tank lights

[63shult]

I have a 2004 Arctic Fox 5th wheel Model 275L. The indicator lights for the holding tanks does not register empty when in actuality it is empty. The light indicates full or partially full. I emptied the tanks, but the light still registered that the tank was partially full. That's both the black and grey water tanks. The valve on the black water tank does not close or stop the flow of water completely and when I go to empty the tank, the pipe is full of crappy water.

What do I need to do to fix these problems and what would be involved?

 

[BIGNASTY]

As far as the indicator lights welcome to the world of RV's There will be a guy come on the post and tell you that his has never done this because of the brand of trailer he owns. Don't argue tell him it the best in the world and that you have the utmost respect for his vast knowledge in the RV industry.



We have had the same problem as yours from the first time we used it. I think what happens is that a chunk of paper get on the sensor and it shows a different level. I have heard MANY DIFFERENT way's to stop the problem and the best that we found was Ice. When your out you can put some water in the tank about half full and then add a bunch of ice. As you drive the ice moves around and cleans the tank. We have done this and IT WORKED but the next time its used it happens again. We know about how long it takes to fill the tank and when it gets close its time to drain.



As for the empty valve you might have to change that. Take a look and see if something is in the seat of the valve. We use a chemical for the toilet that has a lube in it and have had good luck our trailer is an 04 and still has the same valves. Hope this helps and enjoy your trailer.



BIG

 

[Slow Six]

Big pretty well summed it up. As for your black valve you probably have paper or some cruddy in the groove where the knife blade (valve) fits to stop flow. If it doesn't clear with flushing you may have to dig it out. It is recommended to use RV toilet paper or at least single ply paper. It needs to be a paper that breaks down easily. Also the black tank vavle should be left closed until there is quite a lot of "stuff" in the tank and when you empty be sure there is a good flow. If the valve is open all the time material flows slowly and paper etc. may hang up on the valve and than when you close the valve you really jam it. I had this happen with a toilet valve when grand kids did not let everything out before releasing the valve. It was dig time. I also use a tank chemical to help as well as I flush the tank each time I dump. If you do not have a tank flush built in you can get a fitting to go on the dump line that a hose can be attached and back flush the tank. This is about the only ****ty part of RVing.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

Not to seem too weird, But We NEVER put toilet paper in the holding tank. Just too many problems with it there. I have a small lidded container that the used TP goes into. Along with this we do not use the toilet for any solid waste, only liquid waste. This also may seem weird however when staying at any campgrounds they always have a toilet for those time. This has made my holding tanks very easy to manage and maintain. .

 

[FParisi]

Yeah, the levels problem, you get used to figuring when its getting full. I haven't gotten caught misjudging yet!;-)

The leaking valve, you can try cleaning or just replacing it. It is not too bad a job. Or, I have used the add on external valve. It works well + is good insurance against messes.

 

[Cummins12V98]

GONZO 1066 I bet your wife just loves your methods! Lets see..... NW Washington cold rainy weather and making a run for #2, no thanks. I use Costco's best TP with no problems. Drain tank until flow slows close valve then turn on flush let it run for two minutes during that time place your hand on the valve or something so you don't get distracted walk off and have stuff shooting out your roof vent. Open valve let it run until water runs clear. Use a clear fitting. Close valve and do the hold onto something thing and turn on flush hose for one minute to fill tank with about 5 gallons of water. Go inside and dump your chemical down the toilet. Doing this once a week and before I move I have had no problems at all. I leave my grey tank open until the day before I move then I travel with one days grey water in the tank then drain when I arrive at my next site. I have have owned four 5th wheels and the check tank lights never worked properly on any of them. Once a year pour a cup of Dawn liquid soap into toilet before you travel to a new site.

 

[Cummins12V98]

GONZO 1066 I bet your wife just loves your methods! Lets see..... NW Washington cold rainy weather and making a run for #2, no thanks. I use Costco's best TP with no problems. Drain tank until flow slows close valve then turn on flush let it run for two minutes during that time place your hand on the valve or something so you don't get distracted walk off and have stuff shooting out your roof vent. Open valve let it run until water runs clear. Use a clear fitting. Close valve and do the hold onto something thing and turn on flush hose for one minute to fill tank with about 5 gallons of water. Go inside and dump your chemical down the toilet. Doing this once a week and before I move I have had no problems at all. I leave my grey tank open until the day before I move then I travel with one days grey water in the tank then drain when I arrive at my next site. I have have owned four 5th wheels and the check tank lights never worked properly on any of them. Once a year pour a cup of Dawn liquid soap into toilet before you travel to a new site.

