Community Forums

RvRenterCA · 05-30-2019, 09:39 PM

Hi everybody! I am brand new to the RV life, as I have just started renting out a 1989 Jamboree Rallye, which has been parked and (semi)converted into a studio apartment. I have so far had very few issues with my new home, except that my grey water tank is not draining. I opened the slide valve after attaching the hose and.... nothing. No smell, no drip, as if nothing was opened. So i removed my hose and used a flexible probe about 2 feet long and put it up the pipe, hoping to dislodge any plastic piece or anything like that which might be blocking the drain. I did notice that the valve DOES open, because i removed the probe and closed it, and again tried to insert the probe and it would only go about an inch into the pipe. I am assuming this means the tanks outlet itself is clogged and nothing can even get to the drain pipe. My meter is now reading the tank as full, and I am worried to do dishes and end up with a water backup problem.

Does anybody have ANY suggestions on how I might clear the drain, maybe a chemical of some type I can put in there, though my tank is now full, or some other method of clearing the pipe.

Side note: even accessing the valve system is very difficult as my new home is parked with only about 8 inches of clearance between the fence and the motorhome. So I'm really hoping for a chemical I can use so I don't have to spend any more time crammed in that tiny space than necessary.

Edit: I just want to clarify that the motorhome can not be driven with the methods used to convert it into an apartment. It has been coated in sheet metal and has a roof top garden, and supposedly does run, but can not be easily driven in any sense.

Arch Hoagland · 05-30-2019, 09:48 PM

https://www.lowes.com/pd/general-wir...CABEgJ_2vD_BwE

I would try one of these.

I don't think adding a drain cleaner at this time would be a good idea.

RV-Writer · 05-30-2019, 09:53 PM

I would not trust the meters. Mine show full when empty sometimes. Open the valve then have someone turn on the water in the sink and see if water comes out

Old-Biscuit · 05-30-2019, 09:59 PM

Valve closed and probe would only go about an INCH up pipe?
THAT would mean valve is right at end of pipe.......

Typically Black tank drain pipe and Grey Tank drain pipe come together and drain thru common header.

Valves should be further up on separate tank drain lines prior to the common drain header.

Really does sound like Grey Tank drain valve is NOT opening.
(tank cutout discs have been left in tanks during construction and can block tank outlet but this is a 30 year old RV....disc would have been an issue LONG time ago)

MSHappyCampers · 05-31-2019, 11:14 AM

Hi ! Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

The only chemical I can suggest is the Happy Camper Extreme tank treatment. You can get it on Amazon.

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

MingusPirate · 05-31-2019, 11:21 AM

Our guess agrees with Old-Biscuit, that you are opening the "safety" valve at the end of the pipes. This valve was put in to keep you from getting a face full when you open the end cap to attach the 4" line to the camp ground sewer.

Follow the pipe up and you will probably find two more valves; one for black and one for gray.