Pain in the a## drip

[toverman]

I have a 74 31' AS. There are two white hoses way in the back that come out the bottom. One of them drips constantly when hooked up to city water. I have tried to trace them, but it appears it would require really tearing into things. where do these come from?

[dbj216]

Hi toverman. Welcome to Air Forums where a lot of advice is offered and is absolutely free!

Airstream plumbing systems change through the years. Most of them have circuits in them to help drain the water system for winterizing. You didn't mention the size of the hoses that are leaking. I wonder if they aren't 1/2 diameter or so.

There may be a ball valve or maybe a gate valve that can be opened to help drain the system. Maybe such a valve is partially open or leaking internally. If it only happens while pressurized on city water, and not on 12v pump water, then look for a valve somewhere near that hose.

Part of the fun of these old Airstreams is figuring out how they were built and how they work. You may have to look in cabinets and closets to find this drain valve.

By the way, Airstream's idea of a valve and drain hose on the "lowest" part of the circuit is not a guarantee all the water is out of the trailer. There is nothing like compressed air blow and then filling the system with RV antifreeze for proper winterization.

Maybe some other Sovereign owner will further diagnose your "drippy hose" pain.

David

Some of us would just put a bucket under it and then empty the bucket on the rose bush now and then. Much easier than messing around with some valve.

[dennis3751]

Toverman

They are the "low point" drains. In my '76 the valves are right inside the rear trunk door. I replaced all my plumbing with apex and in stalled new valves. This area is really easy to work on in my trailer.

Dennis

[dbj216]

Thanks Dennis. One test I forgot to suggest to toverman was the taste test. Some Airstreamers are good at verifying the leak is not a black water system leak. Just capture a little of the leaking water and taste it. Even I can tell the difference between fresh water and black water. This test will narrow the possibilities of the problem.

More free advice!

David

[sallye]

Ewwww!

[TomKirk]

Originally Posted by toverman

I have a 74 31' AS. There are two white hoses way in the back that come out the bottom. One of them drips constantly when hooked up to city water. I have tried to trace them, but it appears it would require really tearing into things. where do these come from?

I've got a '77 31 ft Sovereign. Every inch of my fresh water plumbing is copper.

1) Do you suppose a previous owner replaced a section of copper plumbing with white hose??

2) Is the "dripping" you describe coming from the pressure relief valve?? I've got mine set at 45 psi.....and it's set to "drip" when city water pressure exceeds 45 psi. It's a safety feature.

Tom

[Gsmblue]

Originally Posted by sallye

ewwww!

agreed!!!!'

[4RXLA]

The white hoses are attached to,the 2 drain valves with red handles in the back hatch and pop through the belly pan.

[nrgtrakr]

In our 75 Overlander with rear trunk these red handled valves were (notice I wrote "were") globe valves. New washers and cleaning the seats will stop the drip. A PO likely replaced the hoses at some point - ours were brittle. The problem is working in such small space.
Our copper plumbing had so many patches in it that leaked, I removed all of the plumbing except the water heater and replaced it with PEX - new ball valves for the winterization drains, new pressure regulator, new faucets, etc.