Help reattaching dump handle unscrewed in underbelly?

[nellie1289]

So returned from the desert in my inaugural trip. All went perfect except when I got home I put a little water down my island galley tank and wanted to dump it before I went back to storage. Went out to pull the handle which on my model is a handle stuck through the underbelly for the galley tank. It simply must of shook/vibrated off during the drive because the end of the handle just came out of the underbelly. The handle is only about a foot long. I can’t see through the underbelly liner and no easy way to drop it in this area. I can’t find the threaded peg to screw handle back on hidden inside the underbelly, which is frustrating. Any ideas on how to attack this simple task. My first thought was make the hole bigger so I can see up in there. I don’t want to go to dealer but don’t want to ruin my under belly liner with a dumb hole either. Suggestions would be appreciated.

[Walnuts]

Is it possible to purchase a cheap endoscope camera to see if the threaded part is there to screw the handle back into.
Maybe that would give you some idea of the valve location. Then a poke and pray exercise for a while until you can screw the handle back?

Option 2;
Remove foam sealant from around the waste pipe. Use large hole to view the underbelly.
Back fill with expanding foam after handle is refitted.

[nellie1289]

im sort of lking your option 2, does anyone know what this foam stuff is and where do i get?

[chuckster57]

We use “great stuff” expanding foam. Any box box hardware store will have it.

[JRTJH]

While sitting, reading this post, close your eyes, hold your arms out to your side "neck high", slowly bring your arms to the front and attempt to touch your index fingers together....

Reinstalling that "valve dump handle" is the same concept. You'll be working "with your eyes closed" and trying to "anticipate/feel the right spot"... It's not as hard as you might think, and actually, if you pay attention, you can "feel the empty fitting" with the rod as you explore. Once you find the right spot, just turn the rod clockwise until it's tight...

Alternatively, you know how long the rod is, you know how much "stuck out before it fell off", so lay it in that position and you can "estimate where the fitting is"... Cut a "U" shaped opening in the coroplast (with the hinge side toward the front) and pull down the flap. You'll see the fitting right in front of you. Once the rod is reattached, clean the coroplast with alcohol and close it with either SCRIM tape or with Gorilla Tape.

If you want a "more permanent repair" you can consider using some "Thread Lock" on the threads before reattaching the rod.

[Xtjrp]

I has similar problem, but can see where it attaches on my smaller Bulllet trailer. Mine had vibrated loose, unthreading to the point where it came off in my hand. My solution to was to use a dab of the "Goop" adhesive on the threads to lock in place.

[nellie1289]

John, im closing my eyes and practicing/channeling now. You guys are always great for input, i love these ideas, I haven't tried finding the peg too long yet, i also think i can access the back of the wet bay by removing the wall panel and see in there, i looked in there once before just "looking" but i think i can see that spot pretty easily. will try some or all of the above but will try the easy stuff first !

[wiredgeorge]

Oh heck, just buy a can of that crack filler expanding foam. They are GOBS and GOBS of fun. You pull the trigger on the can and you can see why the stuff expands out all over the place. In fact, you might try practicing just a bit somewhere that won't look like a mess so when you use it on your camper you can have a feel for it.

[dutchmensport]

My very first thought after reading your post was identical to #2 option above. Cut a small hole so you can see inside, attach the handle, and then use foamy 'Stuff" expanding foam to fill the hole.

Tip, every time you touch the handle, turn it clockwise. If it's loose, you will always be tightening it up. If it is already tight, it won't turn any more, but you are keeping it snug. Don't over turn and break it, just turn the handle enough to make sure it's snug. If you do this, it will never come off again.

I had the same thing happen to one of my prior travel trailers, so I'm talking from the same experience here.

[Bill-2020]

If you want black foam to match what you have now, the ACE Hardware stores here sell a black expanding foam geared for outdoor projects (like ponds and such). Try your local ACE store. Lowes or HD here didn't carry the black last I looked.

[JRTJH]

With the population explosion in the "mouse community" (they're immune to COVID) it's a good idea to spend an afternoon on a creeper under your trailer with a can of expanding foam in your hand.... Hit the "obvious spots" first and if you have any left in the can, then start poking around in the "not so obvious spots" and even in the "what the heck spots"....

I haven't been under a trailer in the past few years that would have leftovers from a can of foam.....

[nellie1289]

So i ended up cutting a U shaped hole to access it. I tried John's Jedi mind tricks, however, after trying a while i decided to cut the shape of a U flap. Once in, the problem with my Jedi mind tricks was obvious, there are like 400 electrical cords running through there, and the dump handle actually has to go through the middle of them to get access to screw the valve on, horrific ATD by keystone. i only cut a U about the size of a business card(maybe a little smaller) and a sharp box cutter, i was careful not knowing what was underneath, thank god, given a literal littany of wires running the length of the frame of the trailer. I will post a few pics as soon as my phone charges.

[nellie1289]

Here are pics.

[Life-in-Him]

We've had 2 of these happen on our 2020 Cougar.

Been able you to the blind, behind the wall, search & reinstall on both.

But... Finally opened them up & reinstalled with a jamb nut.

The other critical thing as mention before, is always turn the handle clockwise. Push it in do the shaft or end flair binds a bit on the valve helps.

[Sarge2]

Originally Posted by nellie1289

Here are pics.

How did you determine where to make that cut? seems it worked out well...I assume you used the valve pull end to kind of get a basic distance..

[nellie1289]

I used the length of the handle as a general guide. And felt around as I put the handle in the hole.

[chuckster57]

Glad you got it. Keystone isn’t the the worst with spaghetti in the underbelly. I’ve spent hours trying to trace TV coax in fivers with 4 or 5 TV hookups. YES I said 4 or 5.

[jxnbbl]

Returning from a 5 week trip and just had this happen on our second stop. Hope you used loctite on the reassembly!!