 

[BIGNASTY]

To HELL with the wife I want to park my BUTT on MY throne and dont have to worry or even think about what kind of deviate A Hole has done what to what and left it on the seat. Or if you use the HOVER METHOD it's not all that comfortable. On our TT we have one of those hose connections that SUPPOSEDLY cleans the tank. WE DONT USE IT. I have a SPECEIAL BLACK HOSE and I connect it to the spigot and the other end in the can. Fill it up and drain it about 3 times and then add some water and chemicals. I have a discharge elbow that is clear and can see what is coming out and how much. If cleaning your CAN is the worst thing in life that you have experienced then you havent had it so tuff. JMO

 

[BLNRAY]

as a full timer i'm not walking across the park,i own a shower,i use it,my toilet i use. my tank lights work properly,maybe because i use my tank regularly.

 

[BIGNASTY]

as a full timer i'm not walking across the park,i own a shower,i use it,my toilet i use. my tank lights work properly,maybe because i use my tank regularly.

I hear that!!!!!! We see it all the time thou people get out of a nice RV and have a determined walk the the can in the campground? UNREAL. :-laf

 

[Cummins12V98]

I know a guy that uses plastic grocery bags to drop the bomb into! His last RV the previous owners left the black drain valve open so they had a lot of trouble. I can't convince him that his new Motor Home won't be a problem.

 

[BIGNASTY]

I thought it was a NATURAL occurrence of life. NOT THAT YOU NEED BOMB NAVAGAITION INSTRUMENTAITON TO TAKE A DUMP IN A BAG.

 

[mwilson]

as a full timer i'm not walking across the park,i own a shower,i use it,my toilet i use. my tank lights work properly,maybe because i use my tank regularly.

That equipment is all there in your RV for your comfort and convenience, use it, maintain it and enjoy it.



Wife and I decided on that when we bought our first RV 20 years ago. We happily use every feature in our RV's.



We are friends with a couple that will not use the shower or commode in their fifth wheel, use the facilities in the park instead.



We ask them all the time why they even own a fifth wheel, might as well invest in a condo or something... . Plus he bought a Power Joke last year so that is proof that he has lost his mind... ... ... .



Mike.

 

[PBJ2500CTD]

I thought it was a NATURAL occurrence of life. NOT THAT YOU NEED BOMB NAVAGAITION INSTRUMENTAITON TO TAKE A DUMP IN A BAG.

Needed only in the hover mode for maximum accuracy to compensate for an unstable platform and windage.

 

[goodguys75]

that's funny, when im home I go to my RV to go take a dump... so i don't wear out the rubber flapper in the tank in my house... that saves me a lot of trouble... ... :-laf

 

[Bill Stockard]

as a full timer i'm not walking across the park,i own a shower,i use it,my toilet i use. my tank lights work properly,maybe because i use my tank regularly.

Yep, and where I sometimes take our camper, there isn't a campground toilet or shower within miles and there are some I absolutely would not use if I could walk to them.



Bill

 

[Gonzo 1066]

For me it is simple I deal with the unplesent handling of solid waste at the source (my rear) Or deal with it at the trailer dump site. Seems to me dealing with hooking the hose rinsing flushing I have lots more potential for contact with something unplesent. Seeing how unsanitary some of the campers are at dump sites makes the decision somewhat clear to me. Seems both of us have easly adapted to this, might be the years of MT climbing and pooing in the brush has made this OK with us. . We are in our coach better than 140 night a year.

 

[Cummins12V98]

GONZO 1066 Maybe you should try the plastid bag method I mentioned earlier. Use a bigger sealed trash can and take to the trash once a day. I bet your wife would like that in the cold rainy NW. Just messin with ya to each his own!

 

[TLane]

You guys obviously have never heard of the bumper dumper:



Portable toilet for the outdoorsman.





:-laf:-laf:-laf

 

[BIGNASTY]

:-laf

Needed only in the hover mode for maximum accuracy to compensate for an unstable platform and windage.

:-laf:-la YOU LAUGH ALL YOU WANT!!!!! I have seen it blowing so hard in the Mountains that you had to take wind direction into account when taking a dump. If not you might fill a boot or back drop into your shorts. The best thing about horse camping is the view from the crapper door *BECAUSE THERE AINT ONE



As far as handling the hose and all the gizmatches to drop the tank THEY HAVE THE NEW PRODUCT called HAND SANATISER and its not like im cleaning the tanks and dropping the doo while EATING MY BREAKFAST BURRITO :-laf



Your right its your rig and your life live it how you want!!!! That's what makes us all different.