The water system in your RV provides your fresh water and removes used water from the inside of your unit. Keeping an eye on every aspect of your water system before, during and after your road trip will reduce the chances of your unit having issues. This includes taking the time to properly winterize your unit before storing it away during colder months.
Every RV has a clean and waste water system. The clean system provides potable water and the other holds waste water, also referred to as black and gray water.
Here are some tips to help maintain the fresh water system:
Hoses:
Do not use a simple garden hose to connect to a water source. Purchase a hose that is designed for drinking water. Drinking water hoses are usually white, and are lead free, bpa free and have no plastic or rubbery taste. When not in use, coil up the drinking water hose and connect the two ends together. Store in a clean compartment, not with the sewage hoses.Filters:
Connect a high-quality filter to the end of the drinking hose where it connects to the outside water sources. This will purify the incoming water, removing dangerous bacteria and other contaminants.Sanitation:
Over time water can get stale and tanks can get a bit of an odor. Take time to regularly clean and sanitize the fresh water tank. Use one cup of bleach for every fifteen gallons of water the tank is capable of holding. Add bleach and fill tank with water. Turn on the water pump and open up all faucets until you start to smell bleach coming out of the faucet. Then drain the system and run water through all faucets again until the smell of bleach is entirely goneWinterizing:
When putting your RV away for the winter months you will want to properly winterize the entire water system. This includes draining the system of all water and by blowing out the lines or adding anti-freeze. Open up all water lines until you see antifreeze coming out of faucets. Don’t forget about the water heater. Drain the heater and if applicable, close the water heater bypass valve otherwise you’ll need to add an additional 6-10 gallons of antifreeze!When draining the water system to either sanitize or winterize, do not open the water heater drain plug when the water is hot. You will want to turn off the water heater and allow it to cool before opening up.
Here are some tips for your black and gray water tanks:
Gray water:
Gray water is the water that comes from sinks and the shower. The gray valve can be identified by the smaller pipe, usually 1.5” in diameter. Dump the gray water last to help clean up the hose.Black water:
The black water tank is the one that holds the water from the toilet. This tank should not be dumped anywhere but an approved RV dump site. Keep the valve to the black water tank closed at all times, even when hooked up at a campsite. This will prevent solids from getting left behind in the tank and allow time for them to break up before dumping. It also prevents odor from the sewage system from coming up into the coach.The biggest tip about your water system anyone can give you is to make sure you are aware of the different tanks, what they are used for, and how to drain the holding tanks properly. This will help you efficiently use your water system and keep everything clean and sanitized.
When I hook up the city water to the fitting on the back of the trailer it seems to be also filling up the potable water holding tank. Is there a check valve that may have failed?
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My grey water tank shows 2/3 full but nothing empties when i open the valve. Help?
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Sarah
RV Repair Club Video Membership
How do I get to the water tank to replace the fresh water hose? Thanks!
Hello Gary,
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Sarah
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Can not find drain for fresh water tank
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Where can you purchase longer stabilizer links for the ford f53 chassis?
Thank you, Les
need hot water for my rig how do you start up water heater
After clearing out all the winterized water and switching the bypass valve I hear the hot water tank fill, and then I am getting a lot of air coming from the outlets in the kitchen and bath room fixtures, also I am not getting hot water???
John,
Here is the experts response:
If you have air coming out, that usually means the tank is still filling with water. When winterized, the tank is left empty and once but back into normal operation there is a big air pocket that needs to come out. You need to open faucets to allow the air to come out. Once water comes out the tank is full. This can take a few minutes depending on how big your hot water tank is.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
Am dewinterising. Cannot get water in kitchen sink. Am I missing a shutoff valve?
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water leaking on carper in rear bunkhouse above water heater and fresh water tank. lines froze and when pump is on is when it gets wet. do you know where access point to see if break in line? or could it be the wate heater or tank water outer area got so frozen that cracked somewhere at a fitting or in the line?
Hello Ann,
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We have a water leak that is showing up on the carpet of the left side slider. I have tried to locate where the leak is, however I’m finding everything around the area is dry. The water on the carpet is right to the side of the refrigerator. The pantry and drawer underneath the refrigerator is also dry. Any ideas where the leak might be?
