MARATHON Posted October 25, 2009 Posted October 25, 2009 Hi, as anewcomer to modern campervans i.e. 2004 Trigano Tribute I am bemused by the provision of the dump valve for the waste water tank. It is situated in the middle of the van just in front of the rear wheels. On previous campers, 1972 Dormobile VW Type 2 and 1991 VW Autosleeper Trophy, the waste water was either in a separate removable container or the waste tank was drained from the offside allowing the use of a portable waste container. On sites with no drive over waste water dump drain what is the accepted method of draining the tank. The thought of crawling under the van on wet grass with a shallow container does not appeal. Have thought of attaching a hose to the dump valve and routing to the offside of the van to enable draining into a standard waste water container. Has anyone carried this out and, if so, any suggestions on materials and best practice would be most appreciated. Many thanks in eager anticipation!
Derek Uzzell Posted October 26, 2009 Posted October 26, 2009 My understanding is that it's commonplace for Italian campsites to have ground-level waste-water and toilet-waste dump-points, and this results in a tendency for Italian-designed to have 'nautical' toilets and waste-water tank emptying arrangements like your Tribute's. I believe the Tribute has a pretty large waste-water tank (80+ litres?) that should allow you a reasonable interval between emptying, so you may find the present set-up less of a nuisance than you anticipate. (Depends, of course, on how you plan to use your motorhome.) I think I'd be tempted to leave the present dump-valve alone and graft a separate waste hose + tap on to the tank to allow emptying in the traditional manner on those occasions when that method is more convenient. There is a dedicated Trigano Tribute website/forum that you may find helpful http://www.tribby.co.uk
Brambles Posted October 26, 2009 Posted October 26, 2009 hi, To add to Derek's reply, you can get adtapters to fit the oullet which are available from many accessory supplers. This can then be connected to a flexible hose or pipes to bring to the side. I have a centre dump valve although behind rear wheels, not in front, and the valve has an extension of the handle to bring it to the center rear within easy reach. Having done many miles and campsites all over UK and europe find it is not a problem and usually manage to postion outlet over a waste drain. Jon.
MARATHON Posted November 2, 2009 Author Posted November 2, 2009 Thanks for the advice, have added job to my other 30 things to do to the Tribute over winter. many thanks once again
MARATHON Posted November 2, 2009 Author Posted November 2, 2009 Thanks for the advice, have added job to my other 30 things to do to the Tribute over winter. many thanks once again
Fionablueinky Posted November 6, 2009 Posted November 6, 2009 Hi We dont fint it hard to position the van over a drain outlet and if there isn't a motorhome service point we use a bowl and bucket, I have a gardening kneel mat so dont get dirty and put bowl under outlet then empty into bucket, but I agree its not ideal so im really interested in the extention for the waste tank. If you find a site that sells them could you put a link on here as that would be really usefull. Also the tribby site is really good, and im sure they would be intrested in your modifacation. Fiona
Keithl Posted November 6, 2009 Posted November 6, 2009 Hi Fiona, Have a look at CAK Tanks. There website may not be the easiest to use but there range of products is excellent. They also attend the major shows, certainly at the NEC. Keith.
Fionablueinky Posted November 6, 2009 Posted November 6, 2009 Hi keith Thanks for the link, but blimey that website is really complicated *-) anyway eventually I managed to find what I was looking for, i'll have to give them a ring, I also found some insulating material for the fresh water tank which looks really interesting as well. Fiona
Archiesgrandad Posted November 13, 2009 Posted November 13, 2009 Can I bring to your notice my fabulous tip for extending drain pipes to facilitate tank emptying in difficult situations. Take a bicycle innertube, cut out the bit with the valve in it, and you have astretchy rubber tube that can the pulled over the outlet of valves or taps etc., to join of a length of suitable tube to reach difficult drains. It really is quite secure, I even used a bit of a scooter innertube to join up bits of the very large pipes used on our American RV. Anyone who has ever emtied, in the correct sequence, the 60 odd gallons contained in the black and grey tanks of an RV, will understand the word "pressure". AGD
colin Posted November 13, 2009 Posted November 13, 2009 Archiesgrandad - 2009-11-13 10:31 AM Can I bring to your notice my fabulous tip for extending drain pipes to facilitate tank emptying in difficult situations. Take a bicycle innertube, cut out the bit with the valve in it, and you have astretchy rubber tube that can the pulled over the outlet of valves or taps etc., to join of a length of suitable tube to reach difficult drains. It really is quite secure, I even used a bit of a scooter innertube to join up bits of the very large pipes used on our American RV. Anyone who has ever emtied, in the correct sequence, the 60 odd gallons contained in the black and grey tanks of an RV, will understand the word "pressure". AGD The correct sequence advised to us on several occasions in North America is grey first.
Mel B Posted November 13, 2009 Posted November 13, 2009 Interesting, I would've thought it would make more sense to empty an RV's black waste first, then use the grey waste to flush the pipe ... but I've never had one! :D
Brambles Posted November 13, 2009 Posted November 13, 2009 Agree with you Mel B. See...... http://www.rvdumps.com/dumpstations/tips
Derek Uzzell Posted November 14, 2009 Posted November 14, 2009 Going back to the 'slide' type of drain-valve that I assume is fitted to a Trigano Tribute - you need to be aware that there are various makes and models of these things. There are at least three manufacturers - VECAM, FAP and Thetford - and (based on the information in my accessory catalogues) the adapters that can be attached to the valves' outlets are manufacturer-specific. I think the CAK-marketed valves may be made by FAP, but I wouldn't swear to it.
colin Posted November 14, 2009 Posted November 14, 2009 Brambles - 2009-11-13 9:54 PM Agree with you Mel B. See...... http://www.rvdumps.com/dumpstations/tips Thats what I thought but three different hire companies advised grey first on hand over, the last time was 2000? in BC, on that occasion I asked why and was told "back contamination" I was a bit sceptical at time.
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