Black tank drain handle broke off, tank full

[bennydog]

Yep....was all hooked up to dump the tanks after 4 days, pulled on the black tank handle and well the handle was in my hand and the tank was not draining.
The handle assembly is hollow aluminum and is installed not parallel to the ground but pointed down at a angle. But that's not the way I pull on them.. I pull straight out and eventually it broke off. The guys at Courtesy RV center across the highway from the KOA where we were staying in Klamath Falls OR were really helpful.
They had an extension kit that looked like it might be made to work, I had to go get a threaded coupler to attached it to the end of the valve. Just in case we rooted around and found a tap that we used to run the treads in further on the old handle. Turned out that was a good thing as the extension kit shaft was only threaded on one end and that was the end that they wanted you to put the new handle on. I was able to thread the old handle on enough to be able to open and close the valve. I later realized that I could have unscrewed one from either of the gray tanks to get the black one emptied. Going to replace all 3 handles with all thread bars as I'm sure the other 2 are not far behind.

[SteveC7010]

Originally Posted by bennydog

The handle assembly is hollow aluminum and is installed not parallel to the ground but pointed down at a angle. But that's not the way I pull on them.. I pull straight out and eventually it broke off.

Were you able to determine if you pulling straight out instead of downward at an angle was the cause of the breakage?

[bennydog]

Hard to say for certain.There is nothing to help guide you in pulling at the correct angle. When I opened up the black under cover (I forget what it's called) it was apparent that the shaft had been rubbing on some water line fittings and I think that was what made it hard to get the valve closed and had it at the screwy angle. I had taken the trailer back when it was under warranty after I was covered in crap from the valve not being closed tight even though it acted like it was. Dealer claimed to have cleaned construction debris out of the valve but now that I've taken a good look at it I think it's all the other junk that's in the way. When this thunder storm passes I may go out a snap a picture under the trailer. Just another case of a cheap part and sloppy assembly.

[SteveC7010]

Originally Posted by bennydog

HJust another case of a cheap part and sloppy assembly.

The Valterra valves themselves and their associated plumbing parts seem to be of reasonable quality. I had them on our '99 Sunline. At the 10 year mark, I had to replace the valve on the black side because the body finally cracked. Hard to say for sure if it just went with age, or there was an unusual stress from the plumbing assembly. Regardless, 10 years is acceptable in my book.

The handles, shafts, and pull assemblies on the other hand seem to problematic. The Sunline didn't give any troubles because there were no extensions or odd angles to deal with. They pointed straight out and just needed a gentle tug to open properly. Closing was just as easy.

Like you, I have one tank that is plumbed with the handle pointing downward at about a 45 degree angle. It's well under the trailer and not easy to reach and pull. (I just discussed this in answer to another question.) I am contemplating getting the Valterra 72" flexible cable kit, and relocating that handle to a much better place.

[rhagfo]

Cable kit is most likely your best solution. Then you could put the handles to your likening.

[f6bits]

My grey tank handle just broke exactly this way. Fortunately, it broke in the closed position after dumping. What's the threaded bar and thread size?

[hankaye]

f6bits, Howdy;

Best guess is, 1/4"X20.

hankaye

[86GT2r]

I had this happen to me last week. Used the black handle to complete dumping. Went to a local RV store & got a replacement for this trip. I will be tapping the old one deeper & reinstalling it and keep the new one for a spare. It appears that you need to make sure the aluminum handle is threaded on the valve as as possible to help prevent this from happening again. I recommend making sure to push & pull the handles as straight as possible, side loading is what made mine break.

[f6bits]

Side loading is what made mine break as well. *And* I don't think I had it threaded all the way on.

I'll give the ¼" 20 rod a try. I'd feel better with that rather than replace it with another aluminum one.