Grey tank drain line separation

[Telescopist]

Originally Posted by davidmurphy02

I don't recall hardly ever hearing about leaking gray tank connections until recently, and most of the cases seem to be 2019 or 2020 units. Sure seems like something must have changed last year - the basic design and routing of the pipes hasn't changed. I wonder if it could be something as simple as a different sealant on the pipe fittings, or someone new on the production line who just wasn't doing a great job and messed up a few? Hopefully the overall number of trailers having this problem is still fairly small, but there are enough reports of the issue now to indicate something more than just a one-off problem.

I just went through my phone records. First contact with Escape about the leak was on August 18th. I distinctly remember that the 'parts and service specialist' said that my reporting of a leak was the first incident he had heard about. Now all of a sudden there is this mini pandemic of plumbing problems with the gray water tank system. Seems odd they all are popping up at the same time let alone that mine was the first he had been notified about.

[steve dunham]

Male adaptors are notorious for cracking / breaking where the threads join the body of the fitting
If you look at many electrical services where the PVC conduit enters the meter socket the threaded portion is broken off from the fitting
Male adaptors are a poor choice for a connection subject to vibration, such as in a travel trailer
The addition of Mission couplings to absorb vibration , expansion and avoid strain on the fittings would be appropriate IMHO

My Black tank leaked where the 3” ABS male adaptor attached to the hub of the black tank

Escape may know how to build travel trailers but plumbers / electricians they ain’t “

[tdf-texas]

Originally Posted by steve dunham

The addition of Mission couplings to absorb vibration , expansion and avoid strain on the fittings would be appropriate IMHO “

I agree with your statement - but I had to look up what a "Mission coupling" was. I didn't know that Mission is a brand name that makes rubber couplings!

The one I have used with good success is a 1-1/2 in. x 1-1/2 in. DWV Flexible PVC Coupling. Holds up to UV better than rubber.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Fernco-1...-150/100058870

[steve dunham]

Originally Posted by tdf-texas

I agree with your statement - but I had to look up what a "Mission coupling" was. I didn't know that Mission is a brand name that makes rubber couplings!

The one I have used with good success is a 1-1/2 in. x 1-1/2 in. DWV Flexible PVC Coupling. Holds up to UV better than rubber.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Fernco-1...-150/100058870

I have often wondered that if Escape would spin weld a hub with a short nipple of pipe to the tank , installed a Mission coupling on the tank nipple and then changed to ABS piping if that would work better
If you installed Mission couplings, you could easily remove the drain piping to make repairs and clear clogs without having to cut and glue

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by steve dunham

I have often wondered that if Escape would spin weld a hub with a short nipple of pipe to the tank , installed a Mission coupling on the tank nipple and then changed to ABS piping if that would work better
If you installed Mission couplings, you could easily remove the drain piping to make repairs and clear clogs without having to cut and glue

It's an interesting idea, but I've never seen an RV tank (or similar for other applications) with a welded nipple attached - I think the concern would be that the nipple would be too easily broken off. The spin-welded bushing with male threaded adapter works, and wouldn't be prone to breakage if a flexible coupling were used right after the threaded joint. The male threaded part could even be an ABS nipple, instead of an ABS hub and glued-in pipe, to keep leverage to a minimum. ABS elbows with a male thread on one end and plain (which would accept a flexible coupling) on the other end are available is a turn is needed immediately outside of the tank.

[MTSuz]

Add us to the list.

We have a 2019 19'er that we took possession of in August 2019. Yesterday we filled the grey and black tanks to clean them out. This resulted in a leak from the grey tank.

The tank was filled via a hose going into the kitchen sink. When the monitor registered as full but before I could get the hose turned off, I noticed we had grey water backing up into the shower through its drain.

No biggie, I thought, until I saw water dripping out from under the trailer. A steady drip coming down under the step. We have spray foam underneath so I couldn't see where the leak originated, but it travelled down the foam from the upper front corner of the grey tank on the door side, generally from where the foam meets the trailer frame. The dripping stopped once we drained the tank.

I'll be in touch with Escape to let them know and to make a plan for repair.

[Telescopist]

Originally Posted by MTSuz

Add us to the list.

