2018 Change to gray/black water draining

lisaeggert · January 2018

Hello there! Let me start by saying please excuse my lack of knowledge of proper terms - I am a premie-newbie!!

I haven't heard anyone talk about the gray/black water change to the new T@B 2018 models. From what I understand, the change is that the gray water is now flushed through the same hose as the black water, as shown in picture. I guess the benefit is so that the sewer hose is rinsed out with other water. Is this a beneficial change? Pros/Cons? Thanks for any input!
Lisa (will be a T@B owner in the next couple of weeks!!)

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021717/uploads/editor/nv/tp7otn5pttua.jpg

pthomas745 · January 2018

The major advantage (to my mind) is you only need to connect and disconnect your sewer hose one time each. Those of us with two outlets (black/gray) need to connect to black, then dump, disconnect from black, attach to gray, dump.

lisaeggert · January 2018

pthomas745 said:

The major advantage (to my mind) is you only need to connect and disconnect your sewer hose one time each. Those of us with two outlets (black/gray) need to connect to black, then dump, disconnect from black, attach to gray, dump.

Thank you, pthomas745! That is all I need to know..... I will be going with the 2018 model!! The fewer times I have to touch the stinky hose, the better!!! lol

rkj__ · January 2018

I like the 2018 setup much better. As indicated by pthomas745, it saves a step.

Any trailer I have seen at the dump station has only one outlet, with both the black and gray routed to it.

pthomas745 · January 2018

There are brilliant people here who have adapted their Tabs to the single outlet:

https://www.google.com/search?ei=H4ZWWpz1DaSPjwTfzJ7ICA&q=single+sewer+outlet+site:tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com&oq=single+sewer+outlet+site:tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com&gs_l=psy-ab.3...3207.9262.0.10004.35.27.0.0.0.0.162.2565.22j5.27.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..16.0.0....0.3P3nKqUYyN8

ericnliz · January 2018

@lisaeggert, We were one of the lucky ones to get the @Dalehelman special single dump installed. We kinda made a little impromptu T@B party out of it one day. There were two of us ( @ericnliz, & @Homebodyatheart) that gained from the experience. I only had to dump once with the dual black/gray tank outlets, & believe me it's MUCH cleaner & easier with just one! Thanks again @Dalehelman!!!!

I'm pretty sure that was one of the things nuCamp listened to from current owners when asked about what improvements should be made to the new 400 model & the newer 320 models! Our experiences...your gain!

Dalehelman · January 2018

Thanks Eric here Is a picture of our mod.

Jellybones11 · January 2018

Dalehelman that's they type of set up I am looking for. I have an aluminum utility tray with the tub and it's really difficult getting to the connectors without being a "Twister" expert. I also have neck problems which hurts when I have to contort to reach the connectors. Can I get this type of a Y connector anywhere or did you make it? Is it one or two pieces?

Dalehelman · January 2018

Here is a complete parts list less the clear extension.

Here is a list of all the parts needed. You will be reusing both gate valves. Once you have all of the parts assembly is fairly straightforward from the above pictures. The 22 1/2* elbow address's the frame clearance issue. The rubber elbow is not a perfect fit but that is why it is rubber. Once completed the discharge end is know lower than the original gray water discharge. I have found that the prices for the RV parts are are cheaper at my local RV parts store.

3" abs 22 1/2 degree elbow HD $9.24 AMZN $7.68
3" abs 90 degree elbow with an 1 1/2 take out HD $12.43
(3 in. x 3 in. x 1-1/2 in. ABS DWV 90 Degree Hub x Hub x Hub Elbow with Low Heel)

1 1/2" rubber elbow with hose clamps HD $6.84
2ea. 3" diameter x 2" wide black abs pipe. HD $7.75 for 2’
Small can of abs cement HD $4.88 8oz AMZN $3.55 4oz

Total $41.14 $35.36 (w/ 2 HD)

RV PARTS STORE (For the gate valves)

3" bayonet slip fit AMZN $6.88
3" bristol spigot end AMZN $7.75
1 1/2 Bristol spigot end AMZN $5.06

Total $19.69

Total for parts $60.83 Total $55.05

dsatwork · January 2018

@Jellybones11 There are several tutorials on how several of us tweeked @Dalehelman design to accommodate different year models 2015 has slightly different clearances then 2017 models. This is one of the main threads http://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/3453/single-black-gray-water-drain-setup/p1 http://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/4140/single-waste-discharge-for-the-outback Even back in the day some hacks were discussed. http://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/comment/13938#Comment_13938

Jellybones11 · January 2018

Thanks

Spectre9 · September 2018

I also have a 2018 tab. Any feedback on black tank flushing through the unified factory outlet? Particular device advice?

atlasb · September 2018

The common thought in the RV community seems to be to dump the Black tank first then dump the gray tank. This helps to clean some of the Black residue from the hose. Also a lot of people will flush the slinky hose before the put it up. On the 400, NU Camp gave us a port to hook a hose up and flush the tank. We like having the clear plastic tube in line as it allows you to see when the water is running clear. We carry a box of the latex DR. Gloves when working with the drain lines.

Homebodyatheart · September 2018

@Spectre9 are you asking about rinsing the tanks? If so, here's a pic of another @Dalehelman mod that I've modified and is working well. No idea if it's "perfect" as I can't see inside both tanks, but it's a lot easier than running in and out of the trailer dumping a bucket of water down drains after you dump. The piece of pipe insulation is only about 2” long, and glued in. Dale had warned me that there can be some backflow as you add water from the dump station fresh water hose, so this is my mod to his mod.

Spectre9 · September 2018

Homebodyatheart that’s a pretty sweet idea I will give it a thought. For now Im planning to get a “Master Blaster” wand and plan to just spray water in manually though toilet.

Ill check my real plumbing tonight in storage to make sure a straight wand will fit otherwise I’ll go flexible.

super glad I didn’t get any end-cap cleanouts for black output since those bends make spraying the tank through outflow side impractical. I’m total newbie still and our first dump is 3 weeks away!

Homebodyatheart · September 2018

@Spectre9 someone suggested once to put water in your grey and black tanks and then you can practice dumping when they’re clean. You can just water your lawn. You’ve got lots of tank treatment options. I’m a Happy Campers powder user. Second year of use and still no odors, including the dump hose. I order tye small jar through Amazon. Lightweight and simple to store and use.

Fergie · September 2018

Speaking of modifications to the grey/black water valves, there was a discussion on breakage of same in a comment thread last November:

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/comment/82821#Comment_82821

In this thread we discussed having run over a tire tread that damaged our valves on our trip to Alaska last summer and having to have it repaired in South Dakota by a mobil RV repairman.

I mentioned there and still feel it would be good to protect these valves with some sort of guard from road debris as, unlike most RV's, the T@B valves are very low and at the front of the trailer. I haven't done anything about this yet, but I have been thinking about some sort of deflector guard attached to the frame and extending in front of the covers, but not interfering with hose attachment.

Wonder if any other owners have thought or done something about this exposure?

Fergie

2018 Change to gray/black water draining

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