|
03-19-2020, 04:35 PM
|
#1
|
Established Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Broken Arrow
Posts: 25
M.O.C. #23640
|
lost gray tank handle
So, we were on our way back from Branson and my wife was following in another vehicle. She saw something come out from under the trailer on I-44 and slide off the road. Got back to our home base and noticed the front gray tank handle was AWOL! Apparently that was what came out from under the trailer. It was mounted, by the factory, under the trailer and stuck through the plastic underbelly. Guess they have never heard of LocTite!!
Has anyone else had this happen? If so, any idea how long that handle was? Guessing 12" but not sure. Too muddy right now to crawl under the trailer to measure and open the valve. We have a 3731 FL Montana.
Thanks in advance, this group is awesome about helping others!!!
|
|
|
03-19-2020, 04:53 PM
|
#2
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Mesa az
Posts: 3,038
M.O.C. #5651
|
Can you just remove a few screws or bolts on the side holding the coroplast on? Then shine a light in from the side and spot it and maybe reach in with a vice grip and pull it out???? I have replaced one in the past, but don't remember the thread size. Good Luck.
__________________
Tom and Gail
2013 Mountaineer 362
2012 Silverado 2500
|
|
|
03-19-2020, 08:17 PM
|
#3
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Carson City
Posts: 2,017
M.O.C. #21963
|
The lengths will vary so you'll have to measure. An RV supply store will have replacement rods in stock of varying lengths.
__________________
2016 3160, Legacy, Sailuns, Splendide 2100 xc vented, 1 1/2" axle lift blocks, disk brakes. 2014 Ram 3500 SRW SWB 4X4 6.7 Aisin Mega Cab, EBC slotted disks and brakes, Titan fuel tank.
|
|
|
03-19-2020, 08:26 PM
|
#4
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
|
First I have ever heard of a tank pull handle in a Montana routed thru the underbelly coroplast rather than the frame or convenience center.
__________________
Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
|
|
|
03-19-2020, 08:28 PM
|
#5
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Catoosa
Posts: 787
M.O.C. #18384
|
Afraid I can’t help you on the length, but this is what I did to prevent it from happening.
__________________
2015 3100RL legacy...2005 Ford F-250 CC SB. Tows like a charm! 4/19 Updated to 2017 Chevy 3500 CC SB SRW -hope it tows as well as my F 250 did!
|
|
|
03-20-2020, 08:50 AM
|
#6
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Mesa az
Posts: 3,038
M.O.C. #5651
|
Theunz, that is a good idea!!
__________________
Tom and Gail
2013 Mountaineer 362
2012 Silverado 2500
|
|
|
03-20-2020, 08:53 AM
|
#7
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Hilliards
Posts: 238
M.O.C. #25636
|
Good idea! I'm going looking for some cable now!
__________________
2020 MHC 330RL
2021 F350 DRW 6.7 Powerstroke
Retired and Rollin'!
|
|
|
03-20-2020, 11:12 AM
|
#8
|
Established Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Broken Arrow
Posts: 25
M.O.C. #23640
|
Excellent idea!!
|
|
|
03-20-2020, 11:13 AM
|
#9
|
Established Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Broken Arrow
Posts: 25
M.O.C. #23640
|
That's the way it came on our 3731FL. Even factory rep agreed it wasn't a good idea as he knew about it.
|
|
|
03-20-2020, 11:49 AM
|
#10
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Brandon
Posts: 3,944
M.O.C. #1034
|
Yes, yes, that exact loss happened to us last fall on our 3721.
Was a bit shocked when I went to dump and couldn't find the handle. Our's like yours just jutted out at an angle and it took a 12" rod to replace it.
As our's also angled past a propane line when I installed the new rod we used loctite of course but also ran a clamp semi snug around the line and encompassed the new rod as well.
My thinking is this will reduce any vibration that may have contributed to the loss.