Hello Lee,
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The water keeps going out the overflow before the fresh water tank is full, what could be causing the water to go out the overflow and not fill the tank
Hello Barbara,
Here’s what the experts had to say about your question:
It is possible part of the tank collapsed or the tank is not mounted properly. It depends on where the overflow is located and how level you are as well. The only way to really know is the look at the tank and see if there is anything visibly wrong with it. A lot of overflows are on the side of the tank and depending on how level you are it could come out of the overflow quickly. It is possible the tank wasn’t that empty to begin with, maybe the drain was clogged and water was still in it? The best thing to do is check the tank and the lines going to the tank to see what is going on.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
How to sanitize my fresh water system ?
Hello Richard,
Here’s what the experts had to say about your question:
They make sanitizing kits for the water system but the easiest way to do it is with bleach. You want to use a 1/4 cup of bleach per 15 gallons of your fresh water holding tank. Say your fresh tank is around 45 gallons you will just need to poor 3/4 cup of bleach into the holding tank and then fill it with water. Once full, turn on the water pump and run water out of all faucets until you can smell the bleach mixture. You then turn everything off and let it sit over night, at least a few hours. You can then drain and flush the system. You just need to run water through until the smell of bleach goes away. There are other kits that include a soap and sanitizer and these need filled and flushed a few times to work properly. They work well but I only recommend these if the odor is really bad from the water lines. Usually the bleach mixture is all you need.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
My hot water tank pressure valve has begun to drip. I was able to gently tap the outside of the valve to get the dripping to stop, however, I figure the valve should be replaced. I am quite handy but I am concerned that I might damage the tank in the process of trying to remove the old valve. Do you have a procedure that is easy and safe to use to remove the old valve?
Hello Bill,
Here’s what the experts had to say about your question:
It is best to not replace it unless it doesn’t open. The valve dripping is a common occurrence. If you replace it, most likely the next one will eventually do the same thing. You just need to re seat the gasket every so often like you did. There can often be build up on the valve and the gasket can slowly drip. By re seating the gasket can stop this for a while longer. Eventually they will all do this. I only recommend replacing when it is dripping a lot or the valve doesn’t open at all. They make a tool for removing these valves that can be found at local hardware stores. They are in there tight so you will have to use a breaker bar and the tool to get it out. The new one goes in easy and just turns until it is really tight and pointing down. Make sure the tank is drained when doing this as well. Again, I only recommend doing this if you really need to.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
Water heater is not working, and trying to find out why. What should I check to rule out what could be causing the problem.
Hello James,
Here’s what the experts had to say about your question:
It depends on what source you are trying to use, electric or gas. It also depends on the model of water heater you have too. The best place to start is to check the breakers and fuses at the main panel and make sure they are all fine. After that you want to check the main 12v wiring to the water heater. These are in different locations on different heaters, but most come to the front on the outside of the tank. You can test the 12v to the control board or to the thermostat. Testing the components for voltage and seeing where it stops is the easiest way to trace where the issue is located. If it doesn’t work on just one source, it is usually a bad component at the water heater. If it doesn’t work on both sources, usually it is a main voltage coming in or problem with the control board. We have some videos that could be helpful as well.
https://www.rvrepairclub.com/?s=water+heater
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
I am trying to use the fresh water in my RV. I filled the holding tank and opened the faucets. Then I turned on the water pump switch and I can hear the pump but I’m not getting any water at the faucets. I can open the valves under the sink near the pump and the water will drain onto the ground outside but still no water at faucets. What am I doing wrong? Is there somewhere I can get a free copy of the owner manual for my RV? Any help is much appreciated thank u.
Great question! The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is currently for members of our online community. By becoming a member, you will have access to our expert’s knowledge. With your membership you will also receive discounts on products and hundreds of hours of Premium content.
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Sarah
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Our bathroom sink has a bad odour coming up from we think the sink opening it doesn’t smell like sulphuric or sewage but it’s a bad smell & when not plugged we have to air the trailer out.
We replaced the check valve at the top underneath the sink it’s the one that has a small spring inside and it did nothing. We’re not using hot water just the cold tap. Any ideas? We can’t see any leaks inside outside & underneath…
Watched to s of videos and suggestions but nothing is working?
Hello Cheryl,
Thank you for contacting us.
What is the year, make, and model of your RV?
Sincerely,
Sarah
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Correct water valve position for system to work correctly
Apparently a hose in the hot water heater tank froze over our cold winter (blew out system for winter) and now pours water through our Chalet when we run the pump. Water seems to pour out from the refrigerator base/or from behind hot water tank. We really could survive using our trailer without the hot water heater but would like to use the 20 gallons of water in the water tank.