We have a 2019 19'er that we took possession of in August 2019. Yesterday we filled the grey and black tanks to clean them out. This resulted in a leak from the grey tank.

The tank was filled via a hose going into the kitchen sink. When the monitor registered as full but before I could get the hose turned off, I noticed we had grey water backing up into the shower through its drain.

No biggie, I thought, until I saw water dripping out from under the trailer. A steady drip coming down under the step. We have spray foam underneath so I couldn't see where the leak originated, but it travelled down the foam from the upper front corner of the grey tank on the door side, generally from where the foam meets the trailer frame. The dripping stopped once we drained the tank.

I'll be in touch with Escape to let them know and to make a plan for repair.

Welcome to my world. Please let us know a) if Escape has finally come up with a specific plan to repair the leak short of hauling the trailer 2880 miles to their facility. b) please let us know if you come up with a plan of your own to fix the leak in light of the fact that the gray tank and practically everything else except for the wheels are embedded in this foam. I'll buy you a case of beer if you come up with a workable solution.

The pat response from Escape so far is to 'Take the trailer to an RV dealer. Have them give you an estimate. Contact us and we will present the estimate to upper management.' One iteration of this advice is to 'get the leak repaired. Pay for the repairs and submit the repair invoice to Escape.'

Thanks!

[Dcboyd]

Originally Posted by rjreeves

Hi all. My ABS drain line has separated from the grey tank. This is on a 2019 21' with 2,500 miles on the axles. I'm having a difficult time determining what the original design called for here and what the parts used were. Not really sure if something is broken, decoupled, incorrectly installed or what. The opaque white flange-like piece with the tabs seems to indicate a twist-and-lock type approach with caulking as an extra precaution but as I said, it's just not clear to me what the design was or cure should be here. Any advice about how to repair/upgrade this problem would be greatly appreciated. As usual I've searched the archives but can't find anything relevant. Thanks in advance.

Could you post a pict of 5he p-trap configuration under the bath drain? I have seen some that is extremely difficult to repair or even remove.

[Dcboyd]

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Let us know what Escape's response is.........

To date there have been no responses to the additional strapping. Sales manager said she would resubmit request again to production.

[DanandDaphne]

Originally Posted by MTSuz

Add us to the list.

We have a 2019 19'er that we took possession of in August 2019. Yesterday we filled the grey and black tanks to clean them out. This resulted in a leak from the grey tank.

The tank was filled via a hose going into the kitchen sink. When the monitor registered as full but before I could get the hose turned off, I noticed we had grey water backing up into the shower through its drain.

No biggie, I thought, until I saw water dripping out from under the trailer. A steady drip coming down under the step. We have spray foam underneath so I couldn't see where the leak originated, but it travelled down the foam from the upper front corner of the grey tank on the door side, generally from where the foam meets the trailer frame. The dripping stopped once we drained the tank.

I'll be in touch with Escape to let them know and to make a plan for repair.

It looks like us too. I just did the same thing filling the grey tank with a hose at the kitchen sink. The water backed up in the shower floor, I didn't see water dripping out right away but after a while the water in the shower went down and soon after it started dripping out by the front step.
Our trailer was finished late November 2018 and we also have spray foam.

I was thinking that corn cob blasting might be an effective way to remove the spray foam to let you drop the tank to make repairs. If you aren't familiar with corn cob blasting it works like sand blasting but is much less aggressive. They use it for log home restoration.

We haven't used our trailer very much and we have never had the grey tank all the way full before. This could have gone unnoticed for a long time, I'm glad this came up as our warranty is expiring soon. I guess I should check the black tank as well.

[SWCO]

Originally Posted by DanandDaphne

It looks like us too. I just did the same thing filling the grey tank with a hose at the kitchen sink. The water backed up in the shower floor, I didn't see water dripping out right away but after a while the water in the shower went down and soon after it started dripping out by the front step.
Our trailer was finished late November 2018 and we also have spray foam.

I was thinking that corn cob blasting might be an effective way to remove the spray foam to let you drop the tank to make repairs. If you aren't familiar with corn cob blasting it works like sand blasting but is much less aggressive. They use it for log home restoration.

