Toilet drain concern

[RetiredBruce]

Hello, Hope I’m in right place. I have 2021 GD 5th wheel. Recently went on trip but used inferior camping toilet paper. We’ve camped 2 dozen trips so far. Never had this current issue. Got blockage from toilet to black tank. Black tank is empty. Used Thetford tissue digester and did this chemical several times. No luck ?. I used plumbers snake also, this helped remove most paper. I put about 2 gallons of water down toilet but that where it sits and takes over 24 hrs for that water to go to black tank. Please help, I’m afraid to take it somewhere and pay an outrageous price. Ideas??

 

[WhittleBurner]

Have you tried a plunger or a snake ?

 

[Tom Traveler]

Hello, Hope I’m in right place. I have 2021 GD 5th wheel. Recently went on trip but used inferior camping toilet paper. We’ve camped 2 dozen trips so far. Never had this current issue. Got blockage from toilet to black tank. Black tank is empty. Used Thetford tissue digester and did this chemical several times. No luck ?. I used plumbers snake also, this helped remove most paper. I put about 2 gallons of water down toilet but that where it sits and takes over 24 hrs for that water to go to black tank. Please help, I’m afraid to take it somewhere and pay an outrageous price. Ideas??

What model RV do you have? If the toilet drops straight into the black tank, you can use a wand on the end of a garden hose. https://a.co/d/8Eks6JD. But, not all models have the toilet directly above the black tank. The rear toilet in the 380FL drops into a right angle, travels about 18" and drops into the black tank through another right angle, so a wand won't work.

In that case, I would empty the black tank, then fill it about 1/3 full of water using the flush fitting before your next drive. Be careful you don't overfill here. I use a water meter like this - https://a.co/d/1Siux84 so I know how much I've put in the tank. Hopefully, the sloshing water should clear up the problem. Some people recommend putting a bag of ice down the toilet just before starting your drive, but with your blockage, you can't to that.

With an offset drain like in the 380FL you need to use enough water when you use the toilet.

 

[Najataagihe]

Dump water in there, again, and insure the clog is soaked.

Stick your foot on the flush valve to hold it open and use a small-diameter snake to remove the clog.

Get the spring type with a spiral on the end.

Use the water pump to fill the bowl half full, having Dearly Beloved turn off the pump at the appropriate time, and push and twist that snake, until you punch a hole in the clog, then clear it by “sawing” back and forth.

Once you get a hole through it, turn the water pump back on.


I am not sure how you insure a 1/4” per foot drop, if the trailer isn’t perfectly level.

So, use enough water for the paper to reach the tank.

 

[Keebler]

Squirt some liquid dish soap into your (clean) bathroom waste can. Fill the can with hot water from the shower. Dump the hot soapy water into the toilet (pedal depressed to open drain). Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

 

[RetiredBruce]

Toilet drain

It’s a 2021 GD 337rls. I’ve used plunger several times but makes a mess. I’ve used spiral end flex snake you turn by hand. My guess is clog is at end of toilet piping at entrance to black tank. Add about 2 gallons of water where it sits in pipe. Next day water generally goes down into tank. Open foot valve and can see empty black cpvc pipe. Refill again via toilet. Same results. Clogging is toilet drain at entrance to black tank. My opinion. Black tank reads 1/3 fill. Pull out handle to drain black tank and only get most of water drained out. Rv pretty much level. When I look down empty toilet I see a 45 degree elbow. Unit has that black material hiding view of actual pipe layout. Very frustrating. Could try snake again but don’t want to cause more harm. Don’t know if snake will contact 4 sensors in black tank.

 

[Najataagihe]

Sounds like it is time for an endoscope!

You need to SEE what the heck is going on!!!

 

[RetiredBruce]

Thanks much. Also I failed to mention I’m home with rv doing all this on my property. So I have access to tools and water hoses.

 

[WhittleBurner]

Thanks much. Also I failed to mention I’m home with rv doing all this on my property. So I have access to tools and water hoses.

Let us know how it goes, we had a clog in the bend once caused by a dropped little bottle of toilet chemicals. The only thing that helped was plunging (be sure to open the trap first) to bring the bottle to the top.. not pretty but effective

 

[Kevin2282]

Try this to break up the blockage.

Camco 39085 Rhino Blaster Pro Holding Tank Rinser w/Gate Valve https://a.co/d/7017Nc1

 

[mwdilday]

When you are using the toilet normally are you keeping the black tank dump valve closed? You should keep the valve closed and use plenty of water on each flush. That will keep the solids and paper from piling up under the toilet. If you have a pile in the tank it will take lots of water with the black tank dump valved closed to start floating the pile and get it out of the tank. If you are having trouble getting the toilet to flush then drag a hose into the RV and put it down the toilet pushing into and thru the pile. You will get it but it may take a little time.

 

[Redapple63]

Have you thought of removing the toilet to get better access to below.

Bill

 

[dryfly]

It’s a 2021 GD 337rls. I’ve used plunger several times but makes a mess. I’ve used spiral end flex snake you turn by hand. My guess is clog is at end of toilet piping at entrance to black tank. Add about 2 gallons of water where it sits in pipe. Next day water generally goes down into tank. .

IF this is only a toilet tissue blockage, keeping it wet by the means you are doing should weaken the paper. But also keep the toilet bowl full to the max and prop the foot valve open. This will add the water pressure from the full bowl pushing down on the tissue. You are not getting much pressure against the blockage with only the water in the drain line.

If that doesn't work after a few days of refilling, I'd follow the suggestion of pulling the toilet out to get better access.

 

[RetiredBruce]

Toilet drain woes

Hello all. Just an update to my toilet issue. End result, all is good?. After a week of messing with paper clog in toilet drain problem resolved. Talked to local RV shop and tech suggested fill up black tank and resolve issues that way. Wasn’t big fan of this. Bought different chemical (Bio-Pak enzyme tank treatment from Walex) dropped 2 in toilet last nite, water dropped couple inches in drain. Snaked toilet twice today with 2 more pods, water down drain. Was able to flush toilet 20 times plus no issues. Filled last half black tank via nautilus connection. All is well. Gonna full tank sit with water for 3-4 days then go to rv campground and dump. I’m a happy camper. I’d like to thank all who responded with viable solutions. ?

 

[Redapple63]

Glad you got it figured out without too much issue.

Bill

 

[WhittleBurner]

Glad you cleared it up. Bet you don't feel as crappy now

 

[ForBruce]

Stop playing homeowner.....go under into the basement and cut the pipe 1 foot below the toilet and 1-foot above the black tank.

clean out the pipe and recouple the pipe together using "STANDARD" size fernco (rubber couplings from lowes, home depot or plumbing store) .

these clamp in place and make for easy removal the next time if needed