Thetford to Valterra conversion

[Wingeezer]

Not sure if the newest Airstreams still come with a Thetford connection for the dump hose, but our 2005 is so-equipped.

If so, why does AS make life difficult for us - do they consider that Thetford is much superior? Seems few RV shops / Walmart etc. carry any compatible Thetford products


I do know that you can buy "Thetford to Valterra" adapters from Valterra - I use them now.

Some time back I added a third dump valve to the end of the dump tube on the trailer - mainly to solve the problem that can sometimes happen when you move from campsite to campsite, then take the cap off to hook up your hose and get a quart or two of gray water pouring out!

I have a Thetford to Valterra adapter in place to make that work.

Unfortunately last week I was lying under the trailer doing some brake work and inadvertently kicked the valve and broke one of the "ears" off the adapter!

The adapter only has two ears not four, and so is more fragile.

Anyway, in shopping around to replace the broken adapter, the current info I was finding is that the adapter is no longer going to be made by Valterra - I don't believe it is offered any more by Camping World for this reason.

If this info is correct, the already difficult to find adapter is surely going to be still
harder to find in future.

I just received two new adapters that I was able to order from Amazon.

So what I am wondering is whether anyone has permanently modified the outlet tube on their trailer to accept Valterra accessories directly without needing an adapter.

I haven't explored dimensions, what would be involved etc. I'm sure it could be done - but right off the bat, I wonder if material compatibility might be an issue.

I think Thetford stuff is white and Valterra is black. That makes me wonder if one is ABS and the other PVC. If so, I'm not sure if the two materials can be glued together - assuming that would be necessary to make a permanent arrangement.

To save me re-inventing the wheel I wonder if anyone has done anything like this and might offer comment?

Thanks .............. Brian

[idroba]

Originally Posted by Wingeezer

Not sure if the newest Airstreams still come with a Thetford connection for the dump hose, but our 2005 is so-equipped.

If so, why does AS make life difficult for us - do they consider that Thetford is much superior? Seems few RV shops / Walmart etc. carry any compatible Thetford products

Airstream used Thetford products for many years, but changed to Valtera about the time your unit was made (I think). So, all new stuff is Valtera, and has been for quite some time now.

Thetford makes and made very good products, but they simply became less used by RV manufacturers, and now are harder to find and quite expensive.

This certainly is not an Airstream fault. Times and products change. Airstream has changed too.

[Wingeezer]

Hmmm!

Further to my initial post, I find that in fact there is a cement that can be used to glue ABS to PVC if that should be an issue in modifying my trailer's dump outlet from Thetford to Valterra,

It is Oatey green transition cement, and seems to be available at places such as Lowes.

Brian

[polarlyse]

I did it a few years ago. Cut the theford off and glued the valterra on. They make a universal glue and it worked great.

[dbj216]

I rebuilt the whole drain manifold with Valterra valves. I used PVC but ABS would have been just fine. The universal cement works well. After 5 years, no problems, and no adaptors needed.

Valterra bayonet adaptors are readily available. The question is do you have enough room to cut the drain pipe square and install the new bayonet adaptor? My trailer has a plastic "cover wrap" around the drain pipe. It does not project out very far.

David

[Wingeezer]

Originally Posted by polarlyse

I did it a few years ago. Cut the theford off and glued the valterra on. They make a universal glue and it worked great.

Thanks Roger - I think I will do the same!

Brian.

[Wingeezer]

Originally Posted by dbj216

I rebuilt the whole drain manifold with Valterra valves. I used PVC but ABS would have been just fine. The universal cement works well. After 5 years, no problems, and no adaptors needed.

Valterra bayonet adaptors are readily available. The question is do you have enough room to cut the drain pipe square and install the new bayonet adaptor? My trailer has a plastic "cover wrap" around the drain pipe. It does not project out very far.

David

Thanks David - from memory I think I have enough exposed drain pipe - but if not maybe I could do one o two things

(a) extend the tube as needed with a glued sleeve or .....

(b) maybe glue the Thetford to Valterra adapter that I now have onto the existing Thetford fitting to essentially make it one solid unit, it not rely on just the two ears on the adapter to hold things together

Brian.

[harryk]

I took a small dab of Vulcum Caulk and dabbed it on both ears of the adapter...3 years so far...

[bruceganoe]

Adapters are HARD to find . I had my 2000 permanently changed by RV dealer who does my maintain! Bruce

[Cochese]

Valterra valves are cheap, basically throw away pieces ,that's why they are widely used!

[minnstream]

another solution that I have used are rubber sleaves that have hose clamps for tightening. This removes the need for glue altogether and adds some flexibility to the system which I like for road vibration and such. Also if I break some tines on the adapters it is now removeable to repair.

[1970 Safari]

The rubber thing with bands is called a "no-hub coupler". They come in many sizes and are ideal for changing AS plumbing (as well as your house plumbing if you are so inclined).

You can find them at almost any big box store, hardware stores and obviously plumbing warehouses.

When I had to do some remove and replacement of drain lines inside the rear hatch of the Safari, I put it all back together with no-hubs, saves time and is readily removed for future needs. BTW they will hold up to vibration. Also there is a specific torque that the bands (hose clamps) need to be tightened to, there is a $60 tool at plumbing supply houses that I use (I am a contractor so I collect tools), otherwise carefully tighten and test for leaks, good idea to check after the first trip to make sure they do not to be re-tourqued.

[Kathys quilt]

Originally Posted by Wingeezer

Hmmm!

Further to my initial post, I find that in fact there is a cement that can be used to glue ABS to PVC if that should be an issue in modifying my trailer's dump outlet from Thetford to Valterra,

It is Oatey green transition cement, and seems to be available at places such as Lowes.

Brian

Thanks for the question and your research, I am refurbishing a 67 AS and having the same problem with the parts people never answering this same question and thus never knew there was a cement to transition with - now a lot of my rebuilding the sewer system and adding a wash water holding tank will or is solved. This is Monday and it feels like a ANSWER to a Sunday prayer. All forum people, I thank you as well I would be so far behind if not for Air Forums!