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Old 04-28-2019, 07:34 PM   #1
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City/Gravity Water Hatch

My city/gravity water connection hatch is getting kinda ratty looking, even if I clean it.
Has anyone replaced it with a nicer one?

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Old 04-28-2019, 09:26 PM   #2
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I'd like to replace mine with one that has a lockable cover. I've seen them but I don't know if or how you can retrofit one to an Escape.
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Old 04-28-2019, 09:36 PM   #3
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I'd like to replace mine with one that has a lockable cover. I've seen them but I don't know if or how you can retrofit one to an Escape.

This is what I have. Used to be the one they used. It locks, but I wouldn't call it secure. You can see how easy it is to bend. Good place to collect dirt too. And, not easy to attach city water because it's so tight.
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Old 04-28-2019, 10:28 PM   #4
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This is what I have. Used to be the one they used. It locks, but I wouldn't call it secure. You can see how easy it is to bend. Good place to collect dirt too. And, not easy to attach city water because it's so tight.


Glenn, I would like something like what you have, but maybe more sturdy?
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Old 04-29-2019, 01:22 AM   #5
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Whether you replace it, or just improve the existing one, an appearance issue with all of the common plastic RV fittings is that their finish deteriorates in sunlight... so if you paint it with a suitable spray paint (intended for plastics) it will stay nicer. The colour of the trailer's gelcoat finish can be matched pretty closely, which is a bonus. Painting it while it is off of the trailer is easier and more effective.
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Old 04-29-2019, 01:33 AM   #6
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This is what I have. Used to be the one they used. It locks, but I wouldn't call it secure. You can see how easy it is to bend. Good place to collect dirt too. And, not easy to attach city water because it's so tight.
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Glenn, I would like something like what you have, but maybe more sturdy?
It might be reasonable to build your own box mounting the two fixtures, mounted behind a stock access hatch. You custom box could angle the city water inlet down (so the hose hangs without bending stress) and the fill port up (to make it easier to fill, it could be shaped for easy cleaning, it could be large enough to use comfortably, and it could be as strong as you want.

Jim Bennett built his own covered box and described it in this thread:
Low Pressure Quick Connect Install
Although it is for a propane connector, not water, the general construction approach could still be used. Of course, for an Escape it would also be appropriate to build the box of fiberglass rather aluminum; it could still be riveted or bolted in place.
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Old 04-29-2019, 01:56 AM   #7
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if you paint it with a suitable spray paint (intended for plastics) it will stay nicer.

Krylon Fusion in Dover White.
I used it to match the propane tanks cover to the trailer.
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Old 04-29-2019, 05:53 AM   #8
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Fred, try using "303" on your plastic components, may help with protection.
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Old 04-29-2019, 11:52 AM   #9
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Fred, try using "303" on your plastic components, may help with protection.
Jim I still use in the wheel wheels Helps in cleaning . Still had plastic degrade , reason for changing what I could to stainless and getting rid of the 9 in bath Vent . The UV 's will still deteriorate the plastic no matter how much 303 you apply . I made a door to surround the water inlets especially when we almost lost the water cap Strap was broken . Pat
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Old 04-29-2019, 12:16 PM   #10
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In our bus, I used two of the Seafit SS inlets mounted on a SS plate which I made for city water and water tank fill. They worked great for many years. You would have to fabricate a recessed SS box to hold the fittings. https://www.westmarine.com/plumbing-inlets
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Old 04-29-2019, 12:45 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by Brian B-P View Post
It might be reasonable to build your own box mounting the two fixtures, mounted behind a stock access hatch. You custom box could angle the city water inlet down (so the hose hangs without bending stress) and the fill port up (to make it easier to fill, it could be shaped for easy cleaning, it could be large enough to use comfortably, and it could be as strong as you want.
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In our bus, I used two of the Seafit SS inlets mounted on a SS plate which I made for city water and water tank fill. They worked great for many years. You would have to fabricate a recessed SS box to hold the fittings. https://www.westmarine.com/plumbing-inlets
If you build something don't forget you need to include provisions for the fresh water tank vent/overflow. If you look close you will see these are incorporated into the design of both the old lockable style and the newer type.
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Old 04-29-2019, 01:44 PM   #12
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IF you like shiny stuff, you could replace the fresh water access with the OEM, THEN cover it up with this https://airstreamsupply.com/New-Airs...roduct_id=6585
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Old 04-29-2019, 02:39 PM   #13
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I'd like to replace mine with one that has a lockable cover. I've seen them but I don't know if or how you can retrofit one to an Escape.
Based on comparing dimensions something like this should fit by just increasing the height of the stock cut out by about 1". This assumes that Escape didn't oversize the opening width or you might be just a bit too wide to catch the side mounting holes.

https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Fresh-Wa...01-2000VP.html

Although it says B&B on the plastic in Fred's picture I believe this is the newer non-lockable unit installed:
https://www.amazon.com/JR-Products-4.../dp/B000BGJW5M
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Old 04-30-2019, 08:31 AM   #14
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Although it says B&B on the plastic in Fred's picture I believe this is the newer non-lockable unit installed:
https://www.amazon.com/JR-Products-4.../dp/B000BGJW5M
That does look like one of the JR units... but better-illustrated than on JR's own website. Both fittings are angled in the appropriate direction, although I don't understand why the city water fitting isn't much more vertical, to further reduce hose strain.
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Old 04-30-2019, 08:56 AM   #15
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No wonder Escape stopped using Gbag's lockable cover. It's not very functional, locking it seems redundant and if it collects that much dirt it's also ugly. The cap tether on mine broke. I used Krylon plastic spray on the yellowed plastic license plate light and it peeled off after a winter. Seems like this is a "if it ain't broke..." situation.
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Old 04-30-2019, 10:01 AM   #16
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No wonder Escape stopped using Gbag's lockable cover. It's not very functional, locking it seems redundant...
I think that some people are concerned with vandalism (such as putting something in the water tank).
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Old 04-30-2019, 10:04 AM   #17
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I think that some people are concerned with vandalism (such as putting something in the water tank).
Scamp uses a 'pimple' fresh water hatch. When my child was little, she thought it was a great place to feed tiny rocks. She wasn't trying to vandalize anything, just being a child. But oh my....
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Old 04-30-2019, 10:17 AM   #18
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Scamp uses a 'pimple' fresh water hatch. When my child was little, she thought it was a great place to feed tiny rocks. She wasn't trying to vandalize anything, just being a child. But oh my....

I can see that happening with this design, which I would call something like a "hopper" (Scamp calls it a "bucket" style):
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Old 04-30-2019, 12:41 PM   #19
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A disappointment for us not having the locking water cover . Since then . I have installed a locking cover over the Escape water inlets . No sure of the makes but Dave's picture was not the same on our 2 previous RV's . They were sturdy never broke and were on older RV's . When I have looked in RV stores still see them available. At the time I was just lazy to have to cut a 1 in out of our fibrerglass . I will some day but the locking door I installed has worked for years . The cover keeps hopefully mischief out of the fresh water . The one I would look for has a brass hose attachment , no plastic .. The one on the trailer is , how do I say this cheap . Pat
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Old 04-30-2019, 12:48 PM   #20
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A locking trailer hose connection will not necessarily prevent mischief, that can still occur at the pedestal source. I'd suggest a locking fresh water tank cover and just use the on board water.
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