1986 34' Limited - New to Us as of Jan 2019

[BC Banks]

We have recently acquired a very nice 34' Limited. This unit was on a lot at Paradise Park in FL for the past 7-8 years and was intended to stay there but it was no longer wanted/needed so now we have it. It has new AC, refrig, water heater, fantastic fans, curtains, upholstery, ceramic toilet, kit sink, countertops, etc etc. Very well cared for !
I have already put on new load range E tires and done the bearings, brakes, etc. - this was done in FL and have since brought the unit to GA. Towed like a dream. We have already replaced all the running lights and lenses and also all the tail lights - all with LED's
Currently working on removing the brown belt stripe - will go back with gloss black where the stripe was.
Sorry for the preamble - here's the question There is something wrong with the waste dump valves - they either don't open all the way or don't close all the way - i'm not really sure. Previous Owner (mother in law) says it is a common problem and easy to replace/fix but that was about the end of the info.
We have not camped in the Airstream yet - first trip is planned for Topsail Hill in N. FL first of April. This is something I want to fix first obviously.
I see dump valves for sale but I don't know the right ones to buy. I'm perfectly OK with doing the work and replacing the whole thing.
If someone could point me to a forum or website for help with this I would greatly appreciate it.
Looking forward to Airstreaming again !

[dbj216]

Hello from Colorado: We also have a 86 Limited. Love it. It has been in the family since new. We've had it since 05 and have done some serious maintenance to it, including changing the sun damaged vinyl stripe around the trailer.

Sounds like your trailer was stationary for a long period, and maybe lived in with the dump valves open to the sewer connection. Not so good. I would suspect the blade seal grooves are full of debris preventing the valves from shutting. I recommend replacing them. They are $30 a piece.

I replaced my leaking blade valves with the Valterra brand. I also replaced the piping while I was at it. Here is how I did it.

1. Removed the plastic housing around the sewer port connection on the side of the trailer.

2. Removed the waste tank cover, or "pan" under the tanks. This pan holds the tanks up and also holds heat in during the winter. The plastic tanks maybe way 25 pounds each. The black tank is held up by the toilet flange, but the grey tank is only held up by the drain and vent connections on top of it. Don't let the tank drop.

3. Remove the drain piping and valves. They are hose clamped to the molded boss of the tank. Don't crack the tank pulling too hard.

4. Remake the drain piping. Buy new Valterra valves.

5. Put the mess back together again.

Photos below...

David

[BC Banks]

I had intended to change out these valves before our first planned trip - but I think I'm going to use the trip to evaluate a few things.
The trailer belonged to my father in law - long time Airstreamer unfortunately now deceased. They knew not to just leave the valves open all the time creating the dreaded buildup. This is our second AS - it was his 4th or 5th.
Since the initial post I've discovered that the fresh water tank does not hold water - so it has to come down also. I'm probably just going to go for all these fixes at the same time.
The park we are going to has nice bathhouses if nothing works at all.
As for the brown stripe - what a job this has turned into. I've attached some pics that are very scary but it isn't as bad as it looks - everything that looks like scratching just wipes right off - its just dust from the 3M pad used to get the stripe off. The skin isn't damaged. All the badges and trim are off - tons of work but will look nice when finished.
I've decided to go with a shrink wrap for the new black stripe. It's easy and durable and can be changed if I want to go another way later.
Thanks for your advise on the valves - will let you know how it goes when I dive (yuck) into that project. BCB

[dbj216]

Dive right in: Here is a photo of my black and grey tanks while chanaging the blade valves. And here is a photo of my fresh water tank that I dropped down to change the plumbing lines that are over the tank, burt under the subfloor.

These repair jobs can be done and I bet you can do them. Especially if I can do them.

David

[HiHoAgRV]

Originally Posted by dbj216

Dive right in: Here is a photo of my black and grey tanks while chanaging the blade valves. And here is a photo of my fresh water tank that I dropped down to change the plumbing lines that are over the tank, burt under the subfloor.



These repair jobs can be done and I bet you can do them. Especially if I can do them.



David

David,
Are your tank covers flat on the bottom or do the dip downward in the middle?
I noticed mine dipping a bit and am concerned I need to drop them and rebuild stuff. The forward one is my main concern.

Not a job I'm looking forward too.

[dbj216]

I'll have to look. I believe the tank cover over the black and gray was tapered like yours toward the drain valves. I think the fresh water tank cover was flat.

There is a lot of plumbing connections to these tanks that can develop a water leak. Dropping the tank covers isn't hard, just a lot of dumb work.

David

[BC Banks]

Here is an update on the stripe project. I think it turned out pretty decent.

[dbj216]

I'm prejudice of course, but I think the black stripe looks really sharp, and elegant like a Limited should be. I wasn't a fan of the wood grain vinyl that my 86 came with. And the sun fading made it much worse.

I bet you will get many favorable comments on it. And I know it wasn't easy to do.

David