dixie Rv don't ever go there btw, horrible. and they broke the rod off so now it's just the gate. How can I suck it out through the inside toilet? There's an elbow on the pipe to the black tank so johnny on the spot could not get the hose down far enough to get the tank emptied!!!! Any ideas????

[TWP723]

use a Shop-Vac

[ddrueckh]

You could probably fix this problem yourself. Here is what I would do:

-Most tank drains exit facing the front or rear of the trailer. They then make a 90 to go out to the side. If the pipe exiting the tank faces the back of the trailer, lower the tongue to the ground. This will keep most of the contents in the tank. If it drains to the front, then raise the tongue as high as you can. If it exits directly to one side, jack up that side. Do whatever you can to keep as much of the contents in the tank as possible.
-The valve is held in place by 4 bolts and nuts. It is very easy to remove. I would put as large of a container under the valve as I could to catch anything that comes out. carefully remove all the nuts/bolts. Slide the valve out (staying as far from it as you can) and let it drain.
-Slide a new valve in place and secure.

I know it is a little gross, but if some "stuff" gets on the ground, I would just put some water/bleach on it and then hose it down. I don't think that fixing this is as bad as you may imagine.

[tugboat95]

Shop vac would be my first attempt. I'd be prepared to sacrifice it when done. Might be easier if the toilet is removed. Short of that prepare for a huge mess and cut the valve off with a sawzall.

Another idea is cut a hole in the side of the tank up high and suck it out (shopvac). Should be able to find some kind of flange and gasket kit to cover up. How does one of those tornadoes install? Cut the hole, clean out, and then install???? I'm not too familiar with that product and don't know the specs. Might be worth looking into.

[ALJO]

Sandi, do as ddrueckh says. It isn't as big of a job to remove the valve. Be sure you have a big enough container. Just slowly remove those bolts. Raise your trailer safely and as high as possible to make it easier. You might have to empty the container a few times. Let us know what made the valve stick. If the seal was stuck it still would open to a certain extend. A dry/wet vacuum would probably work to take most of it out the tank.


Tugboat95; seems cutting this and that is poor advise

[tugboat95]

Wouldn't be the first time I've cut a tank because the valve failed. I'm under the impression it was glued on But if the valve can removed by 4 screws take it a field and unscrew them. Start with bottom ones first. No more than what's in it I wouldn't worry about dumping it away from any houses or creeks. But if in an urban area better catch it. If you just unscrew the bottom, it should leak out and be controlled fairly easily.

[Sandi]

OK< I'll have to look to see which way the 90 pipe goes, to the front or rear! good advise. Someone also said take a sawzall and cut the valve half way and hook up to the dump and reach in with needle noes to grap the gate and pull it open. then the contents could drain into the hose to emty, still put a container under the valve, but the mess would be minimal. Thanks for your imput.

[Sandi]

Do you think a shop vac would be strong enough if there is solids in there. I put so much dawn, chems & sewer treatment in there its most likley just liquid though. how dificult is it to take the toilet off and go thru there?
It's a thetford!

[Dirkdaddy]

"Clark, Shipper's full!!"

I think these unbolt. A shop vac can pickup gravel, it would have no problem with turds, but it is gross!

[tugboat95]

I'm the one that said cut it. If the valve is bolted on as others have suggested then unbolt the valve. I assumed these were glued on as in a house PVC setup. And you know what happens when I ASSUME. By all means just try to unbolt it and jump out the way. Cutting is absolutely the last resort, but I work with this stuff and I ain't scared of it.

[waltah]

Originally Posted by Dirkdaddy

"Clark, Shipper's full!!"

I think these unbolt. A shop vac can pickup gravel, it would have no problem with turds, but it is gross!

posts like these are why blank tank threads are the best

[Sandi]

I agree!!!!

[Sandi]

Where can I find a diagram of the under side of my rig??? There is a black plastic covering the whole underside! I can't find a diagram anywhere???

[licamp]

Dig a big hole park camper over it remove the valve. Move camper and fill in hole.