how to lubricate rv holding tank valves and cables how to lubricate rv holding tank valves and cables

To properly dump your tanks, Paul recommends the following. Soak the valves in hot water with some detergent, making sure to leave the gates open. This consist of a cable much like a throttle cable on a lawn mower. This will get the lube on both sides of the seal and the rod. The biggest way to prevent a sticky black tank valve is proper maintenance. Click \"SHOW MORE\" for some great information about us.\rTreat us to a cup of coffee: https://ko-fi.com/theglampingguys\rStickers, Shirts \u0026 More: https://teespring.com/stores/glamping-guys-swag-3\rFollow the Glamping Guys on Instagram:\rhttps://www.instagram.com/glamping_guys/\r\r\r*********** \rABOUT US \r***********\rJason \u0026 Tod, are a married couple looking to explore this beautiful world. Just replaced all three pull cablesturned out to be a relatively simple jobat least that's what DH saidLOL! Close the gate and apply a thin coating of grease to both sides. +1. See Also:Can Different RVs Use The Same Door Key? An understanding of how dump valves work helps us take better care of them. I thought the same about the cables being run better, but after having to take down the coroplast, I see that they are actually run very well. Your email address will not be published. Front gray and both black tank handles are in the water bay. RV Daily Tips. In your case, I suggest that you use the same idea, but pour it into the tanks after you dump the tanks as you store it. Coconut oil, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, olive oil will all help. Be careful not to ding or in any way damage that steel rod, as a rough rod can create problemslike tearing up the shaft seal. RV Daily Tips. New cables work MUCH better than the OEMS ever did. It doesnt harm O rings so it should be fine for these valves. Please do your due diligence when deciding which lubricant to use. The RVers are usually referring to the black 3-inch gate valve on their black holding tank. maybe a zit, but thats another problem for my teen years, Its been corrected. This method is kind of a long shot, especially if youre trying to unstick the black tank valve. Why? The contents inside the valve dry out causing the valve to stick. By adding a Zerk fitting (grease fitting) to the dump valve assembly, they pump grease into the cavity around the steel rod. The front gray drains out of the same outlet as the 2 black tanks. What are your likely plans for 2023? Weve never tried it, and do have a couple of concerns. Just wanted to share this tip again in case some have not tried this. We'll see how long it lasts. Our dump valves are quite stiff. Doug Swarts is a 25-year RV industry expert at creating and implementing revolutionary products for all RV waste management systems. When you dump the tanks you just pull the handles. But unless the choice of lubricants is one that will go into suspension with water, the lube will simply float on the top of the tank water and hang out there until you finally dump the tank. Gone are the days of having to use a manual valve to dump your tanks. The veggie oil is a gallon jug the cheapest (~$5) stuff from Walmart or similar store. We are here to help, call us at. ; ; Whats the best way to clean an RV waste valve? tried 2# new 3 #blk valves last mo, both are sticking (hear rubber dragging on pull leaver shaft. Use a product like Dow Corning 111. This website utilizes some advertising services. 5 Regrets of RV Camping in a National Park. How do you lubricate RV holding tank valves and cables? thr handle works but it is out but nothing coming out. We're asked often about the proper method to lubricate a sticky RV dump valve. Remove the 6-8 self tapping screws which hold the Coroplast to the frame. Proper maintenance is the best way to keep the gate valves to the RV holding tanks from getting sticky, hard to open and close, or stuck. Last year in Texas I started to squirt a lubricating/penetrating oil into each one of the cables where they pass through the dock center (if that makes sense). Holding Tank Dump Valves. If you use a grease zerk be sure you do not apply too much grease or the valve will be hard to pull and push open or close. oz. The RVers are usually referring to the black 3-inch gate valve on their black holding tank. Are the National Parks in Oregon Worth Visiting? Why? Last update on 2023-03-04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API, Your email address will not be published. Its called, Youve got no place to go if your holding tank valves wont open.. Do not use WD-40 as it will remove the lubricant that came with it and is inside the housing. There is no way to get lubrication to this seal. