bsinmich
Holland, MI
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Joined: 11/18/2000
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My first MH I bought in winter when it was -13F. I was happy that it started and ran good. I knew it had not been used for 2 years. When we got above freezing temps it began to smell pretty strong. Along with a high price it had full holding tanks. We flushed real good, added some pine-sol, took it for a drive, left it sit for a couple of days and then dumped it. We also left the windows open to get the upholstery aired out. We never had a problem after that. The drive is better if there is a lot of sloshing in the tank.
2003 Newmar Mountain Aire, Workhorse W22, 2008 Saturn Vue, Falcon 5250, & US Gear Unified Tow Brake
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Ole Man Dan
Gadsden, Alabama
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Joined: 03/26/2010
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jim330rifle wrote:I have tried used many chemicals for my black water holding tank and have not had good luck.What is the best to use that will clean it out and kill the smell? 
I don't use chemicals. When mine is full, I dump it, then add 4-5 gallons of water to slosh around on the way home.
This will keep you from having a tissue/feces build-up problem...
The water keeps down on smells.
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fyrflie
Martinez, CA. USA
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Joined: 07/31/2003
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This is what I use.
http://www.bluestreakchem.com/
The key also is to make sure you keep water in your toilet bowl to help seal out the odor.
I have done as many as 10 days in 100 degree weather with no adverse odors.
I also do the Geo Method as a yearly cleaner and when I have a chance while dumping, I use alot of water.
It all seems to work for me.
Good Luck.
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Jack&Kay
Santa Rosa, Ca
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Joined: 07/02/2002
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I use a product called Happy Camper. It seems to keep the smell at bay.
Jack & Kay
2007 Tiffin Allegro 28DA
Ford Chassis V-10
Blue Ox Tow Bar to a 94 Honda Accord
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Ole Man Dan
Gadsden, Alabama
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Ron3rd wrote:jim330rifle wrote:I tried that.It stank!  Honestly,the holding tank was full when I bought the trailer.It sat for a long time before I bought it and I dumped the tank and I flushed it out.Not all of the "stuff" came out.I have been looking for a chemical to clean it out with.
Looks like you've got the "poop pyramid" build up. Best bet would be to fill it up with water and add some cleaner (others can recommend something, maybe a quart of Simple Green?) let it sit for a long time then rinse and repeat as many times as necessary to get the tank clean. It's gonna take some time but it can be done. Bottom line is you've got a lot of dried up poop in there that you need to get out. If you have a sewer you can hook up to, I'd buy a Flush King as it makes it easy to add water to the tank and has a clear elbow so you can see your progress.
Simple Green works. A friend bought a used 5er that had the brown pyramid... Lots of water and a couple of treatments with Simple Green cleaned it out. So does adding a couple of bags of ice and towing.
The ice helps dislodge the feces.
I just add 4-5 gallons of water to mine when it's emptied and never have a problem...
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shutdown
In The Dog House
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Joined: 03/13/2008
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Bleach. I put 2 cups of bleach in every 4 days or so. after dumping i always add 4 or 5 gal of water first.
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Scott M
Florida
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Joined: 01/23/2004
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A few years back, someone suggested Calgon water softener powder. We tried it and it worked for us. I believe that we used a cup at a time. The only problem we had was finding the product. I just did a Google search and now it seems to show up everywhere. At the time we stopped buying it because we couldn't find it in stores and went back to chemical. May switch back if it is that common now.
Kodiak 21QS, Ford 2011 Super Crew F-150 3.5 Liter EcoBoost/3.73/Max Tow
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univmd
Maryland
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The Geomethod does not work as well as Thetford's Aqua-Chem for us.
2008 Gulfstream Tourmaster
2011 Honda CRV
Blue Ox Baseplate & Socket Wiring
Blue Ox Alladin Tow Bar
US Gear Unified Tow Brake
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Effy
MD
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Water. And lots of it.
2012 Thor ACE 29.1
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Ron3rd
Upland, CA USA
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Joined: 03/22/2004
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jim330rifle wrote:I have tried used many chemicals for my black water holding tank and have not had good luck.What is the best to use that will clean it out and kill the smell?
As others have said, if you have a smell problem, you have a dirty tank problem and are not dumping your tank correctly. Proper flushing and maintenance will solve your problem as noted above. All the chems are just deodorizers IMO. Some folks use no chemicals at all.
2007 Tundra SR5 CrewMax 5.7 V8
2004 Aljo 250LT
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"I have this plan to live forever; so far my plan is working"
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