Water accumulating in sewer pipe despite system not being used.

[MorPep]

Hello all,

We have a new 310RL thats parked in our drieway hooked up to electric and water. I've noticed that water is accumulating in the sewer pipe over time, when I took the end cap off I got the surprise. We are new to RV'ing, this is our first, and I'm not sure if this is normal. Has anyone else experienced this?

Thanks,
Tom and Kelly B.

 

[Mike2095]

I have the same issue with a brand new 31A10. In about 2 days it will accumulate about 2 Gallons of black water. All the waste valves are closed.

 

[John R]

one of these is your friend. No more surprises

 

[Mike2095]

Thanks John, one has already been purchased and installed.

 

[bhidalgo]

Might I suggest one of these as well? Or something similar to it.
We have one and use it frequently.
Takes the guesswork out of what might be lurking behind the Valterra valve above.

https://a.co/d/hjqtwWK

 

[Likin' Bikin']

I had the same issue, and fix. The thing now is the sewer hookup is kinda low, so planning to cut off the original valve, put on a 45 deg elbow, and then new shutoff.

 

[Glenn Baker]

one of these is your friend. No more surprisesView attachment 1182

I put one on my new Paradigm. I learned that lesson on my last 5th wheel. I also got the surprise on my new 295MK. Brand new, brought it home from the dealer... black tank was 3/4 full, and the valve was leaking. Yuk. Was not happy, LO. But now I have that valve in place.

 

[Likin' Bikin']

Is there ANY clue as to cause? It must be a cable length issue if it's happening to brand new units?

 

[MorPep]

Alright so just to be clear, non of the utilities in the RV have ever been used. The unit is bran spankin new. The water that came out of the pipe when I took the cap off was clear. No feces, no urine, no soap etc., I had previously checked the two grey tank valves and black tank valves just to see how they worked they have been closed since. The "suprise" was that there was water in a pipe that, in my mind, should not have been there unless something else drains into it other than the sinks, shower or toilet. I'm thinking maybe AC condesation drains? Are those typically plumbed into the main outflow pipe?
Thanks.

 

[Whitewolf]

The A/C condensation runs off the roof into your gutters and drips on the ground. I suspect the water came from Alliance or the dealer testing the system. I'm told Alliance does that on a semi-regular basis.

The first thing I bought (and it was from the dealer the day we picked up the 340) was the valve in the pic that John showed. I also installed one on our previous 2 campers.

When dumping the tanks and with the valves closed, there CAN still be black or grey water in the lines that doesn't drain out completely. Whether sitting in one spot or especially after driving to the next site, the water works it way to the drain cap.

 

[MorPep]

The A/C condensation runs off the roof into your gutters and drips on the ground. I suspect the water came from Alliance or the dealer testing the system. I'm told Alliance does that on a semi-regular basis.

The first thing I bought (and it was from the dealer the day we picked up the 340) was the valve in the pic that John showed. I also installed one on our previous 2 campers.

When dumping the tanks and with the valves closed, there CAN still be black or grey water in the lines that doesn't drain out completely. Whether sitting in one spot or especially after driving to the next site, the water works it way to the drain cap.

Makes sense. Thanks.

 

[CornCrib]

Might I suggest one of these as well? Or something similar to it.
We have one and use it frequently.
Takes the guesswork out of what might be lurking behind the Valterra valve above.

https://a.co/d/hjqtwWK

We installed this, as well as John's solution ... extended the pipe out a bit so the gate valve is right at the edge of the camper, so we don't have to bend too much to get to it (gonna be old some day). The clear pipe lets me see if there is gonna be any surprises (since we installed the Valterra gate, there has been no leaking), as well as allow me to watch the progress of the tank drain/flush. The clear pipe on the right stays on all the time, we just cap it where the hose connects.
Also: You can see the Valterra doing it's job with a bit of water to the left of it.

