leslyons
Ramona, CA
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Joined: 11/01/2009
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Help! Our large travel trailer is set up in a stationary location on our ranch property. It is not convenient for me to move it. The black water tank has a HORRIBLE odor in it every time we flush the toilet. I've added the "blue stuff" that I got at an RV supply at least twice, but it doesn't seem to help. I had a leak in the valve (replaced the valve), so my guess is some sludge dried in the tank, and I don't know how to get rid of the odor! My wife is making me crazy over it. Please give me suggestions as to how I can clean the tank and get rid of the odor. I bought one of these portable disposal tanks that will hold 18 gallons, so I could do some things with the tank and drain it into the 18 gal portable tank for disposal. Again, it's not convenient to put something in and then drive the trailer to slosh it around, I need to be able to clean it in a stationary location. Thanks for the help!
Les
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bobbyg123
Duvall, WA
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Joined: 10/03/2007
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I'm no expert, but (assuming the leak has been fixed) I would fill the tank with water and chemical and let it sit full for a few days. Then I would begin the process of draining and flushing until the odor was gone.
How big is the holding tank (the one that stinks)? I'm assuming that it's bigger than the 18 gallon portable tank, and if that's the case then you're not going to get much use out of it. It really helps if you can FULLY drain it, fill it and then FULLY drain it again. Over and over.
If worse comes to worse, search for a mobile septic or RV tank specialist in your area and have them come out to pump out your tank.
2008 Jayfeather 29A
2007 Ford F-150 5.4L V8
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JJBIRISH
Butler, PA, USA
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Joined: 10/06/2002
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All black tanks stink and actually they are all about the same smell… you can try to kill the bacteria causing the smell if you never plan on using it again, or find out why the stink is entering the coach when you flush…
The most common reasons are the vent not working, and/or a exhaust fan running when you flush drawing the stink ins…
Love my mass produced, entry level, built by Lazy American Workers, Hornet
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WandaLust2
TN
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Joined: 11/14/2008
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Are you leaving the drain open to the tank drains as you use it? That will create a "poop pyramid." If that's happened, you first have to break that up, and move it out. Never leave the valve open on the black water tank. Wait until it's almost full, then open the valve and it'll hopefully, flush the solids out each time. 18g is a small Honey Bucket.
WandaLust Middle TN
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kirkj55
Nor Cal
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Joined: 12/22/2005
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Check the vent for blockage, if your vent is on the roof a critter may have made a nest
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DanKirk
NorCal
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Joined: 08/10/2008
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Try Happy Camper. They have an Extreme Cleaner formula that is made for cases like yours. It doesn't try to cover up odors, it acually liquifies waste and eliminates odors.
We use their regular product, and have never had any odor or problems with our tank.
Good luck!
2008 Wilderness 240RKS
2008 Dodge Ram 2500 Quad Cab Cummins Turbo Diesel
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bldrbuck
Boulder, Colorado
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Joined: 02/11/2001
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Always keep the black water tank closed until it is 2/3 full. Use Unique chemical to break up the solids. Use a blue tank to dump it into and take that to the dump station.
Unique M and M -- RV Digest-It
93 Ford F350 Turbo Diesel, DRW, Crew Cab. PullRite Hitch. 90 Nomad 28' 5er, 375 Watts Solar, 2800 Watt Yamaha Generator, 1750 Watt Inverter, 4 Trogan T105 Batteries, Spare tire and wheel and folding ladder. Me, wife and 2 spoiled Maltise furkids.
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old guy
Oregon (pronounced Or e gun)
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Joined: 03/15/2006
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happy camper is a good deodorant, I use it all the time, you may have build up in the tank and you may have to fill the tank up and put in something like rid -x or something that will eat the stuff clinging to the walls of the tank. another thing that makes that smell is the down tube in the toilet catches some of the waste and doesn't get washed down during the flush. Mine has that problem. and what I do is tie a good strong string to the handle of the toilet brush and wrap the string around my wrist. You don't want to drop the toilet brush down into the tank, that is another story to get that out if you do. clean out the tube and once you get the tank clean, install a quickie flush or a tornado to clean out your tank. you can always thank me later.
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JJBIRISH
Butler, PA, USA
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Joined: 10/06/2002
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If you really feel the need to clean the tank Cascade Complete All in 1 packets mixed with some really hot water poured in there and left to soak (best if driven around a little while) will be the absolute best cleaner… if you wanted you could add a cup of Dawn dish soap for it grease cutting power, or a cup of bleach for it bacteria killing powers…
No product made for RV’s will work better…
Home made cleaner for while you are driving around
Liquefy
1 cup Borax
1 cup baking soda
1/4 cup salt
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Bumpyroad
Virginia
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Joined: 12/01/2005
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if you don't have a black tank sprayer, install one. but before you fasten it in take a pressure washer and poke it in the hole and give everything a blast. with a sprayer you can dump the tank at your convenience, doesn't have to be "full".
bumpy
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