Replacing Black Tank Valve
I noticed on our last outing that the handle on the black tank valve was getting difficult to pull open. I was afraid if I didn't get it fixed, and it stuck in the closed position, I'd be in a major jam when we leave again in a few days. Now, I'm the first to admit that I'm no "Mr. Fix-it" kind of guy. I'm the one who usually calls a service man and helps him pay off his new truck, or send his kid to college. I read posts from people like Old Biscuit and Turtle-n-Peeps and many others on this forum and I'm just amazed, as well as a little envious, how much some people know.
Anyway, I looked up how to change the valve on YouTube. There were several videos available that made it looked so darned easy. I just knew it would be a breeze, and I could save probably close to a hundred bucks. I bought the valve at the local RV Center. It was the same brand as the old one, which I took as a good sign. I got started last evening at 5:15, thinking this would be a 30 minute job, at most. Well, at 8:15 DW and I are both under the trailer trying to get it placed just right. I had it in three times, bolted up and ready to go. Ran some water into the toilet, and it leaked all three times. The main problem is getting the gaskets in place, and then trying to maneuver the valve up between the two pipes with very limited room to work.
About this time my good neighbor walks over to see what we're doing. Bill is the kind of guy who can do anything. With his help, we finally managed to get it in just right. Tightened it up, turned on the water, and low and behold, no leaks.
We did manage to have a few good laughs out of the ordeal. I mean, you may as well keep a sense of humor when your hands are working in who knows what. I owe my neighbor a dinner at a nice restaurant.:)
I guess if a guy did this often enough he'd learn some little tricks to make it easier. Maybe the pipes in RV's should have a flexible joint every so often so you could push the PVC pipes apart enough to do a job like that. All in all though, it was a good experience.
Anyway, I looked up how to change the valve on YouTube. There were several videos available that made it looked so darned easy. I just knew it would be a breeze, and I could save probably close to a hundred bucks. I bought the valve at the local RV Center. It was the same brand as the old one, which I took as a good sign. I got started last evening at 5:15, thinking this would be a 30 minute job, at most. Well, at 8:15 DW and I are both under the trailer trying to get it placed just right. I had it in three times, bolted up and ready to go. Ran some water into the toilet, and it leaked all three times. The main problem is getting the gaskets in place, and then trying to maneuver the valve up between the two pipes with very limited room to work.
About this time my good neighbor walks over to see what we're doing. Bill is the kind of guy who can do anything. With his help, we finally managed to get it in just right. Tightened it up, turned on the water, and low and behold, no leaks.
We did manage to have a few good laughs out of the ordeal. I mean, you may as well keep a sense of humor when your hands are working in who knows what. I owe my neighbor a dinner at a nice restaurant.:)
I guess if a guy did this often enough he'd learn some little tricks to make it easier. Maybe the pipes in RV's should have a flexible joint every so often so you could push the PVC pipes apart enough to do a job like that. All in all though, it was a good experience.
