Water Tank Taps Query

Been looking underneath the van this morning and never really thought about this a great deal despite being aware since first owning our Trident, but the waste water tank seems to have been bodged a bit in the past, presume the tap on the waste tank should be the same as the tap on the fresh water tank like a plastic water but tap?

It seems to have some kind of plumbing type tap fitted (previous owner was a plumber by trade) but obviously this isn't the correct setup, although it works fine so don't really want to pull it about, but can someone clarify if the taps should be the same?



Anyone have a rough idea of cost to replace the tank and whats involved? The dropping down bit is easy enough but how does the water enter the tank, and how easy is this to disconnect and replace?

Hi CC
I've dropped my waste tank before to replace a broken tap that broke when I hit speed bump. As you already realise dropping the tank it easy- but fixing a new tap in is **!!! unless you have rubber arms to hold the nut in on the inside of the tank. I couldn't tighten mine enough so I used silicon to make a good seal.
I reckon your previous owner has had the same problem and has used something a bit more robust and also wanted to fit a threaded connection onto the waste tap that he could have fitted a hose extension on.
I've got a spare tap if you you want it (for nowt)
The hose from the sink just fits on with a jubilee clip as far as I can remember - nothing problematic
Cheers
Stevo

Hi Cruizing Comet.
I would think the replacement waste tap has been fitted to increase the bore size to allow a better water flow from the waste tank. The tap fitted looks like a large bore ball isolation valve it is certainly better than the original Auto-Sleepers standard plastic tap if there is no leak I would leave it alone. I doubt that this tap will seize like the plastic taps do and it is removable if you should to change it at any time.
What looks ?? like a bodge is just the fitting of a threaded union into the tank for the tap to screw on to.

CC
The taps on both of my tanks are water butt taps.
I have three inlet hoses to the waste tank each connecting into the side of the tank via a fitting. One is for the kitchen sink. One is for one shower drain and the last is for the other shower drain and the wash basin combined. If you cannot see hoses going into the side of your waste tank then they must fit into the top but that would make it more difficult to remove the tank unless there was slack in the pipe/s to allow the tank to drop a little.
With your current set up do you have to lay under the van to open the drain? My van has a piece of hose from the tank and the tap is at the end of this which is clipped up under the side valance of the van.

squip

Hi Cruizing Comet two more reasons for leaving it as it is first you can clean the tap out with a piece of wire or a bottle brush and second if you fit a hozeloc tap connector you can connect your garden hose to give the waste tank a quick blast out

Alf

Thanks for all the replies guys

As already said it's never given us any problems and it's never really been an area for concern, until today when I was checking it out and just thought that it didn't look too pretty! but if it's as you all seem to suggest a better solution I will leave it well alone

Squip, No I don't have to lay down to get to either taps but I do usually have to kneel then bend to one side, bit of a pain but could be a lot worse

Thanks

CC