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Topic: Question about FT dump valves (Read 641 times) previous topic - next topic

Question about FT dump valves

This may seem an odd question to ask as someone considering a future purchase of a Foretravel coach, but being odd has never stopped me before. :D

First, a little background. We currently own a 2007 Alpenlite fifth-wheel. In many ways, it has been a great trailer - with the exception of the electric switches/valves for the dump tanks, specifically the black water tank. The switch was replaced last year, but the valve still only opens intermittently, and after our last trip did not open at all. As a result, my wife decided to have manual valves installed for both black and gray water, figuring the gray water tank could start acting up at any time. However, because of the way the plumbing was installed, any manual valve handles would have to be installed in such a way that crawling underneath to pull them would be required. I'm told cable valve handles could be installed but, again because of the way the plumbing was installed, additional cutting and drilling would be required adding several hundred dollars to the repair bill.

Now to my question. Do FT coaches in say the 1995 - 2003 model year range have electric or manual valve releases? If electric, do they have manual bypasses? If so, how easily accessed are those manual bypasses? Our current fifth wheel has been very good to us, but the plumbing appears to be a nightmare. Thanks.
Walt Huntsman
Boise, Idaho
no Foretravel (yet)
2007 Alpenlite Voyager 31RE
2006 Ford F-350 DRW

Re: Question about FT dump valves

Reply #1 –
Quote from: WaltH –
This may seem an odd question to ask as someone considering a future purchase of a Foretravel coach, but being odd has never stopped me before. :D

Now to my question. Do FT coaches in say the 1995 - 2003 model year range have electric or manual valve releases? If electric, do they have manual bypasses? If so, how easily accessed are those manual bypasses? Our current fifth wheel has been very good to us, but the plumbing appears to be a nightmare. Thanks.

Excellent question!

I can speak for our 2003, which has manual valve releases.  Because of the tank configuration, they do have cables and to access the valves for replacement requires removing the back wall of the utility bay. 

We have since added an access hatch so some "behind the wall" service can be done without dismantling the wall

Wet bay access hatch
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: Question about FT dump valves

Reply #2 –
And our 2003 U295 also has manual valves.

It might be the electric valves were installed as options or manditory when the valves were not accessible.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: Question about FT dump valves

Reply #3 –
I had manual valves with cables on my 99,2000 and 2001.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Question about FT dump valves

Reply #4 –
My 2002 is a U270, and thus has manual valves for everything.  As far as I am concerned, simpler is better, and I don't have to worry about electric valve failures. 

My two control valves are in the same bay, and the black tank is cable-operated.  I think the Black valve itself is over on the other side, behind the Man-i-blok water manifold.  I'd also point out that the handle of this valve, when open, protrudes directly out so a person cannot accidentally leave the valve open and close the bay door (a neophyte mistake, leaving the Black valve open to dry out while sitting).  Over time, it has become hard to get that cable to completely close the valve, so whenever I took off the outer cap, there was a little bit of surprise mess.  I added a third manual valve at the fitting last winter.  I am enjoying using it immensely on this trip, as after I dump the Black, I am closing the third valve and opening the grey to backfill the Black for a few seconds, then close the grey and reopen the third valve and see that it is really helping to clean out the black.  Incidentally, the 2002 U270 has a black tank hose fitting to the right of the fresh water fitting to use another hose to back flush/wash out the tank.  I'm not sure what year that started.
The selected media item is not currently available.Brad & Christine Slaughter
Was:  1990 U280 36'
Was:  2002 U270 36' (With a bathroom door) Build #5981
Is:  2021 Leisure Travel Van Wonder 24RL
2015 Jeep JKU, 2003 S10 QC 4x4 or 2017 C-Max
Lake Havasu City, AZ (or Gillette, WY)

Re: Question about FT dump valves

Reply #5 –
My 1999 and 2000 both had manual cable operated valves
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Question about FT dump valves

Reply #6 –
My 98, 295 has manual valves, with long 12" additions to the pull rods handles.  I did access them for service with a simple removal of the wet bay wall.  I also added a pop out access panel to my wet bay wall.  Now I am able to both look and reach in to touch the valves to check for any leaks.  Total rebuild or service time was under 2 hours as I had  to figure out what I was doing.
Dave Cobb
Buckhorn Lake Resort The Club, #6202, Kerrville TX
check the map.  I do rent it out when I am traveling!
2001, U320, 36' #5887, in Kerrville, FT Club #17006, (7/23 to present)
2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, Summit, white
EX: 98 U295, 36' #5219, (mid door), (4/13-10/23)
EX: 93 U225, 36' (4/11 to 4/13)

