Thetford Hose Adaptor "O" Rings Used in sewer hoses will become scarce.

Topic: Thetford Hose Adaptor "O" Rings Used in sewer hoses will become scarce. (Read 1703 times) previous topic - next topic

Thetford Hose Adaptor "O" Rings Used in sewer hoses will become scarce.

March 25, 2011, 11:47:37 pm

Those of you who have the Thetford based sanitary dump connections may be interested to know that there are TWO solutions to a dripping problem. Usually, the "O" ring on the 45* connector looses its plumpness and allows dripping after a few years of usage.
1. You can purchase a brand new fitting for the end of your hose for $18-$27 provided you can find one at a RV supply store.
2. You can still buy just an "O" ring (Part#33018) at a well stocked long time RV store for about $5 or less.
However, after doing some research and talking to a Thetford customer service representative, you better do it quick as he told me that the item is NO LONGER AVAILABLE from Thetford. I grabbed two of them today from my local supplier and he had three left.
FWIW,
Regards,

Re: Thetford Hose Adaptor "O" Rings Used in sewer hoses will become scarce.

Reply #1 – March 26, 2011, 09:36:16 am

We just had our sewer connection replaced and resized to the Valterra standard connection ... part of our marathoon session of repairs and updates this month. Before we left the parking lot at FOT, we left some items in a "Picker's Pile" near the laundry room. There were 2 of those adapters, an extra length of sewer hose, a humidifier (just needs a filter), an extra gas grill that we didn't need any more and a couple of plastic totes. The sewer adapters allowed us to use the Rhino hoses, which we liked so well, we decided to go for the permanent fix.

Re: Thetford Hose Adaptor "O" Rings Used in sewer hoses will become scarce.

Reply #2 – March 26, 2011, 11:53:08 am

We also converted to the Valterra bayonet when I installed the "Third Valve". Those two changes are some of the best upgrades I have done. We also use the Rhino hoses and connections. Now the worst job in RVing, dumping, is a piece of cake.

Re: Thetford Hose Adaptor "O" Rings Used in sewer hoses will become scarce.

Reply #3 – March 26, 2011, 12:04:26 pm

Quote from: Jon Twork – March 25, 2011, 11:47:37 pm

However, after doing some research and talking to a Thetford customer service representative, you better do it quick as he told me that the item is NO LONGER AVAILABLE from Thetford. I grabbed two of them today from my local supplier and he had three left.

Jon,

Is it just the 45 degree adapter that's discontinued or the O-ring? If the latter, I wonder if Thetford could share the specs on the O-ring (ID/OD, thickness). There might be other sources.

Thanks for the heads' up.

Michelle

Re: Thetford Hose Adaptor "O" Rings Used in sewer hoses will become scarce.

Reply #4 – March 26, 2011, 01:22:07 pm

Replacement O-rings are widely available in all different sizes and materials. For example - I googled o-rings and picked the first source that looked like a general supplier - Buy O-Rings Online. Kalrez o-rings, Viton orings, Metric oring, Parker o-ring, -

Then I selected the most likely stocked material (Buna-N) and picked a 3" ID and 1/8" diameter O-ring (that's a guess - I have converted to Valterra, so don't know the actual Thetford size). You can get 50 of these for $9.30! Maybe a little markup on the Thetford parts?

Re: Thetford Hose Adaptor "O" Rings Used in sewer hoses will become scarce.

Reply #5 – March 26, 2011, 02:06:32 pm

I found two sources of the Thetford o-ring on the internet, but they both appear to be the same store with outrageous shipping charges for something that could be put into an envelope and mailed for under a buck. I am going to look for a suitable generic o-ring. I'm guessing pretty much any rubber-like material will work for this application so long as I get the dimensions right.

If the price turns out to be 50 for $9.30, even with $10 shipping, that comes to under 20 cents each. That would be a lifetime supply, or of us could make the buy and resell them to the group.

Re: Thetford Hose Adaptor "O" Rings Used in sewer hoses will become scarce.

Reply #6 – March 26, 2011, 02:29:15 pm

I was never pleased with the Thetford sewer connection. When I bought my Foretravel Rudy L advised me to always carry a spare 45 degree angled connector because sooner or later one of the side tabs will break off. For me it was sooner and often. Just after I did what Kent did I was at the factory and had a spare Thetford connector. I saw someone pull up to the dump. I checked to see if he had the Thetford connectors and gave him my last one. He was pleased and surprised.

Re: Thetford Hose Adaptor "O" Rings Used in sewer hoses will become scarce.

Reply #7 – March 26, 2011, 04:09:09 pm

I have use Thetford for ten years now and never had an issue. In fact I have only replaced the 45 degree angle one time. Interesting others have issues. I have always had the third valve and put it on to dump and take it off till I dump again. Found everything lasts longer that way.

