Easy way to clear AC drain tube?

AaronC

We're new owners of a 2016 320. I have seen threads on removing the AC unit to access the drip pan, but I haven't seen anything on an easy way to clear the drain tube without removing the AC unit. Any ideas? It looks like the drain is right above the road-side window. Is this right? Thanks!

Bayliss

@AaronC, the drain on mine (a 2019) exits under the trailer, so I am not familiar with a drain above the window.  Can you post a photo of what you are referring to?  Also, maybe post a photo of how your A/C is installed from the inside of the trailer.

Dalehelman

You could use compressed air up through the drain tube where it exits under the trailer. 

Sharon_is_SAM

Drains for the window unit A/C is in the right, front corner of the pan as you face the the A/C unit inside the TaB.  That’s why you want to slightly pitch the TaB tongue down to encourage it to drain.  

AaronC

Thanks...which means there's no way to clear the tube without removing the AC unit I guess. Oh well...

ChanW

I think Dale's suggestion is the best idea.

Sharon_is_SAM

Why do you think it is clogged?

pthomas745

Could a decently stiff wire make the run from the bottom of the drain into the air conditioner space? How big is the drain tube? 

Verna

As I recall, the clear plastic drain tube was 1/2”. Sometimes it’s hard to find underneath as it can be hidden behind the main frame piece that is the almost the full length of the T@B. 

AaronC

I pulled the AC unit and found the problem with the leak is the truly shoddy, jury-rigged setup with the plastic drip pan, which must have been cracked or cut in the manufacture of the trailer ): I'll need to do some heavy-duty caulking to try to get to wherever that crack(s) is. 

ChanW

Surprised to hear that. The drip pan in ours is aluminum.

Verna

My former 2014 T@B whose interior became a refurbished 2015 had an aluminum pan under the A/C unit, too. 

I wonder if the previous owner(s) performed modifications to the A/C cabinet?  Especially since you felt the A/C drain was not in the correct location. 

tabiphile

The tray issues aside, to unclog an AC drain tube it is best not to use a piece of wire. Wire can puncture tubing. A nifty thing to use is ridged (not round) weed whacker/trimmer string. You can carefully feed this in and twist it as you push it through. The ridges will cut through anything that is plugging the drain. Since it's plastic you don't need to worry about it damaging the tubing or fittings. If you are really brave you can insert one end into your power drill to (slowly) twist it.

AaronC

Everything is stock; our trailer was barely used by previous owner. I found the drain tube (would be nice if they put that in the manual). My issue is the installation of the drip pan. Wow! They could do better I think. I cut out some plastic pieces to create a new perimeter where the plastic drip pan attaches to the aluminum frame for the AC. What was surprising is how jury-rigged the whole setup appears to be. You'd think they would design something more fool-proof for something that can drip water all over your bed. 

Tampakayaker

AaronC said:

We're new owners of a 2016 320. I have seen threads on removing the AC unit to access the drip pan, but I haven't seen anything on an easy way to clear the drain tube without removing the AC unit. Any ideas? It looks like the drain is right above the road-side window. Is this right? Thanks!

Shop vac sucking from the end where the drips exit?

dragonsdofly

What @Tabiphile said X2! The ridged weedwhacker is one of the DH's favorite tricks for unclogging, opening and even straightening tubing and lines. He's been doing commercial, residential and industrial maintenance, construction and repairs over 50 years. In more delicate circumstances, he's actually used a stiffer grade weedwhacker cord to fish electrical wire without damage to sensitive areas and other equipment.

AaronC

Thanks everyone. I removed the AC and did a major recaulking of the drip pan, which I think must have been damaged during the build. It's not a brilliant design or execution in there.