Gray tank problem

[firedoc]

My gray tank ( I believe it is about 45 gal) has started draining slowly. It used to be that when I pulled the valve there was this big whoosh and the 3 in drain would fill with water (or whatever) as I could see it drain through the clear section. Now it only drains at about 1/4 volume and takes a long time to drain. This was not a gradual change, it happened suddenly. I can hear a gurgling sound in the tank as it drains. I can't believe something large got down one of the sink or shower lines but it sure sounds like something is partially blocking the exit. If there is something in the tank how do you get it out? Anything else it could be?
Thanks

[fishinfool]

I recently had a problem where the gray tank was clogged and would not drain. Tried to get a snake in there from the drain, but was unsuccessful. Finally disconnected the sewer hose, opened the grey valve and shot water from a hose with nozzle back through the system. It worked and everything came out, but it was tough holding the sewer hose in place. I recently purchased this MH from a previuos owner and don't know what all got into the tank, but there was a lage amount of decomposed plant type matter that came out when cleared. Good luck to you.

[GENECOP]

Check the vents....

["007"]

Your vent as mentioned may have dropped into tank or your vent could be plugged.
You may have a old cutout from the holding tank that dropped into tank during the build of coach also.

[bdpreece]

I can't see any posts where you tell the year of your coach or how long you have had it, so don't know if this would apply. My son had his coach about 3 months when something similar happened to him. We removed the slinky and use a coat hanger that we bent a hook on the end and ran it up into the grey tank. We ended up pulling out a round piece of plastic that had dropped into the tank probably when they drilled the hole for the vent. Sure glad it wasn't the black tank as it got a little messy.

[Ray,IN]

I suspect you might have success using a Camco RV Dual Flush valve. This will allow you to clear the blockage enough to drain the tank, but the root cause should be determined and eliminated afterward.

[preston56]

i had a split grey/black wastewater tank fall off of a fifth wheel triler because the system got clogged,when i drained the tank the only thing to come out was the liquid,the waste built up on the walls of the tank and dried,the trailer was being used as a fulltimer residence,very very messy,but learned a hard lesson.if you look at your holding tanks as a septic system instead of holding tanks you will be far ahead of most other people,the other post have explained somewhat how to clear a clog,and after you solve the problem,with a coathanger or stick you can determine what caused the problem,usually the gate valves are the culprit,they dont close and open as they should,usually lubed with wd40 or something like that,they make some lubes especially for the tank use those,if your problem persists,drive it to the store and buy 3 or 4- 20 lb bags of ice,put inyour grey and black water tanks along with some water,just enough to ccover the tank about 3-4 inches and go drive your hm on some rough roads fo about 30-40 minutes,the ice will beat against the walls of the tanks and break the waste loose,once your tanks are clean you need to get some holding tank bacteria builder,acup of that stuff in your black water tank should be enough,along with the water thats in there and thw waste will start bacteria to grow ,which is good,bacteria will eat the waste much like in a sewer system.learn not yo use chemicals in your system,it kills the bacteria,once you have mastered this process,you wont need any chemicals even in hot summer,when you dump your waste system youll need to add a little more of the bacteria builder.i cant remember what the name of it is,but you can find it online and most koa campgrounds.muuucccch better

[RickO]

I think on most rigs it can be pretty tough to get ice into the grey tank.

Rick