Dump valve access with plastic tank covers

[billtrev]

Our 2006 25 fb has a sticky black valve. It still works reasonably well but is stiffer to operate than the gray tank valve. I would like to service both valves before there is any real issue.


In doing some research here I see most suggestions are to cut a window in the galvanized steel pan for access to the valves. Our trailer does not have the steel pan. There are three of the black plastic pans/tank covers like the ones that most trailers have on the fresh tank.









I am leery of cutting the plastic pans for a couple of reasons. I'm concerned that the cut will weaken the structure of the pans and since the bottom is "corrugated" (for lack of a better term) patching the hole neatly will be difficult.


Not sure if dropping the pans and hoping that the tanks stay in place is a better option.

If I were to drop the pans is it possible to replace the plastic pans with the single galvanized steel pan? This would allow me to cut an access door before installing to avoid this issue in the future.


Any advise on accessing the valves?

[A W Warn]

Have you tried lubrication? Thetford makes one. Camco makes one. Pour a gallon of vegetable oil in the tank and let it set for a while.

Do not use anything with petroleum. If anyone has prior, the seals in the valve may be beyond help.

Regarding cutting access holes. The corrugated plastic is not the tank support, they are covers. The steel straps are the structural support. When covering cut holes use sheet metal and short screws. Or, drop the pan. Your choice.

[Sharksndwich]

billtrev - Please explain here what you chose to do to service both of your waste valves! I have a 2004 25' Safari with the same tank/valve setup - and one or both valves are leaking.

[billtrev]

Originally Posted by Sharksndwich

billtrev - Please explain here what you chose to do to service both of your waste valves! I have a 2004 25' Safari with the same tank/valve setup - and one or both valves are leaking.

Sharksndwich - I'm not going to be much help with the waste valves,
I still haven't serviced them!


The waste valves on our unit are still working pretty well and I have just been kicking that can down the road...
This thread is a good reminder that I need to get them done..


The last time that we were at the factory I asked the tech who was working on our trailer about servicing the waste valves. He said that they usually just cut and patch the plastic pans.


If you decide to cut the pans just be careful not to cut too deeply since there is only about an inch between the plastic pan and the tank.


Our fresh water tank was cracked due to an over-tightened fitting so I did remove that pan and tank. I added the sensor for the See-Level Tank Monitor system on the fresh water tank so I'll probably drop the pans on my waste tanks for access to install the SeeLevel sensors on the waste holding tanks when I service the valves.

If you decide to remove the straps and pans, the only thing holding the tanks will be the plumbing - make sure the tanks are completely empty.

[Sharksndwich]

billtrev - Thank you very much for your reply! And thank you for the good and helpful warning regarding the "make sure the tanks are completely empty"!


I am leaning towards cutting access holes, to make any future repairs easy (unlikely, but would make life nice if needed in the future...). As long as access holes would not weaken the plastic tank covers too much (particularly in the "straps areas"), I would love to make exact "prescribed" cuts in order to use the cutout as the "access hatch" (augmented with metal hinges, extruded metal, piano hinge(s), internal wood frame and screws = something to "hold things back together" nicely). The only problem - I'm not sure how much/big to cut, where to cut, how deep to cut/not cut, etc. I have some feeling the waste tanks (and the water tank) sits "on" or very close to the plastic tank covers. One idea I might try - I have a DEPSTECH wireless scope (from Amazon), and could probably shove the camera wire in past the "rubber patches" around the valve handles, and look around. Maybe this is what I must do in order to not drop the plastic tank covers --and-- make exact cuts.


SeeLevel sensors. Interesting. I'm wondering if at least on the waste tanks, if I cut an "access hole" to service the valves, if I could also place SeeLevel sensors on each waste tank in the same area. This would upgrade the lousy existing stock tank level sensors --and-- allow easy service to the SeeLevel sensors should they need anything --and-- allow easy service to waste valves. Hhhmmm.


Any other advice or experience or PICTURES of the mysteries inside of the plastic tank covers, would be greatly appreciated. MAYBE it will be me who ends up providing that which I seek?