Broken Galley Tank Handle

[lpostema]

Galley tank handle came off in my husband's hand this a.m. when he pulled it to drain it. Has anyone had this happen and done their own repairs or do we need to take it to a shop? We're second owners of '07 3400RL so the unit is not under warranty. Thanks

[SlickWillie]

quote:Originally posted by lpostema

Galley tank handle came off in my husband's hand this a.m. when he pulled it to drain it. Has anyone had this happen and done their own repairs or do we need to take it to a shop? We're second owners of '07 3400RL so the unit is not under warranty. Thanks

We had a high wind blow an ice chest under the RV. Wouldn't you know it; it hit the galley tank handle and broke it off. I could get to it to remove the piece that remained on the valve, so I removed it, and found it had 1/4-20 threads. The handle tube is soft aluminum, and not having a tap with me, I merely forced a 1/4-20 bolt to screw into the tube (WD 40 helped). Took it out, and the handle screwed right back on the valve.

[Bill-N-Donna]

It may be that just the cotter pin in the handle broke or possibly it came un-threaded if it's a threaded handle. Dropping the part of the belly pan where it's located should provide some answers.

[LAURA]

I had the same problem the rod had broken at the end of the threads. I removed screws in the underbelly on each side of where the rod went through the black underbelly and made one 8 inch cut. I was able to pull the belly down and replace the rod with a new one that had sleeve that has a set screw. This project will take about an our and save you a trip to the dealer

[Imp]

When ours came off, it was just pure luck that we found the right place to screw it back in. Try it a few times or remove a few screws to lower the belly and visualize what you are doing. Would hate to see you take it into a dealer when you can probably fix it yourself. You might want to put something on it to help hold it in. You fellas may have a recommend. I think it vibrates loose as you travel and doesn't take much to come loose.

[padredw]

On our 2955RL the galley tank valve became hard to open and close--almost "stuck". Rather than attempt a full repair, we left it in the open position and placed a new valve and handle 'downstream' and in a more convenient location. It worked fine. If you valve is in the open position this is one possible fix.

[muddflapp]

I think this is more common than Keystone thinks.. Ours came off in our hand the first time I went to use it also...I had to take it in for other minor problems and the dealer took care of it under warranty... The service tech said he just dropped the under belly and screwed it back in...Went to another lot and looked at a new 3400 and pulled on the galley handle and it came off in my hand also...The salesman didn't even know the galley pull handle was between the tires...

[lpostema]

Thanks for all the great suggestions!!! This forum is wonderful,as new Montana owners we refer to it often. Louie will be attempting the fix early next week unless the galley drain smell gets to the grandkids sooner. If that's the case, he'll have helpers to fix it as our kids and grandkids will all be here for the weekend.

[Mudchief]

Mine has come off in my hand 3 times. It just came unscrewed and I have been able to feel the treaded part with the end of the handle and line it up and screw it back on. If yours is not broken off you may want to try it. However if you do go into the belly get a 1/4-20 nut and put it on the treaded part then when you screw the shaft back on tighten the nut against it so it won't happen again.

[LeonardW]

On my "home station" inspection after bringing our new 3000RK I saw the possibility of the handle coming off; I took the handle off installed a 1/4"x20 nut and reinstalled then ran the nut up to the handle and tightened it to form a "Jam" nut. So far I have not had any problems.
Len

[Parrothead]

We have lost the handle twice and the "post" once. I was able to screw in back in with a lot of patience. Patience is the key word here. Got a chair and sat there and just kept trying. Took maybe 10-15 times. We are going to duck tape the handle on when we move again.
Happy trails.....................

[Fire5er]

So is it still righty tighty to the rear of the Monty to tighten the "T" handle of the Galley tank drain? Ours has not come off yet, and was wondering if I should just try tightening it by turning on the handle every now and then.

[wild willy]

Ours came off a couple times so with patience and perserverence used locktite on the threads and it has not come loose since

[rogue]

Fire5er, I always try turning all 3 handles to the right to make sure they are not loose before I pull them. So far only the black tank has worked a turn loose.
Bob

[Fire5er]

Thanks rogue for the info, I just didn't want to assume that it was a right handed thread and end up causing the problem I was trying to fix.