We haven't used our trailer very much and we have never had the grey tank all the way full before. This could have gone unnoticed for a long time, I'm glad this came up as our warranty is expiring soon. I guess I should check the black tank as well.

In terms of further narrowing down or identifying when these problems (plumbing changes?) begin as a pattern: We picked up our 2017 (January build) in July 2018 (factory display). Pulled about 4,000 miles that year, 7,000 + miles in 2019, less than 1,000 in 2020. Today I filled the grey tank to cover about half the surface area of the shower pan (trailer not quite level) and left it three hours. Water never went down, no leaks apparent (we have foam); good news. Though I notice from another thread today we have no exterior access if we have furnace issues. Not great.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by DanandDaphne

I was thinking that corn cob blasting might be an effective way to remove the spray foam to let you drop the tank to make repairs. If you aren't familiar with corn cob blasting it works like sand blasting but is much less aggressive.

That's a excellent possibility. If the media is suitable, you would probably still need to keep the nozzle well away from the tank to avoid heat damage. Of course a test on a similar plastic sample would be appropriate.

[Dcboyd]

Originally Posted by Dcboyd

To date there have been no responses to the additional strapping. Sales manager said she would resubmit request again to production.

Their answer:
Quote.
Unfortunately, at this time they will not be able to undertake either one of these modifications for you.

[tdf-texas]

Originally Posted by Dcboyd

Their answer:
Quote.
Unfortunately, at this time they will not be able to undertake either one of these modifications for you.

No problem unless you are getting the spray foam. Adding the necessary support brackets and piping decoupling is easy and can be done with little cost.

It would be great if Escape would take heed of the issues that have been discovered over time by owners. But I wouldn't hold my breath waiting on it.

Production over quality seems to be their latest moto.

[cpaharley2008]

New owners, new motto.....

[Dcboyd]

Originally Posted by tdf-texas

No problem unless you are getting the spray foam. Adding the necessary support brackets and piping decoupling is easy and can be done with little cost.

It would be great if Escape would take heed of the issues that have been discovered over time by owners. But I wouldn't hold my breath waiting on it.

Production over quality seems to be their latest moto.

I understand. They indicated they “may” do the Hepvo Valve in lieu of the P-trap. That would be a big help. There will be no foam. Thought about it for about 10 seconds, then realized you are really screwed doing repairs.

[tdf-texas]

Originally Posted by Dcboyd

I understand. They indicated they “may” do the Hepvo Valve in lieu of the P-trap. That would be a big help. There will be no foam. Thought about it for about 10 seconds, then realized you are really screwed doing repairs.

If they will install the Hepvo, that would be a great help. With the shower trap directly glued to the drain tee, removing the trap is doable but difficult.

Also, the Hepvo will give the piping a flex point due to the conversion from ABS to SJ fittings to install it. That alone should be enough to prevent the threaded fitting on the grey tank from breaking due to stress but I would still install a rubber coupling at the grey tank fitting just to make sure.

[Dcboyd]

Originally Posted by tdf-texas

If they will install the Hepvo, that would be a great help. With the shower trap directly glued to the drain tee, removing the trap is doable but difficult.

Also, the Hepvo will give the piping a flex point due to the conversion from ABS to SJ fittings to install it. That alone should be enough to prevent the threaded fitting on the grey tank from breaking due to stress but I would still install a rubber coupling at the grey tank fitting just to make sure.

Today ETI agreed to the install of the Hepvo valve in lieu of the P-trap for the grey tank. All I need to do is send it to them which I shall do.

[tdf-texas]

Originally Posted by Dcboyd

Today ETI agreed to the install of the Hepvo valve in lieu of the P-trap for the grey tank. All I need to do is send it to them which I shall do.

[DanandDaphne]

I talked to Dustin about our leaky connection and he has started a warranty ticket. He asked me where it was leaking, and from where the water drips out it is most likely the kitchen sink inlet. He sent me a pdf instructions for the grey tank fix.

I can see where this might be a first step to try and unthread the fitting from above but but if the fitting is just cracked it's probably going to break off and then we won't be able to use the kitchen sink.