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. Then, with the gate valves closed pour 1/2 a cup in the toilet and the sink that is the closest to the grey tank. Thetford makes what they advertise as a valve lubricant. Realizing this was a loosing battle, I cut the sewer line that is already exposed and inserted a ball valve with two rubber couplers. They are universal, so dont worry about getting the wrong one. Please follow these rules when commenting on RVtravel.com. 2022 RVTravel.com All rights Reserved. Did the drill hole only difference used a small self tapping screw very gently so not to strip it out worked like a champ thanks. I am in campground with blk tank maybe 3/4 full. Serving RVers for more than 20 years. It not only gets lubricant all over the gate valve but on the walls of the holding tank as well which helps stop waste from sticking to it. When you dump a tank and the handle is pulled to the open position, simply shoot the stainless rod with a good shot of lubricant spray containing silicon or Teflon. Use Thetford RV drain lubricant regularly and make sure you are using RV black tank treatment and plenty of water after dumping. Every Saturday and Sunday morning. When your RV black tank valve gets harder to open, you dont want to wait until it breaks. By adding a Zerk fitting (grease fitting) to the dump valve assembly, they pump grease into the cavity around the steel rod. On our old travel trailer, I even ripped off the plastic handle to the black tank valve trying to get it to open. Works great. it worked 2 weeks ago and not freezing yet. Heres How to Fix Your Stuck RV Black Tank Valve, How to Unstick Your Stuck RV Black Tank Valve, Preventing Your Black Tank Valve From Getting Stuck Again. Take care of all of the different parts of your RV. See the detail from Valterras Installation Sheet to make sure your cable is installed properly or has not loosened up from a secure area. Kitchen Sink, 3 Burner Range, Refrigerator, Pantry and More! Maintenance is easy and inexpensive. shot in dark but maybe you have answer. See Also:What Do I Need To Use Hookups At An RV Park Or Campground? Hopefully, the valve just needed a little space and it opens after just a few turns. The veggie oil is a gallon jug the cheapest (~$5) stuff from Walmart or similar store. In some cases the 1.5-inch gray valve gets sticky over time especially if the RVer is not using his RV full time. You can dump in the entire bottle if you want. Some say that the best way to lubricate a sticky black or grey tank valve is to use WD-40 on the handle and inside the box that holds the gate valve when it's open. Were Jenni and Jesse. Remove the seals from the flanges and inspect both of the seals and the flanges for cracks or abrasion. Try adding more than the recommended dosage to increase the chance of it getting to the valve. If damaged, replace. Its not something you want to deal with as an RVer because of the nature of the beast but its a reality. My thought is that products like the Thetford one that is mentioned, are a compound that is actually heavier than the water, and they probably sink to the bottom of the tank and collect at the seal. WD can work its way into the seal at the end of the rod shaft and gum it up, making it extremely sticky. The handle will either be connected directly to the gate or it will be connected to a long cable that leads to the gate valve thats located further away. We do try our best (time permitting) to keep most music in our videos original. Apply a thin coating of grease to the seals and install them on the flanges. Make sure your tanks are empty and clean. I lubed them with Lucas Red and Tacky grease. See Also:Best RV Sewer Hose Kits Reviewed & Rated. IN CONCLUSION Valve easily adapts to existing bolt on flanged valve connections. Startseite; Die Bckerei. Safe travels, Once a year I dump some vegetable oil down each waste water tank as well as use the usual supplied straw that comes with every can of spray lube and force some lube by the handle end of the cable. - Carl Segan, Our "Rolling Rest Home" 2013 Trilogy 3650RL dragged by a 2005 GMC Sierra 4x4 Diesel Dually -SOLD. Remove the bolts securing the valve. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. RV toilet tissue is single ply and will break down quickly in your black holding tank. (877) 652-0399 Get Directions. If you can get it open, dump your RV. Maintenance prevents unwanted surprises. of lubricant. Before you insert the new black tank valve, you can lubricate the seal for preventative maintenance. Your email address will not be published. 