Dear Dave,
I have a 2015 Forest River Flagstaff Super Lite 26RLWS travel trailer. The toilet flange broke and I was able to get a replacement flange; however, there’s a threaded adapter (extension) that’s glued into the drain portion of the flange. This extension piece is threaded on the opposite end where it screws into the black tank.
Unfortunately, I have not been able to locate this threaded extension piece in order to repair the toilet. Nothing I have found online fits into the flange. I have contacted etrailer and Valterra, with no luck. I spoke with a Forest River representative at the Tampa RV Show and emailed their customer service. I received a couple responses but they haven’t advised me on where I can get this part, yet.
I’ve attached a few photos of the broken flange with the extension piece. If you can offer some assistance it would be greatly appreciated. I’m tired of sitting on a wobbly toilet. —Tony, 2015 Forest River Flagstaff Super Lite 26RLWS
Dear Tony,
I have worked on several units with this same flange and found that they use Schedule 40 PVC for extensions and adapters. Typically, the black PVC is for waste water and white is for potable water. I believe you need to add an adapter/extension that is something like the one shown below.
Find correct size toilet flange extension
Since your new flange is 3-3/4” Inside Diameter (ID) most likely the piece you need will be 3” ID and the Outside Diameter (OD) should be the right size. You glue this in the new flange with PVC primer and cement. It looks like Home Depot and Lowe’s only go up to 2” Schedule 40 so you will need to go to a plumbing supply company or contact a local plumber to order the correct size for the new flange.
I had a similar issue with the Forest River Salem Trailer we renovated. I had to use white PVC for the bathroom sink drains, as that was all our local Menards carried. Guess they don’t want the average DIYer messing with plumbing. I don’t know that you want to order one online without being able to make sure it fits.
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How to get rid of mold in and around RV toilet
Dear Dave,
Our RV toilet has been getting a black substance below the water line. When we flush, the water has a black tint to it. Then, within a few hours, the mold-like substance seems to grow on the surface of the flush ball and the china bowl below the water line. It brushes off easily but comes right back. It’s only happening in the toilet, not in any of the sinks or shower. Has anyone else ever heard of such a thing, and how did they get rid of it? —Roger, 2006 Montana 2955RL
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Thank you, Dave, for this indispensable plumbing advice. Have a great weekend and safe travels! 🙂
Black plastic plumbing fittings are usually ABS not pvc and require abs glue.
ABS has been banned in some areas. Our RV is predominantly stationary in south-central Texas. After moving to a new park this past year, I found it very difficult to use RV slinky hose & supports to maintain a continuous run to the sewer intake without creating a P-trap. This area does freeze and a frozen P-trap guarantees a long poop-cicle. I wanted ABS pipe for a rigid line. Only nobody had ABS, only PVC. That is when I discovered the ABS ban. Apparently recycled ABS can contain carcinogenic material, and is banned as some people used it for water supply lines.
I ran into that scenario years ago while working in Colorado and living in a fifth wheel. I went to the local plumbing outlet and bought some 3 inch PVC pipe that was flared on one end so as to fit one joint into the other end of another joint of the same kind of pipe. It fit onto the black tank pipe just right and stayed put. I ran three joints into an outside sewer clean out at the kids rented house and when the tank needed dumped, I hooked up the pipe and got er done. No problem. I made sure to stand by and keep an eye on connections when I “let er rip”. Your results may vary.