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KellyMeer · 07-04-2022, 08:01 AM

I have no idea how this happened on my 1 week old 33’ Classic, but my waste hose connection snapped off. I can not recall hitting anything. Skid plates are clean.

Any ideas on how to repair?

I to dump my tanks. Very clean break. Dented above the hose connection.

Bill M. · 07-04-2022, 08:21 AM

Have never seen anything like that. Must have hit something pretty hard. The material is ABS plastic. Not familiar with the layout for the new trailers. My guess as to repair is to find a place where you can cut the 3" pipe and use a coupler to put a piece back on. And a new dump hose fitting. You can order the Valterra fitting (and the pipe) from Amazon if you do not find a local supplier. Most trailer supply places stock them. And...PVC pipe is the same size as the ABS if you cannot find the right stuff. You are probably lucky to have gotten the the clean break rather than some of the alternatives like ripping out more of the system or bending it up into the Airstream body.

Mollysdad · 07-04-2022, 08:28 AM

Week old? Dealer repair unless you're on a trip.
I guess I'd try to find out what part is missing/broken and glue in a new one.

While the dealer is at it, why are two pop rivets dangling from the pull handle box? (pic 2)

For a week old, it's taken a blow somehow.
During delivery? Isn't the dealer supposed to check these things? That seems kinda obvious, no cap on the drain.
If you've used the drain before, then it has to be recent.

If I were to attempt a repair, I'd use a hole saw with two blades on the mandrel. One the size of the hole to keep the bit centered and a larger on the size of the correct pipe O.D.

Then something like this to get you home to the dealer.

**GCinSC2** · 07-04-2022, 08:30 AM

KellyMeer,

Bad luck for sure.

Have any friends that are plumbers? Consult with one cause they might have some tricks for un-gluing ABS (I think) pipe and keep it simple. If they can get the old stub out then its just a matter of replacing the connection etc.

I did un glue a PVC joint one time in a real bad spot and it was successful.

Gary

**richard5933** · 07-04-2022, 09:03 AM

If you cannot get it to a dealer, there is a tool specifically designed for plumbers to make repairs like this. It will cut out the piece of the pipe which is still left glued into the joint, and then you can glue in a new one.

Perhaps you already have a relationship with a plumber you've worked with in the past? If so, this would be a time to call in a favor and ask for help. They know how to remove the old pipe and make it possible to glue in the new one.

My guess is that you've taken a turn too sharply and caught the discharge tube on something as you turned. Luckily it broke off without doing too much damage.

Bill M. · 07-04-2022, 09:15 AM

Since I posted about cutting the pipe I will recant that. Yes to getting the broken stub out. Even if it takes a while whittling.

Trons4u · 07-04-2022, 09:29 AM

Wow, what has happened to quality craftsmanship. Putting a little spit of construction adhesive on the piece of rubber to 'hold' it in place, and as MollysDad pointed out the two rivets. So the person installing the rivets failed, so did the painter.

IdahoTrvlr · 07-04-2022, 09:59 AM

An ABS pipe reamer is your solution here if you are going to repair yourself. Can be had on Amazon or from a plumbing supply house. The reamer will cut out the fitting .. just take it slow. Do not believe people telling you to use a claw hammer or other tool to pry the fitting out - that will create more problems and likely split the outer pipe.

Good luck!

airbus319 · 07-04-2022, 10:15 AM

I have a 2022 23 FBQ, and the black tank connection to the dump hose connection came apart. The factory had not installed a worm clamp on the connection. I call my dealer (Airstream Adventures) for a appointment to repair, they where able to fit my trailer work in, and had it repaired in less than a week.
I would try and contact your dealer for the warranty repair.

hairyclive · 07-04-2022, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KellyMeer

I have no idea how this happened on my 1 week old 33’ Classic, but my waste hose connection snapped off. I can not recall hitting anything. Skid plates are clean.

Any ideas on how to repair?

I to dump my tanks. Very clean break. Dented above the hose connection.

This was probably damaged during trailer assembly and took a few extra stresses to break off. The dent above looks like they might have bashed the floor with the tank while installing. I would try to get a repair free from the AS company.

ITSNO60 · 07-04-2022, 10:46 AM

For a quick and easy fix to get you going buy a 3" female X bayonet adapter which should be the same outside diameter as the hub on the trailer and clamp it on with a no hub or a Fernco. You can also buy reducing Ferncos if both pieces are different sizes.
Then when you have more time the stub of ABS inside the hub can be cut and removed a piece at a time. Once started it comes out easier. I've used a short hacksaw blade (very time consuming) and screwdriver and dremel but I am wondering if a hot soldering iron would work to get a slot going, as long as you don't damage the hub. Once you have a slot or 3 it comes out easier. Be careful of the fumes, which I believe are hazardous.

dmartinez · 07-04-2022, 12:22 PM

I think someone at the factory dry fit the fitting and forgot to glue it. If you hit something it would not sheared off so cleanly.(Oops) Hopefully its not ruining your trip.

uncle_bob · 07-04-2022, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

Week old? Dealer repair unless you're on a trip.
I guess I'd try to find out what part is missing/broken and glue in a new one.

