First impressions of our new 5.0TA

[Hilola]

Looking good, David, and glad ya’ll made it home safely!

[tdf-texas]

Originally Posted by arniesea

A conundrum. How can one test the three tanks and valves yet turn over a new trailer with pristine tanks? This is actually the first time I have heard of a dump valve leaking right out of the factory. But I have only been on these forums 2 1/2 years so I'm still a youngster in forum years..

Actually, my trailer dump valves leaked on the way home from Chilliwack. The orientation guy thought it was a good idea to show me that the dump valve ell could swivel up and down and in the process of demonstration, caused both valve seals to tear.

Moving the dump valve ell is a big no-no without loosening the bolts first - Valterra states that this should NOT be done but some Escape personnel are not the brightest.

[gbaglo]

Originally Posted by tdf-texas

Moving the dump valve ell is a big no-no without loosening the bolts first - Valterra states that this should NOT be done but some Escape personnel are not the brightest.

And you weren't smart enough to stop him.

[tdf-texas]

Originally Posted by gbaglo

And you weren't smart enough to stop him.

I hollered NOOOOO! but he did it anyway.

Oh well, I guess in the long run he didn't do too much harm as it gave incentive to do this since I had to replace both valves-

http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f3...tml#post240325
http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f3...tml#post240327
http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f3...tml#post240328
http://www.escapeforum.org/forums/f3...tml#post240329

[davidmurphy02]

Well, they did not touch the dump valves during my orientation so that was not it.

[tdf-texas]

Originally Posted by davidmurphy02

Well, they did not touch the dump valves during my orientation so that was not it.

The forum convinced me to send a nice email to Reace explaining the situation - I think they stopped that practice shortly after. Reace is fairly good at listening if you make sense to him.

Attaching the Valterra literature to the email didn't hurt.

Some silicon lube should help. When I put seals in the gate valves, I usually smear some silicone grease on the seals - you might try doing the same reaching up through the ell. I would use rubber gloves for this though.

[Telescopist]

Originally Posted by davidmurphy02

This is Goosenecks State Park in southern Utah near Mexican Hat. It's technically a state park, but has pit toilets and no other services of any kind so it's much more like a BLM site. There's a park attendant at the gate taking admission fees during the day - $10 to camp overnight. Technically they have 5 designated campsites, but there is a dirt road along the rim that extends for a long way with a lot of campsites, many of which have stone fire rings people have built. You can park right on the edge and sit and watch the stars come out and look down into the canyon at the river.

One note - if you use Google Maps or other similar service it will often route you up or down highway 261 between highways 95 and 163. Halfway up highway 261 is the infamous Moki Dugway, a steep winding dirt road up the cliffs that is not recommended for towing your trailer unless you are very adventurous. We've driven it uphill in just our truck and once was enough, not that far out of the way to go around via paved roads.

Tons of other wonderful places to explore in this area. The Needles section of Canyonlands National Park, not far north on highway 191, is a favorite of ours, primitive and remote.

Thanks David for this information. This will be on our bucket list. I've pasted through Mexican Hat before but not to camp. Is the top of the ridge windy around sunset?

[davidmurphy02]

Originally Posted by Telescopist

Thanks David for this information. This will be on our bucket list. I've pasted through Mexican Hat before but not to camp. Is the top of the ridge windy around sunset?

The day we were there it was fairly windy - I would guess that's pretty common there, but it was still fine for walking on the rim or sitting out, a number of people had campfires going after dark.

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by davidmurphy02

Perry, I will probably replace our hatch locks with this type: https://smile.amazon.com/Prime-Produ...omotive&sr=1-4 I did that on our old trailer and in 20 years never had a problem with them, they are pretty bulletproof. I wouldn't want no locks as we store our trailer at a commercial storage yard. I'll just need to check on the size before ordering to get ones that will fit - also replaced the lock on my truck toolbox and it was handy to have the truck box and trailer hatch locks all keyed alike with a good secure lock.

Let me know which size to buy/fit and ours will be immediately replaced.

Thanks,

Perry

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by davidmurphy02

Wow, thanks - I had not seen a valve like this before and will have to take a look at that, if it would fit I would consider trying that before cutting away foam to replace the black valve.

After our Jayco, that I lived in for a summer while building our condo, started leaking black water I installed one of these. Every time I emptied the black water I checked the leak. After a while the toilet paper that was causing the leak either moved or disintegrated and all was well. I still have that valve and will see if it fits our 5.0 and let you know. We carry it in the back bench, just in case.

We now have a RV sewer cap with handle, for those times your tank valve leaks and you don't want surprise black water all over your hands. It also makes it much easier to twist off the cap.

Enjoy,

Perry

[davidmurphy02]

Originally Posted by Perryb67

Let me know which size to buy/fit and ours will be immediately replaced.

Thanks,

Perry

Check post #60 on this thread, Padamas provides a link to a set that he says fit exactly for easy replacment.

[marsman]

We're on our way to Chilliwack today, Trademasters to install my Andersen hitch tomorrow and pick up our 5.0TA Wednesday. Then we begin our 4300 km trip back home. YIKES!

[h2owmn]

You will certainly be experts by the time you get home!

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by davidmurphy02

We've driven it uphill in just our truck and once was enough, not that far out of the way to go around via paved roads.

Aw, where's the fun in that?

Ron

[arniesea]

Originally Posted by marsman

We're on our way to Chilliwack today, Trademasters to install my Andersen hitch tomorrow and pick up our 5.0TA Wednesday. Then we begin our 4300 km trip back home. YIKES!

And we are right behind you! Sorry our schedules didn't line up. We pick up our 5.0 on Thursday. Although the three hour drive back to Bremerton, WA won't make us experts. So we are heading out to Greenland Beach State Park next week for a shake down trip.

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by rubicon327

My concern is that there might not be room to twist it on given the tight arrangement of valves.

Originally Posted by davidmurphy02

Would be tight for sure - probably won't know unless I get one and try it, but if it works would be a terrific solution. I've also been wondering that if I do have to replace the black valve, might it be possible to remove the bolts holding the valve in place without cutting away the foam....I'm thinking the foam might hold the nuts in place and it could be possible to remove just the bolts, put a new valve in (or possibly just new rubber seals, I suspect that will be the problem) and insert the bolts back. If the foam holds the nuts in place that could work....or maybe just wishful thinking.

I just went down to our 5.0, took out the Valterra Twist-On Waste Valve (same as the one rubicon327 linked to), and the bayonet rotates, so it goes on easily and rotates to any position, so it is not in the way. Without the endcap it appears to be flush with the trailer width (tires) and would only stick out the depth of the endcap if installed.

I do look at this as ONLY a temporary solution until either the toilet paper/poo disintegrates or the existing valve is cleared/fixed. I do know of someone that while opening their valve the handle and rod pulled completely out. Imagine trying to finish your trip with no valve!

After our experience, we now use tp that disintegrates easily, and only poo in the camper when we're ill or it's raining.

Enjoy,

Perry

[Perry Butler]

Originally Posted by davidmurphy02

Check post #60 on this thread, Padamas provides a link to a set that he says fit exactly for easy replacment.

Oops! Missed that post. I've now ordered these locks.

Thanks,

Perry

[davidmurphy02]

Now that we are home our trailer has passed the final QC check....the cats like it!

[Hilola]

Originally Posted by davidmurphy02

Now that we are home our trailer has passed the final QC check....the cats like it!

[MikeS]

Originally Posted by davidmurphy02

Now that we are home our trailer has passed the final QC check....the cats like it!

So it looks like you will be allowed to keep it then?