Gray tank draining

[MVA]

Forum,

After 4 years with our E19, there are some design decisions made by ETI I would change, but only one major design flaw comes to mind. The gray tank drains from the side, not the bottom. In addition the tank has a 1 1/2" drain pipe. Hence, it does not drain fully, and it drains slowly. I do not believe one can install a drain at the bottom of the tank given how low the tank is installed; am I incorrect?

Modifications that you have made to solve this problem would be helpful.

Thanks

[Jim Bennett]

A drain or the bottom would be prone to getting hit.

The tank drains fine until nearer the end then slows down. I either leave the last bit, wait for it to drain more, or elevate the passenger side a few inches when draining. I mostly do the latter.

[kernwig]

I'm thinking another strap around the middle where it likes to bulge would help too. Probably too late once the bulge is already there though.

[rubicon327]

I followed the lead of a few others and increased the gray line drain to 2”. Drains nicely. Couple this with elevating the passenger side on a block and drains even better.
https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post284492

[MVA]

Jim - I agree with you comment (#2) that adding a "bottom drain" is only asking for it to be ripped off going down the road.
Rubicon327 - I had seen the older posts on gray tank drain upgrades. It was not clear how much that increased ability to dump the gray tank since it appeared that the modified gray tank drain was the same size as OEM up to the gate valve; i.e., your third pic named B44AF211-5A5D-4267-9C45-C38128A79E80.jpg. What am I missing?

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by MVA

Rubicon327 - I had seen the older posts on gray tank drain upgrades. It was not clear how much that increased ability to dump the gray tank since it appeared that the modified gray tank drain was the same size as OEM up to the gate valve; i.e., your third pic named B44AF211-5A5D-4267-9C45-C38128A79E80.jpg. What am I missing?

Some did keep the same pipe size but just rearranged for both valves to face forward. My set up also increased the gray line from 1-1/2” to 2” starting at the tank with an eccentric fitting to 3” gate valve.

[RangerMan]

I seem to remember tdf-tx doing a mod of some sort on the grey tank drain. Can't remember when. There were pics as I recall and it looked effective.

[rubicon327]

Originally Posted by RangerMan

I seem to remember tdf-tx doing a mod of some sort on the grey tank drain. Can't remember when. There were pics as I recall and it looked effective.

He provided some details of his install on a 21 in the same thread I linked earlier. Here is a direct link to one of his posts with some pictures:
https://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f...tml#post275426

[MVA]

rubicon327 - I have done a number of mods (solar, LiFePO4, etc.) but I have not touched the tanks beyond changing out the dump valves (they leaked). I have read where the seal between the drain pipes and the tanks have cracked; not good. Do you know what the concerns are working on the tanks and how the drain pipes are affixed to the tanks?

[Iowa Dave]

Like others I never get Too concerned about leaving some grey water in the tank but I do usually chase the grey with some leftover fresh water. On winterizing day I pull the trailer up my driveway an drive off the edge a little and drain that “fresh” grey water. Did this on the 19 too.
Hope that helps at least at the end of the season. While camped I have “decanted” grey water and used a bucket to put it in the black tank, in campground grey or dump station drains or in the toilet in a flush restroom.
Iowa Dave

[Defenestrator]

Honestly, I'd say the gray tank drain speed is fairly average for an RV. It's similar to my Bigfoot. The black tank in the E19 is mounted high and has a particularly direct path to the drain, so it empties really fast.

[sofmerc]

is it only the 19 that has this issue, or all the models?

[Jim Bennett]

Originally Posted by sofmerc

is it only the 19 that has this issue, or all the models?

All models drain slow near the end of the dump.

While there is a wee bit of something to deal with regarding the last of the grey tank draining, I really have never felt it a problem, only a minor issue to deal with.

[sofmerc]

Originally Posted by Jim Bennett

All models drain slow near the end of the dump.

While there is a wee bit of something to deal with regarding the last of the grey tank draining, I really have never felt it a problem, only a minor issue to deal with.

Thanx Jim, sounds like nothing to worry about... I have many other issues to worry about, lol