New to us - 2015 36RSSB3

[Chuck A]

Never owned a 5th wheel but feel we will be happy with this 36. Love the forums and have a few questions. I would like to replace all four 17.5 aluminum rims that came wiith the unit just because they are pretty rough looking or really rough. Would replace the same or someting more up to date. Anyone have good experience buying rims? Also, the black tank valve will not close all the way. How to get to that? Thanks for any help...

[porkchop]

The black tank valve is located behind the sliding doors on the drivers side. Look in amongst the duct work, behind the water filter and just a little lower. Some are a simple change out, others are a little more difficult. Just depends on how exactly your stuff is laced in amongst things.

Tires and wheels=there are several co's that will mount, balance and ship to your door. First one that comes to mind USED to be called Trailer Tires And Wheels. Somewhere in Ohio. Did business with them several years ago. Good experience, fair price and timely delivery. I do know they had a name change recently and do not know what new name is. Should be easy enough to find. Good luck and welcome

Bill

[Goober]

The black tank valve is located behind the sliding doors on the drivers side. Look in amongst the duct work, behind the water filter and just a little lower. Some are a simple change out, others are a little more difficult. Just depends on how exactly your stuff is laced in amongst things.

Tires and wheels=there are several co's that will mount, balance and ship to your door. First one that comes to mind USED to be called Trailer Tires And Wheels. Somewhere in Ohio. Did business with them several years ago. Good experience, fair price and timely delivery. I do know they had a name change recently and do not know what new name is. Should be easy enough to find. Good luck and welcome

Bill

Check for paper or other non-organic material packed in the valve guide before you teat it apart. If you can’t see the valve, you might be able to cut through the blockage by working the valve at the valve without the cable. If you have to replace it, put an electric valve in.

[Chuck A]

Thanks Goober. Interesting you are from Ga. I was born and raised in Rome Ga.
Through all military travels ended up in Oregon. Anyway I can Google it but have not heard of an electric valve. Sure would be nice. Thanks, Chuck A

[Chuck A]

Thanks Porkchop, will try those outlets. Sounds like a tight place to get to but will give it my best shot. Goober even said something about an electric valve which really sounds good. Thanks, Chuck A

[Goober]

Thanks Goober. Interesting you are from Ga. I was born and raised in Rome Ga.
Through all military travels ended up in Oregon. Anyway I can Google it but have not heard of an electric valve. Sure would be nice. Thanks, Chuck A

https://www.valterra.com

I have used this valve on two RVs. On the last one, it worked flawlessly for ~10 years. I have never experienced the problems some people report about electric valves. I can tell you that a Valterra is strong enough to cut a tampon in half. As soon as I encounter the problem you describe with the valves on my 2019 DRV, it will be new Valterra valves for me.

[Cummins12V98]

I dumped the cable valves as they are a POS. I went "old school" with standard Valterra Valves and easy to reach locations. Three years and not a single issue.

https://i.imgur.com/JQP6Eqsl.jpg

[porthole]

Don't know if they are still in business. They have gone through a website name or two.
One previous URL was trailertireandwheel.com

I have bought wheels and tires from Scott for our RV, boat trailer and golf cart.
Great customer service and prices.

This is the location and corporate name.

Sparks Of Imagination, Inc.
103 Baylee St, Edon, OH, 43518
(419) 272-2277

[terry and jo]

Chuck,


Regarding the black tank valve, this picture is NOT from a 2015 model but a 2010. In this photo, look just behind the water filter housing and just right of it and you can see a black pipe angling downward. That is the location for the valve. The black tank is just above the valve. The tank is more visible to the left of the water filter housing.


https://photos.smugmug.com/Our-Home-on-Wheels/Miscellaneous-Exterior-Images/i-K3WC64p/0/c7d03496/X2/DSC_5971-X2.jpg (https://photos.smugmug.com/Our-Home-on-Wheels/Miscellaneous-Exterior-Images/i-K3WC64p/0/c7d03496/X2/DSC_5971-X2.jpg)


In our case, and we have lived full time in our Mobile Suites since April of 2011, we have not had any issues with the black tank valve and control cable. On the other hand, our grey tank is the one that is the hardest to operate, although it does still work as long as I work with it.


Terry

[Cummins12V98]

I originally replaced the one Terry shows in pic with a "T" valve but I got tired of pulling out bins and reaching back to open and close. I simply left it in the open position when I added the black valve underneath.

[Goober]

I dumped the cable valves as they are a POS. I went "old school" with standard Valterra Valves and easy to reach locations. Three years and not a single issue.

https://i.imgur.com/JQP6Eqsl.jpg

This is fine as long as you don’t use the coach in sub-freezing weather.