513-401-7763 or Contact Us. Terry and Jo2010 Mobile Suites 38TKSB32008 Ford F450 2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout Our photos on Smugmug, Bill Joyce, 40' 2004 Dutch Star DP towing an AWD 2020 Ford Escape HybridJournal at http://www.sacnoth.comFull-timing since July 2003. To do this open and close the valves to the black and grey tank a few times. But if nothing else has been effective this could work as a last resort. Install a grease zerk or access port so the valve can be lubricated without removing the valve. Do not use WD-40. To answer your question, some RVers swear by the addition of various kinds of oils to their holding tanks, via the drain. Decided to leave just a little in the tanks to sit against the valves through the winter to keep them from drying out instead of antifreeze. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Even though its meant to be used on empty RV holding tanks theres a chance RV drain valve lubricant will work anyways. All tanks are available with a 3" spigot fitting and 4 level sensors installed. I do that and it has served us well. I'm concerned that they spoke of UV protection, but not lubrication. RV Waste Superstore - On Sale Now! I do think it is a good idea to occasionally dump some recommended conditioner down both the black and gray water tanks to lubricate and condition the rubber seal that the spade valve slides in and out of. RV Holding Tank Dump Valves. But what if the valves are stuck closed and you have full holding tanks? You can reference numerous YouTube videos showing how to go about this, but the entire process should take less than an hour. Keep both the grey and black dump valve closed until one or both tanks need to be emptied. Dave recommends applying silicon to the shaft, rather than WD-40, which will clean the grease and rid of the natural oils that help the valve slide fluidly. Its a relatively easy process that requires few tools. Why Do People Put Pool Noodles on Their RV Slideouts? Price: $73.28. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Your real email is required. If would be great if there were some sort of a way to add grease or some other such lubricating stuff under pressure to make the cables work easier. Thetford has a great product we have used for several years called the Drain Valve Lubricant. Enter a Melbet promo code and get a generous bonus, An Insight into Coupons and a Secret Bonus, Organic Hacks to Tweak Audio Recording for Videos Production, Bring Back Life to Your Graphic Images- Used Best Graphic Design Software, New Google Update and Future of Interstitial Ads. An initial plus first or last name is the minimum, we're all friends here. Dont freak out. DO NOT USE the old standby, WD-40. Use Dow 111 synthetic greaseor any non-petroleum grease and lubricate the SS shaft if your valves are the manual pull type. If you dont have Thetford RV drain valve lubricant on hand another thing you can try to lubricate the RV gate valve thats stuck closed is dish soap and water. I had to put new seals in it, and when I did, I used vegetable oil & gave both seals a good coat, plus the blade on the valve, and the valve shaft. You can lubricate your valves over and over again on a regular basis with this method. Most RVs with cable pull or rod-actuated valves are positioned in the side or 3 oclock side of the exit pipe, allowing this contaminated water to lay in the bottom of the body and creating this issue over time. What Is Primitive Camping? Periodically agitate the valve with the open or hole end down in the water the idea is to remove the debris that collects in the body of the valve over time as the gate is opened to dump your tanks. But then, I'm not a chemical engineer either. If the bolts get removed all of the ways the gate valve will fall open and the contents of the holding tank will come spilling out uncontrollably. I use a couple bottles of vegetable oil in the black water tank,after flushing well,then open and shut the valve quickly.Never had a problem with sticky valves since. If your valve is getting stuck, you might need to replace it down the road anyway. Then you can screw a sheet metal screw into the . You may have to loosen a bracket holding the propane pipe but that is a snap too. Squeeze the flanges together and insert the four bolts and nuts. How to conquer the fear of breaking down in remote areas, Lawsuit could upend operations of Recreation.gov, Montana moves to save some campsites from filling up with