Clearing a clogged 5th wheel blackwater tank with a snake

Hi folks...we made the mistake of leaving our blackwater valve OPEN for several months, and of course we would up with a clogged tank. The video explains the method I used, after much research on the internet, to unclog our tank.

[gregrhodes]

When your black water tank is clogged close the valve off drain about 5 gallons of water out of your other tank while you're holding the hose up in the air and then open the black tank valve and pick the hose up high enough to force it back into the black tank and that will usually unclog it very simple way to do it

[auxpower]

Dude, thank you so much for posting the video and being very informative and thorough. I am sitting in my horse trailer right now after a shoulder deep episode cleaning a clogged black water tank. I didn't have a proper snake so I used a 3/16 steel fish tape that I have used many times 4 electrical work. I retired it with the hose that I cut a hole into but all came out well. I'm not sure if I have damaged the level sensor but it is something to keep in mind if you are putting any kind of snake or fish into the tank. Thanks again for the awesome video and clear narration!

[LG-sebr]

All it takes is buying a 3" ABS ( Y), 1 Fernco with 2 hose clamps and attaching to your outflow..You can then snake through the ( Y) ..add a plug to close up ( Top of Y) after completing..Really easy..Those 3 items about $15... Those ( Y's) are about $6 and some change.. Probably get one of those 3' Toilet snakes more than enough reach ..Those are about $20.... The Fernco will slide right over those hose turn clamp for RV sewer hose..Then just clamp the fernco down using hose clamp...

[michaelbashaw]

Thank you for your experience and knowledge ☺️

[sweetiepienumber]

Thanks for the video. I don't have that garden hose valve on my clear elbow, but I'm guessing drilling it out ruined the backflo preventer. And I'm sure you know that. This is basically all new to me. Thanks!

[cbd]

I would not drill to pass thru with the spiral tip. What I had done was before connecting to the rv drain, I inserted the snake with no tip and then connect the spiral tip.

[markd]

UPDATE 04/26: Worked on it 4 hours yesterday, and it is still clogged. I'm not saying that this method doesn't work, it just didn't for me in this particular situation...

YES I'm doing that tomorrow. Ours has been compacted for a week now, and we've tried all the chemicals and nothing has worked. I'm sure your idea will! Thank You!

[michealportwood]

Keep your black tank closed and when and your gray open.I've been doing this for years keeping the gray open is just water keeps everything flushed out when you open the Black Water it'll all draining and the gray water will eventually clean it all out

[ingeniousviralproducts]

RVs has been in the US for centuries and still they use hoses manually. With the technology today...come on...there has to be an alternative to this. Why not have the rv campground septictank hole placed under where the RV parks. RVs then should have guiding pipe systems like jet fighters getting fuel and locate the hole. Then dump everything. Instead of buying a hose guard to align the hoses straight, the clear tank indicator. This way gravity drops the feces and urine directly vertically without any waste. Directly from the RV and no need for hose.

[christineevison]

this video gives me hope! My tank is also plugged after several month of use with valve left open.   I plan on filling it up with water and some chemical to break down the solid waste. The snake seems like a great idea.  Definitely going to try this.   This video also mentions dumping a gallon of drain cleaner in... I have always heard that Draino or anything like that is too caustic and will damage plastic plumbing.  What kind of drain cleaner did you use?   Anyone else have suggestions on which chemical ? Thank you.

[y]

How do I remove Grandchildren deposited objects from black tank that cause blockage?.... I purged the tank with direct city water pressure to clear the plug and drained to sewer. Took 10-12 purges before water return was clear, and drained to a drip. Next, give it a few days to dry, I will remove the valve and clear the remaining objects/?.

[emtb]

I saw your auxiliary heat/AC motor replacement video. I also have a conversion van. I’d like to get in touch to see if you can help with my aux AC. Do you know where the relay is?

[noeleenfalkner]

THANKS LIVING IN A COTTAGE IN NEW ZEALAND. HOPE YOU CAN HELP BUT I CANT SEEM TO EMPTY MY BLACK TANK JUST ME, I CANT FILL IT FAST BUT THOUGHT SOMETHING WOULD COME OUT TODAY NOT SURE IF ANYONE IN CAMP PLAYED WITH IT CLOSED THE VALVE AND NOW FILLING IT TO HOPEFULLY EMPTY IT ANY ADVICE

[gstman]

never leave black or grey open. Just drain both when necessary.