[Goober]

I dumped the cable valves as they are a POS. I went "old school" with standard Valterra Valves and easy to reach locations. Three years and not a single issue.

https://i.imgur.com/JQP6Eqsl.jpg

This is fine as long as you don’t use the coach in sub-freezing weather.

[Cummins12V98]

I think it would have to be WELL below freezing to create a solid block. Who in the HE!! Camps in that type of weather???

If one was crazy enough to do so a wrap of insulation would do the trick.

[Goober]

I think it would have to be WELL below freezing to create a solid block. Who in the HE!! Camps in that type of weather???

If one was crazy enough to do so a wrap of insulation would do the trick.

There are plenty of full-timers north of the Mason-Dixon line. I have been told by a dealer that they sell a lot of DRVs to go to the ND oil fields. We are fortunate to have one of a very few brands of RVs that are engineered and certified for four-season use. I spent a winter in north-central WV. I have spent weeks in Milwaukee in the winter as well as other places. My coach(es) have seen temperatures ranging from 15 below zero to 130. I can tell you from experience that one of the things that are high on my list of things to avoid is a frozen black tank valve. I have had an electric water hose freeze before. Insulation is of extremely limited value if there is no source of heat.

[Cummins12V98]

Bottom line is I don't frequent COLD. Did enough of that in Construction for my career.

Very simple for me to close the "T" valve I installed in place of the POS cable and leave the black valve open that I added in pic. Problem solved.

[terry and jo]

I think it would have to be WELL below freezing to create a solid block. Who in the HE!! Camps in that type of weather???

If one was crazy enough to do so a wrap of insulation would do the trick.


Well, with regards to that in bold and underlined above, I guess it would be the wife and I. But, you now that we "camp" differently than everyone else by staying in one place for longer periods of time. 20 months in Colorado (lowest temp was -6 degrees), 17 months in Oregon (lowest temp was probably around 20 degrees), and 9 months in Utah (lowest temp probably around 20 degrees.)


Now, we have been back in Oklahoma for a couple of years, going on three, and this morning it is 15 degrees. Supposed to be getting colder this weekend, but you know how weather forecasters are.


From 115 degrees to the -6 degrees, we have always been comfortable inside.


Terry

[wingnut60]

Not always possible to avoid cold, even when trying to--going to be 28 tonight, 14 tomorrow night and 9 after that, before warming a little. This is near New Braunfels, TX. Park has shut off water and we are on tank/pump--their plumbing not built for extended time below freezing. We were in -11 couple of nights Feb '19 at Cherry Creek SP, Denver. Learned a lot that time about keeping water/sewer lines open. Can be done, just not fun.

[wingnut60]

Last name I had for the old Trailertiresandwheels.com is "TrailerSetGo.com" and that is a valid tire/wheel website. Duane had the name of the original business in OH, but they sold/moved back to/toward Elkhart if I remember correctly. They were sure great in sending out tire/wheel packages if changing from 16" to 17.5" on the Doubletrees. Bet you can use Duanes info to find them.

As to working on the black tank valve--remove the water filter/housing, will be much easier to reach area behind. As shown in the pics, you can see the 3" black tank drain angling at 45d downward. Valve is just out of sight, can see it easily if remove the water filter. Not too hard to work on it, just tedious due to all the plumbing. If going to work on it, drain the tank and rinse it well--then raise trailer on the drive side to keep any fluid left inside the tank. Then it is just a matter of long arms, 4 bolts removal. On mine, when I pulled the bolts, the drain line dropped downward giving me room to work. One tip--use plumbers grease to hold the gaskets in place when replacing the valve, otherwise you might pinch them when sliding the valve body in place.

[Cummins12V98]

Wingnut60, good advice!!!

[MTK46]

Trailerandtruckparts.com is where I bought my 17.5" rims.
Bought my tires from Simple Tire.
Rims were on sale last summer when I bought. Check cracking rims thread for pictures.

[Dave The AV Guy]

For powered black & grey water valves, talk to Doug at Drainmaster.com. I did a short video about 10 years ago on a couple of their products, and another video just a few years ago about their hose storage system. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5f3Dig31l94&t=65s. Our 4th wheel came with their electric valves and I've been quite happy with them, as well as their hose and storage system.

[MTK46]

1575
Here they are

[Harley Jim]

Try simple tire for tires & wheels. I bought from them and came with free shipping!

[dmorse68]

Chuck A - I have a 36RSSB3 as well AND in Oregon as well. Been fulltiming in our unit for 4 years or so, and fix most everything myself. Would be more than willing to help out if you ever needed an extra hand, or have questions about things you come across. I am in the Portland area. Where are you located?