Drain Taps

Thought I'd share this, if it's common knowledge sorry to have wasted your time.

Both the fresh and grey water drain taps on our 2009 Elddis Autoquest were very stiff when we purchased it three years ago and they have either got stiffer or I have got weaker in those three years.

First try was ptfe lubricant on the waste tap (didn't want to risk contaminating the fresh water) that made no difference at all. Then spent £8 on a replacement which seemed a lot but I figured you get what you pay for so the new one should be silky smooth........Wrong when it arrived it was stiffer than the old one!

Next I cut the old one lengthways as it is impossible to remove the inner section any other way. The two parts 'snap' together in manufacture and cannot be dismantled.

I then visited our local caravan/motorhome accessory shop and tried their taps - all the same, all very very stiff and very expensive. I did note that the thread on my type of tap (the bit you turn is in the horizontal plane and has two little plastic 'rings' so you could secure it with a small padlock?????????????????????? would anyone steal water?) anyway the thread was 3/4 BSP which as you may know is the same as many water butt taps. £2.99 later and I have a smooth easy to operate waste drain tap and no more sore fingers.

Happy draining