Feel like an idiot - Escape Trailer Owners Community
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Escape Trailer Owners Community > Escape Tech > Problem Solving | Owners helping each other
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 04-05-2015, 12:06 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Vicki A.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5TA
Posts: 405
Feel like an idiot

Just drained the hot water tank and now I can not get the anode rod back in.
What am I doing wrong?!
Vicki A. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2015, 12:13 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
gbaglo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
You need to describe the problem more.
I'm guessing the rod goes in and that you are only having trouble getting the rod to start threading.
First, you have to wrap the thread with How To Use Teflon Tape - Plumbing Repair Guide - ACME HOW TO.com
I've found that my socket is too deep to put pressure on the anode to begin threading so I partially fill the socket with coins. Then it's just a case of making sure you don't cross-thread.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2015, 12:26 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Delta, British Columbia
Trailer: 2015 5.0TA
Posts: 271
Glen, you forgot the part about holding your mouth just the right way as you try to get the threads started.

Vicki, if you have a socket extension, use that too so you can use the extension and socket like a giant screwdriver and get the plug pointed horizontal so it will start threading (by hand). Before you attach the ratchet to the socket make sure the plug is threading on properly to avoid the dreaded cross thread that Glen is alluding to. Good Luck.
Mark
GerriJ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2015, 12:31 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
davescape's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Surrey, British Columbia
Trailer: 2016 - Escape 19 (2nd Gen), 2021 F150 Powerboost
Posts: 350
Leave the front threads of the anode clear of teflon tape so it can be easily started. Sometimes it helps to turn the anode (bolts too) backwards a few times until you feel it seated in the hole. It gives you a better feel for alignment. Should really only start the threading by hand until you are sure its grabbing properly or else you could cross-thread it and potentially cause permanent damage. Wrench should not be applied until you are certain it is threaded correctly (sorry Baglo). Some lube might help too but it needs to be digestible or inert since you'll be drinking it later. I'm not sure what effect vegetable oil would have on the plumbing system but I use it on my coffee pot lid at home and I haven't died yet. Don't need a lot of teflon tape. A couple times around should be fine.
davescape is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2015, 12:38 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: ESCAPE #3 COMING - 19 FT
Posts: 277
Quote:
Originally Posted by davescape View Post
Leave the front threads of the anode clear of teflon tape so it can be easily started. Sometimes it helps to turn the anode (bolts too) backwards a few times until you feel it seated in the hole. It gives you a better feel for alignment. Should really only start the threading by hand until you are sure its grabbing properly or else you could cross-thread it and potentially cause permanent damage. Wrench should not be applied until you are certain it is threaded correctly (sorry Baglo). Some lube might help too but it needs to be digestible or inert since you'll be drinking it later. I'm not sure what effect vegetable oil would have on the plumbing system but I use it on my coffee pot lid at home and I haven't died yet. Don't need a lot of teflon tape. A couple times around should be fine.
Sometimes if u turn the nut counter clokwise slowly u will feel a click, keeping small pressure on start turning clockwise slowly, this is a good way to be at the correct starting point.

ken
__________________
ESCAPE #3, 19FT ON ORDER
TV - NOT YET, THINKING RIDGELINE OR F150
KEN AND DIANA, CALGARY
kvermeulen is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2015, 12:39 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
gbaglo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
No need to be sorry. Very important not to cross-thread and I spend a lot of time trying to figure out if I'm good to go. I use the socket and extension to position the anode because it's easier than just using my fingers ( I don't think I have fat fingers, but ).
A couple wraps of tape is all you need. More will just keep it from starting.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2015, 12:43 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
davescape's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Surrey, British Columbia
Trailer: 2016 - Escape 19 (2nd Gen), 2021 F150 Powerboost
Posts: 350
BTW, don't feel like an idiot I'm wearing that hat currently Pulled into the backside of a Taco Bell in Northern California a few weeks ago for a quick lunch and ended up getting jack-knifed in the parking lot when I couldn't complete my u-turn Got to the point where I couldn't go forwards or backwards. Had to unhitch, lower the trailer until the tongue was just about on the pavement, reposition the truck, drag the trailer tongue sideways with the safety chains, and then reconnect. The whole process took about half an hour. I was so sure that our embarrassment would end up on video that when we got home I checked u-tube for stupid Canadian with trailer. There's something to be said for carrying a hitch wheel. Would have made the process somewhat easier.
davescape is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2015, 12:56 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
gbaglo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
What the heck were you doing at Taco Bell !!!??
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2015, 01:03 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Vicki A.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5TA
Posts: 405
Got it! what stubborn cus!
GerriJ - I think you got it right...hold your mouth just so...!
Thanks all!
Vicki A. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2015, 01:03 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: N/A, Indiana
Trailer: Escape
Posts: 976
Quote:
Originally Posted by kvermeulen View Post
Sometimes if u turn the nut counter clokwise slowly u will feel a click, keeping small pressure on start turning clockwise slowly, this is a good way to be at the correct starting point.

