New Thetford Smart Sewage Hose Evaluation

[Lug_Nut]

I bought a new sewage hose which appeared to be really heavy duty. The hose is close to rubber and is a very heavy wall thickness. You can stand on it and crush it flat without damaging its shape. It uses bayonet couplings of what look like quality design. I've used it for a couple of months. I've had issues getting it into the Newmar hose carrier tube as it wants to spring out. After a while it seems to relax and allow the hose door to shut.
Now it has developed an issue. It leaks from the coach connector end, where the plastic four lug piece grabs the four lugs. Looking art it, I see nothing wrong, but the sewage leaks by the seal that contacts the end of the adaptor. So, I looked up any issues people have had with them on the net.
Hmmmmmm...........Seems it has been a problem for ours too. They said they contacted Tetford and got no help only that they would have to buy another costly adaptor. The seal on this appears to become compressed in time and leaks.
Anyway, if you are thinking of getting one, be aware of this. I'm going to check out what I can do, and if I solve it, I will report back.

Peter

[Iron Man]

Was it the smartdrain hose? I looked at replacing mine with that.

[Lug_Nut]

Yes John, same one! I was very disappointed.

["007"]

How about a double seal if it will hold or larger diameter one.
Tetford should be taking care of you whats wrong with people these days.

[Lug_Nut]

Quote:

Originally Posted by "007" How about a double seal if it will hold or larger diameter one. Tetford should be taking care of you whats wrong with people these days.

I thought of putting an additional seal in to take up the play, but it would be a pain to install everytime. I'm considering to cut the great hose and install a normal adaptor. Poor, poor design.

Peter

[Lug_Nut]

Well, I fixed, or I should say, modified the issue. I cut off the Tetford end at the Motor Home end. I replaced that fitting with a standard four claw end adaptor. I wondered whether the soft rubber would fail to tighten up, and I was right. It srewed up to the end then just kept turning.

I did not want to have to install a stainless steel clamp ring as they are sharp and ackward. I used two black wire ties and pulled then real hard until the end would not rotate at all. Nice and snug
.
I put it back on and pulled the valve open. Prefect, no leak and it flowed well. This may be the answer for other that experience a similar issue as I did.

Peter

[Iron Man]

It is a shame that you had to re-engineer a 100.00 sewer hose. Glad you got it fixed and thanks for letting us know about the hose.

[Lug_Nut]

Thanks John. This issue appears more spread. Some have had no problems after a year's use. One guy had the exact issue I had. He managed to talk the manufacturer into sending him a new one. Two weeks later he experienced the same thing. I think the only great thing here is the hose material quality. So, cutting off the fancy adaptor and installing a cheapy standard adaptor worked well.

So, hopefully it's good to go now.

Peter

[wa8yxm]

Flush it out.. Look "Down the throat" of the connector.. You should see a (usually black) robber "O" ring.. I'm guessing it's missing.

Also the o-ring does wear out,, And is easily replaced, See your dealer or CW for replacement.

[Lug_Nut]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm Flush it out.. Look "Down the throat" of the connector.. You should see a (usually black) robber "O" ring.. I'm guessing it's missing. Also the o-ring does wear out,, And is easily replaced, See your dealer or CW for replacement.

Oh yes it was there. The claw design appeared that it would not compress the seal sufficiently. At first it was just enough pressure to seal, but after the seal became compressed it was not enough. The derometer of the seal material was lower (Softer) than the standard seal found on these. The material also looks like it shrunk somewhat. Now, before you wonder if chemicals could have cause such a reaction, I should state that I have never used any additives in the holding tank.
The claw design does not leaned itself to tightly press the seal on the outlet flange.

Anyway, now it works.

Peter