out-of-staters, Fact-checking, ethics & corrections policy. They act as a door that keeps the wastewater in the appropriate tank until you wish to empty it at an appropriate dump facility. You can revoke your consent any time using the Revoke consent button. here is the latest on the stuck valves. The Official Site of Philip T. Rivera. Is it going to require intensive labor or specialized tools? This spray is sticky and could cause issues with your seals down the road. Once you detach the valve, clean around the seals and gaskets. Click Here to Login i tried lubing the cable, pull the valves and installed new seals, tried cooking oil in my tanks before i used them, to lube the actual valve, none of this worked. See Also:What To Do When An RV Waste Tank (Black/Grey) Wont Drain. This keeps the gate space and pull rod seal lubricated. Stocking thousands of OEM & aftermarket marine parts by top suppliers. I use Liquid Wrench on all my cable ends once a year. Please follow these rules when commenting on RVtravel.com. As you can see in the photo, it has a plastic gate or spade that slides in and out of the dump hole. 2019 Ford Expedition Max as Tag-along or Scout. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. There are other methods of lubricating things. Every so often, when you dump your black tank, spray lubricant containing silicon on the rod while its open. the freeze statrs Friday night and it is Wednesday night. First, keep the rod well lubricated. Let sit for a few minutes and then exercise the valve by opening and closing a few times. Little did I know theres actually a simple fix to this issue that will also help keep the valves opening easily in the future. any ideas be very greatful. Happy camper. Some RVers use this next trick on the black and grey tank valves so they can lubricate them from the outside whenever they want. WATCH VIDEO Stabilizer Jack Replacement Do-It-Yourself When it is time to replace your RV stabilizer jack, follow Matt and Bart as they demonstrate how easy it is to do this yourself. TC372 Valterra Motorhome Black Water Holding Tank Waste Valve Body with 72" Flexible Cable - 3" Valve Value - This item This is one of those old RVers tricks that gets you into hour long discussions as to what is best. I wonder if I should continue using it? This photo shows the drain pipe bayonet with the lever just to the left and a long rod dangling with little support. How to Market Your Business with Webinars. However, there are products made specifically for this purpose. Sorry for the late reply. After adding the soap and water drive around to get the waste inside the tank mixing. If the tank is almost full you might not be able to add any extra water, but thats ok. Leave a little space in the tank so the liquid and waste inside can slosh around and mix up the dish soap. The gate is pulled aside, or open, by an attached stainless steel rod. Save my name and email in browser cookies for the next time I comment so I won't have to enter that information again. Extreme Thermal Package R-52 (roof, floor and behind . He said that usually the issue isn't the cable, but the gate valve & rubber seals. I wonder if I can use 303 Aerospace Protectant liquid down the tanks as well. I wish there was some way to lube those cables up in there and maybe the gate valve itself. Enclosed and heated dump valves; Docking station: easy winterization, Hot and cold spray port, black Tank flush, pull valves for tanks; Large tinted windows with 80/20 UV prohibitor; E-Z LUBE Dexter axles; Dexter Nev-R-Adjust brakes; Hickory Springs radius triple steps with 9" riser (no pinched fingers) Dometic "One-Touch" electric awning with . My waste tank valves have gotten quite stiff. How to Replace an RV Black Tank Valve The first thing you need to do is make sure your black tank is empty and clean. RV Lock Replacement. Forest River recalls some trailers for fridge fire risk, ST-type tire speed ratings One mans opinion. Provides an easy way to open and close the remotely installed valve. The veggie oil is a gallon jug the cheapest (~$5) stuff from Walmart or similar store. Holding tank valves Fifth Wheels . (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wU-a8W44_4), NO MESS: At-home RV body valve repair is mess-free for your convenience, VERSATILE: Bladex valve is compatible with GrenTec, Blade, Valterra, Bristol, and Anonda valves. Try and open the gate valve every time to loosen a bolt a little bit. RV Mirrors; RV Window Parts . Extend or open the rod and valve and apply the proper lubrication to the rod and run it in and out. Now work the valve open and