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05-23-2025, 07:58 AM
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#1
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Rivet Master 
2010 30' Classic
Warren
, Manitoba
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,505
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Black tank valve with wipe stuck in it
My black tank has not been draining completely, and last year I removed the toilet and found a hand wipe below the toilet in the tank. I just put a video scope into the tank today, and I can see another wipe, stuck in the valve, not letting the tank drain completely. Is there anything that can dissolve the wipe without harming the seals on the valve? I really don't want to cut a hole in the belly and remove the valve! Any thoughts?? Trailer was bought used and the previous owner must have put these down the toilet!
__________________
ACI #7394
2012 GMC 2500 HD Duramax Denali
2010 Classic Limited 30' ,
1994 Excella 34' 1987 Limited 34', 1976 31' Sovereign, 1976 Argosy 22' Gone to new homes
Hensley Hitch
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05-23-2025, 08:05 AM
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#2
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3 Rivet Member 
2023 23' Flying Cloud
Carroll
, Iowa
Join Date: Apr 2024
Posts: 229
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It's not going to dissolve
As someone who works in the residential plumbing trade I can tell you that wipe will never dissolve. Short of a full black tank extraction, I might first try using your camera scope in conjunction with some type of flexible "grabber" tool to see if you can snag it, either from the toilet opening or from the exterior tank opening. Alternatively, it might be possible to disassemble the black tank gate valve on the exterior to get at it? This isn't something I've attempted so can't really offer any specific guidance here.
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'23 Flying Cloud 23FBT #1235 • '24 F150 XLT PowerBoost 7.2kw⚡️ • '10 Border Terrier 🐾
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05-23-2025, 08:18 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master 
1988 25' Excella
1987 32' Excella
Knoxville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,298
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Trying to grab it might work. A pressure washer from the outside may dislodge the wipe enough to flush it on out. You can get a pressure washer wand kit that has different angles from Amazon. Be gentle with the pressure washer. Maybe just try a hose nozzle first. Having the valve serviced is probably a $1000 job at most places if you can even find one that will do it.
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05-23-2025, 08:27 AM
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#4
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"Cloudsplitter"

2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,394
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If long enough, consider one of these...
Good riddance...👍
Bob
🇺🇸
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I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
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05-23-2025, 09:03 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master 

