Add this to your inspection routine |
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jimandclare
Groupie Joined: 13 Apr 2016 Location: Erie, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 96 |
Topic: Add this to your inspection routine Posted: 28 Oct 2017 at 10:08am |
Last weekend while on our final trip for the season I exited off of the expressway and decided to fill up the gas tank before going on. While pumping the gas an "Absolutely Wonderful" lady pulled up and asked me if I knew that I was dragging a pipe on the ground. What? I looked down an sure enough the drain pipe and valve assembly to the black tank was on the ground. I don't know how far it had been drug (or dragged?) on the road but the end cap and plastic fitting was pretty much toast. It could have been worse if the drain pipe had been ripped off and fortunately wasn't. If she hadn't have said something I don't know that I'd even have seen it before heading back on the road. Grabbed some zip ties and put the pipe back in place. Ordered new parts from e-trailer for under $20 that should be here this afternoon.
Anyway, the tank drain pipes are supported by pipe clamps bolted to hangers underneath the trailer. The nut on the bolt joining the two parts had completely come off with the obvious results. No way in this lifetime would I have ever even thought to check that the nuts were snugged up tight. Just add this to your pod maintenance or inspection checklist.
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Jim & Clare
2016 R-pod 178 2014 Ford Edge |
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mcarter
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419 |
Posted: 28 Oct 2017 at 12:26pm |
Not first post I have seen with this issue, last one, the guy ruined the black tank. Was or is your nut self locking? Mine is. Also I added a second 3" clamp from Lowes so I now have two separate clamps on my black tank drain
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Mike Carter
2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
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jimandclare
Groupie Joined: 13 Apr 2016 Location: Erie, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 96 |
Posted: 28 Oct 2017 at 12:47pm |
Well since I never thought to inspect the nut in first place and since it's long gone I really can't say. The replacement will definitely be the nylon locking type. Installing backup hose clamps on both drain pipes is a really good idea.
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Jim & Clare
2016 R-pod 178 2014 Ford Edge |
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mcarter
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419 |
Posted: 28 Oct 2017 at 1:05pm |
+1
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Mike Carter
2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6326 |
Posted: 28 Oct 2017 at 6:43pm |
+2
The same thing happened to me while we were on the Interstate headed home. I zip-tied mine up and then made sure that I replaced the missing nut with a nylock nut. When it went to the factory for repairs, a second hanger was added. I checked both. I then fabricated a hanger bracket out of strap aluminum that loops around the gray water pipe and is fastened into the frame with one of the self-tapping screws. It was a pain to make, but I don't think either pipe will sag again. |
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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Leo B
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Location: Lyndonville, VT Online Status: Offline Posts: 4517 |
Posted: 28 Oct 2017 at 7:14pm |
+3
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Leo & Melissa Bachand
2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
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