Read the thread with some concern.... with 3 kids, there are likely PLENTY of things that get into the tank, that I am not "made aware" of.... this sounds like one I'll get to deal with eventually.
I too, have the Flush King, and I think that with enough "Fill" on the BT, that there is a GREAT chance of getting that sucker outta there. Be patient, use LOTS of water, and be a hawk on that clear section of tubing..... heck, you might see plenty that will get that gag reflex in A-1 condition, long before the toothbrush makes its appearance.
Flush King, eagle eye, & LOTS of water - no problem.
Heck, your BT probably hasn't been THIS clean since JC.....!?!
Now, if you REALLY want to clean the tank out while performing this exercise, you can pour a cup or two of liquid clothes soap into the toilet before filling with water. Fill it about 3/4 of the way, then tow the trailer around town for a while. If your neighbors ask, you can tell them you are taking your trailer for a ride...
When you get back, hook up your flush king, and see if you have any success.
Wow, can't believe how many of you guys would leave it in there to create problems in the future. Just when you don't need it that sucker will jam the works. If it gets stuck in the curve it will likely catch any undigested paper. Leave it there in a drying atmosphere and before you know it you've got paper mashe. (sp?)
I'd be down the topside hole with a drop light and a retractable grabber tool. The grabber tool can be had in different lengths and generally available at auto parts stores.
You can make a drop light by soldering connenctions directly to a small flashlight bulb. Power supply at Radio Shack, 4 AA batteries.
This method works in woodpecker cavities to remove unwanted things like squirrels that have been gased into a cooperative state. And this is done with a mirror to get around and see what's in there.
You could also do it with a remote video (peeper)...such as my Video-Stik.. VIDEOSTIK
Either way I think that thing has to come out of there before it becomes a problem requiring a tank removal.
__________________
Glen Coombe AIR #8416
1984 28' Funeral Coach
Golf Professional Sales Rolling Showroom
"I'm not an expert. But I did sleep in an Airstream last night."
Okay, if you REALLY want it out, I can loan you my borescope to look for it, it is no stranger to things from the lower digestive tract.
Yes, I really own one.
Oh this story reminds me of a "little situation" my, uh, someone I know had. It wasn't in his trailer, but I'm sure someone wants to know. He realized his sewer line was all blocked up when his toilet stopped flushing, and drains stopped draining. He plunged, he snaked and no luck. He drove 2 hours to the next biggest town where he could rent a supper duty power snake. Sometime later, still with no luck, he pulled the snake out and realized the tip had come off somewhere within.
Long foul story short he dug up the sewer line, cut it in half, and was shoulder deep scooping things out.... he HAD to find the tip.
I know, that's enough.
__________________
Tanya
"If you want something done right, do it yourself!"
Well, at least you know there is a spare toothbrush in your Airstream if you ever forget to pack one - sorry, I couldn't resist.
How about these two ideas.....
First, dump the black tank several times to get 'everything' out of it, although I'm sure it's pretty clean by now. Then take a garden hose and put it down the toilet and spray (jet setting) toward the dump valve. Have a helper watch for the toothbrush to come out.
If that fails, how about a shop-vac with an extended hose down the toilet?
Best of luck!
And if my suggestion works, DO NOT under any circumstances send me the toothbrush as a prize
__________________ Steve&Susan 2005 28' CCD, 2002 Silverado-C1500, Equal-I-Zer Empty Nesters - spending our money on OURSELVES for a change!
Now, if you REALLY want to clean the tank out while performing this exercise, you can pour a cup or two of liquid clothes soap into the toilet before filling with water. Fill it about 3/4 of the way, then tow the trailer around town for a while. If your neighbors ask, you can tell them you are taking your trailer for a ride...
When you get back, hook up your flush king, and see if you have any success.
I heard a story about a guy that did this and blew bubbles out of the vent as he went down the road
__________________ Hi Ho Silver RV!
Vernon, Sarah, Mac the Border Collie and- 'Epiphany' the 29' Airstream
Well, I never thought I'd be so close & personal with a black tank as I was today. Hopefully, I won't get malaria or something! My 17 year old daughter was my lovely assistant. I first tried vacuuming around in the tank with a shop vac. No success, just bad smells. (By the way, I think I have cured my gag reflex. No gagging at all today!) Then I tried the wires to the bulb for my very own light in the crapper box and tried to see around with a small mirror on a stick. I had the handy gripper thingy on a stick nearby for sightings. (Yes, Menards loves me). No such luck. Then I decided to attack from the other end of the dump pipe. I took a round brush & attached it to rodding coil & shoved it all the way into the box. I could tell there was at least one curve in the tube & hoped the toothbrush was still in the tank. Still not able to see anything. Then, my brother-in-law the plumber showed up with a thing by Rigid called the Sea Snake. It has a little video camera on the end of a 3 foot long bendable wire & a small screen to view what you're pointing at. After searching the tank for about 5 minutes, I spotted the toothbrush! It was an Oral B blue one! My daughter & I tried every method to get it out (it was kind of jammed in a crease in the tank) for at least an hour. She finally budged it with a coat hanger & it went flying down the dump tube! I thought that would be really bad, but it turned out to be good. For all of you who ever lose a toothbrush in your tank, rest assured that it does in fact fit around the curves of your dump tube & will make it out the other end. I, on the other hand, couldn't rest assured that I wouldn't have paper mache black tank (as another member said) until I got that toothbrush out. So, after an entire morning & part of the afternoon, we have been successful. I, my friends, am going to take a nice long shower to relieve myself of the sewer scum all over myself now, and I wish you all a good day!
problem I can see is that it'll cause a restriction when you go to dump sometimes, so you won't get a full dump and maybe even a waste buildup, which is never good.
I thought if you brushed reguarly you wouldn't get buildup? But really, you DO need to get it out. Several reasons; will restrict flow, could damage sensors, and WILL get caught in your valves. When will it get stuck in your tank valve? When you are off on a six day trip and you dump your tanks for the first time and then you can't shut the black tank valve and now your black water system is out of commission!
__________________ J. Rick Cipot Sandi Gould NEUNew England Unit Airstream Life Magazine WBCCI #3411 AIR #17099
When you are off on a six day trip and you dump your tanks for the first time and then you can't shut the black tank valve and now your black water system is out of commission!
__________________ J. Rick Cipot Sandi Gould
That's exactly where it hung up on its way down. Got it out of there with a hanger.
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