The saga continues, Can not open GRAY WATER TANK. - Dutchmen Owners
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Old 01-18-2019, 07:10 PM   #1
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The saga continues, Can not open GRAY WATER TANK.

Oh boy, just barely over a year old 243BHSL.


Last time we were out I really had to yank on the gray water handle to open it at the dump station. Black water was fine. Thanks for small favors.


Getting ready for another trip and No Go on the gray water release.


I can apply some force. But figured I would check here first before I create more problems. The valves come out together under the left rear of trailer next to the common dump pipe. Any suggestions or can anyone tell what the rod actually hooks up to?? IS there any additional linkage involved? Or is the rod directly hooked up to the valve??


Thanks


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Old 01-18-2019, 08:05 PM   #2
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I have had a few trailers over about 10 years or so and never had this issue. Seems odd. Not sure if you can get to the part that slides open but possibly try some water proof lube like they use on pool valves so they don’t stick? You can buy on line or at pool supply stores.

Someone else will know better than me.

Good luck.
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Old 01-18-2019, 08:25 PM   #3
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Thanks for the reply.



I kind of think it may not be in the actual valve. The only ones I have seen seem to be a big blade deal.



I am thinking it may be the linkage. I can probably get access by taking the corner of the under belly cover loose. Looks like it is bolted to the frame. But may have adhesive also ughhh.


Thanks again.
Bill
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Old 01-18-2019, 09:43 PM   #4
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I had the same issue a couple of times. It may be too late to lube it up with WD40 to get it to release but u can try. I replaced mine with electrics (didn't need the electrics but decided to dump the cable). Good luck.
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Old 01-18-2019, 11:01 PM   #5
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It seems about 3 or four years ago there was a rash of voltage owners that was breaking their cables or couldn't pull them open (or they couldn't close them all the way also). Lots of them broke and some of the smarter than me folks on here pretty much came to a concensus the the root cause was the actual dump cables were entirely too long and they were coiled up and zip tied then thrown in the belly. This was causing kinks in the cable or the casing would rub through and the internal cable would rapidly rust.
If they are still using the same cables, there was no way to effectively lubricate them because they had sealed ends.
This is the primary reason those who put in electric valves did so, and are glad they did.....
Me, I sold my voltage and bought a Tiffin.
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Old 01-18-2019, 11:35 PM   #6
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BY THE WAY...If you purchased the extended warranty, they will pay for replacing both cables.
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Old 01-19-2019, 01:49 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by franktafl View Post
I had the same issue a couple of times. It may be too late to lube it up with WD40 to get it to release but u can try. I replaced mine with electrics (didn't need the electrics but decided to dump the cable). Good luck.



Thanks, I guess I will have to open up the underside to get to it to do anything.
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Old 01-19-2019, 01:51 AM   #8
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Originally Posted by Thom View Post
It seems about 3 or four years ago there was a rash of voltage owners that was breaking their cables or couldn't pull them open (or they couldn't close them all the way also). Lots of them broke and some of the smarter than me folks on here pretty much came to a concensus the the root cause was the actual dump cables were entirely too long and they were coiled up and zip tied then thrown in the belly. This was causing kinks in the cable or the casing would rub through and the internal cable would rapidly rust.
If they are still using the same cables, there was no way to effectively lubricate them because they had sealed ends.
This is the primary reason those who put in electric valves did so, and are glad they did.....
Me, I sold my voltage and bought a Tiffin.



Ouch! Well that would explain my problem. Thanks for the history.

Oh my aching back. Coming soon.


Thanks
Bill
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Old 01-19-2019, 01:52 AM   #9
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BY THE WAY...If you purchased the extended warranty, they will pay for replacing both cables.

Nope, did not.



Such is life.
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Old 01-19-2019, 01:56 AM   #10
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Can someone confirm that this the type of valve we are taking about??


https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Sewer/Va...YaAgO_EALw_wcB


Thanks
Bill
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Old 01-19-2019, 11:09 AM   #11
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Can someone confirm that this the type of valve we are taking about??


https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Sewer/Va...YaAgO_EALw_wcB


Thanks
Bill



YEP! That's her... one is a 3" (black) and one is 1.5" (gray). I changed mine to electric. I purchased them and General RV put them on. BUT, it was expensive, even with the warranty.
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Old 01-19-2019, 03:39 PM   #12
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YEP! That's her... one is a 3" (black) and one is 1.5" (gray). I changed mine to electric. I purchased them and General RV put them on. BUT, it was expensive, even with the warranty.
Ok thanks.
I am going to open up the underbelly cover and see what I can see.
Hope I don't regret that haha
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Old 01-19-2019, 05:04 PM   #13
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Ok thanks.
I am going to open up the underbelly cover and see what I can see.
Hope I don't regret that haha