Could you send info on how to turn off or bypass the water supply to the hot water tank? Pictures would be great.
Hello Sharon,
Thank you for contacting us.
What is the year, make, and model of your RV?
Thanks!
We have 2 bathrooms and kitchen, water in small bathroom toliet and sink is black, no where else, we have it taken apart to see if we can see any issues in that bathroom, hoses look good , so we ran it outside turned it on and blackish gray , filter under sink only filters kitchen. Any ideas?
Hello Shelley,
Thank you for contacting us.
What is the year, make, and model of your RV?
Thanks!
Outdoor kitchen sink does not drain
Outdoor kitchen sink does not drain
Hello Patricia,
What is the year, make and model of your RV? We would be happy to help you further.
If you have any other questions, please chat, email, or call Customer Service.
Sincerely,
Sarah
RV Repair Club Video Membership
How does water get into the water heater tank? Is it automatic when turning on the water?
Hello Irene,
Here’s what the experts had to say about your question:
It does not fill when the water heater is turned on, the tank must be filled prior to turning on the tank to prevent damage. The water heater is inline with the main water line connections, either from city water of when using the fresh tank. When ever the system is pressurized with water the tank should be filled as long as the winterizing valves are not closed. The hot water tank has valves on the back that can close the lines to the tank for winterizing. This is to allow the flow of antifreeze to the water lines without it going into the tank. If you are having issues with hot water flow I would first check these valves to make sure they are in the proper normal use position.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
What do you do to remove antifreeze?
Hello Donns,
Here’s what the experts had to say about your question:
You just need to flush out the lines by connecting a water supply to the city inlet and opening the faucets one at a time and run them until the water is clear coming out. It takes a few gallons of water to run through to clear out the whole water system. You just need to go to each fixture one at a time and clear the lines. Once it is all clear water coming out everywhere, the lines are ready for use.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
Please let us know if you have any further questions
Sincerely,
Danesha
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Help! I am a newbie. Bought a used Rv without a walk through. The water connection valves confuse me. I tried to put water in my water tank and the panel shows “holding tank” is full. Is this correct? Using the pump but no water comes out, however I did I have water dripping from the kitchen RO faucet.
Hello Debra,
Thank you for contacting us.
Without being able to see your water connections I can’t tell you for sure how to set it up as every RV is different. When it comes to the tanks, there are usually Black (toilet) Grey (waste from sink/shower) and Fresh (potable water holding tank). Most likely if there ins’t a color associated with the “holding tank” it is the fresh water tank. When you turn on the pump and it just runs but creates a little water coming out of a faucet means the pump is trying to pull but air is getting in. On many RV’s there is a siphon hose that is used to siphon anti freeze into the lines for winterizing and if this valve is left open and you try to use the pump it will draw a lot of air and do exactly as you describe. It is possible there is air getting in some other way as well from a cracked housing or fitting too. Most likely there is just a valve in the wrong position or something that needs to be changed in the wetbay. I would check any valves and make sure they are set properly and then inspect the pump itself to see if you notice any damage.
https://www.rvrepairclub.com/video/rv-water-pump-troubleshooting-tips-007923/
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Sincerely,
Lindsay
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Hi, I am trying to clean out the fresh water holding tank and can’t find where the drain is. I actually am having a hard time finding any information on This particular RV. I am thinking that you just run the water through the system into the gray water tank? The manual is horrible and seems that it is for more than one models. Can you also guide me to where I can get only the information on my RV? Thank you!!!!
Hello Denis,
Thank you for contacting us.
The fresh tank should have a drain on it. Most likely it is near a side or in the center of the tank pointing down. There are a few different valves that are used, some are on the outside at the drain and then there are tanks that have a valve directly next to the tank that just come out of a drain line underneath. If you look under the RV and see a drain line with no valve, the valve is most likely inside. Others will have a ball valve on the exterior. If you can locate the tank it is best to check directly around it to locate the drain. As for the owners manual, this is how all manufactures are with the manuals. They make them very broad so they can be used on all models for that year. They are never specific to locations of components, they are more just for a general idea on how to operate them. The owners manual is really going to be the only thing with information on your RV. If you are looking for specific things like diagrams or schematics these can only come from the manufacture so you would have to contact Coachman directly.
If you have any other concerns, please contact us at 1-855-706-3536, or chat with us on our site.
We greatly appreciate your business!
