Hi Scampers,
As part of winterizing, we need to remove the water heater drain plug. In the 2017 Scamp Owners Manual it states that this white plug at lower left of external access requires a 1 1/16 socket. However, on the DVD we got with the trailer, it states that a 5/8" socket is needed. Both are wrong. The 1 1/16 is far too big, the 5/8 is too small. The plug itself is plastic hexagon and is behind the metal piece that has the on dial. Its location requires an extender for a socket wrench.
We called Scamp and they said 'Just use a crescent wrench'. The person from parts/service did not know the size of the plug. A crescent wrench will not fit into the small area.
Has anyone else had this problem? Am I completely missing something obvious? It clearly states to open from the service access, and I don't see any other white drain plug.
Thanks in advance for any pointers in trying to figure this one out.
Catherine
Error, the video says 7/8" socket, not 5/8. 7/8 does not fit.
Catherine
Campingwithdogs
Use a 6 point socket with an extension. I thought it was 15/16" but I think I've used both sizes at one time or another. But you really need a 6 point socket with the nylon nut.
Eddie
Edit
Here is an Atwood wrench. Looks like the nut size can be 7/8" or 15/16" the threads are 1/2 NPT.
Huge thanks Eddie,
This looks like exactly what we need. I was pretty worried about stripping or otherwise destroying the plastic nut, so this should be just the thing. Thanks so much for the fast response.
Catherine
Campingwithdogs
I faced the same issue yesterday. (I need to purchase one of those Camco wrenches)
I did buy a cheap 15/16 open end wrench at the local box store and managed to find room to get the plug loose. I didn't see any room for a socket to fit with the gas line/wires in the way.
My plastic plug was none of the suggested wrench sizes. Years ago I purchased a plumbers wrench set for our rental property. The sockets look like a spark plug socket for a chain saw, but they are bigger, have different sizes on both ends, and a removable handle. One of the sizes, I believe 13/16" fit my plastic plug perfectly. I'm not sure if they still sell these sets at the plumbing dept of a store such as Home Depot. A good hardware store would be a good place to check.
Doug
Only a suggestion... I've done this to mine and so far, it works great!
I haven’t seen one of these in use, but just looking at it does it open enough to clear all the mineral chunks that flow out when you pull the drain plug or does this just empty the water? A big part of pulling the plug and draining the heater is to wand and flush out the mineral buildup and I’m not clear looking at this if it would work to that end?
Our Trailers:
2015 19 Escape
Buying or Selling Molded FG Trailers:
Fiberglass-RV-4Sale
So far I’ve used it for two years without any problems. It’s nice not needing any special tools but only your fingers.
I’ve had very small bits come out but nothing clogged up. It works on the same principal as a radiator drain shut off valve. I guess time will tell if this is bad or not.
Obviously if mineral chunks is a big problem, this is probably not the way to go. I don't have enough experience to know if this is or not a problem. The search on the internet seems to fall in the positive range. Again (for me it works but), only time will tell...