ken
This is an excellent strategy. The anode rod feels unbalanced as the weight is away from you.
__________________
"Never argue with an idiot. They only bring you down to their level and beat you with experience." George Carlin
Jubal is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2015, 01:20 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
davescape's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Surrey, British Columbia
Trailer: 2016 - Escape 19 (2nd Gen), 2021 F150 Powerboost
Posts: 350
Quote:
Originally Posted by gbaglo View Post
What the heck were you doing at Taco Bell !!!??
After eating there, I'm not really sure. Maybe we were looking for authentic Mex/Cal food. Maybe not.

Just realized I jack-knifed this thread. Feels good. Much better than cross-threading it. See I fixed it. Back on topic.
davescape is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2015, 03:22 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
LarryandLiz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Maple Ridge, BC, British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 17B;2012 Nissan Frontier SV 4
Posts: 701
Quote:
Originally Posted by davescape View Post
After eating there, I'm not really sure. Maybe we were looking for authentic Mex/Cal food. Maybe not.

Just realized I jack-knifed this thread. Feels good. Much better than cross-threading it. See I fixed it. Back on topic.
I don't think you jackknifed the thread. After all the thread it titled. "Feel like an idiot"

Dave. Thanks for posting. Knowing that people screw up from time to time will help me to stay calm and recover when I pull an idiot move.

Larry
LarryandLiz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2015, 05:20 PM   #13
Site Team
 
Donna D.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 11,023
I never call them an idiot move. I call them Lessons Learned and so far I have a PhD.
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward
2014 Escape 5.0TA
Donna D. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2015, 05:24 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
jamie beers's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Vancouver, BC, British Columbia
Trailer: 19'
Posts: 326
on my 19' it feels like i have to have the rod pointed slightly upward to get it threaded. otherwise it just spins and never catches.
jamie beers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2015, 05:32 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
techfan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Longview, WA, Washington
Trailer: 2013 Escape 15B - 2014 Nissan Frontier SL
Posts: 854
Quote:
Originally Posted by jamie beers View Post
on my 19' it feels like i have to have the rod pointed slightly upward to get it threaded. otherwise it just spins and never catches.
I second this. The heater is elevated in the back (looking at it on the inside of the trailer) which makes angling the anode up slightly important to get it seated ( at least it does for me).
__________________
Tim and Julie
2013 Escape 15B
2014 Nissan Frontier, Previous 2012 Santa Fe
techfan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2015, 05:35 PM   #16
rfs
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Eastern Iowa, Iowa
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21
Posts: 136
You got all the good tips and advice there are when it comes to starting the anode rod and apparently there was a combination that worked. I have experirnced the same frustration. The amazing thing is that the next time it will spin right in there and you'll think you're doing something wrong because it's too easy. One of my foremen never referred to them as problems, they were always opportunities. I always liked that attitude. He retired and inherited about 3 million bucks, wish I would have treated him better at Christmas.
Dave
rfs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-05-2015, 07:04 PM   #17
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Olathe, Kansas
Trailer: 2015 21ft Escape "Spirit of the Plains", 2014 GMC Sierra with max tow package
Posts: 1,100
Good for Vicki. She persevered and got it. When working on something and it isn't going, I never try to force it. This can result in doing damage and your problem just got bigger. Also just like getting stuck in the mud or snow with a vehicle. The first impulse is to rev it and you just dig yourself a deeper hole. I plan on carrying a wheel for the hitch with me because sooner or later a person just might find himself in a situation where the only choice is to unhook and swing the tongue over. And I hope it is not on soft ground. It might not be a bad idea to carry a small piece of 3/4 in. plywood just in case. You know, better to have and not need than need and not have. With the room in the pickup box and the storage box on the trailer, I plan to travel pretty well equipped. And if I don't need it, I might be able to help out my fellow camper. Loren
Loren & Cathy is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off




» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Escape Trailer Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:49 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2023 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.