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10-07-2019, 05:36 AM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: WILLIAMSBURG
Posts: 17
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Nearly Stuck Dump-Tank Valves
Greetings all, Really enjoying my 2012 Alpine 3700 RE except when it's time to dump tanks. Two dump tank valves (one grey, one black) require an exceptionally hard tug when attempting to dump the tanks. I get the job done but I know this should be easier... I noticed an adjustment screw on the backside of the wall with an adjustable nut secured to the wall. Wondering if shortening the line slightly might relieve the tension and difficulty of pulling that valve?? Thanks much for any input.
__________________
Mike and Sandy in their
2012 Alpine 3700RE
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10-07-2019, 06:14 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Mountain Home, Idaho
Posts: 2,977
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I doubt that’s gonna help much. Since it’s a 2012 have the handles always been hard to pull ? I lube my pull cables every year with PB blaster ... 2014 Alpine
Two fingers is all that’s required to open all 3 of my tank valves...
Yours may have some corrosion and dirt inside the cable sheath. If they have always been hard to pull then the routing of those cables would be suspect...
You can access them via basement storage by taking rear cargo panel down.
Some will say you can’t get any cleaner/lubricant in between the cable and sheath... you can with patience
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2007 GMC Classic club cab 4x4 Duramax LBZ
2014 Alpine 3010 RE. 34 foot fifth wheel
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10-07-2019, 06:17 AM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,235
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Chuck has the right idea. The nuts your talking about nearly hold the sheath in place and don’t change the length of either the housing or the cable.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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10-07-2019, 07:16 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
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You might try looking at the cable routing, mine were much longer than needed & ran all over the place finally pulling the valve at an odd angle. I loosened the nut you referred to & worked the cable around til it pulled straight with the valve. Also as mentioned lubed it regularly.
__________________
Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
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10-07-2019, 08:12 AM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,841
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It's "amazing" what a motorcycle cable lube tool will do for any Bowden cable system. Check out this video and see if it adapting it to your trailer cable might ease the "pull effort" by lubricating the cable.
BTW: You've got the same Bowden cable system on your lawn mower, power washer and any other power lawn tool that uses a "remote speed control".
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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10-07-2019, 03:13 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Rincon
Posts: 192
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Try dumping and flushing then- induce three or four gallons of water, pour in about 1/4 of bottle of Dawn, pour in a couple 12 ounce bottles of mineral oil( available at pharmacy area in Walmart) , drive for a couple hours to agitate, let it sit for a week....slightly open valve to allow a couple of ounces to slowly seep out then close repeat in a few hours!
Worked for me and mine was so tight I needed two hands to open...
__________________
2017 Ram 3500 CC Cummins
2011 Keystone Laredo 266 RL
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10-08-2019, 10:55 AM
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#7
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Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Portland OR
Posts: 14
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I also poured a few gallons of water and a bottle of cheap dollar tree dish soap in my empty holding tanks a day before leaving. It was able to agitate for a few hours driving down the highway. My pulls are all MUCH easier to move now.
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10-08-2019, 11:02 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kksfish
Try dumping and flushing then- induce three or four gallons of water, pour in about 1/4 of bottle of Dawn, pour in a couple 12 ounce bottles of mineral oil( available at pharmacy area in Walmart) , drive for a couple hours to agitate, let it sit for a week....slightly open valve to allow a couple of ounces to slowly seep out then close repeat in a few hours!
Worked for me and mine was so tight I needed two hands to open...
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With the ability of Dawn to cut grease/oil I'd guess your mineral oil isn't doing much good, but if it works for you keep it up.
I just use the cheapo dollar store dish or laundry soap in the black tank & a quarter cup of vegetable oil (or your mineral oil) in the grey tanks. All valves pull easily.
And as I've already said, lubed the cables.
__________________
Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
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