Emergency Parts Access

[AmericaOverland]

Hello all,

Not a good way to introduce myself, but I am in need for a complete replacement valve system that sits screwed to the Thetford toilet behind the seat, as it leaks. I have my water off and can't use anything inside until this is fixed. I am in the Edna, TX area (northeast of Victoria). Is it possible to get a part on a Sunday?

Thanks,
Stephanie

[AmericaOverland]

dakdave wrote:
to loosen the build up in the tank put few gallons of water in tank and dump in a few lbs of ice cubes.Hook up and tow around and let the ice scrub the build up loose

I read about that, but it would be a pain, as the trailer was parked by farm tractor in a fairly tight spot (trees everywhere!!). Besides, the digester seems to be doing its job already. Upon the last dump, I saw the tank reading between 1/3 and 2/3. I'm running nearly a bowl of water every single time I use the toilet to get more water in there and help the digester reach where it needs to go.

[Ron3rd]

If you can at least get the water line to the toilet shut off, you can still use the toilet by dumping water from a bucket to flush. If you can cut the line off near the valve, stick a tight fitting bolt into the line and seal it off with a hose clamp to seal it off until you can get the parts you need. This would at least allow you to use the water in the rest of your trailer.

[dakdave]

to loosen the build up in the tank put few gallons of water in tank and dump in a few lbs of ice cubes.Hook up and tow around and let the ice scrub the build up loose

[AmericaOverland]

Camper City in Victoria, which I have not liked, had the part that I needed, water module assembly, so I had to get it there. Fixed and not one molecule of water coming out of the back. Now to work on the 8-year-old pyramid under the toilet. Right now, it's too windy and cold to deal with this. Yes, we have a cold front underway as far south as the 29th parallel. Will get down to 38 degrees at night for two nights. I was lucky to get this fixed. While waiting to have a dealer located, I seriously thought of putting in a threaded cap on the fitting where the toilet valve attaches to the water line behind the toilet and instead use the shower head as the source of water, so that I can run the toilet and fill the bowl. Now, I don't have to go that route.

I bought some granulated waste digester, though I have a full bottle of the chemical liquid that came with the trailer (would you believe that not only was that bottle opened and the original seal not peeled off and thrown away like it was supposed to be, they didn't even USE IT!). I will be using it to break the stuff down religiously from now on.

I think I know what happened when I was on a ranch while staying in a partially functional fifth wheel trailer (overhead AC went out and stove had a leak, and 5 months after I left, the quest water line busted inside the wall behind the shower/bathtub - from what she said, it was a MESS to clean up); apparently (since I had forgotten how RV black tanks are supposed to work), we had left the black tank valve open ALL THE TIME, thinking that waste was going into the septic tank the whole time, and every once in a while, I would test the black tank read out, and it would indicate it was getting fuller and fuller, meanwhile, flush water would drop down into the hole and splash back up and I would remember to stand out of its path as it shot straight up and straight back down. I suppose she figured out what was going on some time after I left.

[wa8yxm]

The valve BEHIND the seat? I am wondering if he means a vacuum breaker or is it a macerator type. The authorisied parts store is Camping world.. Be amazed if they have it in stock.

[opnspaces]

You are using the same piece of PEX to attach to the new water module. All you're doing it adding a valve into the middle of the line.

[Old-Biscuit]

With another piece of PEX. Same hardware store that sells the valve should have the PEX to complete the hook up from valve to toilet fitting.

[Dutch_12078]

The fitting will be there. All that's being suggested is that you install a "no tools" (you do need a sharp knife) inline shut off valve in the toilet supply line that will let you isolate the toilet from the rest of the water system. When the Thetford valve is repaired, you'll only need to leave the added valve open to restore normal usage.

[AmericaOverland]

Then how will you attach the new water module assembly if the pex fitting used to attach to the WMA is no longer there? See?

[opnspaces]

If you can't find the necessary parts I second the sharkbite valve. link In the link you want the valve with the red handle on it. The fittings are extremely easy to use if you have enough length on the PEX tube somewhere to install it.

Just use a razor blade utility knife to cut the tube square. Then slide the sharkbite fitting onto the cut end. It's really easy and doesn't take much more force than putting a straw into a Big Gulp cup. Once you slide one end on then just trim the other end of the tube to adjust for the length that the sharkbite added. It's really a 10 minute job and 5 of those minutes are used up finding the knife in your tool box.

This will get your water system back in use and you can then use a bucket or cup or water to flush the toilet until you get the required part.

[AmericaOverland]

I do not do business with Camper City because of poor experience with them in the past.

If there is a relay service in Texas, I'd like to know about it. I am limited by having cell phone or computer only. I do not have a TTY, as that requires a land line. I am completely mobile now.

[sayoung]

Per google there is a Camper City rv parts in Victoria & Coastal in Port LaVaca.
Is the relay for the hearing impaired?tx has a relay service

[AmericaOverland]

Problem is, I do not have parts to install a shutoff valve. The property owner and I already tried that. The nearest place open is 40 miles away, and it's not guaranteed that they have what I need. Plus, I cannot call over there, as we do not have relay service available for those using cell phones and computers only in the US. I lost that capability when relay operators shut down last summer.

I think I got it now. Nonetheless, I'm taking that water module off and seeing if they have a direct replacement for it. I will end up having to call seven shops tomorrow, as I am not waiting for a cold front to come through, as I can do NOTHING inside water-related.

[Old-Biscuit]

Install a shutoff valve on water line to toilet.
Then you can use rest of water system in rig.
You can still use toilet..just pour bucket of water in to flush.
In the future you will be able to isolate toilet if needed.

Check on Thetford website....click on model of toilet under "Permanent Toilets". Then you can click on 'Parts" for that specific toilet so you know which one you need.
Then order it on-line

Thetford LINK