Forum Discussion

ER_Alaska's avatar
ER_Alaska
Explorer
Feb 12, 2020

Fresh water tank drain valve issue

The handle on the plastic drain valve broke, so I need to replace the valve. I removed the two screws from the valve and pulled the valve out from the tank about half an inch. I can see there is tubing connected to the back side of the valve and I should be able to pull it out enough to replace the valve but the tubing is hanging up on the hole cutout of the tank and if I pull any harder the tubing is going to come off the valve. I can only imagine the impossibility of then trying to fish the tubing out of the tank. Where does the tubing end that's opposite the valve go? I thought that the water would be right on the other side of the valve. I don't know what my next step would be if the tubing disappeared into the tank. Just to note, the tank is on the underside of the trailer and can be seen when looking under the forward end of the trailer. The valve is on the forward wall of the tank and can readily be accessed from underneath the trailer. Oh, and I never had issues with the drain handle when I lived in Alaska but found when I moved to NC that everything seems to get soft from the heat...Thanks.

11 Replies

  • ppine's avatar
    ppine
    Explorer II
    Feb 12, 2020
    Same problem on a 2013 Rockwood. Easy fix. Buy a new valve.
  • ER_Alaska's avatar
    ER_Alaska
    Explorer
    Feb 12, 2020
    opnspaces wrote:
    I think most if not all RV tanks are just a single wall tank. The fact that you are finding a hose makes it seem that the valve is mounted remotely from the tank. On my trailer the valve is mounted under the side where it is easily accessible. There is a tube behind the valve that disappears back through the corrugated plastic underbody and then over to the actual tank. Since it sounds like you cannot see the actual tank I would start figuring out how to get the underbody down so you can see what you are dealing with.

    Right you are. Posted my post and then saw that you'd already provided the answer.
  • ER_Alaska's avatar
    ER_Alaska
    Explorer
    Feb 12, 2020
    Believe I found my answer. Appears what the drain valve is connected to is not the actual water tank but is instead a container for the water tank. So the hose runs through the space between the tank and container. Now just a matter of coaxing the hose through the container opening and I'll be good to go. Thanks.
  • opnspaces's avatar
    opnspaces
    Navigator III
    Feb 12, 2020
    I think most if not all RV tanks are just a single wall tank. The fact that you are finding a hose makes it seem that the valve is mounted remotely from the tank. On my trailer the valve is mounted under the side where it is easily accessible. There is a tube behind the valve that disappears back through the corrugated plastic underbody and then over to the actual tank. Since it sounds like you cannot see the actual tank I would start figuring out how to get the underbody down so you can see what you are dealing with.
  • ER_Alaska's avatar
    ER_Alaska
    Explorer
    Feb 12, 2020
    opnspaces wrote:
    ER Alaska wrote:
    The problem is that when I pull on the valve I can see just a small amount of the tubing (the tubing is cut at an angle a bit, so I can just see a little part of the end of the tubing) and when I try to pull on the valve the end of the tubing gets hung up on the tank opening. If I could get the tubing through the opening I could then clamp onto it. Main question/uncertainty is what would be the consequences of having the tubing separate from the valve and the tubing stay in the tank. Thanks.

    I would examine very carefully as the tubing makes no sense on a single wall tank. When you pulled the valve off the tank did water come out? My thought is that the tubing goes back into an inner tank of sorts, and the part that holds the actual valve is not water tight. Maybe try adding a tiny bit of water with the valve loose and see if it only comes out the tube.

    Good idea. Am surprised I haven't been able to find out how water tanks are/can be constructed so I'd know what I'm dealing with. Will keep searching the net.
  • opnspaces's avatar
    opnspaces
    Navigator III
    Feb 12, 2020
    ER Alaska wrote:
    The problem is that when I pull on the valve I can see just a small amount of the tubing (the tubing is cut at an angle a bit, so I can just see a little part of the end of the tubing) and when I try to pull on the valve the end of the tubing gets hung up on the tank opening. If I could get the tubing through the opening I could then clamp onto it. Main question/uncertainty is what would be the consequences of having the tubing separate from the valve and the tubing stay in the tank. Thanks.

    I would examine very carefully as the tubing makes no sense on a single wall tank. When you pulled the valve off the tank did water come out? My thought is that the tubing goes back into an inner tank of sorts, and the part that holds the actual valve is not water tight. Maybe try adding a tiny bit of water with the valve loose and see if it only comes out the tube.
  • CA_Traveler's avatar
    CA_Traveler
    Explorer III
    Feb 12, 2020
    Leave the valve open and in place and add another valve like a twist on.
  • midnightsadie's avatar
    midnightsadie
    Explorer II
    Feb 12, 2020
    I don,t think leaving in the tank hurts. BUT if it was mine if I could I,d run a wire threw the valve with a small hook on the end . then I,d try getting everything out , I,d also file the hole a little bigger so the tubing passes easy.just a idea.
  • ER_Alaska's avatar
    ER_Alaska
    Explorer
    Feb 12, 2020
    The problem is that when I pull on the valve I can see just a small amount of the tubing (the tubing is cut at an angle a bit, so I can just see a little part of the end of the tubing) and when I try to pull on the valve the end of the tubing gets hung up on the tank opening. If I could get the tubing through the opening I could then clamp onto it. Main question/uncertainty is what would be the consequences of having the tubing separate from the valve and the tubing stay in the tank. Thanks.
  • opnspaces's avatar
    opnspaces
    Navigator III
    Feb 12, 2020
    Can you grab the tubing behind the valve with some kind of locking pliers? The idea is to clamp on to the tubing and not let it get away when you pull off the valve. Then press the tubing onto the new valve and release the clamp.

About Travel Trailer Group

44,043 PostsLatest Activity: Jul 20, 2025