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Tank drain replacement
#1

Had some spare time yesterday and decided to change the old type tank drains and run 1/4" tubing with 1/4 turn ball valves to a location that is accessible, this was recommended to me by senor gurus and it makes sense and wonder why Newell didn't think of this. Before doing all this I put the coach in raise then put the 20 ton jack stands underneath the rear and front then hit the dump so I'm assured the coach will not squash me like a bug but I still get nervous when I was dumping the air from the tanks laying on my back watching for any movement. I've lost enough weight that it makes it much easier to get between the drive and tag wheels and scoot myself to the desired spot not as quickly as Richard but I can get there. The hardest tanks are the front tanks most certainly the one dead center of the coach, another what was Newell thinking. Confused One thing I noticed is I had no more than a couple table spoons of water in all my tanks combined and think this is because my Junair compressor has a automatic water dump on the output air side and we replaced the air dryer soon after we bought it. Pictures will follow as I'm waiting for the sun to come up and finish the job.

1999 45'  #504 "Magnolia"
Gravette, Arkansas
1996 40 XL Prevost Marathon 
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#2

When I first got our coach, I did the same. And you are right, only a few of the tanks had any indication that they had water in them.

I did have a hard time on removing a few of the drain valves, but I got a new tool to help. They are the 3 point contact vise grip pliers (they come in 3 sizes!) that allowed me to grip the brass fittings after they seemed to want to round out and grip unbelievably well.

I ganged the ball valves in 2 locations. One on the AC condenser at the front passenger side behind the headlight, and one in the engine battery bay. I did not route the ping tank in the passenger wheel well as I added a ball valve directly to the tank in that location. I exhausted each valve down and away from where I would have my head during release and held hoses in place with the standard use of tie wraps making sure to follow manufacturing guidelines.

The only thing that I need to watch is on the front ganged area, if parked in a sloped area, the front end can drop low enough where you might not be able to get your arm in the location after you have let all the air out. You probably dont need to ask me how I know.......


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#3

Glen you have 4 tanks in the front and 5 in the rear? What am I missing? I have 3 in the rear and 3 in the front unless there is something I forgot.

1999 45'  #504 "Magnolia"
Gravette, Arkansas
1996 40 XL Prevost Marathon 
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#4

Likely you are missing the "frame" tanks.  Although I am not certain, and Richard can confirm, but I think the crossmembers are the "tanks" for the suspension.

My recollection is that the crossmembers are about 4" x 6" rectangular tube with a drain valve on it.

Dont forget the ping tank in the wheel well...
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#5

Here are pictures of the one frame tank I can find and the big round one behind it and of course the small round tank in the wheel well area I didn't take a picture. I'll go back and look for the rest of them. My valve set up is NOT as pretty as yours, you did a first class job.


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1999 45'  #504 "Magnolia"
Gravette, Arkansas
1996 40 XL Prevost Marathon 
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#6

It's not nice to talk about a new cool tool and not show us a picture of it.

Forest & Cindy Olivier
1987 log cabin
2011 Roadtrek C210P
PO 1999 Foretravel 36'
1998 Newell 45' #486 

1993 Newell 39' #337 
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#7

(08-06-2024, 03:09 PM)folivier Wrote:  It's not nice to talk about a new cool tool and not show us a picture of it.

I agree Oliver. 
I will add not posting a link to purchase is a deduction of 1/2 point.  Big Grin

Hank & Natalie Bensley
2001 Double Slide #586. 
2021 Cherokee Trailhawk Toad
Port Orange, FL. Upcoming Snowbirds in Endwell, NY Smile
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#8

I still have the question how many tanks are there in the front and rear? What am I missing?

1999 45'  #504 "Magnolia"
Gravette, Arkansas
1996 40 XL Prevost Marathon 
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#9

(08-09-2024, 12:40 PM)Jack Houpe Wrote:  I still have the question how many tanks are there in the front and rear? What am I missing?

Jack, mine has two tanks over the front axle and I believe there are 2 over the drive axle.

Jeff LoGiudice
Temple Terrace, Fl
1984 Bluebird Wanderlodge PT40
1998 Newell 2000 #490
1986 MCI/TMC 102A3 (sold)
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#10

Jack,

Follow the big air lines from the aif bags. They terminate into the frame tanks. Follow the 1/4 line from the tag air bag. It will appear that both tags go into the same frame tank but that is deceptive. The tag fram tag has a divider welded in the middle.

Richard and Rhonda Entrekin
99 Newell, 512
Maverick Hybrid Toad
Inverness, FL (when we're home Cool )
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