Forum Discussion

Jedidad's avatar
Jedidad
Explorer
Feb 01, 2022

Black Tank Valve/Discharge Under Coach Rather Than In A Bay?

Looking at an '08 Coachmen 2310QB and I see that the black tank valve and discharge outlet is hanging underneath the coach rather than inside a compartment like others I've seen. My concern is how vulnerable it looks to being busted by something. Like backing into a parking space and hitting it on the curb or driving over a big rock while boondocking, etc.

Am I being concerned needlessly? Thanks.
Class C
  • BurbMan's avatar
    BurbMan
    Explorer II
    Feb 01, 2022
    Every trailer we've had has that dump valve arrangement. Yes, in theory you could bump it into something and cause a problem, but I've never had a problem. If you're reasonably careful you'll be fine.
  • toedtoes's avatar
    toedtoes
    Explorer III
    Feb 01, 2022
    My 47 year old rig is like that and I've never had a problem and both were original to the rig when I bought it. In most cases, it is far enough forward from the back bumper that it won't be hit easily, and they are at the same or slightly higher point as the bottom of the tank so if you hit them, you've hit your black tank too.
  • opnspaces's avatar
    opnspaces
    Navigator II
    Feb 01, 2022
    Probably all toy haulers and bumper pull and 5th wheel trailers have this arrangement. I would also bet that 70 - 80 percent of class C's also have this arrangement.
  • Sandia_Man's avatar
    Sandia_Man
    Explorer II
    Feb 01, 2022
    Never known anybody to have issues with clearance due to this arrangement, that rig you are interested in is 15 years old and black tank outlet it is still intact. With that age of motorized RV there are more critical areas to be concerned about, with 100s of thousands of RVs with that arrangement for dumping it is really a non issue for the vast majority.
  • bukhrn's avatar
    bukhrn
    Explorer III
    Feb 01, 2022
    Every Class C I've seen (including mine) have this arrangement, the only RV's I've seen with the dump in a Bay, are Class A's, I suppose there may be others.
    As far as boondocking, this is the very reason I don't do it, fear of ripping something off, dump valve, main exhaust tail pipe, Generator exhaust pipe, at 9 1/2 inches of ground clearance, and a few other low hanging items.
  • bobndot's avatar
    bobndot
    Explorer II
    Feb 01, 2022
    Be careful if you back into a parking spot with a curb.
  • ItsyRV's avatar
    ItsyRV
    Explorer
    Feb 01, 2022
    With rare exception, I've always seen Class C's valves under the body, not in any compartment.

    The main issues will be if you're dragging or plowing the rear. In that case, you could damage the valves and pipes but it may be the only way to get out of the bogged down mess you'll be in.

    Also as bobndot said, watch those parking curbs when backing.
  • Jedidad's avatar
    Jedidad
    Explorer
    Feb 01, 2022
    bukhrn wrote:
    Every Class C I've seen (including mine) have this arrangement, the only RV's I've seen with the dump in a Bay, are Class A's...


    Ah, you're right. I've been primarily looking at Class A's recently.

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