Broken Black Water Tank rod

[draggootom]

Howdy -- Looked on the Forum and didn't see anything about this. We have a 2005 30' Classic Rear Queen; I've always thought the black water tank valve handle design was a little funky with that double bend in the tubing between the T-handle and the tank valve. Sure enough, this morning the rod got into a bind and snapped off at the bend closest to the tank valve. Fortunately: 1) I have a secondary valve on the discharge outlet; 2) the valve is open; and 3) there's still about 6" of rod that I can get to with a pair of vise grips if I need to. Question is, Is there a fix? Is it cost effective to replace the poorly-designed tank rod? Or should I just leave the tank valve open and depend on the secondary valve? The local Airstream guy said he'd not run into this before, and it would be easier and cheaper to engineer a solution rather than drop the tanks, etc.

[Bill M.]

You do not have to “drop the tanks” or the pan under them. You will have to cut an access hole through the pan cover. If you can work out some sort of sleeve to make a joint external to the cover that would be the way to go. A sleeve over the broken rod and a couple of cotter pins would work.

I would repair the rod and use the tank valve. I did not like the external valve at all.

[draggootom]

Thank you, Bill, that sounds like the "engineered solution" the tech was talking about. Your sleeve approach sounds good but the break was at the bend so I guess I could try to find a tight-fitting elbow or something. I agree, the outside add-on valve is not my first choice, but at least it's a choice. Thanks for your response.

[draggootom]

Silly me. A closer inspection revealed the hollow tube that broke at the first bend is actually held onto the solid shaft with a single rivet, and is a part that can be ordered from Airstream -- for about $100 plus shipping and handling. That's ridiculous, folks. Still might end up with an engineered solution but am currently searching for a machine shop that will make one for me. Even if it's a 100 bucks, the money stays local.

[montanablue]

Originally Posted by draggootom

Silly me. A closer inspection revealed the hollow tube that broke at the first bend is actually held onto the solid shaft with a single rivet, and is a part that can be ordered from Airstream -- for about $100 plus shipping and handling. That's ridiculous, folks. Still might end up with an engineered solution but am currently searching for a machine shop that will make one for me. Even if it's a 100 bucks, the money stays local.

http://odmrv.com/catalog/index.php?m...roducts_id=624