Black Water Tank drain valve rod broke

[RetiredSailor]

Our 2021 Kodiak Ultimate 3321BHSL travel trailer black water tank drain rod broke while cleaning out the tank. The rod was becoming harder and harder to push back in and eventually the rod broke in the open position. See pictures to get a better idea.


I am wondering if anyone knows how the rod mechanism is designed behind all the foam in the underbelly?
Has anyone else experienced this issue, and what was done to fix it?


I have not removed the foam yet.



thanks for your help!

[dsol]

Several members replace the valves with electric ones. Supposed to be a massive improvement. I am still on the originals. One of my grays does not close all the way which is very annoying.



My solution was to buy one or these. Works well. Not sure I would be as likely to go this route if it was my black tank that was stuck open but in a pinch this would work for you.

[franktafl]

Originally Posted by dsol

Several members replace the valves with electric ones. Supposed to be a massive improvement. I am still on the originals. One of my grays does not close all the way which is very annoying.



My solution was to buy one or these. Works well. Not sure I would be as likely to go this route if it was my black tank that was stuck open but in a pinch this would work for you. Attachment 7589

This valve also works for those ugly splashbacks that makes you wish you had a hazmat suit on. As far as the stuck rod goes, you can WD40 as much as you can see, that sometimes helps. My black valve was stuck because something got into the gate and would not close all the way. I had someone replace them with electrics, expensive but well worth it.

[2Slides]

What is pictured is a handle connected to a cable that in turn attaches to the valve. You need to drop the coroplast enough to get access. You will need to disconnect the cable from the valve to see if that is what was binding causing the break. If so the cable can be replaced. With the hose hooked up you should be able to operate the valve manually to see if it is stuck or functioning. I replaced mine with bolt on electric actuators from Barker Manufacturing. Best thing i did. Uses old gate valve but attaches to it for activation. No more bending over to reach underneath.

[KECoats]

As mention before you will have to drop the bottom to get to the valve. Since the handle broke, something has to be replaced. You will find out what exactly after you drop the bottom. Happened me and lots of other folks.

As dsol mentioned the extra gate valve attached to the exit of the drain pipe can be a good thing. I added one because my kitchen tank and valve are only accessable from under a slide and crawling under there every time to drain it is not an option for me. I leave that kitchen valve open. By adding the gate valve to the drain pipe it contols my kitchen tank and the other two tanks when needed. It stays closed until my sewer hose is hooked up, then it is opened and whatever is there drains. Even glued it to the drain pipe so it does not come off or rotate when I am hooking up the sewer hose. I still keep my black tank valve closed until its time to dump.