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02-14-2016, 07:59 PM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member
2016 27' International
Westlake Village
, California
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 12
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Fork fell into black tank
Made an embarrassing rookie mistake. Grey tank was almost full and dishes needed to be washed. I use a bowl to catch sink water and then I flush it down the toilet since black tank is at 30%. On one pass, the soapy bowl water contained a hidden stainless steel fork that, you guessed it, went into the toilet and then into the black tank before I realized what happened.
Is that going to cause a nightmare for me or will the fork empty out while dumping as if it where a hardened turd? Anything I can do to help my AS pass the foreign object?
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02-14-2016, 08:10 PM
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#2
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Remember, Safety Third
1973 27' Overlander
Catfish Corners
, Georgia
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,720
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Subscribed. Can't wait to see how this plays out.
Jim
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02-14-2016, 08:22 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1973 21' Globetrotter
Houston
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,322
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How about getting one of those rare-earth magnets, put it on a string, and go fishing. I know that high quality stainless is virtually non-magnetic, but a strong magnet will still catch hold of a lot of stainless items, due to their low nickel content.
good luck!
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02-14-2016, 08:25 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
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What the fork! ???
How much other material is in your black tank? If the grey tank was full, then probably the black tank is more than completely empty, so there is no chance of seeing the fork through the toilet dump valve opening? BTW is your black tank directly under the toilet?
Personally, I would be inclined to drive the trailer for 50 yards or so to agitate the contents of the holding tanks, lay your dump hose out flat on the ground as much as possible with its end in the sewer dump receiving opening, dump the black tank and close its dump valve. If this valve closes OK, the fork is not stuck in it.
Then dump the gray water tank to flush out the dump hose, and close the gray valve.
Your fork will either be in the horizontal sewer hose on the ground, down the sewer, still in the black tank, or stuck in its dump valve. Based on the outcome, additional steps may make sense, including possible dis-assembly of the dump valve assembly outside the trailer.
Good luck!
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02-14-2016, 08:25 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2015 30' FB FC Bunk
Ayer
, Massachusetts
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,114
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It is not a macerator toilet?
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02-14-2016, 08:26 PM
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#6
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4 Rivet Member
1980 24' Caravelle
corpus christi
, Texas
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 274
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Time to go fishing.
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02-14-2016, 08:45 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1970 23' Safari
2005 30' Classic
1986 31' Sovereign
Lorain
, Ohio
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,645
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Remind me to pass on that dinner invitation!
I'm thinking dump as normal. It's either going to pass or not. if it doesn't reappear, then at least you can fish in a clean lake!
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02-14-2016, 09:19 PM
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#8
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1 Rivet Member
2016 27' International
Westlake Village
, California
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 12
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I think the tank is directly under the toliet in my 2016 27fb. Couldn't see anything and fishing doesn't exactly appeal to me. I figure I'll just drain the black valve after filing it up to 75-80% then put a hose in the flush valve, fill er up again and flush again. The fork is either going to flow out with the pressure into the sewer or it will lodge perpendicular to the valve. If so, I can use some tongs or wire coat hanger. Note to self, throw out those tongs after use! Oh and the fork too!!
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02-14-2016, 09:21 PM
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#9
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1 Rivet Member
2016 27' International
Westlake Village
, California
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 12
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After I dump, and refill and dump again, I figure I'll put about 5 gallons of water into the black and rock the trailer back and forth and listen for it. If I hear nothing then I will no longer worry about it. If I hear it, then rinse and repeat
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02-14-2016, 10:53 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1971 25' Tradewind
1993 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Estancia
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,743
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Same advice for a fork as for a toothbrush. Clean thoroughly before returning it to service.
__________________
Sail on silver girl. Sail on by. Your time has come to shine.
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02-15-2016, 12:02 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1995 25' Excella
xxxxx
, xxxxxx
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 2,351
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I wouldn't worry about it.
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02-15-2016, 04:58 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2020 28' Flying Cloud
Upper St Clair
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,943
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I would periodically try a magnet through the years you own the trailer. The fork won't hurt the tank, the only thing I see happening is it will get caught sideways at or near the dump valve and when it does it will impede flow and you might even realize it and could get it then.
