Shutting Off Lowpoint Drain???

[P87ross]

I bought a 2008 Dutchmen Rainier this winter and it was winterized, now I am ready to use for the first time. I filled the fresh water tank, but when I turn the pump on it just pumps water out the cold low point drain at the outside rear of trailer. I tried looking in the manual but it makes no mention of low point drains, I called the previous owner and he couldn't remember. I have looked everywhere for some shutoff valve to close the low point drain but I can't find anything. The ends of the drain hose is threaded, do I just plug that? The only valves I have found are the ones pictured near the water heater but turning those doesn't do anything. Does anyone know how to plug these or how to solve this issue? Any help is much appreciated.

[wahoonc]

If it is threaded on the end it most likely did have plugs at some point. The only other place would be to check directly above where they go into the unit.

Hopefully, someone with the same unit will be able to clarify.

Aaron

[wildwest450]

It should be a threaded cap with a washer inside. The pic looks like their installed, is one cracked? I got tired of messing with those and installed a threaded PVC shutoff valve, much easier to deal with and you can't lose one.

[P87ross]

Its threaded female, looks like NPT not sure yet. I didn't look to see if there's a washer or not, but definitely missing any sort of plug or valve. I'll rummage through my parts bin and see what i can plug it up with.

[sundancer 87]

Originally Posted by P87ross

Its threaded female, looks like NPT not sure yet. I didn't look to see if there's a washer or not, but definitely missing any sort of plug or valve. I'll rummage through my parts bin and see what i can plug it up with.

If it's NPT there it wouldn't necessarily have a gasket. It could be straight pipe thread however, and if so it would need a gasket.

I can post a photo of one tomorrow if that will help.


One thing I might be concerned with is why is water coming out of the tank when the pump is operational. Providing you cap off the drain it seems as if the water tank will eventually fill, something you don't want. That pumped water should go to the faucets and not the tank.

[Wanderer]

Originally Posted by sundancer 87

If it's NPT there it wouldn't necessarily have a gasket. It could be straight pipe thread however, and if so it would need a gasket.

I can post a photo of one tomorrow if that will help.


One thing I might be concerned with is why is water coming out of the tank when the pump is operational. Providing you cap off the drain it seems as if the water tank will eventually fill, something you don't want. That pumped water should go to the faucets and not the tank.

It will come out the low point drain first. That is the purpose of them- to drain all systems at the lowest point.

You can just buy 1/2" threaded PVC plugs from any hardware store, it's the same thread. I carry a couple in my toolbox as spares just in case.