2015 27' Flying Cloud
Portland
, Oregon
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 701
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__________________
The ability to follow instructions is highly underrated.
Always be wary of stupid people in large numbers.
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05-23-2025, 09:41 AM
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#6
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Rivet Master 
2010 30' Classic
Warren
, Manitoba
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,505
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I was able to get a flexible grabber to snag a couple of pieces of the object, and believe it or not, it's rubber! Not a condom! I can see that it has been stuck in the valve groove on three sides, and it is a fairly large piece of rubber. Tried using a coat hanger, but it is too flexible, so will find a more rigid metal rod. The camera works great too see what is going on, and I think that I can get it out with a rod with a hook on the end. What a nightmare! I can't believe what people try to put down the toilet!
__________________
ACI #7394
2012 GMC 2500 HD Duramax Denali
2010 Classic Limited 30' ,
1994 Excella 34' 1987 Limited 34', 1976 31' Sovereign, 1976 Argosy 22' Gone to new homes
Hensley Hitch
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05-23-2025, 11:14 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master 
2002 19' Bambi
Lafayette
, California
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 1,678
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Many years ago, the tank cut-out for the toilet jammed in our black-tank drain valve. It was, of course, hard plastic. Eventually I rolled up my sleeve and reached into the drain and removed the thing. It was well stuck in place. Not a pleasant solution. It worked, though.
Tim
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05-23-2025, 12:44 PM
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#8
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1 Rivet Member 
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
Marana
, Arizona
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 9
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I had a similar problem with a chunk of toilet paper, stuck in the gate valve drain mechanism. This device linked below, available on Amazon, took care of it and does a great job of flushing the tank in general.
https://valterra.com/product/flush-k...h-valve-boxed/
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05-23-2025, 02:35 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master 
2019 25' International
Washington
, Washington, D.C.
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,331
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I'm not sure this is the kind of advice you want but if I were you, I would find the closest Kleen Tank franchise to me and see if they could help. They come to you and work on your trailer on site. @ https://kleentank.com
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05-23-2025, 02:36 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master 
2010 30' Classic
Warren
, Manitoba
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,505
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I tried the reverse flush and it does nothing. Tried pressure washer, and it does nothing because of the corner to go around. I will have to find something to go down the toilet drain hole, turn 90 degrees and have lots of pressure to blow the rubber out of the valve. The opening is 3 inches and too small to get my hand into! The wife tried , she got her hand and arm in(with rubber gloves) but her arm is too short by 2 inches to reach the valve. Working on plan c, d, e, and f!
__________________
ACI #7394
2012 GMC 2500 HD Duramax Denali
2010 Classic Limited 30' ,
1994 Excella 34' 1987 Limited 34', 1976 31' Sovereign, 1976 Argosy 22' Gone to new homes
Hensley Hitch
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05-23-2025, 02:38 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master 
2010 30' Classic
Warren
, Manitoba
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,505
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The closest Kleen Tank is hundreds of miles away! I thought about that , as I have seen them work.
__________________
ACI #7394
2012 GMC 2500 HD Duramax Denali
2010 Classic Limited 30' ,
1994 Excella 34' 1987 Limited 34', 1976 31' Sovereign, 1976 Argosy 22' Gone to new homes
Hensley Hitch
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05-24-2025, 03:23 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master 
2010 30' Classic
Warren
, Manitoba
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,505
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Problem has been solved! It seems that the rubber or neoprene around the inside of the tank is actually a seal for the mount of the valve. I managed to remove the cloth wipe from the valve with a homemade aluminum flat bent to shape to fit in the opening, as well as the flexible grabber and a bent coat hook. The video scope was the best asset in finding and working to remove the towel. It took several hours, but was far easier than cutting into the belly pan and removing the valve. The price of the scope ($45) was some of the best money I have spent lately!!
__________________
ACI #7394
2012 GMC 2500 HD Duramax Denali
2010 Classic Limited 30' ,
1994 Excella 34' 1987 Limited 34', 1976 31' Sovereign, 1976 Argosy 22' Gone to new homes
Hensley Hitch
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05-24-2025, 11:02 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master 
2013 25' Flying Cloud
Wheaton
, Illinois
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 668
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Would you provide a link to the scope you purchased? I’m in the market for one.
Greg
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05-25-2025, 07:15 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master 
2010 30' Classic
Warren
, Manitoba
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,505
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The scope is a DEPSTECH dual lens Industrial endoscope. I got it from Amazon.ca, and they had a special deal a I only paid $46 for it. Well worth the money and it seems like a real good unit. Camera quality is excellent.
__________________
ACI #7394
2012 GMC 2500 HD Duramax Denali
2010 Classic Limited 30' ,
1994 Excella 34' 1987 Limited 34', 1976 31' Sovereign, 1976 Argosy 22' Gone to new homes
Hensley Hitch
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05-25-2025, 11:08 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master 

2017 26' Flying Cloud
Tampa
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 8,274
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I'm looking forward to hear how the OP solved this dilemma.
We're all one flush away.
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05-25-2025, 11:28 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master 
1988 32' Excella
Robbinsville
, New Jersey
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 3,871
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mollysdad
I'm looking forward to hear how the OP solved this dilemma.
We're all one flush away.
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See post 12.
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06-01-2025, 09:53 AM
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#17
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1 Rivet Member 
2021 25' Globetrotter
Hickory
, North Carolina
Join Date: Feb 2021
Posts: 12
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Reverse flush…KleenTank.com
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06-01-2025, 11:24 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master 
2010 30' Classic
Warren
, Manitoba
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,505
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Reverse flush did nothing, even using a pressure washer!! Closest Kleen Tank is over 8 hours away, not just down the street!
__________________
ACI #7394
2012 GMC 2500 HD Duramax Denali
2010 Classic Limited 30' ,
1994 Excella 34' 1987 Limited 34', 1976 31' Sovereign, 1976 Argosy 22' Gone to new homes
Hensley Hitch
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06-01-2025, 11:30 AM
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#19
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2 Rivet Member 
Currently Looking...
Fayetteville
, Arizona
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 99
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Black tank valve with wipe stuck in
I have to admit, I was entertained by reading about the problem and how you eventually fixed it. I also had to chuckle when you said that you managed to get your wife to stick her arm in there.. I’m pretty sure you could make some money if you made a video of her doing that. LoL I think my wife would’ve said fat chance. .
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06-01-2025, 12:46 PM
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#20
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Rivet Master 
2019 25' Flying Cloud
Sequim
, Washington
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 590
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Maybe I missed something or didn’t understand the situation correctly, but it seems the easiest solution would have been to replace the black blade valve. Assuming there was waste in the tank this could be a bit unpleasant but if done carefully at an appropriate dump site it would have been easy. I suspect after all the probing and previous blockage, etc. a new valve is in order in any case.
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D2
"Having differences makes a difference"
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