3665RE - T - handle behind tires on driver side - Montana Owners Club

et2 · 05-24-2009, 01:01 PM

While getting our new camper ready for spring, I noticed a T-handle between the two tires (driver side, it sits just behind them). It goes through the side of the frame. It really looks like a dump valve, but it's not. The two dump valves are in the service area one black and one grey.

Any idea what it is for. I pulled on it slightly but it didn't give easily, so I decided it was best to find out what it might be.

FireTruckerWife · 05-24-2009, 01:04 PM

Sounds like the dump valve for the galley water. That is what it would be on our 3400.

JimF · 05-24-2009, 01:04 PM

It's a dump valve for the galley, you have 3 tanks, 2 grey and 1 black.

hookman · 05-24-2009, 01:05 PM

It is the galley dump valve most Montanas have 3 tanks

et2 · 05-24-2009, 01:14 PM

I thought there was just one 93 gallon grey tank. So it is actually two separate grey tanks?

Thanks for the quick response.

boylanag · 05-24-2009, 01:16 PM

Yes, the dump valve for the kitchen sink galley tank.

timandsusan · 05-24-2009, 01:21 PM

Our little story about that valve handle. During the PDI, our salesman did not mention that tank. So after about a week of camping, the kitchen sink was backed up. So we quit cooking and washing dishes until we could drive back home about 320 miles. When we got there, I explained the issue to the service tech. He walked into the RV and said we needed to drain our galley tank. Needless to say, I was not happy with the salesman! So we learned the hard way. Have fun--we have after that experience!

et2 · 05-24-2009, 01:31 PM

Seems like a awful place to put it. Crawling under the slide getting dirty just to pull that valve.

noneck · 05-24-2009, 01:35 PM

Yes, NOT a proper place...I put in a cable actuated valve and now have it at an accessible location.

ols1932 · 05-24-2009, 02:21 PM

Somehow dealers neglect telling the new owner about the galley tank valve. Yes, it is in an awkward place but I believe the only answer to that would have been to have the galley empty into the gray water tank. For me, I'd rather have the galley tank valve where it is than to have the galley empty into the gray water tank. So it's kind of hidden, but even my wife doesn't have any problem with it when she does the dumping. (She did it for almost a year while I was recovering from back surgery.)

Orv

johnp4191 · 05-24-2009, 02:28 PM

We bought our monty used, and the previous owner had installed an extension to the pipe and put a valve right next to the outlet. This would be a problem in freezing weather, but for summer, it works great.
Judi

sreigle · 05-25-2009, 08:56 AM

Et2, yes, there are two gray tanks (adding up to the number the brochure shows for gray tank), one black tank, and one fresh water tank. Four tanks in all.

I wish they'd clarify this in the brochures and on the website. In our case, we have two gray tanks of 38 gallons each. The brochure showed gray tank = 76 gallons. Why couldn't they show that as 76 gallons (38 galley, 38 shower/lavatory) or something similar?

vickir · 05-25-2009, 10:45 AM

Apparently my suggestion (last year?) that a simple (and inexpensive) sticker put in the convenience center noting the location of the galley dump valve handle would be extremely helpful was either not noticed or deemed to be not important.

et2 · 05-25-2009, 03:09 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by vickir

Apparently my suggestion (last year?) that a simple (and inexpensive) sticker put in the convenience center noting the location of the galley dump valve handle would be extremely helpful was either not noticed or deemed to be not important.

I agree. This would have saved a lot of wondering. I actually put the trailer back into storage without draining that tank after running bleach thru the lines this weekend. I must make a special trip just to empty that tank now.

Emmel · 05-26-2009, 04:05 AM

On our previous 3280 model, I used the awning rod to reach under the slide to pull that handle. I also pushed it back in with the rod.
Now that the new Montanas are getting the automatic awning, there is no rod with the awning. What's nice about the new 3455 is I can reach the handle when the slide is out or in.
If I still had that reach under the slide, I would come up with some kind of rod even if I had to buy one from the rv dealer, they are cheap.

OntMont · 05-26-2009, 09:10 AM

You can use the awning rod to pull that handle, we used to that with our former 3250RL. On our 3670RL the valve is in front of the tires, and easy to access. All depends on the floor plan I suppose.

The bigger problem is that the pull rod can become detached from the valve. Always give the handle a clockwise twist to screw it back in, just in case it is starting to come unscrewed. (I have not heard of that problem for a while, perhaps Keystone have changed the way the rod is attached on later models?)

Bill-N-Donna · 05-26-2009, 11:21 AM

Our galley tank is on an older model and it’s located at the back end under the slide. With our model I’ve found it more convenient to just simply leave the valve open all of the time. The long line down to where we connect the dump hose gives us a lot more storage area for the grey water. I also have a gate valve at that location.

On the note about the salesman, I doubt that very many of them would have a clue from what I have seen. If they personally have owned a unit and really are familiar with the techniques of camping I can see then where they might have more knowledge on things like that.

sreigle · 05-27-2009, 01:45 PM

You're right about that, Bill-N-Donna. Judging by the number of people posting here about a full galley tank and not knowing how to dump it, I don't think the dealers have a clue. As Vicki suggested last year, a simple sticker would solve this problem.

dieselguy · 05-27-2009, 04:48 PM

"Crawling under the slide getting dirty just to pull that valve." Ahhhhhhh yet another plus for the RV lifestyle ... the ability to rebond with nature as our ancestors once did. Sorry ... just a pun here, I couldn't help myself. Just follow the previously mentioned solutions.

ols1932 · 05-28-2009, 05:53 AM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by dieselguy

"Crawling under the slide getting dirty just to pull that valve." Ahhhhhhh yet another plus for the RV lifestyle ... the ability to rebond with nature as our ancestors once did. Sorry ... just a pun here, I couldn't help myself. Just follow the previously mentioned solutions.

We don't have to "crawl" under the slide on our unit. Maybe the newer models have the T handle located between the wheels. Ours is in front of the front tire.

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