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Upinsmoke · 02-28-2017, 02:16 PM

Itasca 35F 2015. We just returned north from Florida and I went to a local campground to dump the holding tanks -$26.00! When I went to hook up the dump hose to the manifold, I noticed that it rocked backward ever so slightly. Before I could do anything else, (mere seconds) the entire manifold dropped to the bottom of the compartment. This, naturally, immediately emptied the entire grey water tank and (luckily) only one of the black water tanks. It was, as they say, a hell of a mess.
I loosened the clamps on the rubber connectors (connecting the manifold to the tanks) and was able to get it to hold all of the way home but the manifold is clearly not completely seated on either end. Has anyone else heard of this? It seems like there should be some sort of support to prevent just such an incident.
My dealer says that just replacing both of the rubber connectors should do the trick, but I'm dubious.

Any help would be appreciated. Rick

Gormleys · 02-28-2017, 02:28 PM

Visions of Robin Williams in the movie "RV" come to mind...

No, this is the first that I have heard of this issue. Hopefully, others will comment.

FLjeffro · 02-28-2017, 06:42 PM

Never heard of that either, but I am checking the clamps on mine tomorrow.

Upinsmoke · 03-02-2017, 07:33 AM

A bump for any suggestions other than just putting it back like it was before the disaster. I'm thinking I'd like to work on some sort of small support for the piping - just in case. I mean, I can't say it would never happen, because it did.

Thanks for any thoughts or suggestions.

billdreamlv · 03-02-2017, 08:24 AM

In the immortal words of Frank Barone from Everyone loves Raymond, "Holy Crap".

If it were me I would buy the new rubber connecting hoses and use a little silicone in the inside of the hoses so that they would stay secure.

powercat_ras · 03-02-2017, 09:01 AM

The center part can be rotated in the rubber connectors to orient the outlet as desired, that is why it is not solidly attached to anything except the connectors. Personally I have used some large size plastic cable ties designed for dryer vent tubing as hangers to suppport the weight of the manifold and still let it be rotated.

It sounds like the rubber connectors were not centered when the RV was built. Use some dish soap to lubricate them and get them centered when you do your perm repair and you should be OK going forwardd

Upinsmoke · 03-03-2017, 02:09 AM

Thanks. The lube/silicone is a good idea for easy insertion

and making the connection secure. Using large cable ties is an excellent suggestion, and I believe it will solve the problem without out getting in the way of anything in the bottom of the compartment.
A shoutout to Winnebago's customer service line and their service writers. They discussed the problem with me, sent me out drawings of the entire plumbing system, and made suggestions, all while being cheerful and not in a hurry. Thanks to them.

Dr4Film · 03-03-2017, 03:08 AM

Your problem could be one of two things. Either the entire fixture was NOT installed correctly OR the center manifold was made too short to properly fit into the ends of each valve.

My center manifold moves up and down a few inches BUT it is certainly not loose by any means. It takes a good tug to move it up or down in order to get it angled right for my connection setup.

I would suggest taking everything apart and start over again by assembling the valves, rubber seats and manifold making sure that the manifold is tight and secured.

Dr4Film ----- Richard

Crankshaft · 03-03-2017, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Upinsmoke

A bump for any suggestions other than just putting it back like it was before the disaster. I'm thinking I'd like to work on some sort of small support for the piping - just in case. I mean, I can't say it would never happen, because it did.

Thanks for any thoughts or suggestions.

I had just about the same thing happen, lead me to redo the black tank connections. Here's what I'd suggest.

Replace the rubber connectors with Fernco connectors. Twice as thick, twice as strong. Use silicon sealant as a lube to put it on. Between the clamp and the sealant, it's not moving or leaking.

As for those wonderful worm clamps, take them off and toss them as far as you can. Replace them with constant tension worm drive clamps. They are reusable and won't come loose. Get the torque wrench for them too, worth the $$$. Sets the tension correctly and your all set.

BobGed · 03-03-2017, 08:45 PM

I would agree with replacing the rubber connectors as others have suggested.

While it wasn't bad, I wasn't comfortable with the vertical movement of my manifold, so I installed an aluminum twist strap that is mounted to the bottom bolt of the black tank connector, and the edge of the wet bay floor. I think you can see it in the attached photo.

Upinsmoke · 03-04-2017, 02:20 AM

Thanks. I will replace the rubber connectors with good ones and good clamps as well. I'm not sure I'll pull the tank valves out, but since I have access to both sides, I'll clean & operate them real good. I'm assuming they shouldn't be lubed, since any lube might cause "something" to stick to the valve on the way out and possibly prevent full closure.
The supporting strap idea is something that I'm considering also but I'll have to wait until I get into the project to decide. It may be several weeks.
Thanks again.