closed a few times. Last year in Texas I started to squirt a lubricating/penetrating oil into each one of the cables where they pass through the dock center (if that makes sense). First, keep the rod well lubricated. Thats what campground bathrooms are for. The RV Proctologist gave my tanks and valves a good cleaning but the gray is still difficult. What are your likely plans for 2023? It works well but its not my favorite method for regular maintenance because it involves drilling a hole in the gate valve housing. Make sure to hold the flanges tight against the valve during this process. If you dump cooking oil, or another oil of that type, you arent accomplishing anything if there is any water in the bottom of the tank. Price: $36,895. DO NOT USE the old standby, WD-40. Keystone RV Forums > Keystone Tech Forums > Repairs & Maintenance: Lubricating dump valves? Dave recommends applying silicon to the shaft, rather than WD-40, which will clean the grease and rid of the natural oils that help the valve slide fluidly. Open the valve and soak it in hot, soapy water. Some do it 3-4 times a year when the rig is in service as well. It has a door where you gain access to the city water inlet, fresh water tank fill, cable hookup, dump handles, and tank flush. Keep In Mind: RVing isnt always the easy, carefree lifestyle some make it out to be, and we think its about time you knew these RV secrets. The waste tank T handle is in the wet bay. Now finger-tighten the four bolts/nuts then use a wrench and tighten them to 20-inch pounds of torque OR no more than 1 1/2 full turns. This gets the lubricant inside and around the valve. Its completely normal for this to happen. This post may contain affiliate links, This post may contain affiliate links or mention our own products, please check out our disclosure policy. I would do this as I was waiting for the tanks to dump not sure but I think they are starting to work easier. I had forgotten what a difference this makes, valves work better than new! Rating Easy fix by: Anonymous Tap on inner gate with a 2x2 and hammer. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Access to the valves is actually easy without cutting the Coroplast. Works great. All seams are solvent welded and have a 1" mounting flange. After getting the oil in the tanks, work the valves open an closed several times to work the oil into the gate seals until they slide easily. With the valve open and actuating rod exposed, wrap a rag around the rod, and grasp the rod firmly through the rag with a pair of pliers. Pour 1/4 bottle in each drain. Some RVers who have been flummoxed by sticky valve handles have gone a step further than the simple advice to lube it every now and then. A hole needs to be drilled in the front of the gate valve above the handle. Were asked often about the proper method to lubricate a sticky RV dump valve. Its time to replace it. A sticky holding tank valve is a pain in the neck. Living in Florida we don't put the RV into storage but I'll bet it would help if it sits for a month or so too. Having problems with your RV black tank can cause you much frustration. That doesnt mean things wont break or crack, but do what you can to prevent such issues from happening. This led me to put zerk grease fittings on each of my gate valves. Most products need tank openings at the top, 2/3, 1/3, and bottom levels. . Likewise, to prevent gunk buildup and maintain pliable seals, you can pour vegetable oil down the drain and allow it to coat the RV waste valve. A password will be e-mailed to you. as soon as i loosened the four bolt and removed . See Also:How To Maintain RV Holding Tanks To Prevent Clogs & Odors. I have put vegetables oil in gray tank. Siebenbrgische Spezialitten Erzeugnisse aus der Heimat nach original Rezepten. It flows through the waste plumbing system and into the holding tanks. Plug the hole using a small screw so no waste water comes out of it when the valve is opened. Is there an additive I can add to the valves to lubricate the seals? Then when done with gray valve, removed oil from trap and used it down the toilet for the black tank valve. (I guess Im not a big fan of working with _____. it is going to the teens for 5 days and I cant empty black tank!!! orbit eccentricity calculator. One tip I did see is to drill a small hole above the handle and spray silicone into the hole while moving the handle in and out. View Details. Because the valve needs to be connected at the base of the holding tanks, these cable gate valves are used so the handle can still be by the waste outlet where you connect the sewer hose. