Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Montana Owners Club - Keystone Montana 5th Wheel Forum > MOC Technical Forums > Maintenance
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 06-06-2021, 02:09 PM   #1
deb50jean
Established Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Brighton
Posts: 20
M.O.C. #20316
Black Tank Flush question

We are permanently parked at a camp ground so this beast never goes anywhere. How often should I flush the black tank? How much water should I run through it when I flush it out? I have a hose attached to the black tank flush so water is readily available. We are relatively new at this so any suggestions will help. Just dealt with our first "poop pyramid", got that taken care of. Now I just need to know more about the black tank flush! Thanks.
 
deb50jean is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-06-2021, 02:28 PM   #2
DQDick
Site Team
 
DQDick's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
I run the black tank flush every time I dump and run water until it mostly comes out clear.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
DQDick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-06-2021, 09:14 PM   #3
rohrmann
Montana Master
 
rohrmann's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 4,672
M.O.C. #12947
I would not be leaving the hose connected to the black flush inlet. By doing that, you are not allowing water between the inlet and the backflow/air gap valve to drain out, which is how that is supposed to do. I drain the black tank once a week and use the flush system each time, and NEVER leave the black tank drain valve open.
__________________
Bob & Becky
2012 3402RL
2012 Chevy 2500HD D/A CC 4WD
rohrmann is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2021, 06:19 AM   #4
DutchmenSport
Montana Master
 
DutchmenSport's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Anderson
Posts: 2,533
M.O.C. #22835
I run the black tank flush every time I dump. I also back-flush from the grey tank every time I dump. It's just become my normal way of doing it.

We are currently at home (which is a rare event lately), and I broke out the power washer and power washed the neck of the toilet where all that "stuff" seems to stick and dry. While doing so, I shot straight down. If there was any chance of a poop pyramid starting to form, it's gone now! When I while using the pressure washer, I was shocked how dirty the water was, which means, even in our best efforts to add extra water, dump and fill the tank again and dump, back flush, or use the black tank flusher, there is still a LOT of "stuff" that sticks to the inside of those those tanks that never gets completely cleaned out. Of course, we use our camper, pretty much 365 days a year too, even when home.

So, it does not hurt anything to use the black tank flush as often as you want, or back flush, or add extra water, or even power wash the tank out! The cleaner you can keep your tank, the less chance of smells and poop pyramids and toilet paper sticking inside the tank.

And by the way, I advise getting a clear section that attaches to your trailer dump, or a clear elbow that goes in the ground, because if you have never seen what's actually coming out of your tank, even after you've flushed it, you in for a pretty big surprise! You'll flush it a lot more, and a lot more often.
__________________
Who you are right now is a sum total off all you use to be.
2019 Montana High Country 375FL
2014 Chevy Silverado Duramax, 6.6L Dually
DutchmenSport is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2021, 06:35 AM   #5
WeBeFulltime
Montana Master
 
WeBeFulltime's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Hixson
Posts: 3,436
M.O.C. #11397
I would never use a pressure washer to "clean" the black tank or any other tank on the Montana. Too much pressure could damage them. Use the factory tank wash as much as you want though. Leave black tank closed until ready to dump and won't have pyramid problems.
__________________
2018.5 Montana 3791RD


Full Timers 9/1/2010 through 1/16/2020.
WeBeFulltime is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2021, 12:07 PM   #6
Bee
New Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2021
Location: Robbinsville
Posts: 2
M.O.C. #28911
Second Grey tank Clogged

My Montana second grey tank is clogged , water is full and backed up , I pulled the grey tank level in the compartment and the hidden one underneath the living / dinning room slide at the back end of the slide . Still no luck , I used a whole gallon of liquid plumber , and have ordered me some Shock it conditional treatment , hoping it will do the job , can't figure out the problem why .
Bee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2021, 12:41 PM   #7
Carl n Susan
Site Team
 
Carl n Susan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Carmichael - CA
Posts: 7,315
M.O.C. #4831
It helps if you tell us what year and model RV you have. But most Montanas use a solid pull rod (rather than a cable) to operate the gate valve on the tank. They are pretty foolproof. It sounds like you have a valve problem (as in it is not opening). Pouring chemicals down the drain is worthless. You need to gain access to the valve and determine why it is not opening.
__________________
Carl (n Susan)
There is more to life than fuel mileage.
2012 Montana 3700RL Big Sky Package towed by a 2015 Ford F350 6.7L PSD 4WD CC LWB

Carl n Susan is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 06-07-2021, 02:37 PM   #8
Cat320
Montana Master
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location:
Posts: 1,695
M.O.C. #5751
Some of the new high dollar motor homes now have macerators in the toilets, so you can leave the black tank open.
Cat320 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-13-2021, 03:59 PM   #9
Camp CA
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Bencia
Posts: 536
M.O.C. #25828
Pre-charge holding tank with 15-20 gallons of water metered through tank flush connection with a low cost P3 in-line turbine meter. Dump and flush weekly then pre-charge with 15-20 gallons.
Camp CA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-14-2021, 01:13 PM   #10
PatrickandMarga
Established Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: St. Clair
Posts: 32
M.O.C. #24888
When we are parked for a long term, we keep the blank tank valve closed.
Then we we see it close to full, we pull the valve and when emptied, we flush.
I flush it until it becomes "drinkable" ) Not really, but we flush every time we dump.
__________________
Patrick and Marga Coughlin
St. Clair, Michigan
3741fk - 2020 GMC 3500hd SRW LB
patrick@4ever2.com
PatrickandMarga is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-14-2021, 09:12 PM   #11
carlrx7
Seasoned Camper
 
carlrx7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Tampa
Posts: 71
M.O.C. #27783
If i was stationary, i would give this a try. Once the tank is conditioned and ecosystem stabilized, you never backwash/flush or drain all the way.

https://www.amazon.com/TankTechsRx-T...67QJ7GZTSADFDE

__________________
'21 Montana 3121RL Legacy Cobalt FBP
'20 RAM 3500 DRW Limited HO 3.73's
carlrx7 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Montana RV, Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 09:30 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.