While the dealer is at it, why are two pop rivets dangling from the pull handle box? (pic 2)

For a week old, it's taken a blow somehow.
During delivery? Isn't the dealer supposed to check these things? That seems kinda obvious, no cap on the drain.
If you've used the drain before, then it has to be recent.

If I were to attempt a repair, I'd use a hole saw with two blades on the mandrel. One the size of the hole to keep the bit centered and a larger on the size of the correct pipe O.D.

Then something like this to get you home to the dealer.

Hi

I'd bet that part took a pretty heavy hit as well. The big question to me would be the condition of the rest of the system. Did the valve control arm get bent / damaged at the same time? Is the valve in ok shape or is it cracked here or there? Are other support rivets dangling about to come loose?

It took a lot of force to break that fitting off the end of the pipe.....

As with anything like this, when it happened / where it happened is pretty much unknowable. Unless nobody at all ever looked at the waste outlet (at the factory, at the dealer, during the walk through, at delivery ...) it probably happened when you were on the road.

Bob

John Ware · 07-04-2022, 01:34 PM

Judging from the marks on the dump valve handle support bracket and the pulled rivets it would appear that you may have cut a corner a little too sharply. IdahoTrvlr is on the right track. Home Depot, Amazon, and other suppliers sell a drill driven tool called a socket saver that will ream out the broken pipe. The part that needs to be removed has been glued inside another fitting. If you can't go that route, you may be able to find a reducer that will fit inside the broken piece which you then could plumb a new drain connection to. If all else fails, you may have to remove some sheet metal to get to a piece of pipe to cut off before the broken piece.

KellyMeer · 07-04-2022, 01:55 PM

Hey everyone. Thanks for all the great input. I just got home from driving all day. I think it happened at the factory or delivery. Big dent above the pipe. I absolutely did not hit anything in 200 miles and 2 camp sites. Crazy. Will post pictures of the fix.

**richard5933** · 07-04-2022, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KellyMeer

Hey everyone. Thanks for all the great input. I just got home from driving all day. I think it happened at the factory or delivery. Big dent above the pipe. I absolutely did not hit anything in 200 miles and 2 camp sites. Crazy. Will post pictures of the fix.

This could also have been done by road debris striking it while on the highway. Not uncommon for a tire tread or other debris to be kicked up and strike the underside of a vehicle. You would never feel it inside the tow vehicle if this happened on the highway.

dabhunter · 07-04-2022, 02:42 PM

I had a similar problem but I know when the damage happened.
I had to replace both valves and they broke off similar to your
pictures. The repair is pretty straight forward once you have
the parts (valve, ABS glue, length of ABS and the proper tool
to ream out the remaining fitting.
I found that ABS is hard to find. Forget the big box stores, go to
a plumbing supply.
I have attached pictures of the reamer (its called a fitting savor).
Nothing else will work.
The tool is pretty cheap.... like $15. If you can not locate one, send me
your address and I'll send it to you. I don't think I'll need it again.

Its an easy repair project and an important leson
Good luck

Bill
Richmond Va

Mollysdad · 07-04-2022, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trons4u

Putting a little spit of construction adhesive on the piece of rubber to 'hold' it in place, and as MollysDad pointed out the two rivets.

The reason I suggested a blow (like a tire gator in the road) was because the adhesive looks pulled apart, as if at one time it was flush but now the rivets have been pulled out.
However, I've never seen black pop rivets so maybe they were sticking out while the unit was painted. But then there should be paint on the adhesive, and there's not.

It's a mystery, but it needs solving.
Yes a plumber might have better tools than two hole saws, but he may want to remove the pan and do it right. But I think Airstream needs to step up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dabhunter

I have attached pictures of the reamer (its called a fitting savor).
Nothing else will work.
The tool is pretty cheap.... like $15.

Ah! I love tools. It appears the tool uses the smaller disc to center the bit and the larger disc to cut the old broken insert.

Same concept as my two hole cutters on a mandrel, but more purpose built.
I like it! Being made for plumbers, it must come in normal PVC sizes.

dabhunter · 07-04-2022, 03:19 PM

The tool to ream out the broken ABS pipe....

I looked at my repair tool and it is stamped "Raptor"
3 inch. You may be able to find in on Amazon.

Its really simple to use and leaves a clean glueable surface
It does a great job.

Bill

Mollysdad · 07-04-2022, 03:21 PM

While I was Googling Pipe Savers, I came across another idea, The MagicMend Pipe extender. One end goes into the broken part and the other end gives you a clean new surface to attach a new Thetford termination. (Except not ABS)

Or maybe the simplest, a rubber coupling to go over the stub and hold the Thetford drain fitting.