Water manifold upgrade

[Stuckinreno2008]

Has anyone upgraded their plastic manifolds to brass or another metal on their hawk flatbed? I would like to get ahead of any potential failures.

 

[pvstoy]

I had no idea the new ones look like that. Each down loop holds water in the hoses.. how does one get all the water out with the manifolds and hoses holding water??

Looks either blow out and hope or dreaded antifreeze.

 

[Stuckinreno2008]

No idea, this is new to me as well, it seems like replacing it is an ounce of prevention. FWC did recommend blowing out the lines well, but it’s weird that everything is metal except this one critical failure point. I guess I could load the system with whiskey instead of antifreeze…

 

[AWG_Pics]

I have replaced two and have a spare on hand. The last two winters I have blown out the lines at 35 psi for about ten minutes, which has worked well.

 

[Vic Harder]

Vodka is better than whisky (but only for this purpose). Seriously, the mix of materials (metal and plastic) plus the downloops ... its just asking for trouble. Good idea to upgrade this... .or blow it out.

 

[Dirtroadsavant]

I am curious to see if a simple upgrade is available. That said, we blow out each fall and have made it through several midwestern winters (as low as 13 below) with no trouble. We’re pretty casual with the blow out: air compressor with nozzle blow gun tip held loosely in blow out plug, several minutes as partner opens various taps. It’s pretty obvious when the bubbling and dribbling stops. I don’t worry much about the exact psi because the juncture between the nozzle and the blowout plug is so open.

 

[Stuckinreno2008]

I’ll probably head to a local parts store and see what is available, I’m having a hard time believing no one makes this in brass. Blowing it out definitely makes sense but I usually follow the two is one mentality. Probably why my truck and backpack are always so heavy….

 

[pvstoy]

Bought a inexpensive one at Walmart and cut threads to screw on quick connect fitting for my air compressor. Set air compressor regulator at 35 psi. And go in camper and open close valves.
.

 

[JiminMaine]

I'm interested in changing mine too. On our first fill the camper started to flood from the 90 degree elbows. One was actually cross threaded. I'm waiting to hear from Zack on a replacement. He acknowledged there was indeed an issue with the pvc elbows. The totality of issues we have had are laughable in the grand scheme. Unfortunately, I will not be able to travel to California on the 12th of this month due to health issues.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Jim, sorry to hear about the health issues. Hopefully your recovery is complete and speedy!

Good luck with the camper!

 

[JiminMaine]

Amazon have stainless manifolds. There are no 5 port manifold in stainless. However there are a 6 and a 3 port that may work.

 

[Sando]

I’ll probably head to a local parts store and see what is available, I’m having a hard time believing no one makes this in brass. Blowing it out definitely makes sense but I usually follow the two is one mentality. Probably why my truck and backpack are always so heavy….

I’ve used this one from Camco

Amazon.com

 

[Stuckinreno2008]

I’ve used this one from Camco

Amazon.com

Do you find there's too much pressure into the system using this adapter? I could see this shooting a bunch of high pressure air in quickly, rather than a blowby move.

 

[Stuckinreno2008]

Amazon have stainless manifolds. There are no 5 port manifold in stainless. However there are a 6 and a 3 port that may work.

Nice thank you!

 

[Sando]

Do you find there's too much pressure into the system using this adapter? I could see this shooting a bunch of high pressure air in quickly, rather than a blowby move.

No problems. I set my compressor to 25psi and open a faucet before connecting the air hose to the adapter.