new member - cannot reach water drain valve Minnie 22R

[PamJ]

Hello there! I need to winterize my new-to-me 2017 Minnie 22R but cannot reach the drain valve under the foor of the rear bed. (I agree with folks who swear at the location.) When I got the motorhome I had to close the valve and absolutely couldn't reach it. My arms are just not long enough. Finally had a neighbor do it, but I'd really rather not have to rely on him. Is there a trick to reaching it? Has anyone figured out/made a tool that works to do this? Help!

[Blue Sky]

... not exactly the same RV, but I had he same issue with my trailer. I sent a picture to Winnebago CS, but never heard back from them (didn't expect to).

You can see by the stock part that was removed, the port on the fresh water tank has 1/2" pipe threads. That offers you some options.

My solution was a PVC run nearer to the side of the trailer. I can easily reach the valve through the stairwell. The fitting on the valve end has garden hose threads so I can direct the water away from the trailer. ... simple and inexpensive.







The original drain could have easily been mounted to the trailer frame. It would have needed a couple of feet more of braided tubing and two screws - less than $5. (I wonder if someone that is about 6' 9" tall, has a 38" reach, and never camped before got a bonus for this cost saving design.)

Edit: I used threaded fittings on the PVC run so it would be easier to replace or repair if it was damaged from something kicked up from the road.

[Morich]

Let me make sure we are speaking of the right thing?
On a motorhome and this valve?


If correct, how close to reaching would you be? What I might suggest is "inventing" a mod to the handle that would then let you use a ratchet to turn it?
Would the length of the ratchet handle be enough to reach and is there room for the handle to swing left/right to ratchet a couple times to move the valve handle?
How much extra length needed to reach it and how much left/ right space for a tool to swing?
How are you set for working on making a wooden tool?

[PamJ]

Opps! Since I'd seen other posts where owners of similar Minnie Winnie motorhomes complained how hard it was to reach this valve, I figured that many folks would understand. I can see now I need to add a photo and more details. I will do that in the next few days. The valve is under some other piping so is not just a long reach but is also hard to get at.

[RVWinnie25B]

With our Minnie Winnie 22R, there is an access panel in the basement underneath the bed. Remove the 4 screws in the panel, it will give you easy access to the drain and allow winterizing to the pump with a bypass hose conversion. This is also, where we installed a accumulator reducing the vibration & noise from the pump.

[Morich]

Originally Posted by PamJ

Opps! Since I'd seen other posts where owners of similar Minnie Winnie motorhomes complained how hard it was to reach this valve, I figured that many folks would understand. I can see now I need to add a photo and more details. I will do that in the next few days. The valve is under some other piping so is not just a long reach but is also hard to get at.

Yes, it is easy to think of the problem we have as something known to lots of folks but not true.
If you look at how many folks will have experience with a specific year of a specific model compared to how many Winnebago are on the road, it gets easy to see most of us will have never even seen the inside of the one that is giving you problems!

You actually did a far better job than many new at posting to a forum as you did get much of the needed info in your first post!
No big deal but we often have to nearly drag the info out and sometimes it only takes one post with all the right info to find the right answer.

As humans, we do tend to have a harder time at this communications stuff than we often admit!

Just gotta keep trying!

[PamJ]

In wriggling around trying to get a good photo of the problem, I figured out how to reach the water drain valve. Solution - lay face down under the mattress and scootch towards coach wall. The trick is to get far enough over to allow me to put my left arm and shoulder and my head down into the access hole. YAY! Silly me, I'd thought one would stand on the floor next to the bed and reach down into the access hole, but that would be too easy.

I'm attaching my photo in order to show how well the valve is hidden. It has an oval-shaped handle like a toilet shutoff valve. The valve is directly under the black waste pipe. I added a blue arrow pointing to it, but it's still hard to see. Am so glad I found a solution.

Thanks to everyone who jumped in trying to help. I really appreciate all of you.