Sagging gray tank

[dap]

I have a 2008 Starcraft 24 RQB TT. My problem is in draining the gray tank, at first it will flow fast and then slows to a trickle which will go on until I loose patience or the line at the dump station gets busy. I have checked for obstructions which is all clear. The problem appears to be the thin plastic bottom of the gray tank has sagged and now traps about 2-3 gallons in that section. When we get home what I will do is crawl under and push the sag up and the remaining water will drain into a bucket. The trouble is if I don't do this very often that last few gallons gets pretty nasty smelling. I was wondering if that is a common problem for most TTs, or if anyone has found a fix for it. My only idea was to run a steel bar across under the tank and fix it to the frame rails this might eliminate the sagging condition. Any ideas are welcome.

[_40Fan]

Could you raise the tongue, drive on a piece of wood on opposite side of TT or run extra water down the tap while draining to clean the extra water out?

[JJBIRISH]

Good idea…
Salvaged bicycle, motorcycle, and even automotive innertubs have many uses… I usually cut them into extra heavy duty rubber bands instead of discarding them… they come in handy all the time…

[DiskDoctr]

JJBIRISH wrote:
if rubbing is a concern a piece of rubber roof membrane glued to the platform should solve that…

Could use a piece of bicycle inner tube and slide the metal bar in it before installing.

[JJBIRISH]

If I felt it was a problem I would build a solid platform to support the tank bottom and bolt it to the frame… if rubbing is a concern a piece of rubber roof membrane glued to the platform should solve that…

[wmoses]

dap wrote:
I have a 2008 Starcraft 24 RQB TT. My problem is in draining the gray tank, at first it will flow fast and then slows to a trickle which will go on until I loose patience or the line at the dump station gets busy. I have checked for obstructions which is all clear. The problem appears to be the thin plastic bottom of the gray tank has sagged and now traps about 2-3 gallons in that section.

I Googled "2008 Starcraft 24RQB" and could not find such an RV. I do see Capitva and Coachmen 24RQB. What I was looking for was the capacity of this grey tank since if it sags such that you have 2 - 3 gallons of undrained fluid then it could be quite a sad, depending on the base area of the tank. That would be more my worry than the undrained fluid.

If you cannot replace the tank then I would put a couple of steel straps vertically around the tank and place a couple of short pieces of shaped 2 x 4 on the bottom surface to cause the tank bottom to pant upwards thereby relieving you from this duty. Of course you will lose some tank capacity but should not have any more smelly undrained grey water.

I also like to use chemicals in my tank and that looks after smells.

[dodge_guy]

Normal and nothing to be concerned with. I would caution against adding a strap because in time it may possibly rub through the area it is supporting! Not saying it will happen, just a possibility.

[dap]

Hi, The way I checked for obstructions was while it was draining slowly, I pushed a steel drain snake up the pipe. That didn't change the flow so I assume there is no blockage.

[PapPappy]

The idea of adding a piece of angle aluminum (my suggestion, vs, a steel bar)is a good one, and probably the easiest fix.
My initial thought when reading this, was that you may have had the plastic piece that was made when they drilled holes into the tank, causing an obstruction...and it still may be. How did you check...or did you just assume that since you have a good flow initially, there is not blockage?

I'd make another inspection of the tank.....but would also install the brace bar that you mentioned. It's gotta help, and I'm sure that 3-gallons sitting in the tank, with the 24 gallons it weighs, will only add to the dip in the tank.

If you make the addition, take pictures....we LOVE pictures!!:)