Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 08-01-2014, 07:02 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
tabkld93's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 13
Fresh Water Holding Tank Doesn't Drain

I can't get my freshwater holding tank to drain. After removing the cap, there was only a few drips. The tank is nearly full and should flow freely. I used a short piece of wire and threaded it up the drain pipe about three inches and it meets resistance. I didn't push hard assuming it was some type of check valve, but I see no reason one would be there.

I can run it out though the sink, but that won't empty it 100%.

What am I missing?
tabkld93 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2014, 07:09 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
fonzie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Eastern Ontario
Posts: 4,167
For people to help put what type of trailer you have and maybe a picture.
__________________
Fonzie
2011 Rockwood 8319SS with ProPride 3P hitch/GoodYear Marathons/TST TPMS 507
2019 F350 Ruby Red 6.7l diesel 3.31 axle electronic locker
Yamaha 3000iseb generator:Progressive Ind. EMS-HW30C : Eastern Ontario
Nights Camped: 2014 (18) 2015 (18) 2016 (36) 2017 (32) 2018 (42) 2019 (28) 2020 (35)
fonzie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2014, 07:12 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Campster's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 248
All the fresh water tanks I have had in the past and now have valves for the drain, the only things that uses any caps are the low point drains?
Campster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2014, 07:14 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Ford Idaho's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 9,839
I would open a couple of taps to see if that makes any difference, if it does then there may be other issues that need looking at.
__________________
2016 F350 6.7L LB CC Reese 28K 2014 Chaparral Lite 266sab
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." 2014 19 days camping 2015 17 days camping201620 days camping
Ford Idaho is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2014, 07:21 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
BooBoo23's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: West Atlanta Metro
Posts: 1,235
Air has to come in as the water flows out so open a cold water faucet or two to see if that is the problem otherwise it is trying to pull a vacuum . I will assume you are opening a valve under the fresh water tank on the underside of the TT.
__________________
2014 Palomino Puma 25RS
2011 F-150 Super Crew XLT
Days camped in 2014 - 23 Camped 2015-47
Camped 2016-71, 2017-33, 2018-29 booked
KT4W
BooBoo23 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2014, 07:25 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Ford Idaho's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 9,839
Quote:
Originally Posted by Campster View Post
All the fresh water tanks I have had in the past and now have valves for the drain, the only things that uses any caps are the low point drains?
My fresh water tank and low points all have caps on them, but I am toying with the valve mod.
__________________
2016 F350 6.7L LB CC Reese 28K 2014 Chaparral Lite 266sab
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." 2014 19 days camping 2015 17 days camping201620 days camping
Ford Idaho is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2014, 07:56 PM   #7
Junior Member
 
tabkld93's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 13
I never got around to replacing the caps with valves. I am referring the the fresh water tank under my Surveyor 240

The system does pressurize and pump water, however i did open the low point drain and released all pressure.

Does anyone think attaching the winterizing air valve and pumping in some air would help? I would close the low point and open the fresh water tank.
tabkld93 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2014, 07:59 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Ford Idaho's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Idaho
Posts: 9,839
Quote:
Originally Posted by tabkld93 View Post
I never got around to replacing the caps with valves. I am referring the the fresh water tank under my Surveyor 240

The system does pressurize and pump water, however i did open the low point drain and released all pressure.

Does anyone think attaching the winterizing air valve and pumping in some air would help? I would close the low point and open the fresh water tank.
If the tank is not venting now you risk rupturing the tank by adding air pressure to the system.
The water should free flow with no help.
__________________
2016 F350 6.7L LB CC Reese 28K 2014 Chaparral Lite 266sab
"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." 2014 19 days camping 2015 17 days camping201620 days camping
Ford Idaho is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2014, 08:16 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Stanfordville
Posts: 144
I had the same trouble yesterday. With the valve handle positioned in line with what looked like it should drain.....it did not.
Oddly I turned the knob perpendicular and it drained .?? It worked, and do not understand why.
Try it....different positions.


Sent from my iPad using Forest River Forum
Poper
Poper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2014, 08:19 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
fonzie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Eastern Ontario
Posts: 4,167
Quote:
Originally Posted by tabkld93 View Post
I never got around to replacing the caps with valves. I am referring the the fresh water tank under my Surveyor 240

The system does pressurize and pump water, however i did open the low point drain and released all pressure.

