Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Topic: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach? (Read 3209 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #25 – May 18, 2012, 10:33:15 am

Quote from: michaelespitz – May 18, 2012, 01:15:43 am

I hate when they won't let you watch. That's usually been my experience at FOT also.

I have two sons who are that way. They can't stand having someone look over their shoulder and if someone is, they quit doing and walk away. So I have learned to not look and just leave them alone. Very hard if I'm trying to learn something! Now I don't mind as I always had to allow that. Was a instructor in the military for a while, and again in civilian life, was a trainer for a petroleum transportation company. In both those cases you have people watching how to do it.

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #26 – May 18, 2012, 10:44:35 am

When I added my third valve, I use a Valterra hyrdoflush fitting which I just attach with my hose when I am dumping.

Available at most good rv supply stores, including Amazon.

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #27 – May 18, 2012, 12:23:47 pm

I have taken some pictures of the third valve I added to our 03 u320. It had a hub sticking out of the panel and I cut off the pipe coming out of it and then used a hacksaw to make notches in the pipe to the depth of the hub and then used a sharpened screwdriver to remove the pieces and then glued in a spigot for the valtera valve. I had bought a valtera valve at camping world that you could attatch to your termination and then just revoved the side that had the slots in it and attatched the valve to the spigot that I had glued in. good luck, mine works beautiful

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #28 – May 19, 2012, 08:43:13 am

Removing sawn off pieces of pvc pipe from flange, here's how the pros do it. Make one cut with your hacksaw blade down to the depth of the flange. Take propane torch and heat the piece of pipe to be removed from flange. Concentrate on the cut area until you are able to lift an edge with a screwdriver but keep torch moving. Grab lifted edge with pliers, Then, continue heating the pipe and rolling up the waste onto your pliers (needlenoses work best.) Clean area with pipe cleaner and you're ready to reuse.

A buddy tought me that, one of his jobs as a plumber apprentice was on a large utility project where the fittings may cost $50.00 plus. For several months that's all he did. He still does it on 3" an up fittings as he doesn't like to waste them.

Be aware of potential methane ignition issues.

Chuck

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #29 – May 19, 2012, 12:27:30 pm

Hi all,
There is a tool made by Wheeler Rex that is called the pipe hog. Works with an electric drill. It is available on Amazon. Then there is another pvc/abs pipe removal tool called the Pipe Parana. This tool shows it working in a You Tube clip. They seem to do the job.
Raymond

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #30 – May 19, 2012, 11:33:55 pm

I removed the Thetford fitting today. It came off quite easily - less than 20 min. I chose to remove the female Thetford from the pipe rather than cut it off and then chip out the remaining pipe from the inside of the hub. I used a hacksaw blade and got if off in 5 pieces. I have a little more than an inch of pipe exposed which looks like enough to attach the new valve.

Thanks to everyone for your help,
Mike
2003 U-295

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #31 – May 20, 2012, 06:30:33 am

One of the benefits of MOT is that they will let you watch. Kodak when it was FT did as well.

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #32 – May 20, 2012, 03:51:47 pm

I had quite a bit of work done at Foretravel in the last three weeks. I had no problems watching whatever part of the work I wished. In fact, they even came a got me from the waiting room to show me some of the work they were doing that they knew I would be interested in. It was an excellent experience this time.

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #33 – May 23, 2012, 10:21:16 am

Please excuse my ignorance...but why is a third valve necessary?

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #34 – May 23, 2012, 11:03:39 am

Bill, That third valve is a good insurance policy. Should a dump valve not close completely or the cable/handle/shaft break off you can still flush and dump without having to wade in a mess. It is a simple fix and brings a lot of peace of mind.
Gary B

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #35 – May 23, 2012, 11:44:05 am

I don't know your space limitations, but Camping World has a Valterra twist on valve, Cat. 27868, that might work for you.

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #36 – May 23, 2012, 03:05:19 pm

Quote from: bill velting – May 23, 2012, 10:21:16 am

Please excuse my ignorance...but why is a third valve necessary?

The third valve is not necessary. However, I installed the third valve and a Valterra fitting, and I've been very pleased with the benefits. Search the forum for "third valve." Put the words in quotes so the search finds the pair of words together. You can find several discussions of advantages and experiences.

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #37 – May 23, 2012, 06:42:16 pm

I was dumping today at a place that had no water to back flush. So, I closed the third valve and used 80 or so gallons of water pushing thru a 3 inch pipe to backwash the black tank. I do it two times and you can hear the whoosh.

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #38 – May 23, 2012, 06:55:16 pm

That is one of the main reasons for having a third dump valve, backflushing without wasting water. A second good reason is to add water to the black tank before dumping (assuming the gray is much more full than the black) so the bla ckcontents can flush out . A third is to stay out another day or two before dumping by transferring excess water from the gray to the balck tank.

My main reason is to hopefully avoid having a cup or two of not-so-nice liquis spill out when I remove the cap.

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #39 – May 23, 2012, 07:14:36 pm

Thank you for explaining. Another nugget I will be jotting down on my list.
On a side note... I am really amazed at the folks on this site who are willing to share their knowledge and experiences. Kudos to you all.

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #40 – June 12, 2012, 02:54:22 pm

Quote from: Jerryetc – May 23, 2012, 11:44:05 am

I don't know your space limitations, but Camping World has a Valterra twist on valve, Cat. 27868, that might work for you.

I just installed this twist on valve on my 2003 and it will work great for me.
I cannot shut bay door with hose connected but I usually dump and put the hose away.
But if I wanted to leave the hose hooked up I can always remove the twist on valve.

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #41 – June 12, 2012, 03:02:20 pm

Quote from: Barry Beam – June 12, 2012, 02:54:22 pm

I just installed this twist on valve on my 2003 and it will work great for me.
I cannot shut bay door with hose connected but I usually dump and put the hose away.
But if I wanted to leave the hose hooked up I can always remove the twist on valve.

Have the done the same setup on my '94 U225. Only install the twist on elbow for dumping. I set it up so I can close the door, but the trap door below it has to remain open.

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #42 – June 12, 2012, 05:22:39 pm

Barry - Didn't you use to have a macerator setup? Curious if there was a specific reason for the change.

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #43 – July 04, 2012, 08:50:59 pm

Quote from: Mark Benko – June 12, 2012, 05:22:39 pm

Barry - Didn't you use to have a macerator setup? Curious if there was a specific reason for the change.

Yes I did for many years and liked the convenience. But it just takes TOO long to dump and after the liquid runs out the solids settle at the bottom even when I tilt the coach. I finally realized it was because of the 1 inch hose. After I installed the 3rd valve and went back to the 3" hose I forgot how fast dumping could be.

Dont think I could go back.

Re: Third dump valve on an '02-'04 generation coach?

Reply #44 – July 05, 2012, 03:43:31 pm

The full flushing issue has always been what's kept me from changing to this setup. Thanks Barry for the explanation and real world experience.

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