Forum Discussion

netdefilr's avatar
netdefilr
Explorer
Jun 24, 2013

Grey water tank leak

Hello all,

I had a grey water tank issue on my last trip. The spot that I had parked at was more rustic and probably more for tent campers so the ground wasn't level. I tried my best to level the camper and it seemed to be OK.

The next day, late in the day apparently the grey water tank began leaking. The previous trip the grey & black had been dumped completely. But there had been 2 showers taken and minimal use of the sinks. The concern is its not a drip every now and then it was a couple of spots it would drip almost continuously. When we left again, we drained both the black and grey tanks.

Is there an overflow that we could have been reaching due to it not being level? It's manual levelers and I use a drill on them. But I don't have the manual rod for making this taller than what I can do with a socket wrench, I haven't found one to buy one yet.

It's a 2006 Salem 20FB.

Thanks,
Tim
  • bartlettj's avatar
    bartlettj
    Explorer
    Jun 25, 2013
    netdefilr wrote:


    Is there an overflow that we could have been reaching due to it not being level? It's manual levelers and I use a drill on them. But I don't have the manual rod for making this taller than what I can do with a socket wrench, I haven't found one to buy one yet.

    It's a 2006 Salem 20FB.

    Thanks,
    Tim


    Those aren't levelers, they are stabilizers. If you are using them to level the trailer, you can bend the frame. Use leveling blocks or boards to level your trailer at the tires, then just the jacks to keep the trailer from rocking when you are inside it.
  • Oaklevel's avatar
    Oaklevel
    Explorer
    Jun 24, 2013
    "Is there an overflow that we could have been reaching due to it not being level? It's manual levelers and I use a drill on them. But I don't have the manual rod for making this taller than what I can do with a socket wrench, I haven't found one to buy one yet."

    The stabilizers on the corners are not for leveling.... To level side to side pull the low side of the trailer onto blocks or wood enough to level (chock wheels)..... front to back level with the front jack......... The corner stabilizers are only to help to keep the trailer from shaking..........
    Good Luck finding your leak as before probably a connection somewhere.....

    Enjoy..........
  • rockhillmanor's avatar
    rockhillmanor
    Explorer
    Jun 24, 2013
    There are 4 bolts that hold in each valve blade. Check around those bolts. The sewage lines coming down to the main opening are suspended and where those bolts go thru the plastic take a beating going down the road.

    I thought I needed a a new valve blade because it was dripping a little leak. When mobile RV came out to replace them he showed me where the bolts were, the plastic was cracked. We looked at the other side and those too had cracks around the bolt. That's were the small leak was coming from.

    When we went to loosen the bolts to get the blade out the plastic around the bolt actually broke off. Had to replace the whole lines.
  • brulaz's avatar
    brulaz
    Explorer
    Jun 24, 2013
    netdefilr wrote:
    Inside the camper, I could not detect any leaks.
    Outside the camper, I saw the grey tank and it looked like the leaks were happening above it having the water fall on the side of the tank. But I can't say for sure which connection is causing this.

    I called General RV's service. While the lady wasn't a tech she did mention it could have been the overflow on this tank because of the level.

    Is there a way to test this tank while at home before going out again?


    Oh yes, my only overflow situation was with my black tank. That was ugly but at least it didn't back up into the trailer. So maybe a leaky top fitting is good thing! (For me, not the neighbours ...)

    If you know the tank size and you've the trailer level in your driveway, try filling it up with known quantity of water. See when it overflows. I wouldn't worry if it's a leaky top fitting. Just be cautious about leveling the trailer and over-filling in the future.
  • netdefilr's avatar
    netdefilr
    Explorer
    Jun 24, 2013
    Inside the camper, I could not detect any leaks.
    Outside the camper, I saw the grey tank and it looked like the leaks were happening above it having the water fall on the side of the tank. But I can't say for sure which connection is causing this.

    I called General RV's service. While the lady wasn't a tech she did mention it could have been the overflow on this tank because of the level.

    Is there a way to test this tank while at home before going out again?
  • brulaz's avatar
    brulaz
    Explorer
    Jun 24, 2013
    Usually the leaks are at plumbing connections to the tank. The dump plumbing and valves are most exposed and most likely to be leaking. Perhaps where they connect to the tank?

    Could you tell where the leak was coming from?

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