Re: Thetford Hose Adaptor "O" Rings Used in sewer hoses will become scarce.

Reply #8 – March 26, 2011, 05:02:11 pm

I had RVs with Thetford fittings from 1984 to 1988, Valtera from 1988 to 2008, and not Thetford again. Never any real issues. When I acquired the FT, I dug out the old Thetford 45-degree fitting, and found the o-ring no longer seals, but that is to be expected. ANd the one that came with my 2003 coach still works as new. If worse comes to worse, I carry a Thetford to Valtera adapter so I can use my old hoses if I ever need extra length.

Re: Thetford Hose Adaptor "O" Rings Used in sewer hoses will become scarce.

Reply #9 – March 26, 2011, 07:53:06 pm

If you check, you will see that the Thetford "O" ring is not a typical "O" ring....

Regards,
Jon Twork

Re: Thetford Hose Adaptor "O" Rings Used in sewer hoses will become scarce.

Reply #10 – March 26, 2011, 08:33:35 pm

How about a primer here for us newbie's. What is the difference between Thetford and Valtera fittings? What makes one any better than the other?

Re: Thetford Hose Adaptor "O" Rings Used in sewer hoses will become scarce.

Reply #11 – March 26, 2011, 08:47:16 pm

Gayland,
It's been a while since I had the Thetford but I think their O-ring was more like a gasket. I am not positive about that.

Re: Thetford Hose Adaptor "O" Rings Used in sewer hoses will become scarce.

Reply #12 – March 26, 2011, 10:47:31 pm

I believe that the Thetford is quite a bit heavier duty than the Valterra or others. I believe that only the high end coaches used Thetford probably due to costs...
If I am not mistaken, the working diameter is somewhat larger on the Thetford thereby providing a higher volume discharge when emptying the tanks. The twist-on fittings seem to be much heavier than others too, if memory serves...... I do not have any other brands close to me to check. Everyone has Thetford here next to me.

Regards,
Jon Twork

Re: Thetford Hose Adaptor "O" Rings Used in sewer hoses will become scarce.

Reply #13 – March 27, 2011, 06:37:06 am

I have valtera on my born free. It is not as good as the Thetford. Of course you experience may differ but I have a harder time putting it on and taking it off. It is not much different after that but there are not the big tabs and it takes a longer to empty on a relative basis. The flooosh of water you hear is not there on the BF vs the FT. I am pretty lucky to have two different coaches for different uses. It does give me some different opinions though. Nothing is very fancy on the BF and everything is manual and I have had zero repairs and one recall on the wiper motor to check and see if they put lithium grease in it. It was greased so no other issue but replacing the air filter and the fluids since I have owned it. I also had to replace the transfer switch when they sent me a heavier one than the one they put in so that it would not trip as often. They have a James Triana guy too. I say all of this because, the issues most of us seem to have with the newer coaches is electronics.... It is nice to know that some coaches don't have too many. If I were to build a new FT, I think I would downscale the electronics and go with a more manual approach. I do like the Thetford though and have had no issues with it over three FT and starting my 11th year of FT ownership.

Re: Thetford Hose Adaptor "O" Rings Used in sewer hoses will become scarce.

Reply #14 – March 27, 2011, 09:46:13 am

Try one of the industrial supply houses. Take the existing o-ring along and let them find the correct part. There are a multitude of o-rings available thru industrial bearing houses, McMaster-Carr, Grainger, and possibly Fastenal. These o-rings will be a lot cheaper than a "proprietary" o-ring.

Re: Thetford Hose Adaptor "O" Rings Used in sewer hoses will become scarce.

Reply #15 – March 30, 2011, 03:51:54 pm

After attempting to resolve what appeared to be a "simple" "O" ring replacement situation, I finally shelved the activity and purchased a NEW 45* hose adapter as I had to get dumped and get out of Yuma before the heat wave. The "O" ring on the old adapter was apparently cemented in with something like Loctite Super Glue Gel Professional because, trying to get the old ring out will require more time and tools than I had available at the time. I broke my dental pick at both ends and stopped short of using my other dental scrapers until I find a solution to soak the ringed end in to soften it. Working with it was like dealing with 20 year old caulk. I fully intend to bring all available technology to bear on the problem some time in the future. Best part was when I went back to pick up the new adapter, the price had been reduced by $2. Stay tuned for further developments.
Regards,

Re: Thetford Hose Adaptor "O" Rings Used in sewer hoses will become scarce.

