Black tank issues?

bcritchie14 · 04-04-2014, 05:17 PM

I have a 2013 ZT-218-TD, and have had lots of smell from my black tank. This is our 5-6th camper/rv and we've never had problems before. In investigating this further, I see that the manual shows that I am supposed to have a 20+ gallon black water tank.....weird in measuring my gallons while trying to resolve this matter I'm finding mine to be around 8-10. Is something wrong here? Thanks for ANY help.

ewbldavis · 04-04-2014, 06:59 PM

We started using GEO method last year. Google it. So far, I like it better than anything else.

Tim D · 04-04-2014, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ewbldavis

We started using GEO method last year. Google it. So far, I like it better than anything else.

I have been looking for the Calgon water softener and can't seem to find any. Where are guys finding it. I have looked at two different WalMarts.

**Lloyd** · 04-04-2014, 07:15 PM

We have been able to pick it up at our local walmart. Have found it both liquid and powder.
If you can't find it, ask them where they have it on the shelf, or can they get it.

bcritchie14, how are you arriving at the 8-10 amount?
That seems way out of line.

bcritchie14 · 04-04-2014, 07:25 PM

I measured it with a gallon jug...

**Lloyd** · 04-04-2014, 07:27 PM

Out of the black tank??

Did you figure it was full at that time?

avvidclif · 04-04-2014, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lloyd

We have been able to pick it up at our local walmart. Have found it both liquid and powder.
If you can't find it, ask them where they have it on the shelf, or can they get it.

bcritchie14, how are you arriving at the 8-10 amount?
That seems way out of line.

I have used powdered Boraxo (Twenty Mule Team) before and it worked just fine.

**mark5w** · 04-04-2014, 08:01 PM

You're not measuring the size by the full gauge are you?? Because they are not always very accurate. You have to measure what comes out. Worst scenario, you have a poop pyramid in your tank.

bcritchie14 · 04-04-2014, 08:35 PM

I emptied the black tank. I refilled with water until it backed up and filled into my toilet. It only took 8-10 gallons. Turned off water prior to filling and looked into tank with flashlight, no p pyramid...have never measured what went in before.

**mark5w** · 04-04-2014, 08:46 PM

Is there anyway you could measure from underneath the trailer the dimensions of the black tank?? length, width, height
1 Gallon = 231 cubic inches or .1333 cubic feet

Dayle1 · 04-05-2014, 11:09 AM

Your first issue was the smell, if the vent pipe is not hooked up, blocked or possibly extended into the tank too far, then odors can only exit the tank when the toilet is flushed. While an undersized tank is possible, seems unlikely the Crosssroads would even have a 10 gallon tank laying around that someone could accidentally install. If the tank has the proper dimensions for say 22 gals then maybe two possibilities. Either something inside the tank, too large to exit the 3 inch drain or no vent pipe plus the toilet pipe too low inside the tank creating a trapped air pocket.

If you are still under warranty, have the dealer find the real problem and fix it.

Ramn4ver · 04-05-2014, 03:19 PM

Two separate thoughts.
While draining my black tank, I saw a round piece of plywood flow out of the tank into the drain hose. I did say a blessing that it did not hang up inside.
Also my new friend from this broad, TDR, told me on his Jefferson, the toilet drain pipe was installed to far into the tank. Wouldn't let solids fall into the black tank. Not sure how he fixed the the problem. Just that he shorted the pipe. Maybe he'll chime in here later.
Gary

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