hi all
just checking to see if anyone knows if the valterra adapter T05-2285 is still the only/best available option for the extant thereford fittings on these lovely vintage foretravels?
i sped read the forums and it seems like the valterra is still the most widely available solution.
but— camco seems to be cornering the market (i will not express my disdain for the state of things at length..)
much appreciate y'all taking the time to share your knowledge, advice and experiences.
Although using the adaptor is perhaps the easiest/quickest way to address the "connection" problem, I would guess that most owners eventually convert the sewer pipe connection over to the more common Valterra. In essence, it is as simple as cutting the old fitting off, and gluing the new fitting on. The devil is in the details. Depending on how much working room you have around the original dump pipe assembly. it can be a easy job, or a hard one. There are helpful Forum threads covering this subject. A quick search of the Forum should bring up some Thetford to Valterra conversion posts on coach models similar to yours.
Amazon.com: Valterra T1029-2 Termination Adapter - 3" Bayonet x 3" Hub ,... (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006MRRWG/ref=nosim?tag=foreforums-20)
If you do decide to convert to a Valterra fitting, you might consider adding a third dump valve at the same time. This is a very popular Forum recommended modification. Searching on the Forum for "third dump valve" will bring up pertinent hits. The link below shows what converting to Valterra connection PLUS adding the third valve looked like on our U280. I had the luxury of lots of room to work, and easily accessible components, but many Forum owners have been able to accomplish the same end result with a little ingenuity.
Problems with third dump valve mod (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=23338.msg181042#msg181042)
This thread goes into more detail: Recent third dump valve installations (split from another topic) (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=25056.0)
How about simplicity: Convert one end of a high-quality sewer hose to Thetford and Valterra on other end.
Im a fan of converting the terminal end to Valterra - this way picking up a replacement hose is super easy (I tried to work around this and keep a Thetford end - also don't like the fitment of the adapter)
If you convert to the Valterra connection, and especially if you add a third valve, be careful about the spacing so that you can close the bay door with a hose connected. Someone had added the third valve in ours but retained the Thetford connector, and when I converted to the Valterra, I had to remove the third valve and move it back as far as could. Even after moving it back, I only have about a quarter inch of clearance with the door closed.
If you're considering changing out fitting, consider the Lippert Waste Master system. Its a good sold hose and I think the stopper like connection and plug are superior to anything else I've used. One of our better upgrades.
Amazon.com: Lippert 359724 Waste Master 20' Extended RV Sewer Hose Management... (https://www.amazon.com/Lippert-359724-Master-Extended-Management/dp/B010X65OHE/ref=ast_sto_dp_puis)
My coach came with one already installed. When the black valve was getting sticky I called Waste Master and found out I had the proto-type installed by the PO at the time and it was older than Methuselah so I changed out both valves. Couldn't be happier.
Keith Risch replaced mine with a valterra fitting. The old original fitting came off surprisingly easy with a pair of channel locks.....
That is a BIIIGGG pair of channel locks.
Nope a normal sized pair, channel loc 320 or 420's