Sincerely,
Lindsay
RV Repair Club Video Membership
What is the brand name of the gray water recycling kit and from whom can one buy this kit?
Hi Douglas,
Here is a link to the company that makes this system: https://www.usi-rv.com/
Sincerely, Dan RV Repair Club Technical Expert
We are at a camp site that provides electric, water and sewer. I have two gray valves and one black water valve open. I have noticed one of the gray water over flows is pouring when we run water. What have I forgotten to do or done wrong?
Hello Terry,
Great question! The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is currently for members of our online community. I would be happy to send your question off to the experts. To get started, please send the email associated with your paid membership account.
Please let us know if you have any further questions
Sincerely,
Danesha
RV Repair Club Video Membership
I was attempting to flush my blackwater tank when I discovered a leak at the bottom of the trailer. You can’t see individual tanks, just a large curved bottom across the back of the RV. I can see a gash of about 2 inches long. I don’t even know where to begin to repair this and I can’t tell where it is coming from. It never leaked before I flushed the black water tank. There is no sign that it is leaking now. How worried should I be?
Hello Rebecca,
Thank you for contacting us.
What is the year, make, and model of your RV?
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Lindsay
RV Repair Club Video Membership
My hot water heater is leaking or it’s a pipe hooked to it but access is hard
Hello Nathan,
Thank you for contacting us.
What is the year, make, and model of your RV?
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Sincerely,
Lindsay
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Having difficulty removing what I’m guessing is a air lock in the system. Toilet has good flow, shower good, basin poor; kitchen cold is good, hot poor; bedroom basin, cold good hot poor…
Hello Larry,
Thank you for contacting us.
What is your year, make, and model of your RV.
If you have any other concerns, please contact us at 1-855-706-3536, or chat with us on our site.
We greatly appreciate your business!
Sincerely,
Lindsay
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Hot water heater keeps shutting off before water is hot. Where is the bypass valve? Any other suggestions to help fix it
Hello Gary,
Thank you for contacting us.
What is the year, make, of your RV please?
If you have any other concerns, please contact us at 1-855-706-3536, or chat with us on our site.
We greatly appreciate your business!
Sincerely,
Lindsay
RV Repair Club Video Membership
How to change or repair the gray water valve on my RV. The valve is jammed open. And we can’t see it. It look like the valve is inside the tank.
Thanks
Hello Normand,
We would love to answer this expert question for you but I would need the year, make, and model of your RV. Once we receive the information, we can pass it along to the experts.
Please let us know if you have any further questions
Sincerely,
Danesha
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Plumbing leaking when hooked up to city water. The hose that hooks up to trailer is leaking from the inside. I changed the the city water flange and still leaks
Hello Cheryl,
Thank you for contacting us.
What is the year, make, model of your RV?
If you have any other concerns, please contact us at 1-855-706-3536, or chat with us on our site.
We greatly appreciate your business!
Sincerely,
Lindsay
RV Repair Club Video Membership
water pump location…
Hello Waclaw,
We would love to answer this expert question for you but I would need the year, make, and model of your RV. Once we receive the information, we can pass it along to the experts.
Sincerely,
Danesha
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Our Class B has not been around that much since we bought it in 2016. I’d like to have the electrical, and the engine system checked and maintained prior to a long driving in Conus areas. The transmission does not engage to the rear. I hope to find the right mechanic to check it for me. Ms. Carlson’s know-how on the RV’s Water Maintenance Usage System was a piece of significant information. I wish to thank the RV Repair Club Management and Ms. Heather for the opportunity you’d given me.
Hello William,
Thank you for contacting us.
What is the year, make, and model of your RV?
If you have any other concerns, please contact us at 1-855-706-3536, or chat with us on our site.
We greatly appreciate your business!
Sincerely,
Lindsay
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Can’t locate the main drain valve on 31.5′ 5er. ( module above) Found one set behind panel in storage compartment, under bath sink. 2 more lines near axels dump my water when I fill tank. Anyone know where the drain valveshut off is? I can’t even see the tank as it is inside under belly insulation. Read a forum that said under slide out, by axel, marked “drain” on out side. Found stickers but no valve. Prior owner opened to drain and I can not reach him. Thanks
Great question! The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is currently for members of our online community. I would be happy to send your question off to the experts. To get started, please send the email associated with your paid membership account. Thanks!
Jean
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Have had numerous water leaks because Winnebago used “pec¨ crimp connectors on flexible hoses.I have seen lots of complaints on Winnebago owners website.
