HELP PART NEEDED! Aluminum Termination Cap...

InsideOut · 05-01-2002, 10:58 AM

Okay folks...here's one for you ~

We are in desperate need of an original aluminum termination cap, which is located downstream of the dump valve, for our '64 GlobeTrotter. We have the original elbow for dumping, but are missing the blank cap for driving.

We have already tried all the different Valterra & other miscellaneous fittings at Camping World & searched through the local RV Parts yard to no avail...none of them attach properly (gap/leak free) to the elbow. We don't want to change out the whole assembly, but may have to in the end...no pun intended!

Please let us know if you have this part laying around or you have any other ideas, suggestions or solutions...

Thanks!

Shari & Rob
'64 GlobeTrotter "Maxwell"
WBCCI #1824

Jim Clark · 05-01-2002, 12:00 PM

My 68 Globe Trotter did not have a blank cap to fit on the dump valve. Every one I found would leak. I fixed the problem by cutting a thicker gasket and gluing it in place on an aftermarket cap.

CPRcubed · 05-01-2002, 12:56 PM

Have you tried the Thetford blank caps? They are a slightly different size than the Valterra's. If your elbow is white, that will clue you in as Thetford fittings are usually white. Cheers!

Patrick

BobbyW · 05-01-2002, 01:19 PM

Is your valve white? Does it attach with a 4 bolt flange to the black tank? If it does it is a Thetford.

My 65 Globetrotter uses a Thetford dump valve. I found an exact replacement new at a shop here in Houston. The only way I found it was because I had the black tank out during the floor replacement. I threw the whole thing and the drain line in the truck and took it up to the shop. We grabbed a stack of valves and after trial and error matched it exactly. The number did not even come close to the original.

Thetford had changed the model number sometime over the years.

I also have a bucket of Thetford fittings that came with the GT when I bought it. I will go through it tonight and find the cap and number for you.

-BobbyW

InsideOut · 05-01-2002, 01:23 PM

Thanks guys!

We tried the Valterra, Thetford and all the "no name" brands too...

Andy from Inland RV has informed me that this part is called a "fry pan" and is no longer available new...hasn't been for 30 years. I'm hoping to find an old one & avoid the nasty job of changing out to the "new" fitting style (post '65, they changed them in '65) which Thetford, Valterra & the others fit.

Shari

InsideOut · 05-06-2002, 07:30 PM

I had a moment of hope...a kind soul sent me on of his caps to check out...to no avail

So I'm back at it ~ trying to track a cap down again!

Here's a picture of the fitting on "Maxwell", the inside diameter is 2-7/8" the outside diamater is 3-3/8" and the tabs that stick out are 4" in diameter...I also added a picture to the original thread posting of a "twin" to my missing cap. It was sent to me by another kind Airstreamer, just so I would know what I'm looking for.

I've had an offer to custom machine one...but I'm not there yet...

Shari
'64 GlobeTrotter

83Excella · 08-15-2002, 08:46 AM

Shari,
Have you considered using a pvc pipe cap and cutting it to fit? and you could probably make and glue a gasket for the inside.

John

InsideOut · 08-15-2002, 09:59 AM

Yes John, we have considered alternate solutuions, but we really would like to find an original aluminum cap, for originality sake.

Thanks for the suggestion though...

Shari

Inland RV Center, In · 08-15-2002, 06:02 PM

Shari.
That original metal cover was called a "fry pan."
It hasn't been around for 30 years or more.
Most owners have converted to the newer Thetford systems.
Good luck with a hunt.

Andy
inlandrv.com
airstreamparts.com

83Excella · 08-15-2002, 10:40 PM

Yes but would'nt that work until you did find an original?

John

InsideOut · 08-15-2002, 11:06 PM

John, Andy et al~

I realize this is an obsolete part and most people have switched over to the current Thetford configuration, but I am still hoping to find an original aluminum one. Maybe someone who has "switched over" can part with their old "fry pan"...

For now, we are fine...we have been using full hook-ups and don't have any leaks, so it's more just wanting to have one for the sake of having one. I'm not easily discouraged and until we make the commitment to change over to something permanantly I'm still on a quest. We have considered all the alternatives...and when we give up looking we will "go with one" of them. In the meantime we are Still Looking...

Shari

BobbyW · 08-16-2002, 04:18 AM

I would be willing to bet that one will show up. I would do what you did and keep going go back to your thread that you listed above and make a note in it that you will come back and tell us when you find it. That way the message will get bumped to the top every so often.

People are going through the old messages all the time, especially the newer members. I beleive when you originally posted the request, we only had just past 300 members. At this time we are over 600 members. Someone will have one in a box stuffed in a cabinet and be wondering what it is.

Good Luck and Best Regards
-BobbyWright

Silver Bullet · 09-18-2002, 12:22 AM

Hey Shari, you may be in luck (so to speak) I had the samething happen, termination cap went south on my '62 Overlander. Mine had a handle on it, did yours at on time? Either way, as a Patternmaker, I have been considering making a pattern and having them cast NOS. I figured we are not the only ones without. Would you be interested in a NOS part? Oscar

InsideOut · 09-18-2002, 01:15 AM

Thanks Oscar!

I don't mean to be a dummy...but what does NOS mean? (new old stock?) I think I might be interested though...if it would fit our existing connection. I would imagine that a '62 & a '64 would be the same...from what I understand, it was '65 when they changed over to the "standard" that is still used today.

As far as it having a "handle"...I don't know if it had one or not. We never actually had a cap, we just got our GT in January and it didn't have one then...must have been lost somewhere along the way in it's 38+ years of travels.

We have seen one original cap on another '64 GlobeTrotter at a rally, it's the one I have the picture of. The owner sent me the photo to help in my search after the rally. I don't remember a "handle" per se, maybe a "ridge" to hold onto when you screw it on and a chain was attached to it, I don't recall. Actually, the owner of that one has said I could borrow it if I want to have a mould made or a new one milled...I just don't know how to go about doing that...let me know if you do know how and how expensive this might be.

Shari

P.S. Being that you are in NM, are you planning on attending the Balloon Fiesta Rally? Maybe we could hook up there...