Hard to close Gray Water valve.

[Camp-Zilla]

Has anyone figured a way to close the gray water valve easily? I'm amazed that Jayco didn't use a valve positioned like the black water valve which is easy to get to and easy to close.

[nbhybrid]

must be just your model....Mine is perfect

[Tex1961]

You might want to explain more. My gray valve is the same as my black valve. Easy to open and close.

Also it is easier if you include your TT and TV type in your signature.

[Camp-Zilla]

I have the 2010 Jay Feather 17C. My black water valve is facing out and is easy to operate.
My gray water valve is way underneath the trailer somewhat behind the tire. It is very hard to reach and very very hard to push up to close it.
It makes dumping extremely hard.
I'm 66 and not as spry as I used to be.
I'll need to see a chiropractor each time I go out unless someone can tell me how to make opening and closing that valve easier.
Bob @ Camp-Zilla

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by Camp-Zilla

Has anyone figured a way to close the gray water valve easily? I'm amazed that Jayco didn't use a valve positioned like the black water valve which is easy to get to and easy to close.

Unit model # would help.

[Bikester]

Ugh, that sounds lousy. Sorry I can't help, mine is very easy just like the black tank. Is there some kind of extender?

[Mark H]

Same here. 17C, the grey water valve is ridiculous and I actually need to get on one knee at the dumping station in order to get under to open/close it.

[nbhybrid]

Anything is fixable I guess depending on how much it bothers you. You could always cut the pipes and get new valves and rebuild it to better suit you . It isn't a hard job and wouldn't cost too much.

[Camp-Zilla]

Thanks for the idea nbhybrid. I'll contact my dealer and see what it would cost. Camp-Zilla

[Camper_bob]

I wonder if something like this would work?

http://www.amazon.com/Valterra-T58-T...words=rv+valve

I don't know much about them, but couldn't you connect this to your sewer outlet, and then leave the original grey valve open all the time, just using this removable valve?

[nbhybrid]

Originally Posted by Camper_bob

I wonder if something like this would work?

http://www.amazon.com/Valterra-T58-T...words=rv+valve

I don't know much about them, but couldn't you connect this to your sewer outlet, and then leave the original grey valve open all the time, just using this removable valve?

except standard practice is to dump your black tank first then your gray tank so your inner gray valve would have to be closed.

I don't rinse with my grey because I fill the black tank up a couple of times anyway with fresh water to rinse

[Camp-Zilla]

As I understand it, the black water could black flow into the gray water tank and this could result in odor problems.

[Camper_bob]

Originally Posted by nbhybrid

except standard practice is to dump your black tank first then your gray tank so your inner gray valve would have to be closed.

I don't rinse with my grey because I fill the black tank up a couple of times anyway with fresh water to rinse

This makes sense. In this scenario, you'd almost certainly have to have some kind of rinse to make it work because you would have to dump your tanks out of order. However you do it, you'd want some way to run something down that hose to rinse the black dump out.

Originally Posted by Camp-Zilla

As I understand it, the black water could black flow into the gray water tank and this could result in odor problems.

This doesn't make sense because your black valve would remain closed except when you're dumping. Unless the black went back up the grey when you were dumping? I don't see it happening, and I've left my grey valve open while dumping my black several times and never experienced ill effects. If you had to open the black valve and then for some reason had to close it really quick, and the Valterra add on valve was still closed, I suppose you could get some black up into the grey piping, but I see that as being quite a remote possibility. Or if you weren't paying attention and pulled the black valve without opening the Valterra add on valve, it could back flow into the grey tank. Again, some small amount of diligence will prevent this.

[Camper_bob]

As an alternative, on my valves, the black valve is tucked WAY up under the trailer and has a REALLY long handle. I wonder if you could just put a longer handle on the existing valve?

[Isaacs]

I also have a 17c with the same problem. A longer handle will not work as the handle points downward at an odd angle. Re-piping the valve would be difficult; there is not much room.

I've had some success with a small garden rake I bring along to tend campfires. If I get it just right on the valve handle, I can shove it up or pull it down without crawling around at the poop dump. I'm thinking of making something that will grab the handle better than the rake.

What was Jayco thinking when they designed this???

[nbhybrid]

Originally Posted by Isaacs

I also have a 17c with the same problem. A longer handle will not work as the handle points downward at an odd angle. Re-piping the valve would be difficult; there is not much room.

Does anyone have some good pics of what is going on?

Anything is re-buildable. Hacksaw off whats there and get some pipe from Home depot and some valves from camco. Wouldn't cost 75 dollars

[FPM III]

Originally Posted by nbhybrid

...Anything is re-buildable. Hacksaw off whats there and get some pipe from Home depot and some valves from camco. Wouldn't cost 75 dollars

Your first sentence is true, but the sentence following it can leave a lot to be desired once you realize the amount of work involved to accomplish the task. While it looks simple on paper, these kind of modifications can prove to be quite challenging to the backyard RV mechanic.

[nbhybrid]

Originally Posted by FPM III

Your first sentence is true, but the sentence following it can leave a lot to be desired once you realize the amount of work involved to accomplish the task. While it looks simple on paper, these kind of modifications can prove to be quite challenging to the backyard RV mechanic.

perhaps..so then I would suggest to take it to a plumber, even a first year guy could rebuild it. Might cost you an extra 50 bucks

[Isaacs]

My Jayco 17C has the same problem. I keep a small garden rake in my pickup for tending fires and reaching things that are up inside the pickup bed. I've found that it can be used to hook the handle of the offending valve.

Changing the plumbing around looks like a nightmare; there is no room to move anything. I have thought of a remote pull handle but it would have to be mounted at 90 degrees to the current valve or it would drag on the ground. I guess I'll look more into it when the rake breaks the existing handle!

[Isaacs]

Oops--I replied to the same question twice; sorry.