Re: Question about FT dump valves

Reply #7 –
Thanks everyone! I'm feeling better about Foretravel as our prospective first coach all the time. :D
Walt Huntsman
Boise, Idaho
no Foretravel (yet)
2007 Alpenlite Voyager 31RE
2006 Ford F-350 DRW

Re: Question about FT dump valves

Reply #8 –
Ditto here on our 1997 U295 and 1999 U320

best, paul
1999 U320 40' 1200 watts on roof. 12cf AC/DC Cold plate fridge/freezer. VMS 240 CL Honda Element

Re: Question about FT dump valves

Reply #9 –
Our 2002 U320 has electric valves.  I was really dreading getting into them when I recently had one stuck closed.  Ours are made by Drain Master Drain Master Recreational Vehicle, Marine, Industrial and have a manual "T" handle that will open or close the valve.  The manual "T" handle is made of stainless steel and can be used numerous times until a replacement arrives.  I thought about putting in a Valterra but found the Drain Master name on the valve housing and decided to order from them after visiting their web site and talking to one of their techies.  Basically Plug and Play.  Ours have lasted for 12 years or so and I have replaced them for $88.00 each.  Drain Master was very helpful.  There is 1 screw that is very difficult to get to on our Black tank valve and it took the smaller hands of my DW to get to it.  Other than the one hard screw the process was pretty simple.  I like the electric valves as I have heard that the cables are sometimes problematic and I didn't have to figure out how to get the pull cable from the passenger side over to the wet bay.  :D
Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320

Re: Question about FT dump valves

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Carol & Scott –
Our 2002 U320 has electric valves.  I was really dreading getting into them when I recently had one stuck closed.  Ours are made by Drain Master Drain Master Recreational Vehicle, Marine, Industrial and have a manual "T" handle that will open or close the valve.  The manual "T" handle is made of stainless steel and can be used numerous times until a replacement arrives.  I thought about putting in a Valterra but found the Drain Master name on the valve housing and decided to order from them after visiting their web site and talking to one of their techies.  Basically Plug and Play.  Ours have lasted for 12 years or so and I have replaced them for $88.00 each.  Drain Master was very helpful.  There is 1 screw that is very difficult to get to on our Black tank valve and it took the smaller hands of my DW to get to it.  Other than the one hard screw the process was pretty simple.  I like the electric valves as I have heard that the cables are sometimes problematic and I didn't have to figure out how to get the pull cable from the passenger side over to the wet bay.  :D
It's good that you have the manual bypass. Our trailer does not. Nor is it really an option, unfortunately.

After going to the repair place this morning and having things shown and explained to me, it looks like staying electric is our only option. The cables would have to be run in such a way that they could easily get twisted or stuck when opening and closing. Plus, the release handles would have to come out the opposite side of the trailer from the valves themselves. Otherwise, the cable run would be even longer because of how the trailer's plumbing is set up.

I did find out the valves themselves are good, so it appears the issue is electric, either a loose connection or broken wiring. I'll have the repair folks see if they can trace and repair it, then see if I can learn anything when I have them explain it to me. :)
Walt Huntsman
Boise, Idaho
no Foretravel (yet)
2007 Alpenlite Voyager 31RE
2006 Ford F-350 DRW

Re: Question about FT dump valves

Reply #11 –
Hi Walt,
  Our 1997 U 320 has manual valves, no cables. Not hard to access.
Raymond
Raymond & Babette Jordan
1997 U 320
1998 Ford Explorer XLT

Re: Question about FT dump valves

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Raymond Jordan –
Hi Walt,
  Our 1997 U 320 has manual valves, no cables. Not hard to access.
Raymond
Good to know. While I understand the "need" and desire of some to have all the bells and whistles, as it were, it seems to me the simpler some things are kept, the better.
Walt Huntsman
Boise, Idaho
no Foretravel (yet)
2007 Alpenlite Voyager 31RE
2006 Ford F-350 DRW