Reply #16 – March 30, 2011, 04:10:41 pm

Jon,
Any hardware store will have Xylene which is a very strong solvent that will disolve most adhesives known to man. Perhaps you can give that a try...please use rubber gloves. Just soak the O ring for a few minutes and work it off the adhered-to surface.

Re: Thetford Hose Adaptor "O" Rings Used in sewer hoses will become scarce.

Reply #17 – March 30, 2011, 05:34:04 pm

Just as a FWIW, Xylene/xylol will not affect on a properly formulated epoxy adhesive and as I recall, it's also inactive on Methylmethacrylate (Super Glue).

Re: Thetford Hose Adaptor "O" Rings Used in sewer hoses will become scarce.

Reply #18 – March 30, 2011, 05:42:23 pm

Kent,
Do you know what would work on a properly formulated epoxy adhesive & crazy glue? I presume acetone would also not work?

Re: Thetford Hose Adaptor "O" Rings Used in sewer hoses will become scarce.

Reply #19 – March 30, 2011, 05:49:42 pm

Peter, depending upon the chemical resistance characteristics Laquer Thinner or MEK (methylethelkeytone) are usually the most active.

Acetone will usually be active on MMA (superglue). The problem is that it evaporates very rapidly so using it in combination with other solvents and a thickener will help. Paint striper should also work on both but its really nasty to work with.

Re: Thetford Hose Adaptor "O" Rings Used in sewer hoses will become scarce.

Reply #20 – March 30, 2011, 06:35:25 pm

will a 15' rinoflex hose with fittings fit in a standard storage tube in the battery bay ?

Re: Thetford Hose Adaptor "O" Rings Used in sewer hoses will become scarce.

Reply #21 – March 30, 2011, 07:14:00 pm

Quote from: dunnrite1 – March 30, 2011, 06:35:25 pm

will a 15' rinoflex hose with fittings fit in a standard storage tube in the battery bay ?

No, the component that goes into the camp ground sewer connection will not fit. And the OEM Thetford bayonet connector that came with with coach is too large to fit in my compartment. However, I have changed over to the Valtera Bayonet and it does fit in the compartment. With the Rhinoflex hose, most of the time I don't need the ground connector portion. I just bend the end of the hose 90 degrees and push it down the sewer pipe. The only time I use the Rhino end, is when I am hooking up to campground sewer system long term where I want a sealed system.

Re: Thetford Hose Adaptor "O" Rings Used in sewer hoses will become scarce.

Reply #22 – March 30, 2011, 07:17:50 pm

Peter, the hose storage area on the U300 is totally different than on your U270. It is in the battery compartment just behind the rear wheels on the drivers side. The Rhino does fit in Jeff & Carol's U320 compartment which I believe is much like yours.

Re: Thetford Hose Adaptor "O" Rings Used in sewer hoses will become scarce.

Reply #23 – March 30, 2011, 07:26:03 pm

Quote

Peter, the hose storage area on the U300 is totally different than on your U270. It is in the battery compartment just behind the rear wheels on the drivers side. The Rhino does fit in Jeff & Carol's U320 compartment which I believe is much like yours.
Kent Speers

I solved my sewer hose storage by buying a lid that fits on a standard bucket that seals. When done I put the hose and various adapters in the bucket, close the lid and put the bucket in the storage next to the water bay. This way I have no wet hose to mess with and hose and adapters are sealed in a bucket so there is no odor.
In addition I have also cut off the Thetford fitting and attached a standard Valterra fitting with an additional slide valve at the end of the outlet. Much easier to deal with and standard parts are available anywhere.

Re: Thetford Hose Adaptor "O" Rings Used in sewer hoses will become scarce.

Reply #24 – March 30, 2011, 07:45:48 pm

Quote from: Gary Bouland – March 30, 2011, 07:26:03 pm

Quote
Peter, the hose storage area on the U300 is totally different than on your U270. It is in the battery compartment just behind the rear wheels on the drivers side. The Rhino does fit in Jeff & Carol's U320 compartment which I believe is much like yours.
Kent Speers
I solved my sewer hose storage by buying a lid that fits on a standard bucket that seals. When done I put the hose and various adapters in the bucket, close the lid and put the bucket in the storage next to the water bay. This way I have no wet hose to mess with and hose and adapters are sealed in a bucket so there is no odor.
In addition I have also cut off the Thetford fitting and attached a standard Valterra fitting with an additional slide valve at the end of the outlet. Much easier to deal with and standard parts are available anywhere.

Gary, the modification of cutting of the Thetford and adding the third valve and a Valtera bayonet are two of the best mods I have made to the coach. One other one, although considerable more expensive was the addition of a hose reel and power cable reel. I don't have a spot for the bucket anymore but it sure is easy to set up when I reach a camp site.

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