Grey Tank Lever is Gone

[Midsouth]

Hi ya'll,
I have a RV neighbor who just told me that she was bathing her granddaughter and water started coming up from the drain in the shower. She told me that she has a plumber coming out tomorrow to find out why. I asked her if she had opened her grey tank and she said there is no lever to it--this is a 2008 cougar travel trailer and she just bought it 3 weeks ago. She has her daughter and granddaughter with her and I felt bad that it may be a simple solution that may not require a plumber$$$. Any ideas on how to open the grey tank if the lever is missing? I did ask her whether she could use a pair of pliers and she said she tried, but could not get it open. Any help would be appreciated!

[LJowdy]

If the valve is the same as the rest of the ones used by the RV industry, you can buy a replacement "T" handle at most RV supply stores. In the mean time, there's a threaded rod that actually pulls open the valve, You can put a pair of pliers or vise grips on the threads and pull the rod straight out, that will open the valve. That valve is located, usually where the sewer hose connect or in some cases up stream from the sewer hose connections. (Some trailers are built that way)

[rk911]

did you actually look or just taking her word for it? on my buddy's last TT there were 2 gray tanks and 2 separate dump valves. beyond that the advice you received about replacement T handles is excellent although I'd wrap the threads in a cloth before applying a pair of pliers or vice grips to the threads.

[Midsouth]

Originally Posted by rk911

did you actually look or just taking her word for it? on my buddy's last TT there were 2 gray tanks and 2 separate dump valves. beyond that the advice you received about replacement T handles is excellent although I'd wrap the threads in a cloth before applying a pair of pliers or vice grips to the threads.

haha-. No, I didn't think to actually look at it and I did just take her word. She's gone now and I'll wait until she gets back and go take a look at it.

[drdarrin]

It’s there someplace. My second is just an aluminum rod next to the drain hose. Others have been found between the tires and all kinds of screwy places. You’ll find it.

[Midsouth]

so, she came back and we figured out that she has one grey tank 33 gallons and it was closed when we use the pair of pliers and opened it. So that was solved. But then realize that there was a leak in her hot water heater. Maybe that is something the plumber can help with. Thanks a lot for your help

[USMCRET]

She would be better off to call a mobile rv tech IMHO.

[keymastr]

Leak in the water heater is probably just the anode rod needs some Teflon tape. Might as well drain the tank and see if the anode needs replacing while you are at it.

[F4Gary]

You don't call a plumber to fix an RV.

[TonyDi]

The recommendation to get a mobile RV tech is well founded.

[Midsouth]

Originally Posted by F4Gary

You don't call a plumber to fix an RV.

Yeah... I thought that but....but I didn't want to impose��. The plumber is here and said the tank is rusted thru.