Low Point Drains?

[Redleghicks]

Howdy y'all,

I am slowly working on our new to us Airstream (2003 Safari 28 SO). I believe these might be the low point drains but would like y'alls "professional" opinion. If they are the drains I am pretty sure they shouldn't look like this - what kind of repairs do I need to do to get them back to factory spec? Thanks!

[dbj216]

I think I will start a big debate on your thread. You'll have fun watching others roast me!

I have re-plumbed 3 vintage Airstreams and I have not included "low point" drains in any of them. It is my experience that it is very difficult to drain the plumbing system from these low point drains. The water heater is not drained with them. My winterizing process (I lived in Minnesota before Colorado) finds draining the plumbing unnecessary. I pump all the water out of the fresh tank. Then I much prefer to blow the water out with 40psi compressed air from the city water inlet. (I drain and siphon water out of the water heater first. Then I by-pass it.) I find this 80% effective in removing water. Then I pump in RV antifreeze until I see "pink' at every faucet and valve. I don't need low point drains.

Others will disagree, but I just don't think low point drains are worth the effort.

I see your trailer has a petcock drain valve. Maybe the handle is broken off one of them. At least that is better than the old fashioned gate valves in my old fashioned trailers. My wife's 86 had plastic ball vales. One failed on me and caused me a big project to remove the fresh water tank to gain access to the leak.

David

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by Redleghicks

Howdy y'all,

I am slowly working on our new to us Airstream (2003 Safari 28 SO). I believe these might be the low point drains but would like y'alls "professional" opinion. If they are the drains I am pretty sure they shouldn't look like this - what kind of repairs do I need to do to get them back to factory spec? Thanks!

Yes, those are the low point drains.
If they don't come loose by turning them with a wrench, the pan might have to come down.
I would call Out Of Doors Mart and ask if they have them in stock. (and get advice)
The guys at the parts counter will help you.

[bweybright]

Looking at that picture I would say they are low point drains...they look like mine.
They are in rough shape and one has the "ears" broken off and replacement would be recommended, at least by me.
Now don't jump so fast to drop the pan, if you look up against the pan there are flat sides, which would approximate a nut. Get a good 6 sided socket, maybe spray with WD40 (no PB Blaster!!) as it is fish based and can be rinsed and washed away to loosen things before you try to replace them. Here is the ugly part, to get access and the leverage to make this successful you may need to remove one wheel so you aren't working around the tires and wheels.
They are soft metal so plan on having one attempt to do it without a pan drop and plan accordingly.
Good luck...I see this project in my near future as well.
If the future look into buying one of the cute little overpriced "wrenches" that are sold to open and close them. The temptation is to use pliers (ask me how I know) but that can easily damage them.

[Redleghicks]

Thanks everyone for your responses. Gonna try to replace the broken one after this next trip.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Redleghicks

Howdy y'all,

I am slowly working on our new to us Airstream (2003 Safari 28 SO). I believe these might be the low point drains but would like y'alls "professional" opinion. If they are the drains I am pretty sure they shouldn't look like this - what kind of repairs do I need to do to get them back to factory spec? Thanks!

Those are pretty standard 'drains', you will find them on most radiators.
They do go against intuition though.
In the photo they are closed, it would be normal to want to turn them anti-clockwise to open...RONG. 😂
They are VERY poor gravity drains, they just dripdrip unless all faucets are open, most effective when they are open with the system pressurized for winterization.
Especially if you don't fill the FW system with antifreeze.

Bob
🇺🇸

[uncle_bob]

Hi

One thing to consider:

The drains are (as you can well see) hanging out in the cold wind. Indeed when parked the bottom of the trailer may not get super cold. Running down the road ... it most certainly can get down to air temperature. If you are towing the trailer below 32F, those drains are pretty likely to freeze.

Bob