One of my sewer hoses froze and broke when I attempted to use it at 19 degrees this winter. :( It was an old hose that came with the coach and it probably wasn't top quality even when it was new. Now I only have one remaining sewer hose which makes it difficult to get close enough to the dump station, so I need to order another hose, and this brings me to my confusion, errr I mean question. The fittings are larger than standard and made by Thetford. Is the hose larger also? If so, where do I order the correct hose? Can I order a hose with the fittings factory preinstalled or do I need to reuse my current fittings? ...and lastly, don't be stoopid enough to use the dump station when it's 19 degrees ...like me :)
Hey, in regards to that last sentence, ( as I have wintered in Bluebird and Foretravels) you can't control the weather, and as we all know, when you gotta go, you gotta go! Freezing or not....
Scott, many of us have added a third dump valve that has the standard Valterra fittings on it. As I recall, the hose itself is the same, just different fittings. Adding the third valve isn't difficult. I used a Dremel cutting wheel to cut the old fitting off. It would have gone faster with a bigger tool, but I used what I had.
Scott, got mine at walmart. Probally dont have one in Gods country.. ^.^d
Washed mine off just to make sure.. no smelly.. and checked everything right in the isle.
Do you have to heat up the hose with hot water so it will expand to get the fitting into it?
It screws in the hose but in cold weather, your idea of warm/hot water on the hose first would be good. I remember that I stretched the hose a bit so the threads on the double male would closely match the "threads" on the hose. Have only seen one diameter of hose but several lengths available. 10 feet is usually the shortest and then up.
Pierce
I'm still using the Thetford fittings. I recall needing a heat gun to get the hose over the Thetford fitting. I only know of one size hose.
You could probably buy one of these and then a standard valterra style hose.
Valterra Thetford to Valterra Universal Adapter T05-2285-VP (http://www.rvsupplyparts.com/catalog/thetford-sewer-hose-fittings/valterra-thetford-to-valterra-universal-adapter-t05-2285-vp-7301.html?gclid=Cj0KEQiAuremBRCbtr-1qJnKi-4BEiQAh0x08GqWGVriBmOP0F4FI8VvldG9R8-EjJimB8cwRUVGVMsaAr6i8P8HAQ)
I doubt there's enough room for an adapter. There's just barely enough room to get the hose on the 45 degree angle Thetford fitting as it is. If I make any changes it'll be the third valve with a standard fitting. I'll probably buy a WallyWorld hose and struggle to get my old Thetford hose end onto it. Hopefully I won't say any naughty words this time, or at least not out loud. :)
Scott, I had to heat my hose with a hair dryer to get it on the Thetford fitting and put
the hose clamp on good and tight. Have not had a problem. Good luck.
Scott,
I have a 99 and can tell you that you cant use an adapter and a 3rd valve and get the compartment door closed. I tried the adapter, but don't recommend it as it didn't seal as well I thought it should. I cut the Thetford off and installed a Valterra 3rd valve.
Jerry
I never leave my sewer hose or water hose connected so it wouldn't matter about shutting the door.
Good idea about never leaving the water connected or at least shut off. I never trust the city pressure so just fill the tank with it.
Pierce
Jerry,
I plan to do the same thing, but have not figured out how to make the panel behind it removable once the 3rd valve is installed. How did you address that problem?
Thanks,
Trent
We sat and watched three guys trying to get a hose end into a hose while we were at Potter's Creek National CG. It was about 40* out. After about 15 minutes I couldn't stand it anymore. I went over to them with a $7 hose spreader from Camping World and told them to get some boiling hot water. After holding the end of the hose in the water for a few minutes I put the end of the spreader in the hose and then proceeded to pull the handles of the spreader apart. This stretched the hose enough that inserting the end connector into the hose was super slick. After we got done all three guys wanted to know where I got the spreader because they had all had a lot of difficulty assembling hoses & fittings.
Hose with fittings? Rhino 15' & 10' in the same box at Walmart in New Bruenfels for $29+ tax
If you have space problems trying to install a 3rd valve then do one that is removable. But I install it as I want or need to depending on the situation. I like the option, of being able to use my grey water to back flush my black tank. It is easy, and lots quicker than adding water thru the toilet. When we leave a campsite, I have already added fresh water for the trip I want to carry, and don't have to use that water to flush the tank at the dump station.
I also got rid of all my white ends. Now I can find or borrow a hose or buy parts everywhere. It makes quicker work even of dumping when traveling with another coach, using one set up.
I just dumped my tanks to be sure I know what I'm talking about. I lost about 800 pounds, what a relief! :)) There's definitely no room for any kind of adapter. There's just barely enough room to get the hose on there, and that's after I remove the power cable and water hose. I don't even think I wanna mess with those valves until I'm forced to. When that eventually happens I'll probably repipe the whole deal and install a standard fitting. I have no idea why I'd ever want to backflush my black water tank with gray water. I've had people try to explain that to me before but it seems like a feature I'd never want. I found one of those hose spreader thingys on eBay. I may try to make one out of some PVC scraps.
There is a huge difference in how you and I each use our coaches. You full time, lots of water flows monthly. I might get to use my coach for a week, weeks, or a month, then it gets parked for way too long. I worry that I might be leaving solids in the tank, and like to do what I can to purge it clean before it sits too long in the warehouse.