How To Winterize a Trailer

[Garand]

You're more than welcome.

Yes. As stated earlier in this thread, wrap the tape around the threads counter-clockwise. It prevents the threads from seizing. Leave it in place and replace it the following year. Note this is Teflon plumbing tape (available at your local hardware store)...not duct tape

Dave

 

[escape artist]

Hi: gclatz... I don't have a 1 1/16" socket so I put my vise clamps on the drain plug/anode rod then I turn them with a large adjustable wrench on the vise clamps. Always works for me...but the first time out can be a bu**er. Teflon tape is essential!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

 

[gbaglo]

Also, the socket extension will allow you to work clear of the other parts.

baglo

 

[gbaglo]

Hi: gclatz... I don't have a 1 1/16" socket so I put my vise clamps on the drain plug/anode rod then I turn them with a large adjustable wrench on the vise clamps. Always works for me...but the first time out can be a bu**er. Teflon tape is essential!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

PLEASE!!! NO!!

baglo

 

[Jim Bennett]

I would agree to hit it a few times with a hammer, and other than that, just use elbow grease.

Teflon tape is key, which goes on clockwise when (looking at the threaded end) so it doesn't unravel as you turn it in. This is the same for any pipefitting where you don't you dope, always clockwise. Dave, maybe you were thinking looking from the other side with the threads away from you.

And Alf.......what baglo said. Your post made me cringe.

 

[gbaglo]

I've found if I wind the tape clockwise that the end of the tape is pushed back and unravels when the bolt is turned clockwise.

If the tape is wound counter clockwise, with the head of the bolt toward you, it doesn't unravel.

I suspect we are doing the same thing. Just holding the bolt by the opposite end.

baglo

 

[Garand]

If you have a trailer in the Southern hemisphere, do you wrap the tape the opposite way?

 

[gbaglo]

All I really know is, if you start winding the Teflon tape, you are sure to drop the roll, or the bolt, requiring yet another trip to the hardware store.

baglo

 

[gclatz]

Is only one layer of teflon tape? Or this is to say approximate one layer?

Thanks all for coming with Your advice, I really appreciate.

Gerardo.

 

[gbaglo]

Two or three. You press it into the thread after wrapping it. You don't want it thick, just a layer that doesn't come off while you thread the bolt.

You'll use up the rest of the roll when you drop it and it gets all twisted up and sticks to itself.

baglo

 

[Garand]

Is only one layer of teflon tape? Or this is to say approximate one layer?

Thanks all for coming with Your advice, I really appreciate.

Gerardo.

The tape is very thin. As you stretch it around the bolt it conforms to the threads. One or two layers are all that're needed.

Dave

 

[escape artist]

Hi: All...You can rest assured that I use my vise clamps with all due respect to what I'm using them on!!! I can't say the same for Teflon tape. I thought that dropping the roll and watching it dissapear under something was "Just my luck"... Apparently "I'm not alone"!!!
I Always flush the water heater with the garden hose and get rid of lots of " Cottage cheese" like sludge and then rub the anode rod with a nylon scrubbie before taping and carefully re threading the rod by hand...then tighten with my clamps/wrench... much like changing a sparkplug! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

 

[Jim Bennett]

I've found if I wind the tape clockwise that the end of the tape is pushed back and unravels when the bolt is turned clockwise.

If the tape is wound counter clockwise, with the head of the bolt toward you, it doesn't unravel.

I suspect we are doing the same thing. Just holding the bolt by the opposite end.

baglo

We are saying the same thing. Normally, there is a long length of pipe that you are putting the tape on, and so it is a rule with plumbers that it goes on clockwise, when looking at the end of the pipe with threads on.

These probes are an anomaly, as they extend beyond the threads, where as valves, pipe and the like all extend back from the threads.

 

[gbaglo]

That makes sense.

Let me tell you about re-plumbing the bathroom sink some time, when you have a lot of time and we have a couple beers in hand.

baglo

 

[Jim Bennett]

You will most definitely get the chance to have me in that situation again. ;D