|
10-10-2019, 06:52 AM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Maryland
Posts: 207
SUN #9763
|
Tears for fears? Fresh water tank drain VERY stiff
We spent a pleasant weekend at Codorus State Park Campground and since they have 30/50 Amp hookups but NO water or sewer (dump station at the entrance), I filled the fresh water tank to make sure we could flush the potty and rinse the coffee cups. When I went to drain it before the trip home, I turned the drain valve 90°, which was as far as it wanted to go without undue force but nothing came out. I got home and finally had another go at it this morning after searching a few threads here. I came across one that mentioned that the valve needed to be turned 180° to open it. I carefully pushed the valve past where I had before and the vinyl lever was actually starting to bend. I got it to about 160° and the water was flowing out well enough that it will empty the tank.
My concern is the stiffness and the force required to turn the valve. I feel that it will only get worse with time and eventually break and then I will have to fix/replace it with something else.
Any tips?
__________________
__________________
~Dig~
2004 Solaris 280SR
Previously: 2003 Solaris Lite T-1950
"The Land of Pleasant Living!"
|
|
|
10-10-2019, 08:01 AM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Maine
Posts: 3,357
SUN #2097
|
Ah, are you talking about the gray tank drain valve? The only ones I have seen the "T" handle will turn around in circles and do nothing it should slide straight out. If you can get it open again a little silicon spray may do the trick along the slide groves in the housing. Push come to shove the entire valve is only held in with 4 small bolts and they are not hard to replace.
__________________
__________________
|
|
|
10-10-2019, 10:50 AM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Maryland
Posts: 207
SUN #9763
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by mainah
Ah, are you talking about the gray tank drain valve? The only ones I have seen the "T" handle will turn around in circles and do nothing it should slide straight out. If you can get it open again a little silicon spray may do the trick along the slide groves in the housing. Push come to shove the entire valve is only held in with 4 small bolts and they are not hard to replace.
|
No, I'm referring to the tank that you fill with fresh water when there will be no city water connection. Boondocking and such. I want to drain the unused portion of the water without breaking the plastic spigot.
__________________
~Dig~
2004 Solaris 280SR
Previously: 2003 Solaris Lite T-1950
"The Land of Pleasant Living!"
|
|
|
10-10-2019, 02:53 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Maryland
Posts: 488
SUN #8237
|
IMG_0001.jpg
Like this?
Mine drains when I turn the lever 90 degrees.
__________________
John
2000 T2370
|
|
|
10-10-2019, 09:32 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Maryland
Posts: 207
SUN #9763
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by johnnybgood
|
Yes but 90° isn't enough for mine. It's closed when pointed to the rear of the camper and open when pointed to the front but I only got it 3/4 of the way before I stopped trying due to the bending of the handle. It drained but I am worried for the future.
__________________
~Dig~
2004 Solaris 280SR
Previously: 2003 Solaris Lite T-1950
"The Land of Pleasant Living!"
|
|
|
10-10-2019, 10:18 PM
|
#6
|
Moderator
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Ohio
Posts: 12,654
SUN #89
|
Hi Dig,
Those little white plastic drain valves do get old, and work so hard you feel your going to break it trying to turn it. And some do break off.
And when you do turn it, it can take a really long long long, (did I say enough longs) time to drain a full or even half full tank of water.
I'm going on the assumption your 2004 T280SR camper has the valve "under" the camper. And not in the side of of th camper like Johnnybgoods?
If so, you can upgrade the valve to a larger one. And I "think" your tank may have the low point drain pocket on the bottom of it. It was a 2004 thing and maybe some years before this. I think in 2005 models the pocket went away. See here for what I did to upgrade my 2004 T2499 (and T310SR) to a better drain valve, and to be able to draw the tank water down to the last 1 quart or less. (very handy when using the onboard water supply) The stock configuration with the pump suction port in the side of the tank, left several gallons unusable as the pump would suck air over the water line. Now no issues.
http://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/f7...tml#post114861
Hope this helps
John
__________________
Current Sunlines: 2004 T310SR, 2004 T1950, 2004 T2475, 2007 T2499, 2004 T317SR
Prior Sunlines: 2004 T2499 - Fern Blue
2005 Ford F350 Lariat, 6.8L V10 W/ 4.10 rear axle, CC, Short Bed, SRW. Reese HP trunnion bar hitch W/ HP DC
Google Custom Search For Sunline Owners Club
|
|
|
10-12-2019, 03:18 AM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Maryland
Posts: 207
SUN #9763
|
^^^
That's pretty cool but I don't have this "pocket" on mine. Just a flat bottom with the bung at the lowest point they could install it. I like the valve but Im falling behind on camper projects. I'll try shooting some white lithium grease up into the plastic valve to see if it loosens up.
__________________
~Dig~
2004 Solaris 280SR
Previously: 2003 Solaris Lite T-1950
"The Land of Pleasant Living!"
|
|
|
10-12-2019, 05:07 PM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Maine
Posts: 3,357
SUN #2097
|
I think the bung is tapered try pulling up on it as you turn it maybe tapping it gently on the bottom to force it upwards.
__________________
|
|
|
10-15-2019, 04:25 AM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Maryland
Posts: 207
SUN #9763
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by mainah
I think the bung is tapered try pulling up on it as you turn it maybe tapping it gently on the bottom to force it upwards.
|
That made it a bit easier to open. Then I shot some white lithium grease around the very small gap between the handle and the barrel. I worked it back and forth a couple of times to allow the grease to get inside and now it is much easier to open and close.
It now has a turning arc of about 190°. Overachiever.
Thanks for all of the help!
__________________
~Dig~
2004 Solaris 280SR
Previously: 2003 Solaris Lite T-1950
"The Land of Pleasant Living!"
|
|
|
10-16-2019, 10:20 PM
|
#10
|
Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Michigan
Posts: 6,155
SUN #123
|
If it happens again, the valve piece should come out of the housing. Push up from the bottom and the valve part should slide up until it comes out. Then you could coat it in a ton of vaseline.
__________________
2007 T-286SR Cherry/Granola, #6236, original owner, current mileage: 9473.8 (as of 6/18/21)
1997 T-2653 Blue Denim, #5471
1979 12 1/2' MC, Beige & Avocado, #4639
Past Sunlines: '97 T-2653 #5089, '94 T-2251, '86 T-1550, '94 T-2363, '98 T-270SR
|
|
|
10-24-2019, 06:27 AM
|
#11
|
Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Indiana
Posts: 40
SUN #11059
|
Mine was pretty rotten when i bought my trailer. I just replaced the petcock. Its pretty simple and cheap. A lubricant will help a lot im sure
__________________
|
|
|
11-02-2019, 05:10 AM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Maryland
Posts: 207
SUN #9763
|
Indeed! I was browsing the aisles of Leo's RV parts store in Gambrills, MD earlier this week and happened upon replacement petcocks for less than a Hamilton! If the thing ever breaks, now I know where to get a new one.
__________________
__________________
~Dig~
2004 Solaris 280SR
Previously: 2003 Solaris Lite T-1950
"The Land of Pleasant Living!"
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Sunline Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|