Our water smells like sulfur
Great question! The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is currently for members of our online community. I would be happy to send your question off to the experts. To get started, please send the email associated with your paid membership account. Thanks!
Jean
RV Repair Club Video Membership
When I hook the hose up to the black tank wash out at the outside water panel, it leaks out the bottom and some inside the RV. I don’t see how to reomove the panel (on the outside of the RV) and didn’t want to try to pull it off and break it. I’m trying to see if I have a bad fitting. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
cold water runs in all faucets hot barely drips is my hot water bypass valve bad or could my tank be vapor locked or something else wrong
When winterizing my RV I want to drain the fresh water tank, then add a couple of gallons into the tank input, pump it through the toilet, faucets and fill the goose necks in the drains. I also bought a Camco winterizing hand pump to pump into the city water hose fitting. My question since at this point I’ve already pumped antifreeze through the faucets, how do I know all the city water side has filled with antifreeze when I pump it through the city water side. Since I have already seen antifreeze coming out of the faucets, what would indicate I have completely filled the city side with antifreeze?
Hello Jim,
Thank you for contacting us.
The water lines from the fresh tank and the city inlet are all connected. If you add antifreeze into the tank and turn on the pump and open the faucets it does the same thing as using a manual pump from the city inlet. All you have to do is one or the other. All water lines are connected. There is a check valve on the water pump and at the city inlet to prevent water flow from going through them when the other is used. Once you have antifreeze coming out of all of the faucets the RV is winterized. I always add a little more into the drains to ensure the traps are full too. As long as antifreeze comes out where ever water can come out, it is winterized.
If you have any other concerns, please contact us at 1-855-706-3536, or chat with us on our site.
We greatly appreciate your business!
Sincerely,
Lindsay
RV Repair Club Video Membership
The trailer is equipped two fresh water tanks. I am having trouble with the water not pulling from both tanks.
Great question! The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is currently for members of our online community. I would be happy to send your question off to the experts. To get started, please send the email associated with your paid membership account. Thanks!
When connected to city water, is the water heater being filled automatically – how do I get water to the water heater.
Hello Joe!
We will need more information in order to further assist you. What is the year, make, and model of your RV?
Thanks,
Sincerely,
Ayan
RV Repair Club Video Membership.
will not work on ac or propane. Heats while trveling
Accessing the water pump easily. It looks confined under the sink, behind cupboard & drawers.
Ticket#34682 How do we access the water pump without reconstructing cupboards & drawers? The water pump seems to be under the kitchen sink nestled behind the drawers & cupboards. We would like to get anti freeze in the lines through the water pump. We can’t figure out how to release drawer slides or what part of the cupboard to remove to access the pump. Or is it best to put antifreeze in the holding tank then use the water pump button to get through the lines? Is there a website on our RV make & Model for winterizing? Haven’t been able to find one yet. Thank you soooo much for any info.
Hello Deloy!
I don’t recommend putting antifreeze into the tank to winterize, the tank can take a long time to drain everything out so it is usable again. There should be a way to access the pump. If a panel is to be removed there will be screws either in the sides or on the support cleats holding it in place. If you don’t see any panels with screws then you will have to remove the drawers. If the drawers have guides on the sides then they can come off easily. Fully extend the drawer out and look at where the two pieces of the guide meet on each side. You should see a black tab angled either up or down. Press this tab in the opposite direction and continue to pull the drawer and it should come out of the guide. Do this to both sides and it should fully come out. If you don’t have the guides on the side, if it is on the bottom then there is either a latch that needs pushed when fully extended and older styles just need lifted up. I don’t recommend tearing apart panels to gain access, panels are only made to be removed if there are screws somewhere. If you don’t see any you will have to remove the drawers to gain access. I hope this helps!
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
When my camper is hooked to city water and I turn the faucet on, water comes pouring out under the shower faucets. Please help! Thank you.
Hi Link,
Great question! I will need more information from you. Please resubmit your question and include the year, make and model of your RV?
Sincerely,
Joan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Hi thanks for responding. When I turn on the pump in my camper, water starts to spray out from below the shower faucet knobs. Same thing happens when I connect to city water and turn the faucet on.
Hello Link,
That’s a great question!
The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is currently for members to our online community. We do have a promotional offer if you are interested. This would include access to expert advice (like this), plus discounts, hours of Premium videos, etc. Please feel free to take a look. You can message us right back with your question if you decide to become a member and you will have a response within 1-2 business days from our experts!
