Gray tank question

[wayneroe]

We have been on the road for two days on our first major trip. Checked tank status, it said black was 2/3 full, gray empty. Seems to me like with washing dishes, washing hands, brushing teeth, etc., should have more in gray tank. Does this seem normal to you old hands?

[jpmihalk]

No, but it depends on the size of the tanks and the placement of the sensors. Also any tilt to the side can affect the way the liquids inside are held. Tank sensors are notoriously inaccurate.

[Travelin' Texans]

Those tank level sensors are totally useless, DO NOT count on them being anywhere close to accurate. Depending on tank sizes & if you only have 1 grey tank in 2 days of use it may be close to full. You can try sensor cleaners & any number of things to improve them, but don't waste your time & $$, they may work once or twice, but still no guarantee of accuracy.

[wayneroe]

They are 40 gallon tanks.

[DocP]

The tanks could also be miswired, and the 2/3 reading could actually be your gray water tank reading. I've heard of it happening before.

[16ACE27]

And worst case scenario: Thor plumbed them wrong. It has happened before.

[JamieGeek]

Note that the bathroom sink may go into the black tank: Thus washing hands, brushing teeth, etc. may have gone into the black tank.

That isn't a "misplumbed" problem if it is: They intentionally make the bathroom sink go to the black tank (other motorhome manufacturers also do that).

[Mr Sunshine]

It is common for some RVers to have trouble with the black tank sensors. One cause may be the type and amount tp being used.

Some have had good luck with the Tornado tank rinser, do a search for it here on the forum.

[wayneroe]

I think maybe I was just being too impatient being my first time out on an extended stay. The black tank was showing 2/3 full so I emptied them. Then, we took showers and washed dishes a couple of times and after that the gray sensor said 2/3. I think it is OK.

[Amoon21]

We bought our 2014 Thor Freedom Elite 23u used; any way to find out the capacities of the Grey/Black/Potable water tanks?

[tjw887]

Google thor freedom elite 23u tank capacity. you will find what you need.

[wayneroe]

Originally Posted by Amoon21

We bought our 2014 Thor Freedom Elite 23u used; any way to find out the capacities of the Grey/Black/Potable water tanks?

According to specs on RVUSA.com, the 2014 Thor Freedom Elite 23U capacities are: fresh water 40 gallons, gray water 39, and black water 25 gallons.

[Laco]

I wish I had known that the bathroom sink drained into the black tank, I would have insisted that it be re-plumbed to drain into the grey prior to delivery, the way IMO it should. I know its done to insure more water goes into the black tank, but I have been RV'ing for many years with the bathroom sink draining into the grey tank with zero problems.

[gmc]

Originally Posted by Laco

I wish I had known that the bathroom sink drained into the black tank, I would have insisted that it be re-plumbed to drain into the grey prior to delivery, the way IMO it should. I know its done to insure more water goes into the black tank, but I have been RV'ing for many years with the bathroom sink draining into the grey tank with zero problems.

Sometimes its more than just having additional water in the black tank.
Look at the layout of your rig... On mine the laws of gravity won't allow the bathroom sink to drain into the gray tank without adding a pump - or having a drain line crossing the hallway at knee/shin height
My gray tank is under the raised shower...same side as kitchen...
My bathroom is on the opposite side - and no way to plumb to that raised gray tank.

[Laco]

The bathroom sink, at least on mine, elevation wise, is well above both grey and black tanks, so gravity would certainly prevail. According to the drawings, it would require a longer run, but with grey water that is certainly doable. I'm sticking with, it was easier to run it to the back tank, rather then the grey, and probably saved Thor $2.00 in plumbing materials.

[TurnerFam]

I haven't used our tank indicators in several years, as I've found that they are not accurate, for whatever reason... and I've found that you'll soon know when your tanks are full!

gray - when the shower or the sink stops draining, that's a good sign... time to empty them.

black - when the toilet doesn't have any more room to 'flush', it's time to 'flush' the tank!


seriously, if you 'camp' much, you'll soon know about how long each tank takes to fill, depending on dishwashing, showers, etc etc... and you'll also come to realize that filling your GRAY tank is much faster than the other... we can empty our gray tank every day for several days before needing to empty the black one... : )

but, everybody's different...

[tenbear]

Personally, I am glad my bathroom sink is plumbed into the black tank. In our case the grey tank fills much faster than the black so the extra water in the black tank helps to even things out. Sometimes my DW washes/rinses the dishes in a basin and dumps that water in the toilet. In any case, the grey tank fills much faster than the black.