Does anyone think attaching the winterizing air valve and pumping in some air would help? I would close the low point and open the fresh water tank.
Have you drain the fresh water tank before using this drain? Maybe you have wrong drain?
__________________
Fonzie
2011 Rockwood 8319SS with ProPride 3P hitch/GoodYear Marathons/TST TPMS 507
2019 F350 Ruby Red 6.7l diesel 3.31 axle electronic locker
Yamaha 3000iseb generator:Progressive Ind. EMS-HW30C : Eastern Ontario
Nights Camped: 2014 (18) 2015 (18) 2016 (36) 2017 (32) 2018 (42) 2019 (28) 2020 (35)
fonzie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2014, 08:41 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
sdelam's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 432
Is this a new trailer? Could it be the piece cut for the fill valve is covering the drain hole?
__________________
2020 GMC Denali 4X4 2500HD Duramax
2018 Work & Play 25WAB
sdelam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-02-2014, 06:29 AM   #12
Junior Member
 
tabkld93's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 13
This is our third season with the trailer which we purchased new. The drain has worked perfect many times.
tabkld93 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-02-2014, 06:39 AM   #13
Senior Member
 
fonzie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Eastern Ontario
Posts: 4,167
Well since it has worked before, pushing air in a low psi (5) would probably clear obstructions in the fresh water tank drain connection. To make sure any of the water system does not get pressurized, I would open a tap on the kitchen sink, remove fresh water fill cap and then push air in drain for a few seconds and see if it clears obstruction.
__________________
Fonzie
2011 Rockwood 8319SS with ProPride 3P hitch/GoodYear Marathons/TST TPMS 507
2019 F350 Ruby Red 6.7l diesel 3.31 axle electronic locker
Yamaha 3000iseb generator:Progressive Ind. EMS-HW30C : Eastern Ontario
Nights Camped: 2014 (18) 2015 (18) 2016 (36) 2017 (32) 2018 (42) 2019 (28) 2020 (35)
fonzie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-02-2014, 06:43 AM   #14
Senior Member
 
bubbles's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,651
Me, I would do as you have thought of. Blow air up the drain pipe. Opening a faucet will not do anything for your issue as the pump is between the faucet and the tank. Just sounds as though something has lodged itself in the tank drain opening.
bubbles is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-02-2014, 09:11 AM   #15
Junior Member
 
tabkld93's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 13
Thanks everyone. I tried air in the drain to try and clear any obstruction. This didn't seem to do much.

I just pumped the water through the sink and will see if the next trip the obstruction moves. My friend at the RV repair shop told me this morning it's probably plastic from the build. They see it frequently.
tabkld93 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-21-2014, 06:20 PM   #16
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 1
Fresh Water tank will not drain and its full on 2008 Cardinal 3450 QRL. When city water is hooked up water shoots out the drain plug. Opened interior faucets and still no drainage. Can anyone help?
Thanks bob
Sandyeggo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-21-2014, 06:29 PM   #17
Site Team
 
Flybob's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 15,288
Sounds like you are opening the low point drain and not the fresh water tank drain.
__________________

2015 Freedom Express 248RBS
TV 2015 Silverado HD2500 Duramax
TST Tire Monitors
Honda 2000I + Companion
2 100W solar panels
Flybob is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-21-2014, 07:38 PM   #18
Senior Member
 
arpipeliner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Where the camper is
Posts: 598
Do u fill your fresh water with a valve while still hooked up at city water connection?

Click image for larger version

Name:	ImageUploadedByForest River Forums1416616590.528701.jpg
Views:	317
Size:	162.0 KB
ID:	66710

If like this one sounds like the valve is putting water in your tank and not to your trailer. If so it coming out of your overflow vent.


Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums
arpipeliner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-30-2014, 10:47 PM   #19
Swift2
 
Swift 2's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Concord
Posts: 150
On my first time out with my 320RS the plastic cut out on the black water tank for the 3" piping came out and lodged in the clear 45 in my sewer hose. What a mess!! Then when we got ready to leave, I tried to drain the galley tank and it was really slow draining. Took it to the dealer and they said it was working perfectly. I bet the trip to the dealer moved the plug while driving. Looks like I'll have to dig that one out myself. Any suggestions on how to locate (see) the plug in the galley tank? Take valve and try a bore scope maybe?
Swift 2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-08-2015, 08:59 PM   #20
Senior Member
 
DustyRoads's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: NY Capital District
Posts: 429
For the fresh water there is also a vent next to where you fill the tank. Is this plugged? Did you remove the fill cap? Sounds like most have exhausted all other possibilities.
DustyRoads is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Forest River, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:54 AM.