Gray tank issue-toilet paper and excrement coming out

[JMGJR]

I have a 2021 3855BR.

I have been having an issue with the bathroom/shower gray tank. It would register as full (and start to back up in shower so I know it was really full) but when I open the valve the water would come out slowly (when I open the kitchen sink gray tank it comes out with a whoosh!!).

I bought a flush king so I could try to fill it up and get it cleared. When I filled and then pulled the valve I noticed that toilet paper and poo was coming out? I had my black valve closed and I am sure the valves are labeled correctly. It is obvious when I empty the black tank that it is what should come out of a black tank (but that also comes out slowly too). I filled and emptied it at least 10 times and was still seeing stuff come out that should not be in a gray tank?

Any ideas on what could be going on?

[RMcNeal]

When I dump my tanks, I always dump the black tank first. There's always some "stuff" in the pipe when I dump the grey. It usually clears quickly though. Could that be it?
Once the grey water gets going it clears up to just shower water.

[AZ Traveler]

John,

Anytime you have the black and grey valves open at the same time the black can backfill into the grey.

[JMGJR]

Thanks, maybe that is it?

[Theunz]

All of your tanks should come out with a “whoosh”. The galley tank connects to the main pipe close to the outlet end, while the grey and black are much further upstream. It seems that you might have a obstruction upstream. I would try running a snake in the main line and see if that helps.

[JMGJR]

Thanks, I think I will try that.

[Mikendebbie]

In my unit, the tanks that serve the Kitchen and the half bath (rear tank location) drain quicker because they are mounted higher in the frame than the tanks that serve the front bath...see illustration below. Just that small amount of elevation makes a big difference in how they drain out.

[BobStack]

Prior to each road trip I take, I put about 5-10 gallons of water and a cup of dawn dish detergent in each tank. Once I get to my stop I hookup and dump my black first and flush for about a half hour then dump the grey tanks. I also only use Unique RV Digest-It Holding Tank Treatment in all my tanks and have never had a problem.

[glendodom]

I have a 2018 3721RL and to get the front black tank to empty correctly I raise the rv noise 3”. If in level position it doesn’t drain unless very full. A video done by Keystone addresses it. The dealer wasn’t even aware when I first returned it for drainage issues. Definitely works.

[Josh_713]

Any chance you can post a picture of this galley gray tank pull handle??

I have a 2020 3855BR and there is no handle. All my galley gray water sits at the outlet cap. This is why I installed a valve at the cap, keep me from getting dosed in gray water when I pop the cap.

[RMcNeal]

Josh, Your galley gray tank pull handle should be just in front of your front ODS tire either protruding through the frame or just below the frame angled up into the coroplast. If you can't find it, the handle may have been lost, that has happened to a few others.
Just look for a hole either in the frame or the coroplast in that general area. You may also find the rod, without the handle on it if the handle came off.

[RMcNeal]

Originally Posted by Josh_713

Any chance you can post a picture of this galley gray tank pull handle??

I have a 2020 3855BR and there is no handle. All my galley gray water sits at the outlet cap. This is why I installed a valve at the cap, keep me from getting dosed in gray water when I pop the cap.

I'll have my rig here tomorrow in preparation for a trip. I'll get a pic then if you still haven't found it. If it is a lot of gray water sitting at the outlet cap, then the valve may be left open and the handle/rod broken off or missing.

[BobbyJ]

The manufacturer techs sometimes leave the plastic cutout in the tank when they install the dump valve. Then that "knockout" can block the valve down to a trickle. My son had this problem recently with a new SOB. Dealer corrected the issue under warranty.

[Guitarpicr]

When you pull the dump handles do they pull out about the same distance. When I bought mine several months ago used, the gray tank would dump properly but the black would not dump with a woosh like it should even nose high in front & the handle was hard to pull & close. I pulled the bottom off recently & both valves had been leaking (dripping) for quite awhile. When I took the black valve out the rubber seal was bent in half & not allowing the blade to open & close like it should. I replaced both Valterra valves & now all is good.

[Josh_713]

Originally Posted by RMcNeal

I'll have my rig here tomorrow in preparation for a trip. I'll get a pic then if you still haven't found it. If it is a lot of gray water sitting at the outlet cap, then the valve may be left open and the handle/rod broken off or missing.

Thanks Robert. I’ve had a good look on multiple occasions, there is a label stating where the handle should be, but no such handle. Could they have missed this during manufacturing?!? One would like to think not...

I’ll take a picture and post it.... blows my mind.

[RMcNeal]

Here's some pics of my galley gray tank pull.

[TCmontana]

Hello All;

I have been reading on this thread, and though I have had my 3931FB for about a year now I have notice different technics on what Rv'rs put in the black and gray tanks for treatment purposes.

My wife and I have used the pellet and liquid form of treatments. But recently my wife read about using Borax in your tanks with some water to help clean them during travel. It also seems to help with the odor too.

Now on this thread I just read that some are using Dawn dish soap to clean the tanks. I am just wondering, what is the best way to achieve this with out hurting the equipment. Are any of the above ways wrong, or better or or just a waste of time.

I am wondering what the seasoned Rv'rs opinions are and have they come up with a better way or best practice way to keep all tanks clean as possible.

Thanks in advanced

[Theunz]

More than likely just fell off. These handle shafts are known to unscrew themselves due to vibrations while going down the road. I put a safety cable on mine that keeps it from rotating.

[team bradfield]

Originally Posted by TCmontana

Hello All;

I have been reading on this thread, and though I have had my 3931FB for about a year now I have notice different technics on what Rv'rs put in the black and gray tanks for treatment purposes.

My wife and I have used the pellet and liquid form of treatments. But recently my wife read about using Borax in your tanks with some water to help clean them during travel. It also seems to help with the odor too.

Now on this thread I just read that some are using Dawn dish soap to clean the tanks. I am just wondering, what is the best way to achieve this with out hurting the equipment. Are any of the above ways wrong, or better or or just a waste of time.

I am wondering what the seasoned Rv'rs opinions are and have they come up with a better way or best practice way to keep all tanks clean as possible.

Thanks in advanced

20+ years of RV'ing, we use a scoop of dry laundry detergent and 1/2 cup of pine sol and a gallon or so of water before pulling out, works well for us.

[Chief Brown]

Originally Posted by team bradfield

20+ years of RV'ing, we use a scoop of dry laundry detergent and 1/2 cup of pine sol and a gallon or so of water before pulling out, works well for us.

Do you let this sit in the tanks until you dump at end of trip or do you drain it when you arrive? Also, do you put this mix in all tanks or just gray water?