My trailer is stored outside and I've had to replace my Camco drain valve approximately every 5 years or so. I'd assume the plastic degrades due to UV damage? Is there a brass valve out there so I won't have to replace the valve every 5 years?(I've already replaced all my plastic roof vents with aluminum vents so I no longer have to deal with my roof vents disintegrating)

Just get a brass valve that has thhe same pipe size at Lowes/Home Depot. Valves are valves after all. Nothing special about them in this case.

You should not use a valve! The Atwood nylon plug is the one you should use or the Camco replacement. It is designed to be hollowed out to help prevent tank damage in the event of freezing. Using a socket and extension makes it very easy to remove to drain tank.Plug should be nylon and not plastic.

Assuming you are talking about the drain for the water heater. No matter what you use to plug up the hole it should be removed once yearly to flush out the deposits that build up within the heater. There are hose attachment made for that purpose.

What drain valve is exposed to UV? Certainly not the water heater. The low point drains? Cant see any issue with replacing low point drain caps with metal.Are you possibly talking about the black/grey tank dump valves?

Is there a brass replacement for the Camco drain valve?

agesilaus
Explorer III
Aug 04, 2020
Just get a brass valve that has thhe same pipe size at Lowes/Home Depot. Valves are valves after all. Nothing special about them in this case.
enblethen
Nomad
Aug 04, 2020
You should not use a valve! The Atwood nylon plug is the one you should use or the Camco replacement. It is designed to be hollowed out to help prevent tank damage in the event of freezing. Using a socket and extension makes it very easy to remove to drain tank.
Plug should be nylon and not plastic.
Dick_B
Explorer
Aug 04, 2020
Assuming you are talking about the drain for the water heater. No matter what you use to plug up the hole it should be removed once yearly to flush out the deposits that build up within the heater. There are hose attachment made for that purpose.
camperdave
Explorer
Aug 04, 2020
What drain valve is exposed to UV? Certainly not the water heater. The low point drains? Cant see any issue with replacing low point drain caps with metal.

Are you possibly talking about the black/grey tank dump valves?
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Aug 04, 2020
Stay with a nylon replacement.
dougrainer
Nomad
Aug 04, 2020
https://www.acehardware.com/departments/automotive-rv-and-marine/recreational-vehicle-parts-and-accessories/rv-water-system-equipment/8377319?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIp52UgqaC6wIViYbACh0W1Q_xEAQYBCABEgLZGfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Fresh-Water/Camco/CAM22243.html?feed=npn&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIp52UgqaC6wIViYbACh0W1Q_xEAQYBSABEgKiR_D_BwE

This is the drain valve and it is for the Fresh Water tank drain. Yes, you can use a brass drain valve and adapt to fit the drain hose from the tank or if yours is attached direct to the tank, just find 1/2 inch thread valve or adapter to 1/2 inch threads. Doug
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Aug 04, 2020
I tried a brass plug for the water heater drain and had trouble getting it to seal. didn't want to bear down on it too hard as it was metal to metal. I also had a metal plug that had a removable smaller drain plug in it.
and no way was it easy to get to as it hid behind a copper tubing and had to use a ratcheting box wrench (offset) to get to it.
bumpy
Chris_Bryant
Explorer II
Aug 04, 2020
I have seen them, though not lately. You can just spray paint the plastic one and it will last forever, same with most plastic items.
agesilaus
Explorer III
Aug 04, 2020
I tried a brass plug for the water heater drain and had trouble getting it to seal.

Did you use pipe sealant, either teflon tape or paste??
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Aug 04, 2020
agesilaus wrote:
I tried a brass plug for the water heater drain and had trouble getting it to seal.

Did you use pipe sealant, either teflon tape or paste??

yep, tried both. interestingly however, when months/years later I pulled the plug out, there was a hiss of air so it had to have sealed sometime.
bumpy