__________________
Darwin & Maureen DeBackere
Minnedosa, Manitoba, Canada
2011/3500/Silverado/4x4/DRW/Duramax
2017/3721RL/Legacy Pkg./Pressure-Pro
|
|
|
03-21-2020, 01:46 PM
|
#11
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Centerville
Posts: 1,359
M.O.C. #9051
|
Another thing I do on that one down between the axles on mine , is I always check to make sure it has not started to loosen up when I dump the tanks ,and going to move . Yes that cable is another great idea.
|
|
|
03-25-2020, 02:04 PM
|
#12
|
Montana Master
Join Date: May 2003
Location: New Bern
Posts: 4,295
M.O.C. #311
|
Gray dump handle
I lost mine. It was replace with what looked like a 22 cal cleaning rod. I lost it too. I went to Lowes and got some threaded rod and splice barrel and nuts to lock it down. I opened the hole in the under belly so I could put a nut and the splice barrel. Then a nut on the end of the thread rod and screwed it into the splice barrel. Two wrenches tightened them all down solid. On the other end (cut to desired length) i put two nuts with a good sized washer in between. That acted as my handle until I could replace the make shift handle. The excess rod and barrel splice and nuts are in my tool kit in case I need to build another one.
Safe travel and stay healthy.
|
|
|
03-25-2020, 02:32 PM
|
#13
|
Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Uniontown
Posts: 55
M.O.C. #25583
|
I have a 3855br and my gray tank handle came off as well. I just put it back on today. It is about 12” long. So all I did was cut a slit in the covering about 4” long out some Loctite on the treads. I’m hoping this is the last time I have to this. I put metal duct tape over the slit.
|
|
|
03-25-2020, 04:15 PM
|
#14
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Eugene
Posts: 1,064
M.O.C. #5091
|
Theunz had a great idea. Mine came loose when I pulled handle to dump tank. Need to file a flat spot in rod so when I tighten screw holding handle on it has more surface to grip instead of round surface of rod. Better yet I'm going vto get some cable and do what others are doing. Then again, poor design by Keystone. No common sense on their part.
|
|
|
03-25-2020, 07:50 PM
|
#15
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Hawkins - Tx
Posts: 142
M.O.C. #25774
|
I put this bungee cord on the handle and attached it to the jack. I turned the handle quite a bit to tighten it up, but never did get tight. Does anyone know if they changed how they are attached to the valve in the 2020 units?
__________________
Gunther, Sheri and Calvin
2020 Montana 3812 MS with a Reese Goosebox
2006 Dodge 3500 Dually, LB, 6 Sp, 5.9 Cummins with Flashpaq Super Chip Tuner
South Bend Flywheel and Clutch, Loadlifter 5000 Rear Air Bag Kit
|
|
|
03-29-2020, 01:34 PM
|
#16
|
Established Member
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Broken Arrow
Posts: 25
M.O.C. #23640
|
Jritz, That's the same thing I ended up doing! Had to buy two 6" rods and screw them together. Loctite all the way around!! If it comes off now, it will be left open!! Also slit the bottom to keep the rod from being at an angle with tension on it. Tape is next!! Thanks and stay safe!!
|
|
|
03-29-2020, 02:01 PM
|
#17
|
Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Uniontown
Posts: 55
M.O.C. #25583
|
That’s cool. I like the guys idea to put a bungee cord on it too. I may do that so I don’t lose it if it comes off again. Just in case! Lol
|
|
|
07-28-2021, 03:27 PM
|
#18
|
New Member
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Becker
Posts: 8
M.O.C. #27280
|
Part Number
Good info! We also lost the pull rod on our 3855BR. We picked up a Valterra Waste Valve Extension Rod Kit pictured below. I got LUCKY and pushed the rod into the hole of the Coroplast and found the other end and threaded it on.
__________________
2019 Chev 3500 Dually - B&W Companion
2020 Montana 3855BR
#ifnotnowwhen #fulltime
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|