 

[KevinLK]

We installed this, as well as John's solution ... extended the pipe out a bit so the gate valve is right at the edge of the camper, so we don't have to bend too much to get to it (gonna be old some day). The clear pipe lets me see if there is gonna be any surprises (since we installed the Valterra gate, there has been no leaking), as well as allow me to watch the progress of the tank drain/flush. The clear pipe on the right stays on all the time, we just cap it where the hose connects.
Also: You can see the Valterra doing it's job with a bit of water to the left of it.
View attachment 1184

I know this is an old post. We have the same problem and have implemented the same solution. I'm trying to decide if it's worth fixing the internal valve because we've been using our trailer through some nights recently with temps in the teens. Our dump line is completely full and I'm afraid of the extension (or ABS for that matter) cracking if we get an extended freeze. It looks like a real pain to get to the valve with the coroplast and 10,000 self-taping screws.

 

[BryanValRox]

I know this is an old post. We have the same problem and have implemented the same solution. I'm trying to decide if it's worth fixing the internal valve because we've been using our trailer through some nights recently with temps in the teens. Our dump line is completely full and I'm afraid of the extension (or ABS for that matter) cracking if we get an extended freeze. It looks like a real pain to get to the valve with the coroplast and 10,000 self-taping screws.

If your dump line is filling up, I would certainly be concerned with freezing and pipe breakage.
Have you looked underneath yet to see if there are panels installed in the coroplast? I have heard some folks are finding panels within the coroplast that provided access to the valves.
If you don’t find any panels, I would suggest that you get the screw gun out and investigate your problem.

 

[Todd F]

We have lived in our Valor for the last year and a half or so and have several freezing conditions with a leaky dump valve. We have a Valterra valve installed also. Our first winter i left the Valterra open for several below freezing days and the slow leakage completely froze up our slinky hose and blocked it up. The service side of the rv was also on the north side which didn't help matters. So after a couple hours of cheap Harbour Freight moving blankets and a space heater to thaw things out. I decided to run a heat tape on the exposed drain pipe and keep the Valterra closed during freezing weather. Has worked like a charm with no slinky freeze ups to worry about.

 

[Midnight Rider]

I Have same problems with weeping valves? Sometimes 1/2 cup in the pipe sometimes 2 cups of liquid in pipe? But always something. I have electric valves and it has done this from day one And trailer was brand new? I put the valtera valve and it still weeps but now no mess.

 

[Bozo]

Hello all,

We have a new 310RL thats parked in our drieway hooked up to electric and water. I've noticed that water is accumulating in the sewer pipe over time, when I took the end cap off I got the surprise. We are new to RV'ing, this is our first, and I'm not sure if this is normal. Has anyone else experienced this?

Thanks,
Tom and Kelly B.

I have the same issue on my 24 valor. Seems like a common issue. Twist on manual valve is a must.

 

[KevinLK]

If your dump line is filling up, I would certainly be concerned with freezing and pipe breakage.
Have you looked underneath yet to see if there are panels installed in the coroplast? I have heard some folks are finding panels within the coroplast that provided access to the valves.
If you don’t find any panels, I would suggest that you get the screw gun out and investigate your problem.

Yeah, no panels. I'll just have to bite the bullet and start pulling screws. It might be worth adding panels when I put it back together.

 

[KevinLK]

We have lived in our Valor for the last year and a half or so and have several freezing conditions with a leaky dump valve. We have a Valterra valve installed also. Our first winter i left the Valterra open for several below freezing days and the slow leakage completely froze up our slinky hose and blocked it up. The service side of the rv was also on the north side which didn't help matters. So after a couple hours of cheap Harbour Freight moving blankets and a space heater to thaw things out. I decided to run a heat tape on the exposed drain pipe and keep the Valterra closed during freezing weather. Has worked like a charm with no slinky freeze ups to worry about.

That's a good idea. I'll look into that! Sounds like a lot less work than messing with the valve, which will likely cause trouble again after it's fixed.

 

[Todd F]

Yeah as you said i didnt want to mess with the valve or remove all the underbelly screws either so it was a cheap solution to the problem.