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Sincerely,
Joan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Water comes out hot when pump is turned off (for only about 30 seconds as the built up pressure is lost) but as soon as you turn on the pump the water turns cold. Turn off the pump and hot water starts again. Can’t take a shower that way. Any suggestions?
I am having a problem getting water to the sinks toilet and shower I turn on the pump and let it run for 20 min turn the tap on only get air no water??
Hi Tom!
That’s a great question!
The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is currently for members to our online community. We do have a promotional offer if you are interested. This would include access to expert advice (like this), plus discounts, hours of Premium videos, etc. Please feel free to take a look. You can message us right back with your question if you decide to become a member and you will have a response within 1-2 business days from our experts!
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Shelley
RV Repair Club Video Membership”
I seem to have two different problems. The water pump comes on and off when all valves are closed. I left the pump on for 3 days hoping to locate a leak somewhere in the coach. Nothing. So I changed the pump and still the same results. The pump comes on every 30 seconds or so.
The second problem which might be associated with the pump is when I am hooked up to the city water my fresh water holding tank slowly fills up. I can’t locate any check valve to replace so I added a check valve in inline to the water pump. Still fills up!
Hello Steve!
That’s a great question!
The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is currently for members to our online community. We do have a promotional offer if you are interested. This would include access to expert advice (like this), plus discounts, hours of Premium videos, etc. Please feel free to take a look. You can message us right back with your question if you decide to become a member and you will have a response within 1-2 business days from our experts!
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Jessica
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Understanding the correct way to add fresh water to fresh water tank with a filter. Hook up etc.
Having a problem with water tank s. not registering the correct level of water, gray and black in tanks’ go to empty all the way and still says I have half or more in tanks. had this rv for a month, used..
Hello Jesse,
Thank you for contacting us. here is the experts reply:
If the tanks read full when they are full but will not read empty when drained most likely there is an issue with debris on the side of the walls hitting the sensors. It is best to try to use some tank cleaners and see if you can get a better reading. Thetford makes a tank “Blaster” that works really well and can be used in the black and gray tanks. If this does not work it is possible the monitor is bad. All indicators will read the same usually if the panel is bad and there could also be an issue with the sensors themselves but it would be worth trying to clean before replacing anything.
https://www.thetford.com/product/tank-blaster-holding-tank-cleaner/
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
I have problem with the kitchen sink grey water not draining but all other sinks and bathtub are ok
my water heater seems to operate ok, but there is no hot water. After it shuts off, there is just a few seconds of warm water then ust cold.
Hi there Warner!
We’d love to help! What is the year, make, and model of your RV?
Thanks!
Jessica
RV Repair Club Video Membership
In the tank compartments for my holding tanks, I have one valve handle that seems to be missing a line, I’m not sure. But if you turn the handle, water runs out but it seems that there should be a line connected to something I just cant figure out where it should go if one should be attached to it. I’m wondering if it needs a line ran to the fresh water tank?
Without being able to see the plumbing or the set up of what you have I can’t tell you what it could go to or what it needs. What is does sound like though is a low point drain to either empty the fresh tank or the water lines. Some RV’s have a valve to drain the hot water tank as well. These usually just open to drain the water to the ground. It is most likely something like this but if you have purchased a used RV it could be anything.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
water system for freshwater and gray water ,where the line run to work
The water in my kitchen sink is backing up but my shower and toilet are fine. How can I find out where the clog is or what is causing it?
Hello Nyssa!
That’s a great question!
The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is currently for members to our online community. We do have a promotional offer if you are interested. This would include access to expert advice (like this), plus discounts, hours of Premium videos, etc. Please feel free to take a look. You can message us right back with your question if you decide to become a member and you will have a response within 1-2 business days from our experts!
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Sincerely,
Jessica
RV Repair Club Video Membership
looking to find out how to drain water out of system
Hello Tom!
We’d love to help!
Could you elaborate more on what you’d like to know and what your year, make, and model of your RV is!
Thank you!
Jessica
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Any help pros an cons
Hello Arthur!
We’d love to help! Could you be a little more specific in your question? Also, we’ll need the year, make, and model of your RV.
Thank you!
Jessica
RV Repair Club Video Membership
So my system just has a sewer tank.grey and black together. What’s wrong with that. And why are most systems separate?
Hello Tom!
That’s a great question!
