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Old 06-04-2013, 01:13 PM   #1
pmh
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Need recommendation on sewer system

Hi all I aqm new to the forum, and need some help please.
I have a Cougar x-lite 29 RES camper. My problem is the positioning of the three waste valve handles. They are positioned about 10" behind the fiberglass outside shell. This makes them very difficult for my wife and I to reach.
I bought some 12" extension handles, but this would make the handles stick out from the side of the camper. The 9" extensions put the handles right against the inner side of the shell.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
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Old 06-04-2013, 01:16 PM   #2
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Sorry can not help with your sewer system.
But to the board.
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Old 06-04-2013, 01:20 PM   #3
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Sorry can not help with your sewer system.
But to the board.
Thanks for the welcome,
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Old 06-04-2013, 03:31 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pmh View Post
Hi all I aqm new to the forum, and need some help please.
I have a Cougar x-lite 29 RES camper. My problem is the positioning of the three waste valve handles. They are positioned about 10" behind the fiberglass outside shell. This makes them very difficult for my wife and I to reach.
I bought some 12" extension handles, but this would make the handles stick out from the side of the camper. The 9" extensions put the handles right against the inner side of the shell.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Hi, I haven't tried it but I talked to a fellow RVer who fashioned a tool for reaching the handle that is under the slide on some models like my Cougar. He took a piece of ABS plastic plumbing pipe around 1 1/2- 2 inches thick and cut out a couple notches to fit the sewer handles in, he said it worked great for dumping.
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Old 06-04-2013, 03:51 PM   #5
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I have an old 4 foot piece of pipe that use to to a screen house or tent. It has a curve on one end shaped a little like a cane, this is the handle end. I flattened and bent the other end so I can pull the handles open or push them shut. If you have a fire poker with a hook you can do the same thing. Also welcome to the forum.
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Old 06-04-2013, 03:59 PM   #6
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Ray and Gary, thanks so much for the suggestions. I really had not thought about fashioning a tool but it sounds like a good idea.
Also thanks for the welcome.
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Old 06-05-2013, 09:55 PM   #7
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Is it the reach, or just locating them?

If is just locating try some tape on the outside edge of trailer.
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Old 06-06-2013, 09:31 AM   #8
pmh
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Is it the reach, or just locating them?

If is just locating try some tape on the outside edge of trailer.
No it is the reach that is the problem. If I put extenders on the handles they
are up against the backside of the trailer body. I don't want to cut holes in the fiberglass body.
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Old 06-07-2013, 03:56 PM   #9
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I'm thinking a trip to goodwill to pickup a walking cane with the curved handle gives you what you need and a backup, multiuse tool in case anyone ever sprains an ankle or knee. And you know how us campers like multiuse tools due to our low storage ;-)
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Old 06-07-2013, 07:26 PM   #10
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pmh, Howdy;

Welcome to the forum.

Be careful when you use anything else to pull on the handles
other than your hand, you can't "FEEL" the valve opening and closing
like you can with your own hand as you will have some extra mechanical
advantage working in your favor. Most of the newer handles are plastic
and it would be easy to break one.
Not saying to not use one, just be careful when you do...

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Old 06-07-2013, 08:57 PM   #11
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Hello CincyGus and hankaye. I've thought about the cane or something like it.
For now we have decided to bite the bullet and get down there and do it the
old fashioned way, and pull the handles by hand.
Hankaye - do you suggest changing the plastic handles out for the metal ones?
P.S. thanks for the welcome. I really enjoy the site so far.
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Old 06-08-2013, 07:29 AM   #12
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pmh, Howdy;

Matter of personal choice. IMO. I had one of the plastic ones
break apart just pulling open with my hand . But the other one still
works just fine. If you choose to make a tool to help push/pull the
handles you will have to make your own decision on this matter.
Whatever you decide, please let us know and if you figure out a handy-
dandy tool please also include a picture for us all to view.

hankaye
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Old 06-08-2013, 09:04 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hankaye View Post
pmh, Howdy;

Matter of personal choice. IMO. I had one of the plastic ones
break apart just pulling open with my hand . But the other one still
works just fine. If you choose to make a tool to help push/pull the
handles you will have to make your own decision on this matter.
Whatever you decide, please let us know and if you figure out a handy-
dandy tool please also include a picture for us all to view.

hankaye
hankaye, Thanks much for your input. For now I am going to stay with the plastic handles. If I have any problem with them they will all be replaced with metal problems. I am leaning toward no tool, but I'm not totally sure yet.
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Old 06-09-2013, 04:57 AM   #14
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I had to repair one of my handles on our old camper once and it so happen to the one that was hard to reach due to the angle.
What I did was I got a piece of 1/4" threaded rod and a 1/4" threaded rod coupling. I cut the threaded rod to the length I needed. I connected the 1/4" threaded rod to the Gray Tank Valve with the 1/4" Threaded Rod Coupling. I took a piece of clear vinyl tubing and slid it over the 1/4" Threaded Rod so it made for a nice smooth surface. Then bent the Threaded Rod upwards about a 20 degree angle which made for the Handle to be facing more outward then downward. Then attached the new Metal Handle which screws right onto the Threaded Rod.
It worked great...Wish I would have taken some pictures on it..
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Old 06-09-2013, 01:03 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SoGaDually View Post
I had to repair one of my handles on our old camper once and it so happen to the one that was hard to reach due to the angle.
What I did was I got a piece of 1/4" threaded rod and a 1/4" threaded rod coupling. I cut the threaded rod to the length I needed. I connected the 1/4" threaded rod to the Gray Tank Valve with the 1/4" Threaded Rod Coupling. I took a piece of clear vinyl tubing and slid it over the 1/4" Threaded Rod so it made for a nice smooth surface. Then bent the Threaded Rod upwards about a 20 degree angle which made for the Handle to be facing more outward then downward. Then attached the new Metal Handle which screws right onto the Threaded Rod.
It worked great...Wish I would have taken some pictures on it..
Hi SoGaDually, that sounds exactly like what I was searching for, for a solution. I am going to use this idea. Thanks again!
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Old 06-12-2013, 12:40 PM   #16
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How about something like this: http://www.amazon.com/Valterra-T58-T.../dp/B000BGHYJS

It fits on the end of the drain so would be easy to reach and just leave the other waste valves open??
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Old 06-13-2013, 04:54 AM   #17
Bushman512000
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waste valve

You can move the valve as I have done not a big deal just buy a valve cut the line and install the new valve. I used rubber boots or joints not glue so I can replace the valve if it ever starts to leak. And I also have the old valve in place just removed the handle and leave it open...saves some work so now I do not have to reach behind the tire and crawl in the dirt any more. I have pic. of the mod on this site or IRV2.com under Bushman have a look...Good luck
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Old 06-13-2013, 05:28 AM   #18
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Mine are ridiculously hard to get to. We left the Stuart Beach Music Festival at Stuart, VA last weekend. Anybody familiar with the dump area, particularly after TS Andrea and other heavy storms knows the lightly graveled mud pit surrounding and including the dump station. It thoroughly convinced me to do.... something. While I could fashion something using cables or levers or some other mechanical contrivance.... this looks SOOOOOO much easier to accomplish: http://www.rvupgradestore.com/Barker...auto-drain.htm
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Old 06-19-2013, 07:24 PM   #19
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Been looking at extending my sewer handles as well, seeing it will be skirted in for winter and don't want to have to open up skirting. looking at making a cable system out of some old throttle cable assemblies i know i have but just have to find on my next days off. will post some pics once they are done.
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