5th wheel toilet problems

[tiggs1]

Do all 5th wheels have problems with their toilets or is it just mine? The last 2 years I have had a problem with my toilet backing up. The local Rv service guy said it was because the drain pipe from the toilet went to the storage tank on an angle then dumped into the corner of the storage tank where it builds up until it plugs the toilet again. He installed a wand like thing into the tank called a "Tornado" which is supposed to help move things out of the corner. It didn't help. I put a sign in the bathroom "#1 ok, #2 down the way". Wives don't have a sense of humor when it comes to bathroom privacy. I have been looking at Travel Trailers because the toilet exits in the middle of the holding tank, but they really don't pull as well. Any suggestions?

[ralphie]

I don't know if it's all FWs, but my FW and prior Class A both have the bends below the toilet. I'm the only male and I believe my DW and daughters all use too much TP and don't use enough flush water each load, thus causing a backup that is very difficult to get through.

[CampDaven]

Yep.
Lotsa wahtah.
No bathsa.

It works. Had a curl in a class A toidy

[caissiel]

We let the tank fill up till it burps. When empty it collects the TP under the pipe and I have seen hill forming. Water dissolves the paper but you need to close the dump valve for this to happen.

[JohnBoyToo]

Honestly, I can't imagine it's the rv...
We don't know how you use your tanks, but I think Caissel is onto something...
to the OP:

You say you've been in it for two years - assume you know how to use holding tanks, but just in case...

Do you never move the 5th wheel ?
If so, leave water in the tanks and let the movement break up all solids.... then dump...

Most NEVER leave the black tank open...
just open it at dump time (only when above 3/4 full) to force flush as much as possible out...

first, you have to clear the problem you have... then proper use will never let it happen again....

dump black first, close the valves, then dump grey, then close the valves... rinse the black tank a lot - then dump and repeat until clear flows out....

put a few gallons of water in the black to - well, you know catch stuff

good luck....

[wincrasher]

Also, use RV toilet paper. Not the household kind that doesn't break down.

Do you put chemicals in? The kind that break down what's in there? If so, try another brand.

Hopefully I don't have to tell that you NEVER put feminine hygiene materials down your RV toilet.

[JohnBoyToo]

ppppffffffffffttttttttttttt -- just spit my coffee out

thank you for that mental picture !!!!!!!!!!!

[OSP1268]

Having had a slide in truck camper, travel trailers, a couple of 5th wheels and now a motor home we have never had the problem you are having. As previously stated; "keep the dump valve closed until nearly full & then dump" and "use lots of water". The more water you use the better.
For what it is worth we have used Happy Camper - Odorless Holding Tank Treatment Black and Grey Water products in all of the holding tanks and I feel it has helped.

[FIFTHWHEELHAULER]

You might try putting about 10 gallons in your Black tank after you empty it and then pour some laundry det in there also so it will sloch going down the road and empty again when you set back up !

[TXiceman]

Mucho agua.....

Ken

[tiggs1]

Thanks for all your support. I do know about using black water tanks and not dumping until full EVERYTIME. This 5th wheel sits at a seasonal site. The 1st time I had a problem was July 4th 2011. At that time, I was told that maybe we should use more water. I think we have tried to do that, but with a 5 year old grandson we can never be sure can we? Every weekend when we leave I fill the tanks then empty 1st black then front grey then back grey. then, with black tank closed, I run the tornado wand to flush out black water tank. then drain tank, repeat. then I add about 10 gal. fresh water and add chemicals to all tanks. So I should be ready to camp next weekend. Although I am certianly not as experienced as probably everyone on this forum, this isn't my first RV. We have owned a 20ft travel trailer, a class C motorhome (1 year) and 3 truck campers, 4 tent campers, and a couple of Army 13 man squad tents(deer hunting). I just have never experienced the helpless feeling I have the 2 times this thing clogged up. I am thinking I will either carry my pancake air compressor and make a wand out of 3ft copper to stick down the hole an clean out the clog, or sell this unit and buy a travel trailer that has the toilet dump into the niddle of the holding tank. So far, I'm leaning toward the latter. Thanks again for all your suggestions.

[TexasTwoStep]

One way to stop the problem is not to put toilet paper down it. We started doing it several years ago boondock camping and found that it was no big deal and no smell. We use a small Walmart bathroom garbage can with foot-push lid and Walmart bags. Every 2 or 3 days throw bag out with the rest of the garbage. It about doubles your sewer capacity.

[CampDaven]

Originally Posted by TexasTwoStep

One way to stop the problem is not to put toilet paper down it. We started doing it several years ago boondock camping and found that it was no big deal and no smell. We use a small Walmart bathroom garbage can with foot-push lid and Walmart bags. Every 2 or 3 days throw bag out with the rest of the garbage. It about doubles your sewer capacity.

Cant help but wonder how 1 or 2 rolls of TP can take up space. It would hold water that is already be there, be soft, and be more pliable than the solids.
Just asking...

I've never had a problem by using the drain/fill/drain process.

[chief02]

Make sure after dumping your add some water back in the black tank start with the bottom covered at least