Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 05-21-2018, 05:34 PM   #1
2 Rivet Member
 
1979 25' Tradewind
Port Townsend , Washington
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 40
Freshwater drain plug

OK, I'm stumped. I recently acquired a 1979 Tradewind in excellent shape. It had been winterized, and this past weekend I decided to fill freshwater tank and sanitize water lines. I discovered that the tank was missing its drain plug. I figured the plug must surely be a standard plumbing fitting. So I trotted to hardware store and bought several threaded plugs. One seemed to fit quite nicely. Put hose back in filler tube, and...more water gushing out of drain. New plug had no impact whatsoever. What in the world am I missing? Local RV store is clueless.
douggant is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-23-2018, 11:29 AM   #2
Rivet Master
 
carl2591's Avatar
 
2005 31' Classic
Garner, , North Carolina
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,031
you sure the plug is working or the tank is not get a crack in it?? where is water coming out??

good luck on this it can be a bear sometime figuring out crap on these dudes.
__________________
Carl, Raleigh NC
2-24-16 got a 2005 Classic 31D 460 watts solar, lithium 230 AH, 16" LT's, pulled by:
2003 F-250 SD, CC, 7.3L PowerStroke
WBCCI#1691, Piedmont Airstream Club, Unit #161, Region #3
carl2591 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-24-2018, 04:46 PM   #3
2 Rivet Member
 
1979 25' Tradewind
Port Townsend , Washington
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 40
Water comes out from around the threaded plug I thought would work...it's like it's a different kind of thread, or slightly different dimension. Tank does not appear to be cracked. Does anyone have a photo of what the plug should look like when in place?
douggant is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-24-2018, 05:06 PM   #4
3 Rivet Member
 
2001 30' Classic S/O
Leander , Texas
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 189
It should have the same threads as the water heater petcock.

John
TexAirS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2018, 12:32 PM   #5
2 Rivet Member
 
1979 25' Tradewind
Port Townsend , Washington
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 40
OK, thanks, John.

I tried taping my plug with Teflon tape, threaded it in, and re-filled water tank. Crawling under to take a look, it seems water is coming AROUND plug, not through the threads, if that makes sense. It also seems that even with water coming out, tank is not fully draining. So I am more confused than ever.

Any ideas?
douggant is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2018, 02:12 PM   #6
Rivet Master
 
68 TWind's Avatar
 
1968 24' Tradewind
Oxford, , Mississippi
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 1,564
The plug should be a standard pumping plastic plug. I get them at ACE hardware (Atwood heater) and I keep a couple in my box of "stuff" because they are very easy to cross thread(how do I know this?). Also , I have had to help other campers with leaking plugs several times. I do prefer to use teflon thread sealant instead of teflon tape. It just works better for me. My plug takes a 1in socket. Using the teflon thread sealant and getting it pretty tight I never have leaks at the plug.

If the tank isn't draining well make sure you open the pressure relief valve to break the vacuum in the tank so the water can flow out.
__________________
__________________
Bruce & Rachel
__________________
68 Trade Wind
2001 Toyota Tundra
68 TWind is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2018, 07:06 PM   #7
Rivet Master
 
1974 31' Sovereign
1979 23' Safari
Wayland , New York
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,632
Images: 3
Is this the 1-1/4" Plug on the bottom of the tank or a smaller 1/2" plug on the side of the tank. Either way I've probably got some bad news. If the water is leaking from around the outer edges of the drain where it was originally spin welded into the tank, then the fitting is likely cracked around it and weeping from the cracks. I'd try one more time to see f you can be sure it's not the threads, by putting some Teflon tape and pipe dope on the threads and try reinstalling and checking for leaks.
If it's still leaking then it's likely cracked and you can do two things. Keep in mind that applying sealants on the outside of the PE tanks generally won't work because the low surface tension of the PE material prevents most materials from sticking to the plastic. You can replace the tank, or try to plastic weld the tank with a plastic welding setup, or find somebody to plastic weld the fitting for you.
HiJoeSilver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-26-2018, 07:21 PM   #8
Overkill Specialist
Commercial Member
 
GMFL's Avatar
 
2020 30’ Globetrotter
2014 23' International
Dadeville , Alabama
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 4,516
Images: 4
Blog Entries: 52
Quote:
Originally Posted by HiJoeSilver View Post
Is this the 1-1/4" Plug on the bottom of the tank or a smaller 1/2" plug on the side of the tank. Either way I've probably got some bad news. If the water is leaking from around the outer edges of the drain where it was originally spin welded into the tank, then the fitting is likely cracked around it and weeping from the cracks. I'd try one more time to see f you can be sure it's not the threads, by putting some Teflon tape and pipe dope on the threads and try reinstalling and checking for leaks.
If it's still leaking then it's likely cracked and you can do two things. Keep in mind that applying sealants on the outside of the PE tanks generally won't work because the low surface tension of the PE material prevents most materials from sticking to the plastic. You can replace the tank, or try to plastic weld the tank with a plastic welding setup, or find somebody to plastic weld the fitting for you.
This is dead on. I just swapped a tank and the cost was around $150 so not the end of the world
GMFL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-28-2018, 04:10 PM   #9
2 Rivet Member
 
1979 25' Tradewind
Port Townsend , Washington
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 40
HiJoe figured it out -- I'd come to same conclusion. Spin fitting is broken off and the tank probably is cracked at that point. So am considering:
1) Seeing if a repair person can seal off old drain site, and install new drain.
2) Replacement
douggant is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Freshwater drain plug dino84ac Fresh Water Systems 2 02-17-2014 05:56 PM
Freshwater Tank drain crazeevw Classic Motorhomes 9 10-28-2011 08:16 PM
1977 airstream tradewind freshwater drain lance3787 Fresh Water Systems 2 08-07-2011 10:29 PM
Freshwater tank drain plug on 08 23FB? bonginator Fresh Water Systems 1 09-06-2010 08:03 PM
['77 23' Safari] Drain valve location for freshwater tank ? Mike B Fresh Water Systems 6 11-05-2003 10:22 PM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 10:01 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.