slow draining waste tank

nelliethedog
nelliethedog Forum Participant Posts: 41
edited September 2016 in Motorhomes #1

Hi, i've noticed that the waste tank on our Bailey Advance 635 is extremely slow at emptying, has anyone else had the same problem.

Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Trusted Posts: 23,378
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    edited September 2016 #2

    What's the diameter of your drain valve, Nel? Ours is 1inch and the tank drains reasonably quickly. Sometimes there can be a sag in the pipe between tank and drain valve and that inevitably slows the process. 

  • Tammygirl
    Tammygirl Club Member Posts: 7,960
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    edited September 2016 #3

    We have the Bailey 625SE and yes the tanks are really slow to drain, my OH took the tap off and removed the baffles from the inside this has helped a bit. 

    If you don't already know there is a facebook group of Bailey motorhome owners that you could join for lots of very good tips and help.

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,499
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    edited September 2016 #4

    Mine, although not a Bailey, is also only one inch and it does take a long time to empty 200 litres of grey waste. Not much you can do about it other than be patient or change the complete drain system.

    peedee

  • Apperley
    Apperley Club Member Posts: 254
    edited September 2016 #5

    I have an Autograph 745 and a common problem is swarfe (cuttings from the manufacturing process) blocking the inside of the drain tap. It is possible to pull the tap off and then clean out the swarfe. I did it to mine and it did speed up the draining, but
    I've noticed all makes of MH are also quite slow at draining.

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 14,099
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    edited September 2016 #6

    I have a Bailey 740 and would agree that it is a bit on the slow side. I have drilled out the baffles from inside the tap part and that did improve things. The main problem is that because Bailey use the low profile AlKo chassis the waste water system is
    already low to the ground. Using pipes of a great diameter might make that situation worse.

    David

  • Unknown
    edited September 2016 #7
    This content has been removed.
  • nelliethedog
    nelliethedog Forum Participant Posts: 41
    edited September 2016 #8

    Thanks everyone, seems its a common problem, i will have a look underneath.

  • nelliethedog
    nelliethedog Forum Participant Posts: 41
    edited September 2016 #9

    Hi again, problem solved slightly- simply pull off the tap and flow is greatly increased !

  • Doug n San
    Doug n San Forum Participant Posts: 92
    edited October 2016 #10

    I don't know your specific MH, but just check that you have at least one plug removed when you drain, (to let air into the tank) it might make a difference.

  • Unknown
    edited October 2016 #11
    This content has been removed.
  • EJB986
    EJB986 Forum Participant Posts: 1,153
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2016 #12

    It seems mad that some manufacturers would use 1" pipework for a drain....I suppose they save a few pence!!!!!

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 14,099
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    edited October 2016 #13

    It seems mad that some manufacturers would use 1" pipework for a drain....I suppose they save a few pence!!!!!

    Its not to save a few pounds. Baileys use the low profile Al-Ko chassis so the waste pipe is always going to be lower than many motorhomes. Using a larger diameter pipe would make everything even lower and risk grounding. Bailey motorhome owners on their
    Facebook group have come up with all sorts of different methods of changing the system to speed up emptying of the tank. However apart from removing the baffles in the tap I have not found an alternative I would be happy to follow!!!

    David

  • EJB986
    EJB986 Forum Participant Posts: 1,153
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    edited October 2016 #14

    So it's just bad design then David?SurprisedSmileHappy

     

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited October 2016 #15

    As are most m/van waste outletsUndecided

    Not necesarily slow but not user friendly ,and then expecting caravan site operators to spend large sums to counter the poor design

  • Stewartwebr
    Stewartwebr Forum Participant Posts: 171
    edited October 2016 #16

    As are most m/van waste outletsUndecided

    Not necesarily slow but not user friendly ,and then expecting caravan site operators to spend large sums to counter the poor design

    I don't know if that's actually accurate, it's very much dependant on the manufacturer and in some cases the model. I have had 13 motorhomes and don't recall any of them having an issue, I have obviously been lucky. I had a Bustner Elegance 821 where the
    water gushed out. I changed it to a 900 model which had an electric control valve, this restricted flow a little but no real issue. Current van has option to divert grey water through the black water tank to flush the black water system. It flows very well
    and empties quickly. It also has a lot to do with the angle the vans sitting at if the design has only a gradual slope. Drive onto levelling blocks if need be to help flow.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2016 #17

    As are most m/van waste outletsUndecided

    Not necesarily slow but not user friendly ,and then expecting caravan site operators to spend large sums to counter the poor design

    I don't know if that's actually accurate, it's very much dependant on the manufacturer and in some cases the model. I have had 13 motorhomes and don't recall any of them having an issue, I have obviously been lucky. I had a Bustner Elegance 821 where the
    water gushed out. I changed it to a 900 model which had an electric control valve, this restricted flow a little but no real issue. Current van has option to divert grey water through the black water tank to flush the black water system. It flows very well
    and empties quickly. It also has a lot to do with the angle the vans sitting at if the design has only a gradual slope. Drive onto levelling blocks if need be to help flow.

    Write your comments here...Its not if they flow well its the "dance" thats needed to line up with the waste point,as what should be is an extention hose to enable M/van to stop clear of point and just drop pipe into the drain,the US RVs are ,it seems, the
    only ones that have have a proper system 

  • Solwaybuggier
    Solwaybuggier Forum Participant Posts: 6
    edited October 2016 #18

    I did the "baffle removal" mod recently on our Bailey, and found it has helped a lot.  I'm not good at practical stuff, but found it straightforward.

    If you're anxious about trying it, I first saw it in another forum, with these instructions and pictures:

    "Firstly there is an 'inner' core on the outlet side of the tap which has a half covered inside to it. I started to cut the half bits out, but found the whole inner bit comes out easily as with all the grey pipe it is only push fit.



    Next I removed the tap, by turning it slightly to the point where it lines up with gaps in its locating ring and then pulls out. The hole is quite small in the tap and I simply made it much bigger.



    Photos can be found at:-



    http://www.flickr.com/photos/38026671@N08/8523648809/

    http://www.flickr.com/photos/38026671@N08/8524758394/ "