Can't fill Fresh water tank, leaving in the morning

[Ted S.]

I am loosing all of my freshwater out of this tube, brand new trailer never filled before. Any help is appreciated. Leaving in the morning for 1100 miles. Thanks

[Ted S.]

Trying to upload photo

[cwf]

Ted, if the valve is your freshwater tank drain, turn the handle 180 degrees. If the top lever is missing, carefully turn the lower section using pliers,... don't force!!

[Ted S.]

Trying to upload photo, the petcok looks completely missing...

[acstokes]

You're right. It's been broken off. Forget filling the FW tank until it's fixed. Should be an easy fix at any RV repair facility.

P.S. Actually after closer observation, it may just have been left open. Try closing it by turning it clockwise.

[cwf]

The handle is small and on top

[cwf]

If broken, grab the nozzle and turn counter. Clockwise. See if water stops. It does on mine.

[Ted S.]

Does that whole fitting turn? It seems pretty solid, nothing is broken, none of the parts have a break.

[aftermath]

No, just the little handle part on the very top. Mine is stiff but it turns. You might need a pair of pliers.

[SteveSueMac]

Originally Posted by Ted S.

Trying to upload photo, the petcok looks completely missing...

Ted. I can't see high enough from that picture but there should be a white plastic wing right on that tube just higher up than where your photo shows the tube. It's probably laying flat against the tank. You want to twist it so its pointing out toward your face as you're looking at it from in between the tires. If it is broken or missing you can try carefully closing the valve by grabbing the lowest portion of that white tube with pliers an twisting it closed. Good luck!!

[Jim Flower]

When that happened to my valve, I found a bolt that I was able to screw into the hole and plug it up. That road fix lasted 10 years. I found the bolt laying on the side of the road about 10 ft from where I was stopped. Jim


Sent from my iPad using Airstream Forums

[jdalrymple]

As mention above, the petcock looks intact from your pic.

The item in the pic is the drain for the fresh water tank. It is used to winterize the trailer, or flush the freshwater tank.

There should be a small "handle", like half a wing nut, on the top of the white plastic valve.

These valves can be stiff, but you need to rotate it 180 degrees to close it. Think of the valve in a cucumber water dispenser in a fancy place somewhere. It rotates in the horizontal plane.

Sometimes a little extra grip from a pair of pliers helps, but be careful.



Regards,

JD

[paiceman]

Did you get this fixed? In looking at the picture the valve is open, the valve is often as mentioned very hard to turn, I often use a pair of needle nosed vice grips to grab the little bugger and get it moving and then grab it with my fingers to turn it closed.

[AWCHIEF]

DIY Special Tool created to make turning the valve easier. It is not very pretty but does the job.

[pmclemore]

I found it pretty quick and effective to carve down a wine cork with my pocket knife.

Pat

[Ted S.]

Thanks everyone. The valve was open, I didn' t see it last night, it is up high as you describe. My kids thank you as now there is no need to use public restrooms.

[cwf]

Hanks for closing the loop!!!! Have a great time!

[Ray Eklund]

Originally Posted by Ted S.

I am loosing all of my freshwater out of this tube, brand new trailer never filled before. Any help is appreciated. Leaving in the morning for 1100 miles. Thanks

Anyone having a petcock actually broken off. This is a great repair on the road for minimal cost.

We had our drain petcock broken off flush just after purchasing the Airstream. A small cork from Ace Hardware fit, bought several extras, used a picture frame wire that we had a spool with us at the time, cut off a section to secure the cork.

The cork was secured by this wire by wrapping the wire onto the two philips head screws. Back one out just enough to wrap the end of the wire, and tighten. Run the other end across the top of the cork, keep as tight as you can, wrap the end around the second philips screw and tighten. Worked for two years and you unscrew one screw, back off the screw enough to pull out the cork to drain.

This area has no protection, at least in 2006, to shield this from road gravel hitting it and breaking it off. Jackson Center, OH added extra sheet metal to protect all sides and we never had another issue.

So supplies: flexible picture hanging wire, small cork, philips screw driver.

I estimated the diameter of the cork that would fit by taking three or four sizes. Ace Hardware in Nevada, when we stopped to find a fix, let me take out which ever size corks they had to offer. One fit. Bought extras which I never needed, but just in case. Maybe 15 cents a cork. Worked perfectly.

[PaulnGina]

Good! Have a great trip!