The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is currently for members to our online community. We do have a promotional offer if you are interested. This would include access to expert advice (like this), plus discounts, hours of Premium videos, etc. Please feel free to take a look. You can message us right back with your question if you decide to become a member and you will have a response within 1-2 business days from our experts!
Please follow the steps below to receive the annual membership at the introductory rate:
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If you have any further questions, please contact Customer Service at 1-855-706-3536 at your earliest convenience, or chat with us on our site.
We greatly appreciate your business!
Sincerely,
Jessica
RV Repair Club Video Membership
2002 Dolphin 6355 class A, does it have a city water pressure regulator built in? I also need an owners manual. Can anyone help?
Ron,
They do not have pressure regulators built in, you will have to get a portable one to attach to the water fitting. As for the owners manual that might be tough to locate. Dolphin was made by National RV Holdings INC. and they closed for good in 2007. Owners manuals can only come from the manufacture. The only thing you can do is try to search forums online or contact dealers who used to sell them and see if anyone has one on hand. A lot of times you might be able to find an owner online that might be able to send a copy or maybe find one on eBay. RV’s that were made by manufactures that have since closed are hard to find anything for so searching chat groups and internet auction sites are the best options.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
New style valve is hard to figure out when it is open or closed?
Hello Andy!
Great question and we’d love to help!
Could I get the year, make, and model of your RV so we can assist you further?
Thank you!
Jessica
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Which position is the water heater by-pass valve in to by-pass and which position runs water through the water heater?
Michael,
It depends on what type of valve is used, there are many different styles and all manufactures use there own setup. The best rule of thumb is when the handle of the valve is parallel with the water line it is allowing the water to pass through. If the valve is perpendicular with the line, it is closed and preventing anything from passing. Some valves will point to the tank inlets when open and might point to the bypass line when they are in bypass mode. I can provide a diagram showing the standard valve placement but like I said before there are many different styles and ways of setting up a bypass. Respond to this comment and I’ll email you the diagram if needed.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
How do you add bleach to freshwater fill there seems to be a blow back type valve that only allows water under pressure to go into tank. Thanks.
Jack,
It really depends on how your system is setup, there are many different ways. The most common would be a gravity fill and this just allows water to flow directly into the tank from either a hose or a funnel with no forced pressure. The other common style system is if you have a water hose connection that uses city water pressure and directs it into the tank. On these styles there are a few different ways to get bleach into the tank. Many will have a siphon hose attached to the water pump and a valve at the pump to direct the flow towards the tank instead of the water lines. You turn on the pump and whatever is being siphoned in will go directly into the tank. There are other setups that are already setup for the pump to suck from the water connection and can be diverted into the tank, these will usually have instructions or a diagram in the wetbay explaining how to do this. The last option for using a water connection is purchasing a manually pump and siphoning it in yourself. The pump is typically used for winterizing but can be used the same way for sanitizing as well. I will share a link below to the product. I hope this helps!
https://www.etrailer.com/RV-Fresh-Water/Camco/CAM36003.html
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
How do I rid my water system of RV antifreeze
Hey there Doug!
That’s a great question!
The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is currently for members to our online community. We do have a promotional offer if you are interested. This would include access to expert advice (like this), plus discounts, hours of Premium videos, etc. Please feel free to take a look. You can message us right back with your question if you decide to become a member and you will have a response within 1-2 business days from our experts!
Please follow the steps below to receive the annual membership at the introductory rate:
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If you have any further questions, please contact Customer Service at 1-855-706-3536 at your earliest convenience, or chat with us on our site.
We greatly appreciate your business!
Sincerely,
Jessica
RV Repair Club Video Membership
I tow a 2010 honda fit I need the auto end wiring instructions to complete a CURT replacement pigtail.
Donald,
The tow kits should come with harnesses to plug into the tail lights. If you are looking to hardwire anything you would have to contact Honda to find out which wires you would need to connect to but I would not recommend doing this. If you are looking to replace just the 4 flat connection, there are four colors you need to match up. Green, Yellow, Brown and White. These should be the same on the old wiring and the new pigtail. There is a video showing how to install a Hopkins kits onto that vehicle, this should be done the same for any kit made for it. I will share the link below.
https://www.etrailer.com/Tow-Bar-Wiring/Hopkins/HM56302.html
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
how to blow out water lines
Hey Ray!
That’s a great question!
Would you be able to elaborate a bit more about the issue you’re encountering, as well as the year, make, and model of your RV? I will then forward this information to our experts!
