Need help with Black 1 and Grey 1 tanks (getting the valves to open to drain them)

[Cconger318]

2020 Forest River Wildwood Heritage Glen Elite 36 FL...Where are the actual valves/valve gates? The black 1 and grey 1 tanks are full when I go to pull on these handles (located in the convenience center), I get very little to no movement. The sensors still show full. The underbelly in fully enclosed, so I can’t see what is happening when I pull/ and or push on the handles. I need help. Can anyone help me?

[ependydad]

You can't trust the sensors. They are notoriously bad at their job. Like, we just simply don't use them. We have learned over time that the black tank can last us about a week and the gray needs done every other day (or more when we run the washer/dryer).

Second, get yourself a clear elbow to connect to your sewer outlet. This will let you see what water is running through from the camper to the sewer. This is useful in knowing when the tank is done letting water out or not.

And finally, look under the camper the full length of it. You may very well find another pair of handles - I'm guessing you have at least 2 gray tanks and 1 or 2 black tanks with my guess being 2. These are often tucked up under the side of the camper (where you literally have to get down on the ground and look up) or even hidden behind/around the tires. Most RV designers need punched in their fat heads when it comes to tank handle locations.

Worst case, you might need to reach out to Forest River/Heritage Glen directly for help on where the valve handles are:
https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/conta...gionSelected=1

[5picker]

The valves themselves on models like you showed in the photo are usually up under the underbelly and the handles are attached to a cable that goes up underneath between the handle and the blade valve.

There are LOTS of reports of the cables binding from being kinked or misrouted (Even from the factory) not allowing the valve to operate properly.

As ependydad mentioned, the use of a clear elbow or extension will let you know if anything actually comes out the sewer drain when moving the handles. Pulling them out is open and pushing them in is closed.

[Cconger318]

Thanks guys, we got home from work today, I was finally able to get the valve handles to pull all the way out and drain those tanks! I guess they just needed a couple days of heat behind the skirting. I’m so relieved!

[5picker]

Originally Posted by Cconger318

Thanks guys, we got home from work today, I was finally able to get the valve handles to pull all the way out and drain those tanks! I guess they just needed a couple days of heat behind the skirting. I’m so relieved!

So you are saying they were frozen from cold weather?

That bit of information might have helped.

[Sunflower0527]

Don't forget about the two valves underneath the kitchen slide, as far we can tell, one is for the black tank for the 1/2 bath and one for the kitchen sink.

[Sunflower0527]

Originally Posted by ependydad

You can't trust the sensors. They are notoriously bad at their job. Like, we just simply don't use them. We have learned over time that the black tank can last us about a week and the gray needs done every other day (or more when we run the washer/dryer).

Just curious why you wouldn't just keep your gray tank open? Are you not hooked up to sewer?

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by Sunflower0527

Just curious why you wouldn't just keep your gray tank open? Are you not hooked up to sewer?

I generally do keep my tanks open unless I’m at a non-sewer site. I usually start with them closed because I don’t think to open them when I first get setup.

I also have friends who are staunchly against leaving their gray valves open as they’ve gotten sewer flies before. Apparently that only takes once.

And some folks on the forum are against it due to the potential to be venting the campground sewer system through their tank (air travels up the hose, through the tank, and then up the tank’s vent).

[clanthon]

My black tank handle was nearly impossible to open and close. I removed the cable, lubricated it and thought that was the issue but nope. Ordered another (correct length) cable, installed it and what a difference! It was easy to install using the printed instructions and watching videos.BTW, before realizing that the cable was the issue, I tried removing the valve and was unable to move it at all.

[eaglecrest]

Had same problem on my 18 Cedar Creek. Had them replaced and now work just fine.

[Oaklevel]

Originally Posted by Sunflower0527

Just curious why you wouldn't just keep your gray tank open? Are you not hooked up to sewer?

I'm in the camp of always keeping my grey tanks and black tanks closed except to empty.

[kenandterry]

Originally Posted by Oaklevel

I'm in the camp of always keeping my grey tanks and black tanks closed except to empty.

I agree with Oaklevel because........in an RV, these are holding tanks, not septic or storage tanks.

They empty themselves best with the VOLUME of liquids WANTING to empty through the water gates and sewer hose. Whoooooosh!

[5picker]

Originally Posted by kenandterry

I agree with Oaklevel because........in an RV, these are holding tanks, not septic or storage tanks.

They empty themselves best with the VOLUME of liquids WANTING to empty through the water gates and sewer hose. Whoooooosh!

Exactly.

Leaving them open allows the liquid to drain off leaving food particles and scum behind.

Dumping any tank is best done in one fell WOOSH!