Gray lever vs Black lever: which is which? - Escape Trailer Owners Community
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Escape Trailer Owners Community > Escape Tech > Problem Solving | Owners helping each other
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 12-17-2015, 10:33 AM   #1
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Lynden, Washington
Trailer: 2013 17B
Posts: 36
Gray lever vs Black lever: which is which?

I have a 2013 17B. I am not sure which level to pull/close for the gray water and which one for the black water. Looking straight at both levers, I just noticed (after having the trailer for 2 and one-half years, one shorter lever (with a gray handle) is way under the trailer, and a longer level (with a black handle) is more or less in line with the bottom edge of the trailer frame.

So: which lever is for the BLACK (toilet) water release and which lever do I pull for the GRAY (sink/shower) water?

Thank you for your assistance. (I wish the Owner's Manual had a diagram and arrows to indicate different items on the inside and outside of the trailer. Oh well...at least we have this Forum.)
cyclopath is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2015, 10:38 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
thoer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Galesville, Wisconsin
Trailer: 2017 21 "Blue II" & 2017 Highlander XLE (previously 2010 17B "Blue" & 2008 Tacoma)
Posts: 4,232
The smaller pipe coming from toward the center of the trailer is the grey water one and the big pipe coming from the front is the black. Best practice is to pull the black first, let it drain, then the grey to clean out the stinky slinky.
__________________
Eric (and Mary who is in no way responsible for anything stupid I post)

"Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance." George Bernard Shaw
thoer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2015, 10:50 AM   #3
Senior Member
 
Patandlinda's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2013 19 Escape
Posts: 7,204
Quote:
Originally Posted by cyclopath View Post
I have a 2013 17B. I am not sure which level to pull/close for the gray water and which one for the black water. Looking straight at both levers, I just noticed (after having the trailer for 2 and one-half years, one shorter lever (with a gray handle) is way under the trailer, and a longer level (with a black handle) is more or less in line with the bottom edge of the trailer frame.

So: which lever is for the BLACK (toilet) water release and which lever do I pull for the GRAY (sink/shower) water?

Thank you for your assistance. (I wish the Owner's Manual had a diagram and arrows to indicate different items on the inside and outside of the trailer. Oh well...at least we have this Forum.)
If you look at the handles the grey tank handle is smaller then the black handle also . Pat
Patandlinda is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2015, 10:59 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
gbaglo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
The one furthest away is the grey water and should be pulled after you have pulled the one closer, emptied the black and closed the valve. This uses the ( usually soapy ) grey water to flush the slinky.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2015, 11:04 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SLO County, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21C 2019 Expedition
Posts: 5,210
No, which is why I deleted, but you quoted Mental dyslexia.
Rossue is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2015, 11:10 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
MyronL's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: ..., New Mexico
Trailer: 2013 Esc19/'14 Silvrado
Posts: 4,193
I'm guessing after two and a half years it's time to take a chance on one of them handles.
__________________
Myron
"A billion here, a billion there...add it all up and before you know it you're talking real money." Everett Dirkson
MyronL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2015, 11:27 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
Ron in BC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: North Van., British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19, sold; 2019 Escape 21, Sept. 2019
Posts: 8,743
Quote:
Originally Posted by MyronL View Post
I'm guessing after two and a half years it's time to take a chance on one of them handles.
Yah, and I was wondered how huge his tanks must be to go 2 1/2 years without dumping.

