Access panel leaking in Argosy

[Dan S]

As I run the water in the galley and bathroom, I assume it's being held in the gray water tank. I know in the Argosy Minuet the shower drains right out.
However, as I watched it this afternoon, I see there is an acceess panel cut out in the rear of the trailer. This panel is obviously collecting water from something leaking. It appears to be just under the sink (see picture).

It looks like the PO screwed in the panel and used some sealant so getting it off shouldn't be too bad. Any thoughts as to what to look for or will it be obvious? Also curious as to the best method to jack it up and jack points.

Thanks,

Dan

[overlander64]

Greetings Dan!

If your coach is plumbed similar to my '78 Minuet, the bathroom sink drain flows into the pipe running along the perimeter of the coach behind the boxed enclosure -- this pipe then empties into the gray water tank.

Based on your description of the conditions, I have a suspicion that what you have may be a fractured pipe in or near the dump valves. My Minuet has a similar access panel, and that is where the drip has appeared when I have had problems with dragging the dump outlet when entering or exiting sloped driveways. In a worse case scenario, it could be a leak at the black tank or gray tank where the connection between the pipe and tank has fractured due to the stress of impact of the dump termination striking a solid surface when enterin or exiting a steep driveway. A less costly bit of damage would be a fracture to one of the pipes between the tank exit and the termination cap -- most of these pipes on my Minuet have been replaced at least twice since I have owned my Minuet -- one of the reasons for having a new axle installed with increased departure angle to slightly increase ground clearance.

Good luck with your investigation!

Kevin

[Dan S]

Kevin,

I think you nailed it. When we pulled out after buying it, it dragged and I cringed. I'll have to take a better look but I think the scissor jacks are lower and would take the impact before the drain...?

How do I tell if the axle needs replacing, does the coach sit lower to the ground than "normal"? If so, is there rule of thumb to tell ....i.e. distance between the tire & wheel well?

Thanks again and I'll start unscrewing the panel later this week.

Dan

[Dan S]

The high point of the axle is in the middle of the coach and then seems to drop/slope/whatever towards each wheel.

Is this as it should be or problematic?

Thanks,
Dan

[azflycaster]

Originally Posted by Dan S

The high point of the axle is in the middle of the coach and then seems to drop/slope/whatever towards each wheel.

Is this as it should be or problematic?

Thanks,
Dan

This is as it should be.

[overlander64]

Greetings Dan!

Probably one of the easiest ways to become familiar with the functioning of your Minuet's Dura-Torque Axle is to read the article referenced in the link below:

Dura Torque Axle

The Dura-Torque axles can and do wear out. The torsion arm should be pointing down -- anything level or pointing up indicates problems. Mine was about level, and the coach was riding quite rougly -- anything left unsecured in the coach would most likely find its way to the floor. My new axle was manufactured with the maximum down angle and a slight increase of capacity to, hopefully, slightly increase my coach's ground clearance (there was an increase of about an inch and one-half).

One of the challenges with my Minuet was getting hitch height low enough on my K2500 Suburban -- I have the deepest drop Reese draw-bar available and it is still just under an inch higher than would be ideal. Any amount of pitch to the rear increases the likelihood of problems with dragging the rear of the coach on steep drives.

Good luck with your Minuet!

Kevin

[Dan S]

I just posted some pictures in the Argosy forum.
Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks,

Dan