Winterization Issue (As Storm Approaches)

[Cort]

The bypass valve to the Truma water heater needs to be turned to winterize the trailer, but the handle of the bypass valve is gone. I remember noticing that the handle was, for some reason, not attached to the bypass valve, and it has apparently popped off and is somewhere in the bottom of the trailer, and I've been unable to find it. 

One of my questions is that it looks like I could get a wrench on the hard plastic nubbin and move it but I don't know how to tell if I've turned the valve to the right place? Is there a way to tell that?

So, I'm in Mammoth Lakes and a major winter storm is approaching. I have a couple of options: 

• Moving the bypass valve
• Sticking it out here through ten inches of snow and cold temperatures over two days and then it will warm up fairly quickly, although nights will be very cold for awhile. (I'm in a rental car right now (that's another story) - an AWD RAV4 with low clearance and no snow tires. 
• Leaving the propane on and skedaddling to lower elevations. It seems rather dangerous to leave the propane on, though, when I'm not there. 
• Trying to get a very expensive tow to a lower elevation over an hour away 

Suggestions?

Edited October 12 by Cort

[Ray Kimsey]

To close the Truma valve on my 2020 you turn the handle 1/4 turn counter clockwise.  To open 1/4 turn clockwise.  With the handle on, the handle points to the rear of the trailer when closed and to the street side when open.

[FloraFauna]

Mine handle fell off at one point as well.  Ray's turning instructions match mine.  I got a mirror and flashlight, and then found my handle in the basement.  It can't have gone far!  It's probably down there.  

[Ronbrink]

6 minutes ago, FloraFauna said:

Mine handle fell off at one point as well.  Ray's turning instructions match mine.  I got a mirror and flashlight, and then found my handle in the basement.  It can't have gone far!  It's probably down there.  

Same here, the handle was brass and need to find the center mounting screw, as well!

[topgun2]

Cort - 

Any chance you could "borrow" a handle from one of the other valves down there?  Or, is there an Ace Hardware/Home Depot/Lowe's nearby where you could purchase a replacement?

Bill

[Cort]

17 hours ago, Ray Kimsey said:

To close the Truma valve on my 2020 you turn the handle 1/4 turn counter clockwise.  To open 1/4 turn clockwise.  With the handle on, the handle points to the rear of the trailer when closed and to the street side when open.

Thanks. Unfortunately, I don't have the handle. 

 

17 hours ago, Ray Kimsey said:

To close the Truma valve on my 2020 you turn the handle 1/4 turn counter clockwise.  To open 1/4 turn clockwise.  With the handle on, the handle points to the rear of the trailer when closed and to the street side when open.

 

[Cort]

Thanks Topgun, I thought of that and looked by couldn't find anything similar. 

[Cort]

Really, a VERY poor design -  handle that can easily fall off in a difficult-to-reach part of the trailer. It fell off before, and I found it; this time, I haven't been ablel to.. they must have had some reason for doing that - I just can't imagine!

[Cort]

We made it through a 15-degree night fine, a nd the storm doesnt' look so menacing  - and I have a tow at a reasonable price if I take it. So things are looking up. 🙂

[Cort]

6 hours ago, topgun2 said:

Cort - 

Any chance you could "borrow" a handle from one of the other valves down there?  Or, is there an Ace Hardware/Home Depot/Lowe's nearby where you could purchase a replacement?

Bill

Thanks. There is an ACE hardware and I will check that out. It looks like I'll take the tow or stay here. I have a dog with a fractured shoulderblade (got hit by a car last week). He immediately ran into the trailer it's the most comfortable place for him. I was planning to camp down in Bishop but tent camping is not the best thing for him right now. 

[jd1923]

4 minutes ago, Cort said:

Thanks. Unfortunately, I don't have the handle.

For those of us without Truma products, can you post a picture of the valve post without the handle.

Is this a hardware store item, or something Truma proprietary?
Is the post a 1/4" square or is it D-shaped, or...?

You would also need the set screw to keep it mounted, but not necessary to turn the valve. Maybe forget the screw and when you get a new handle, and are done using it, keep it in the kitchen junk drawer or somewhere not to lose another!

Keep your furnace running!

[Cort]

Ha! I will get to the photo when the dog is not asleep on it (lol).  I hoped that I did put it in the drawer, but alas I did not. I will get several of them! And yes, thank the gods (Battlestar Galactica reference) for the furnace. 

[Ray Kimsey]

I was assuming you could turn the valve with some type of pliers, but I guess not. Can you possibly disconnect  thecold water line from the shutoff valve  and cap it. Then you could drain the Truma. 

[Cort]

Thanks for the idea, Ray. I'm out of Mammoth and in a warmer locale. I will call Truma/Oliver about getting another handle.

On 10/11/2025 at 7:01 PM, Ray Kimsey said:

To close the Truma valve on my 2020 you turn the handle 1/4 turn counter clockwise.  To open 1/4 turn clockwise.  With the handle on, the handle points to the rear of the trailer when closed and to the street side when open.

 

On 10/12/2025 at 1:06 PM, Ray Kimsey said:

I was assuming you could turn the valve with some type of pliers, but I guess not. Can you possibly disconnect  thecold water line from the shutoff valve  and cap it. Then you could drain the Truma.