Ron
Ron in BC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2015, 11:29 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
escape artist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: St. Thomas not BVI., Ontario
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0TA / 2016 Ram Eco Diesel 4X4
Posts: 8,035
Hi: All... Ours are colour coded... but I never remember which one to pull!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
__________________
Quote Bugs Bunny..."Don't take life too seriously, none of us get out of it ALIVE"!!!
'16 Ram Eco D. 4X4 Laramie Longhorn CC & '14 Escape 5.0TA
St.Thomas (Not the Virgin Islands) Ontario
escape artist is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2015, 12:14 PM   #9
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Lynden, Washington
Trailer: 2013 17B
Posts: 36
Thanks. I have dumped many times, but I guess in the wrong order. (I NEVER go No. 2 in my toilet; I used the campground restroom.) Oh well...
cyclopath is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2015, 12:15 PM   #10
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Lynden, Washington
Trailer: 2013 17B
Posts: 36
Thanks! I think I got it correct now.
cyclopath is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2015, 12:16 PM   #11
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Lynden, Washington
Trailer: 2013 17B
Posts: 36
Thanks. I have been using the opposite handles. I hope I got it correct now.
cyclopath is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2015, 01:53 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
MyronL's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: ..., New Mexico
Trailer: 2013 Esc19/'14 Silvrado
Posts: 4,193
I keep this attachment permanently on my slinky. Grey water, yellow, or brown....helps me keep an eye on things if I get confused.
Attached Thumbnails
Slinky.jpg  
__________________
Myron
"A billion here, a billion there...add it all up and before you know it you're talking real money." Everett Dirkson
MyronL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2015, 02:13 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Patandlinda's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2013 19 Escape
Posts: 7,204
Quote:
Originally Posted by MyronL View Post
I keep this attachment permanently on my slinky. Grey water, yellow, or brown....helps me keep an eye on things if I get confused.
We have the same system Myron and we also have the little spring clamp on the hose holder.Great idea marking your handles . Pat
Patandlinda is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2015, 03:17 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
santacruzer's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Santa Cruz, California
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19
Posts: 755
Black handle for black tank, gray handle for gray tank...
__________________
2019 Tundra CrewMax Limited TRD 4WD
2014 Escape 19
santacruzer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2015, 03:46 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
Patandlinda's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Ventura County, California
Trailer: 2013 19 Escape
Posts: 7,204
Quote:
Originally Posted by santacruzer View Post
Black handle for black tank, gray handle for gray tank...
That's what I always thought but the grey handle is smaller which gets my attention first as while seeing the smaller pipes Pat
Patandlinda is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2015, 04:06 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
gbaglo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
Large handle - lumps.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2015, 05:28 PM   #17
Site Team
 
rbryan4's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Canyon Lake, Texas
Trailer: 2015 19 "Past Tents", 2021 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB
Posts: 10,222
Color coding is your friend.
__________________
"You can't buy happiness, but you can buy an RV. And that is pretty close."
rbryan4 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2015, 05:43 PM   #18
Senior Member
 
Iowa Dave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Benton County, Iowa
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 Classic Number 6, pulled by 2018 Toyota Highlander
Posts: 8,234
Color coding by handle plastic works well Until the handles are both replaced with identical units. Both of mine had one side of the "T" broken off from road debris somewhere along the line so I put replacements on that were identical. When I work on the trailer, I get tired sometimes so I take a little nap under the trailer in the building where it is stored. I like the feel of the cold concrete on a hot day. And the secondary benefit as I'm contemplating a nap is a frame and tank inspection so I have always had a good handle on the handles. It's good to look over the strapping, propane runs, electric cable to the brakes and other amenities while under there too.
Dave
Iowa Dave is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2015, 06:18 PM   #19
Senior Member
 
Ron in BC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: North Van., British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19, sold; 2019 Escape 21, Sept. 2019
Posts: 8,743
Quote:
Originally Posted by Iowa Dave View Post
I get tired sometimes so I take a little nap under the trailer in the building where it is stored. I like the feel of the cold concrete on a hot day.
Dave
OK, next time I'm out lounging on my deck in my zero gravity chair underneath a canopy of grape leaves I'll try real hard not to be envious of you laying on the cold concrete.

Clear sewer hose: eck, no thanks, there are some things I don't need to know.

Tools: then there are those of us who carry complete sets of both imperial and metric sockets and wrenches.

Ron
Ron in BC is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2015, 06:29 PM   #20
Senior Member
 
Iowa Dave's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Benton County, Iowa
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 Classic Number 6, pulled by 2018 Toyota Highlander
Posts: 8,234
Socket sets

I could carry my double set of S K's but then I'd have to lose another 15 lbs. or shorten up the beer ration and right now I can't see doing either. Trailer and driver weights in the Real World. Poor Highlander ain't got a chance.
Dave
Iowa Dave is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off




» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Escape Trailer Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:44 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2023 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.