__________________
2020 28' Twin Flying Cloud
2021 F350 6.7 King Ranch
USAF Master Training Instructor (TI) & (MTI)- 68-72
Volunteer K9 Rehabilitator & Trainer
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02-15-2016, 05:13 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
Normal
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 18,089
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Did the same thing dumping dishwater many years ago.
It is probably still in there.
Maggie
__________________
🏡 🚐 Cherish and appreciate those you love. This moment could be your last.🌹🐚
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02-15-2016, 05:39 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Zstreamer
After I dump, and refill and dump again, I figure I'll put about 5 gallons of water into the black and rock the trailer back and forth and listen for it. If I hear nothing then I will no longer worry about it. If I hear it, then rinse and repeat
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Most tanks are made of a dense plastic material I believe, so it is very unlikely you would hear the fork, let alone even move it during the above operation -- in my opinion.
The fork is likely going to live on the bottom of your black tank forever . . .
PS -- one thought -- if you can tip the trailer so that the sewer discharge outlet is way down, thus sloping the black tank's floor toward the discharge, you may have a chance of gravity helping the fork move toward the valve? Also run a water hose down the toilet as you do this?
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02-15-2016, 06:27 AM
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#15
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Figment of My Imagination
2012 Interstate Coach
From All Over
, More Than Anywhere Else
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,868
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You need one of these…
__________________
I thought getting old would take longer!
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02-15-2016, 06:28 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2013 31' Classic
billings
, Montana
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,577
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One could hope it deterates at a high rate....
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02-15-2016, 06:45 AM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2008 25' Classic
Full Time
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,309
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I wonder if you could call in a plumber to put a flexible scope into the holding tank to see where the fork is and then retrieve it with a flexible retrieving claw.
Kelvin
__________________
2008 Classic 25fb "Silver Mistress"
2015 Ram 2500 6.7L Cummins. Crew Cab, 4x4, Silver
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02-15-2016, 06:52 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master
2006 23' Safari SE
Biloxi
, Mississippi
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 8,278
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Sometimes in life you just have to get your hands dirty.
__________________
MICHAEL
Do you know what a learning experience is? A learning experience is one of those things that says "You know that thing that you just did? Don't do that."
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02-15-2016, 07:22 AM
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#19
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Moderator
Vintage Kin Owner
...
, ...
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 11,696
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The only real harm in having the fork in the tank is if it gets caught in the dump valve. Sure it could cause some undesired wear sliding around inside the tank if it were to remain there long term, but the gate jam scenario would be my worry.
Here is my approach:
Step 1:
Check similar silverware you have in your drawer to confirm that it is capable of being retained by a good quality magnet. If the fork will cling to the magnet then buy a circular, or threaded magnet that can be tied to a heavy gauge mono filament line and bob for the fork for few minutes to see if you have any success. If you don't then here is what I would do when I am ready to depart, or the next time I travel with the AS.
Step 2:
Make sure the tank is 1/4 or more full of water, or waste. Lower the magnet so that it rests on the bottom of the tank then allow the toilet flapper to close leaving several feet of mono filament line extended out of the toilet. Secure the loose end of the line to a secure anchor point such as a fixed point in trailer, and proceed on your trip. The best chance of "catching" the fork will be during periods of movement induced by normal travel.
If the fork will not cling to a magnet then you are reduced to poking around with a grabber like Protagonist shows, or drooping your drain line (Think P-Trap) and trying to capture it during a flushing operation.
__________________
"One of the best lessons I've learned is that you don't worry about criticism from people you wouldn't seek advice from."
William C. Swinney
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02-15-2016, 07:51 AM
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#20
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Rivet Master
2014 20' Flying Cloud
Sag Harbor
, New York
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 17,523
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Or before you do anything, get someone with really small hands, and long arms, equipped with a long rubber glove, and reach down into the tank to feel for the fork . . .
Sound gross to some, but it may work . . . and it is a KISS solution for sure . . . [keep it simple stupid] . . .
PS -- cover toilet seat etc. with disposable protection . . .
PS2 -- good ideas Kevin.
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