31KQBTS Black Tank Question

[medicKH]

Hello all!

This is our first season with our new 31KQBTS camper. I have some questions regarding our black tank---I'll try to keep it as clean (ha) as possible!!

We've taken the camper out twice now and THOUGHT we'd emptied the black tank, but the indicator showed it never emptied. Knowing that it's easy for the sensors to give false readings, we weren't too worried about it....until this trip. You guessed it---we are full.

Then we moved to it must be clogged, and tried a few remedies that have worked in other trailers we've had.

Finally today, my husband crawled underneath and found a second lever to the tank line, pulled it, and---all is well.

Questions--does anyone know why there are two levers? We've never had that in any other camper we've had.

Also---now there is QUITE the odor. I'm assuming it's because all of a sudden things are moving, but it's pretty bad and it's been several hours without getting better. Now my hubs is wondering if that should be closed again for odor control. We do have the one closest to the hose connection closed as always, and the other one he'd have to crawl back under to close.

Any thoughts or suggestion would be great---you all are always very helpful!!

[mblee21]

So do you have two levers or 3 levers? Any chance you have two grey tanks? On my TT i have two grey tank levers and my blank tank lever is hidden up underneath.

[otrtrucker]

I have two valves for my black tank. One near the tank, and one near the hose connection. I would keep them both closed until dumping. Then open the one closest to the tank last. I think that would prevent solids from backing up into the pipe.
As far as odors, use a black tank odor control packet after each and every dumping. I do, and it works wonders. Just follow the instructions.
I also have two grey tanks, each with their own valves. Dump the grey tanks last. That will help to flush out the hose. I use odor control liquid in my grey tanks.

[medicKH]

Originally Posted by mblee21

So do you have two levers or 3 levers? Any chance you have two grey tanks? On my TT i have two grey tank levers and my blank tank lever is hidden up underneath.

Hmmmm......we definitely have 2 grey tanks because of the outdoor kitchen too...he said these two were on the same pipe about 2 feet apart.

[medicKH]

Originally Posted by otrtrucker

I have two valves for my black tank. One near the tank, and one near the hose connection. I would keep them both closed until dumping. Then open the one closest to the tank last. I think that would prevent solids from backing up into the pipe.
As far as odors, use a black tank odor control packet after each and every dumping. I do, and it works wonders. Just follow the instructions.
I also have two grey tanks, each with their own valves. Dump the grey tanks last. That will help to flush out the hose. I use odor control liquid in my grey tanks.

Thanks for the advice! Is there a reason you know of that there are two on the black tank?

[otrtrucker]

Originally Posted by medicKH

Thanks for the advice! Is there a reason you know of that there are two on the black tank?

I could only speculate. But, the only reason I can think of is that the one nearest the tank prevents solids from gathering in the pipe between the tank and the hose connection. That would prevent a "stopped up" situation.
That is why I leave it closed until I'm actually dumping, and I open that one second.

[pkaplan]

On my Coachmen Leprechaun 260DS (Class C), the cold weather package comes with double (upper and lower) tank levers (and tank heaters and double pane windows) to help prevent liquids from the tanks freezing in the pipe between the tank and the discharge fitting. I don't know if this is the reason why you have two, just saying.

[otrtrucker]

Originally Posted by pkaplan

On my Coachmen Leprechaun 260DS (Class C), the cold weather package comes with double (upper and lower) tank levers (and tank heaters and double pane windows) to help prevent liquids from the tanks freezing in the pipe between the tank and the discharge fitting. I don't know if this is the reason why you have two, just saying.

That makes sense too. I don't think I have a cold weather package though. The grey water valves are at the hose connection, far from the tanks.

[CaptnJohn]

Sounds like a mislabeled galley tank/black tank situation.

[otrtrucker]

Originally Posted by CaptnJohn

Sounds like a mislabeled galley tank/black tank situation.

Nope. The valves aren't labeled at all. The bottom of the tanks, as well as all of the drain piping is in plain view from underneath the unit.
As expensive as the MSRP is on my unit, it was built cheaply. Hanging wires, exposed wiring connections, no vent tubes on the fresh water tanks....

[markb422]

Originally Posted by pkaplan

On my Coachmen Leprechaun 260DS (Class C), the cold weather package comes with double (upper and lower) tank levers (and tank heaters and double pane windows) to help prevent liquids from the tanks freezing in the pipe between the tank and the discharge fitting. I don't know if this is the reason why you have two, just saying.

Same with our Coachmen. It has cold weather package and I know the two valves are to keep the pipe from freezing as it goes from one side of the MH all the way to the other and is exposed to the weather. Also, because it goes all the way across, it is probably not a good idea to let stuff build up in the pipe.