Grey and Black Tanks do not empty when level

[Rlates]

All, just parked at the KOA in Nashville. Did the Auto level and it was a success! However, when we got inside we noticed little things like water in the shower pooling to the Non drain side, the bathroom door swinging to the closed position rather quickly. I put a level all over and noticed the front was a little to low. I raised it up a few bumps to level it and that seemed to help.

However, the holding tank valves are open (it’s going to be below freezing all this week and don’t want water in the holding tanks. But nothing drains out when open?

Any suggestions?

Thanks
Randy

[richfaa]

If you are using the furnace the underbelly is heated and the tanks should not freeze. We have been in very cold temps and had no tank problems. Very cold meaning in the mid to low 20s.

[Rlates]

Thanks Richfaa, but I am more curious why the tanks are not draining? We will be here for 3 months. Plus we stick mainly to the Electric heat. Trying not to burn through the propane and save it for really cold nights.

[Rlates]

Biggest head scratcher is “If the RV is level, why is nothing coming out form the tanks??

[phillyg]

My experience is that a small amount of waste will remain in the tanks, but not enough to be worried about.

[Rlates]

But my Grey tank sensor states 1/2 full and the valve is open??

Do I chalk this up to the sensor as a POS?

I mean if the holding tank valve is open there is no chance of something overflowing yes????

[Theunz]

The tank sensors are notoriously inaccurate.
If you hear a burb when you flush your toilet then your black tank is very near at capacity.
If your grey tank overfills it most likely will pool up in the shower.
If you don’t run the propane heater in very cold weather than you can freeze up your fresh water plumbing.
Do you have tank heaters?
What year and model? You should add this info in your signature line. It helps other diagnose your problems.

[Rlates]

Theunz,

Thanks for your feedback. Yes, I have holding tank heaters. Wife and I have a 2021 Keystone Montana HC 295RL. Now that I am in Nashville and this cold is coming in I am watching the temps very closely. Next two days here are High 40’s to low 50’s (ish) in the day and above freezing at night. Thursday starts to change and that’s when I plan on running the propane heaters at night.

Much appreciated with all the feedback.

[Theunz]

Forgot to add that you should not leave the black tank close or you will end up with the dreaded “poop pyramid” i.e. no liquid to help the poop flow out of the tank.
You may also want to “zero” your auto level system as it seems it is off some.

[Rlates]

Thx, are there videos on how to re-zero the leveling system?

[DQDick]

The easiest way to see how to deal with things like auto level is to get the Lippert app for your phone. Also, I would reiterate, don't ever leave your black tank open.

[twindman]

So when no water is draining from either tanks, are you running water into them and see no output. Or is there standing water on the shower drain and not running out? Also, if you don't have it, add a clear short section to the drain pipe cap so you can see how things look. This is useful in the future, not just for this issue.

[jimcol]

Originally Posted by Theunz

Forgot to add that you should not leave the black tank close or you will end up with the dreaded “poop pyramid” i.e. no liquid to help the poop flow out of the tank.
You may also want to “zero” your auto level system as it seems it is off some.

Theunz, Did you mean not leave the black tank open? Leaving it open will guarantee a poop pyramid. Leaving it closed until the toilet burps when flushed will guarantee solids better mixing with liquids and a more fluid dump.

[WeBeFulltime]

Originally Posted by Theunz

Forgot to add that you should not leave the black tank close or you will end up with the dreaded “poop pyramid” i.e. no liquid to help the poop flow out of the tank.
You may also want to “zero” your auto level system as it seems it is off some.

Actually I believe you SHOULD (instead of should not) leave your black tank closed.

[Daryles]

Sensors are worthless.
Depending on your model and floor plan, some drain better with the front above level. If your tanks are mounted longitudinally this works for the black tank and the bathroom grey tank. NOT for the gally tank. It drains in the opposite direction.
If your tanks are mounted sideways, then....
Experiment...
This is mentioned in the Montana factory tour video on YouTube
https://youtu.be/cV0OZv0bCgc

Tanks at 3:55 and 9 minutes
Bottom insulation 7:20 and 8:35 and 12:38 minutes.
Water line routing/insulation 12:38 minutes.
Racetrack AC ducts 32:42min.

When I want to do a good flush before leaving a site I pull in the slides, retract the rear jacks and raise the front jacks as high as they will go. Then I us the black tank flush system. Very effective.
I also do this before winterizing and drain it really good.

[Theunz]

Opps, typing faster than my brain works. Not that hard to do

[DadsHemi]

Don’t leave your tanks open in the freezing weather, close them and use your tank heaters. Never keep your black tank open, drain when needed then flush and close the valve. Tank sensors are useless, you will get use too when you need to drain your tanks after usage and by how you use water.

Black tank we drain once a week with just my wife and I, the galley tank is once or twice a week and the bathroom tank we do open for showers and when wife is washing cloths.

When the tank heaters are on I always add water to the tanks after draining them, also our water tank I keep it on because I alway have a full tank for those just in case times.

[beeje]

I agree. Do not leave the tank valves open. Think about it, what will freeze faster, a small amount of water sitting in the bottom of a tank or 20 gallons in there.
If you are that worried about it, RV anti freeze is pretty cheap, dump a 1/2 gallon it each tank until you have to dump. We can go 7-9 days without dumping.

[RMcNeal]

If you are getting into the 40's to 50's in the daytime and only down to freezing or just below freezing at night, you shouldn't need to worry about your tanks. Turn on the tank heaters and you should be fine.
I spent a month in temps in the 20's with tank heaters on and no propane heat. I kept the rig inside around 60 and the belly and basement never got below 40. I have wireless remote thermometers in the belly and basement and one outside. The only time I turned on the furnace was when we got to 7 degrees one night.

[Dave W]

The OP has a HC, which, if like ours, does not have separate tank heaters but just the belly heat from the furnace.


Additionally, and again if like ours, the tanks drain kinda slowly compared to the gush other 5ers and TTs we have owned.


As far as leaving the tanks open 100% of the time, that dreaded poo pyramid in the black tank is a real concern. Others above have made good suggestions. There are numerous You Tube videos as well on holding tank operation: https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...+Holding+tanks