You won't. they used rivets to fasten the underbelly on. General drilled the rivets out then replaced them with screws and washers. I never got to look at the RV when they had the bottom down. They told me that it only takes a little while to replace the valves. I guess they bolt on?


https://www.amazon.com/Valterra-T100...81761815&psc=1


I think the only bad thing is that there may be "stuff" in the tanks. You may need one of these...


https://www.webstaurantstore.com/whi...iABEgKnN_D_BwE


and goggles with gloves like Dr. Pol uses when he checks cows!
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Old 01-19-2019, 05:21 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by franktafl View Post
You won't. they used rivets to fasten the underbelly on. General drilled the rivets out then replaced them with screws and washers. I never got to look at the RV when they had the bottom down. They told me that it only takes a little while to replace the valves. I guess they bolt on?


https://www.amazon.com/Valterra-T100...81761815&psc=1


I think the only bad thing is that there may be "stuff" in the tanks. You may need one of these...


https://www.webstaurantstore.com/whi...iABEgKnN_D_BwE


and goggles with gloves like Dr. Pol uses when he checks cows!





Actually underbelly cover is bolted on. I win one yipeeee!



We shall see.
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Old 01-19-2019, 09:33 PM   #15
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Originally Posted by franktafl View Post
You won't. they used rivets to fasten the underbelly on. General drilled the rivets out then replaced them with screws and washers. I never got to look at the RV when they had the bottom down. They told me that it only takes a little while to replace the valves. I guess they bolt on?


https://www.amazon.com/Valterra-T100...81761815&psc=1


I think the only bad thing is that there may be "stuff" in the tanks. You may need one of these...


https://www.webstaurantstore.com/whi...iABEgKnN_D_BwE


and goggles with gloves like Dr. Pol uses when he checks cows!



Ok after further review! The call on the field is modified


The underbelly cover is bolted in the rear and a small way on the sides, heading toward the front. Just enough to give me room to be able to see what I have.



The gray water cable was only making a 90 degree turn. The black water was making a 180 degree turn!!!!!!! One size fits all ughh.



So after opening it all up and further exercising the cable release with a rubber mallet...........hehe. It opened up.


Now a little R&D to see what I want to do.




Thanks all.


Bill
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Old 01-19-2019, 10:59 PM   #16
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Ok after further review! The call on the field is modified


The underbelly cover is bolted in the rear and a small way on the sides, heading toward the front. Just enough to give me room to be able to see what I have.



The gray water cable was only making a 90 degree turn. The black water was making a 180 degree turn!!!!!!! One size fits all ughh.



So after opening it all up and further exercising the cable release with a rubber mallet...........hehe. It opened up.


Now a little R&D to see what I want to do.




Thanks all.


Bill

chalk up one for the gipper!
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Old 01-20-2019, 12:57 AM   #17
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On our voltage I barley bent the shaft behind the handle where it slides into the outer sheath and I could not get it to open or close without alot of force, after straightening it out its as good as new i thought i would have to also replace the valve, might want to check that out
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Old 01-20-2019, 04:23 AM   #18
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On our voltage I barley bent the shaft behind the handle where it slides into the outer sheath and I could not get it to open or close without alot of force, after straightening it out its as good as new i thought i would have to also replace the valve, might want to check that out

Thanks, yes there has to be a rough spot somewhere.
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Old 01-20-2019, 04:28 AM   #19
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chalk up one for the gipper!

He he Thanks


I did learn a bit more.



1. There is some duct work down there for the heater to heat the underbelly.

2. There are wires everywhere that are not tied down.
3. The under belly cover material actually captures water in the little grooves. Will get a picture of that tomorrow.
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Old 01-22-2019, 08:25 PM   #20
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He he Thanks


I did learn a bit more.



1. There is some duct work down there for the heater to heat the underbelly.

2. There are wires everywhere that are not tied down.
3. The under belly cover material actually captures water in the little grooves. Will get a picture of that tomorrow.



Okay, I decided to straighten out the Gray Water cable and feed it to the back of the trailer. Perfect length and fit. Not sure where the problem actually was. But beating it with rubber mallet fixed it. For now? Or maybe for another year. Haha



The Black Water Cable is a problem just waiting to happen. 180 degree turn UGHH. But since I know what I am up against, no biggee I can open her up again and fix it. I will leave it alone. No issues yet.


Dressing up the wires and spraying for bugs.



As to the under belly cover material. It holds water! I got a bit of a bath when I first opened it up. Scared me! Think Black Water


The water gets trapped in all those little holes and it goes all the way across the width of trailer. A surprising amount of water. At the rear of the trailer the material is humped under the big dump pipe. Creating a reservoir. I may tape it up after I get it all put back together.
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