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Topic: FRUSTRATED WITH THETFORD CONNECTIONS (Read 1933 times) previous topic - next topic

FRUSTRATED WITH THETFORD CONNECTIONS

For the first six months we lived in our coach I had quite a few problems with the Thetford connector on the stub onto which I connect the sewer hose.  The connection ALWAYS leaked and one time it twisted off just as I opened the gate valve.  It wasn't pretty.

I like the connectors made by Valterra so I decided to permanently attached a Thetford to Valterra adaptor to the sewer stub.  These Vlaterra connectors take a fair amount of pressure to twist into place and the hose NEVER EVER leaks or twists off.

Here is what I did.

1)  Cleaned the end of the permanently attached Thetford connector thorougly with Isopropyl alcohol.
2)  Cleaned the connecting side of a new Thetford to Valterra adaptor with alcohol
3)  Pulled the thin rubber gasket out of the Valterra adaptor and filled that space with a thin layer of a very good silicone caulk.
4)  I re-seated the rubber gasket into the bead of caulk
5)  Applied a thicker bead of caulk on top of the gaset and attached the adaptor to the stub.
6)  I mixed up some epoxy and placed a 1/4 inch bead against two of the ears or "locking flanges" so that the adapter could never work itself loose.
7)  Let everything dry for 48 hours before using it.

That was almost two months ago and the new connection has served me very well since.

George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: FRUSTRATED WITH THETFORD CONNECTIONS

Reply #1 –
George, Valterra makes an adapter for this purpose.  You have to cut off the Thetford ring and glue on the adapter and then you can use standard hoses.  Bill W. Had a write up on this on Yahoo.  I did it to mine and also added an end slide valve so that even if a slide valve fails I have a fail safe device.  It also allows me to back flush the black tank using the grey water.
Gary B
95 U280

Re: FRUSTRATED WITH THETFORD CONNECTIONS

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Gary Bouland –
George, Valterra makes an adapter for this purpose.  You have to cut off the Thetford ring and glue on the adapter and then you can use standard hoses.  Bill W. Had a write up on this on Yahoo. 

Gary,

Is this the thread from Yahoo you're talking about? 

http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=5566.msg23071#msg23071

If we hadn't hit the "mother lode" of curved Thetford adapters dirt cheap last spring, we'd have made a mod similar to what Bill or George did.

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: FRUSTRATED WITH THETFORD CONNECTIONS

Reply #3 –
Gary,

I am very interested in adding a gate valve as a safety precaution.  Any chance of getting you to take some pics and list the steps?

George

George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: FRUSTRATED WITH THETFORD CONNECTIONS

Reply #4 –
George, I'll try to get a photo t'morrow.  Somewhere in the old threads on Yahoo is the part #. Search for posts by Bill W.  and I will continue to look for it.
Gary B

Re: FRUSTRATED WITH THETFORD CONNECTIONS

Reply #5 –
George , Here is part # for Thetford to Valterra adapter.
 Valterra connection part #1029-2 and 1029 cap
Gary B

Re: FRUSTRATED WITH THETFORD CONNECTIONS

Reply #6 –
George, these are the parts you will need to install the valve and a standard 3 inch
connection, parts are listed in order from the cap to the drain pipe.
 1-t 1020 cap,place on t 1009 flange, place valve t 1003vp on flange, place flange t 1005 on valve and bolt together, dry fit all parts before you cut the Thetford adapter off to make sure you have enough room to make the installation.
 Bill W. 97 U270,almost forgot,all parts are by Valterra
The selected media item is not currently available.Bill&Doris 97 U270 36'
University of Parris Island Class of 66
Semper Fi  Build# 5174 MC#17094

Re: FRUSTRATED WITH THETFORD CONNECTIONS

Reply #7 –
Bill,

Thank you so much.  I will make this upgrade a priority.  We pull those valve handles with slow and steady pressure, but if one of the cables ever separates from the valve -- then we have a big problem.

Thanks again.
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: FRUSTRATED WITH THETFORD CONNECTIONS

Reply #8 –
Quote from: B W –
flange t 1005
Bill,
Am I correct in thinking that the T1005 flange will fit inside the Thetford pipe and that it is pvc glued into it?
Pat
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: FRUSTRATED WITH THETFORD CONNECTIONS

Reply #9 –
We had Extreme Graphics install our safety gate valve.  We were there and it was convenient to let them do it.  I bought the valve at the place they suggested.  One less task for my infinitely long (and growing) To Do List.
Audrey & Harvey Nelson
2000 U-320, 40' towing 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
nelsonah@ieee.org

Re: FRUSTRATED WITH THETFORD CONNECTIONS

Reply #10 –
Quote from: PatC –
Bill,
Am I correct in thinking that the T1005 flange will fit inside the Thetford pipe and that it is pvc glued into it?
Pat

George, the T1005 will fit over the 3 inch black pipe with PVC glue.
The selected media item is not currently available.Bill&Doris 97 U270 36'
University of Parris Island Class of 66
Semper Fi  Build# 5174 MC#17094

Re: FRUSTRATED WITH THETFORD CONNECTIONS

Reply #11 –
I looked up the parts on the Valterra site ( http://www.valterra.com/RV/rv-main.htm ) to see what Bill W. mentioned in his note and quoted below.  I attached some "small" pictures of the parts and listed prices. You can see larger pictures on the Valterra site.  The only one I was not sure I had correct was the 3" Bladex Waste Valve. This one has the metal handle.

Quote from: B W –
George, these are the parts you will need to install the valve and a standard 3 inch
connection, parts are listed in order from the cap to the drain pipe.
 1-t 1020 cap,place on t 1009 flange, place valve t 1003vp on flange, place flange t 1005 on valve and bolt together, dry fit all parts before you cut the Thetford adapter off to make sure you have enough room to make the installation.
 Bill W. 97 U270,almost forgot,all parts are by Valterra
Ron Sedgley
Former 2002 U320 - Custom 38' Owner
            (2007 to 2021)    Build No. 6001
 

Re: FRUSTRATED WITH THETFORD CONNECTIONS

Reply #12 –
Thanks Ron and Bill.  Have to make a two hour trip to Camping World tomorrow and will see if they have that stuff too.

Edit:  Made that trip to Camping World, and the only parts that they had were the T1003 Valve and the 1020 cap.  Will have to order the other stuff from one of the on-line sources.  But I got what I really made the trip for, and at a very good price!  So that made the 2 hour ride worth it.

Edit: Got the rest of the parts locally.  Hopefully will start the project today (after the front lawn gets mowed).  It is going to be a tight fit in the small compartment of the U225.  Have to place the Valve in just the right position on the first try.  Don't know how long before that ABS glue sets up.

Update:  All done and have the xtra valve in place.
1994 U225
build #4514