23FB Plumbing Problem

[moosetags]

I need some assistance with a plumbing issue on my 2012 23FB. I experienced a mishap on the highway when I ran over a tire tread in the roadway. The tread went under the Airstream and hit the fresh water tank. It appears that the impact ripped off a copper tubing line that comes out of the bottom of the tank at the left front corner. This copper tubing line is directly next to a brass valve on the bottom of the tank. A stream of water runs out when either the pump is turned on or there is city water attached.

Any insights, suggestions, or photos of what this area should look like would be greatly appreciated.

Here is a picture of the area

Brian

[murreywalker]

Your picture shows one of two low water drains behind the fresh water drain. One is missing.

It looks to me that one of your low water drains was knocked off. You need another gate valve mechanism like that which is in the foreground of the photo.

[moosetags]

Thank you so much for this information. Do you know how I would go about replacing this drain valve?

Brian

[polarlyse]

Not sure what you have left abut the broken piece needs to be removed. Your low point drains are different from what we have on an '01 Excella so they may be newer factory valves or not. Need to remove the broken piece. Look closely and see if there is enough to grab onto with a vice-grip. If you're luck it will come out but don't count on it. Perhaps you could cut a hole in the belly aluminum and make a patch to rivet back over it later. One way or the other you need to get the broken piece out then you can see what you will need to replace.

Good luck with it. I like those type of valves but the hazard of using them is that they hang low and are subject to …… Well now you know the rest of the story.

PS: Just a thought. If you do get it done with the same type of valve you can easily remove the handles and reduce the exposed profile a but. Just slip it back on if you need to use the drains.

[murreywalker]

Originally Posted by moosetags

Thank you so much for this information. Do you know how I would go about replacing this drain valve?

Brian

With a 2012 model, you could still have some warranty left.

I would call Airstream tech support: 877-596-6111. See if Randy McNeeley or Dan Synder can help. They'll tell you whether it's a DIY or needs to go to a dealer.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by murreywalker

With a 2012 model, you could still have some warranty left.

I would call Airstream tech support: 877-596-6111. See if Randy McNeeley or Dan Synder can help. They'll tell you whether it's a DIY or needs to go to a dealer.

Not sure that kind of damage is covered under a warranty, since it's not a defect in parts or workmanship, but it can't hurt to ask. If nothing else, they'll be able to steer you to the correct replacement parts.

[murreywalker]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Not sure that kind of damage is covered under a warranty, since it's not a defect in parts or workmanship, but it can't hurt to ask. If nothing else, they'll be able to steer you to the correct replacement parts.

Didn't mean to confuse with a warranty claim. Thought that conclusion could be implied with the DIY statement.

Airstream's tech support crew is very generous with their advice; more so with a unit that falls within the warranty window. They'll tell you whether it's a user friendly repair or not most times.

[SilverGate]

No copper tubing connected to a hand valve is on my low point fresh water drains. This area on my fresh water tank looks somewhat like Robert Cross's photo here, in the thread "Drain valve location".

[Ridgerunner3]

That maybe a mod by the PO. An easy-out should remove the piece that is still threaded in. Original setup is probably better at preventing road damage like this.

[murreywalker]

I had a 2011 FC 23FB. That which Moosetags has, is exactly what I had and I suspect that's what he's missing.

There are two other low point drains found in the 23. They are located directly under the sliding pantry. These are made of the same materials shown in Robert Cross's photo.

[mutcth]

Originally Posted by SilverGate

No copper tubing connected to a hand valve is on my low point fresh water drains. This area on my fresh water tank looks somewhat like Robert Cross's photo here, in the thread "Drain valve location".

Yep. Our 23' corner bed trailers have a different plumbing set-up than a 23FB; the gate valves on ours are under the rear bed.

Tom