We are new to travel trailers and silver streak trailers. We recently purchased a 32' luxury liner silver streak as temporary living quarters while we build a stick frame house. We've plumbed the septic and grey water tanks to our on-site septic tank via standard ABS piping. We just started using the toilet and well -- the holding tank won't drain. We've added the recommended toilet bowl cleaner for travel trailer toilets, hoping it would help break down the tissue, but there seems to be a real clog. The water will very slowly trickle out, but the tank is quite full. So, we are trying to figure out what to do next and then how best to maintain the tank so we don't repeat this.

Also, we would love to find sources to purchase needed replacement parts for the trailer. Any ideas?

Last question...when we shower, we figure we get about 10-15 sec. of hot water. We are doing the "sailor shower" (get wet - shut off the water -- lather up -- water on rinse off), but are thinking about getting an in-line water heater. Anyone have any experience with these and any recommendations for where to purchase?

Thanks and we love our trailer!

Andy Dunning and Shari Harris-Dunning

By Tom Patterson on Sunday, December 22, 2002 - 01:17 pm:

You might check into the Sewer Solution as a way to clean out your tank. Go to http://www.sewersolution.com/index.html

It sounds like you need a new hot water heater. You should get a lot more than 10-15 sec. of hot water.

By Carl Rodgers on Wednesday, January 08, 2003 - 10:07 pm:

Andy, unless you follow the old tried and true method of allowing your black water tank to fill almost completely before you pull the valve and drain it you will probably continue to have problems unless you've hooked your drain line directly to your toilet. The way these trailers normally dump is straight down to the bottom of your black water tank and any solids will sit there and build up until you are plugged up again. Regarding any existing plug you can by a spray unit that hooks onto a water hose and sticks down into the holding tank via the toilet drain valve. This will normally break up clogs
Toms sewer solution may also work well. I agree with Tom that you should have a lot more hot water than you do. If you replace your water heater or have it repaired you may want to consider a "hot rod" which is an electrical element with a thermostat that threads into your water heater drain opening. I've used one of these for several years now and have to use my propane very little. Since you are using your trailer as living quarters it would probably work well for you.

By Al G. on Sunday, November 05, 2006 - 06:05 pm:

"Hot rods" go where your WH's anode rod went, so using a "hot rod" will rot out your steel tank faster. There are real safety issues with the older "hot rods," like getting electrocuted.