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "abc43f8af58a96ad9450bbba6d3f65dc" );document.getElementById("bf0ddd2115").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Welcometo The Camping Nerd. We use a variety of \"free\" music resources, but one of our favorites is www.bensound.com \rQuestions about our editing \u0026 music?\rInquire at e-mail below.\r\r\r****************\rCAMERA GEAR\r****************\rCanon G7X Mark II\riPhone XS MAX\rZhiyun Smooth 4 Gimbal\rDJI Mavic 2 Pro Drone\rRode VideoMic\r\r\r************ \rTRUCK/RIG\r************\r2015 FORD Powerstroke 350 Diesel\r2018 Grand Design Solitude 344GK-R 37ft Fifth Wheel\r\r\r***************\rSOUNDCLOUD\r***************\rBy popular demand, here's The Glamping Guys Soundtrack! Try going to a motorcycle dealership/repair shop. The Valterra gate valve is the most common model used by RV manufacturers. 1 of 1. Any ideas guys and gals? - 89-8282 Confirm Availability. 2 blacks, 2 grays. Click or drag a file to this area to upload. Remove the bolts securing the valve. Your real email is required. Squeeze the flanges together and insert the four bolts and nuts. Dear Dave, I suggest using water resistant WD-40 Specialist (click to view on Amazon) on the handles, but it won't work as well on the inner gate part. U got silicone greases too. Leaving your RVs gray valve open when fully hooked up allows you to take long showers without worrying about dumping or filling up the gray tank. Pro Tip: You dont need to use expensive RV toilet paper. Once you insert the new valve, replace the bolts. After getting the oil in the tanks, work the valves open an closed several times to work the oil into the gate seals until they slide easily. If this valve breaks, it will be much more difficult to open your RV black tank valve, so do what you can to prevent this from happening. Menu and widgets This is both an "FYI" and "what do ya think" kind of post. Theres no guarantee any of these things will work, but they are worth trying if you need to get those drain valves open to dump your RV. How to Install Cable Operated RV Dump Valve? Fix the bolts in it and attach data cables with the main DC power supply of the RV. Work the valve a few times in the water to ensure all of the residue gets cleaned out. And we also ensure that any third parties we contract with either anonymize your data or have strict privacy policies in place that are aligned with ours. 3. Next, you want to get the lubricant around the sides of the gate as well. In fact it's easily accomplished by most RV handypersons.if the cable broke while the valve was in the fully opened position, that is! I have replaced both gray water valves on my TT because of too much glue during construction. Product information Technical Details Additional Information Feedback If you want to edit a comment click the gear icon to the right of your comment and choose edit, or delete. We also stayed almost exclusively in Forest Service / National Park / Corp of Engineers parks and never put any solids in our black water tank. By code it's mandated that the sewer valves be positioned only so far from the tank outlet, so moving all three valves to the side of the coach may not be the best choice. As mentioned above, you can simply spray or rub the lubricant on the valve after youve dumped the black tank contents. Did the gray first and then reused it for the black tank and then used fresh oil the second time through for the black. Pro Tip: There a several methods for cleaning your black tank, find out which method is right for you. And we also ensure that any third parties we contract with either anonymize your data or have strict privacy policies in place that are aligned with ours. These Destinations Will Be Overrun With Tourists in 2023, The Highest Rated Campgrounds in North Carolina, Your Complete Guide to Marco Island Beaches, What People Really Think About Arrowhead RV Campground. You do not mix it with other greases. Were asked often about the proper method to lubricate a sticky RV dump valve. Im very handy, but the valves are not visible at all from underneath the rig, and Im not sure how easily I can get at them from the wet bay (I admit, I havent tried yet). Doug is the founder of Drain Master.com Inc., Hollister, CA, which sells as well as installs Drain Master, Waste Master, 360 Siphon, HepvO and other RV waste-related products. Pull the T handle all the way out, spray the metal rod, slide it in, pull it out again, spray the metal rod, slide it in, etc., etc. 29 plumtrees road newtown, ct; popular subdivision names; how to cite the implicit association test