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Zstreamer · 02-14-2016, 07:59 PM

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?

Jim & Susan · 02-14-2016, 08:10 PM

Subscribed. Can't wait to see how this plays out.

Jim

Belegedhel · 02-14-2016, 08:22 PM

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!

OTRA15 · 02-14-2016, 08:25 PM

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!

Ted S. · 02-14-2016, 08:25 PM

It is not a macerator toilet?

thehandyman · 02-14-2016, 08:26 PM

Time to go fishing.

DanB · 02-14-2016, 08:45 PM

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!

Zstreamer · 02-14-2016, 09:19 PM

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!!

Zstreamer · 02-14-2016, 09:21 PM

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

Lumatic · 02-14-2016, 10:53 PM

Same advice for a fork as for a toothbrush. Clean thoroughly before returning it to service.

CRH · 02-15-2016, 12:02 AM

I wouldn't worry about it.

paiceman · 02-15-2016, 04:58 AM

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.

Lily&Me · 02-15-2016, 05:13 AM

Did the same thing dumping dishwater many years ago.

It is probably still in there.

Maggie

OTRA15 · 02-15-2016, 05:39 AM

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

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?

Protagonist · 02-15-2016, 06:27 AM

You need one of these…

tjdonahoe · 02-15-2016, 06:28 AM

One could hope it deterates at a high rate....

KJRitchie · 02-15-2016, 06:45 AM

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

AWCHIEF · 02-15-2016, 06:52 AM

Sometimes in life you just have to get your hands dirty.

**Kevin245** · 02-15-2016, 07:22 AM

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.

OTRA15 · 02-15-2016, 07:51 AM

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.