Any reason not to add an inline ball valve?

[Forester Fred]

The hot water line drain is a piece of pex that sticks out about 8 inches below the lower belly on my rig just behind the rear wheels. To drain the hot water line I have to unscrew the cap on the end of the line. I'm not too happy with it like that because if the rear wheels kick up a big enough rock or piece of road debris, I can see the cap getting knocked off or damaged. If that happens without me knowing it I could have the hot water line draining out while the water heater is running.

The hot water drain line runs through the plumbing cabinet next to the cold water/fresh water tank drain line which has an inline valve inside the cabinet. (See crappy photo) There's plenty of room to add the valve.

Is there any reason why I shouldn't add an inline valve to the hot water line inside the cabinet so it's protected? Wasn't sure if there was a particular reason for using the cap on the end of the line versus a valve.

[Bluepill]

Originally Posted by Forester Fred

1.Is there any reason why I shouldn't add an inline valve to the hot water line inside the cabinet so it's protected? No - Good idea.

2. Wasn't sure if there was a particular reason for using the cap on the end of the line versus a valve. COST!

xxx

[RamblerGuy]

I finally added a drain valve on the hot water line a few weeks ago. It's not just a good idea for convenience. A forum member posted a few months ago that road debris hit his and broke it off.
Also, having the drain cap below the floor seems to be susceptible to freezing. Although the tanks and all other water lines are enclosed and heated, this drain is literally hanging in the breeze.

[Rbertalotto]

I added ball valves on all my drains. Mucho easier to drain now...Plastic and brass because this what I had in my "Plumbing Junk Box"

[Witch Doctor]

Originally Posted by RamblerGuy

I finally added a drain valve on the hot water line a few weeks ago. It's not just a good idea for convenience. A forum member posted a few months ago that road debris hit his and broke it off.
Also, having the drain cap below the floor seems to be susceptible to freezing. Although the tanks and all other water lines are enclosed and heated, this drain is literally hanging in the breeze.

Oh soootrue, got caught in a Florida freeze, didn't cover my low point drains. They froze and loosened the 90 degree crimp on both. When the thaw came I had water filling my underbelly and leaking out. I installed shut off valves inside the belly, now no water is left in the exposed tubes. weak point of the whole system unless you use some pipe insulation on the exposed plex lines.

[KyDan]

My rig also has enclosed underbelly with those low point drains haning
down in the breeze.
I have not tried them yet but maybe this faucet freeze cover from Home Depot might work.....

MD Building Products 5 in. x 4.5 in. White Faucet Cover-03939 - The Home Depot

At a whopping $1.18 each it's worth a try!!

[doc73]

Changed mine to 1/4 turn valves with garden hose connections. This way I can grain the tank away from the house for the fw tank and the hot and cold lines can be used for a garden hose when I am not at a full hookup site.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

[Forester Fred]

Thanks all, want to guess what my next mod is?

[SimchaSabre]

Originally Posted by Rbertalotto

I added ball valves on all my drains. Mucho easier to drain now...Plastic and brass because this what I had in my "Plumbing Junk Box"

Where did you get those plastic ball valves? I mean before they wound up in your plumbing junk box.

[Ford Idaho]

Originally Posted by SimchaSabre

Where did you get those plastic ball valves? I mean before they wound up in your plumbing junk box.

I have seen them at True Value HW, I imagine Lowes and or Home Depot carry them as well.

[Rbertalotto]

Lowes or Home Depot....about $2 each

[SimchaSabre]

Thanks. I've looked there before but couldn't find them. But I'll check again.