Thank you!
Jessica
RV Repair Club Video Membership
fresh water coming from under kitchen stove . What would be leaking.
Hello Robert!
Uh oh! Let’s get that figured out!
Would you be able to reply back to this comment with your year, make, and model of your RV and I will send this to our expert!
Thank you!
Jessica
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Hot water flow does not engage water pressure therefore not pushing hot water. If the cold water is turned the water pump immediately engages, if hot water is turned the water pump does not engage and the only hot water is distributed is what is in the line. After a few minutes the pump will engage slightly and then shut off again. This is a hot water issue only.
Jerry,
There is either a blockage in your tank like sediment build up, kinked line past the hot water tank, valve not open all of the way on the back of the tank or you have a check valve that is not fully open. It can be any of these reasons. Most of the time it is a failed check valve on the back of the tank. I have seen sediment build up cause this and flushing out the tank can sometimes help but most of the time it is either a valve not fully open or the check valve is stuck and needs replaced. The only way to find out is to inspect the area and remove the check valve and inspect the flow through it.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
where is the water pump
Hello Thomas!
We’d love to help!
Would you be able to supply us with a little more information? We need to know the year, make, and model of your RV and I will forward this information on to our expert!
Sincerely,
Jessica
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Where do I find low water drain caps?
Hi there Val!
That’s a great question!
The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is currently for members to our online community. We do have a promotional offer if you are interested. This would include access to expert advice (like this), plus discounts, hours of Premium videos, etc. Please feel free to take a look. You can message us right back with your question if you decide to become a member and you will have a response within 1-2 business days from our experts!
Please follow the steps below to receive the annual membership at the introductory rate:
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6. Finish by clicking Complete Order.
If you have any further questions, please contact Customer Service at 1-855-706-3536 at your earliest convenience, or chat with us on our site.
We greatly appreciate your business!
Sincerely,
Jessica
RV Repair Club Video Membership
I’m hooked up to city water, but not getting any water in the RV? I’m new to all this, so if anyone has any suggestions please help. I’m taking my husband to his bucket list wishes, he is disabled and I’m the only one that is responsible for getting us fixed and going. Thank You.
How do I drain the freshwater tank
Hi there Bob!
That’s a great question!
The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is currently for members to our online community. We do have a promotional offer if you are interested. This would include access to expert advice (like this), plus discounts, hours of Premium videos, etc. Please feel free to take a look. You can message us right back with your question if you decide to become a member and you will have a response within 1-2 business days from our experts!
Please follow the steps below to receive the annual membership at the introductory rate:
1. Click on the email link: https://go.rvrepairclub.com/c18864
2. Click on the Premium Membership offer.
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6. Finish by clicking Complete Order.
If you have any further questions, please contact Customer Service at 1-855-706-3536 at your earliest convenience, or chat with us on our site.
We greatly appreciate your business!
Sincerely,
Jessica
RV Repair Club Video Membership
how to start the water heater
Hi there Patrick!
We’d love to help!
Would you be able to forward your year, make, and model of your RV as well as the make/model of your water heater? Then I’ll forward this to our expert!
Sincerely,
Jessica
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Pump turns on but won’t pump water, worked yesterday. Do you have videos on further troubleshooting and replacement if needed?
David,
Yes we have a great videos that even shows the breakdown of the pump and how they operate and what to look for. I will share the link below, I hope this helps!
https://www.rvrepairclub.com/video/rv-water-pump-troubleshooting-tips-007923/
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
I need any info regarding my 1984 Alpha Gold Travel Trailer and the water and electricity set up
Hello. Well it depends on what you have for hook ups but typically there is a connection for the city water inlet. This is used when connecting to a campsite water faucet, the pressurized water from their faucet allows water to travel into your system and pressurizes the lines. There is usually a fresh water holding tank as well, typically gravity fed on most travel trailers but could be from the city inlet and then a valve needs to be turned. When using the fresh holding tank, you will have to turn on the water pump to pressurize the system. As for the electric, you will most likely have either a 30 amp or 50 amp shore cord and will want to plug into the correct service connection. They do make adapters if you are trying to plug into a different sized outlet. These are the basic set ups for the water and electric set ups. If you are experiencing a problem with something not working, I would be glad to assist you in troubleshooting the issue as well.
Thanks
Dan RV Repair Club
When hooked up to city water, our holding tank for dry camping fills and overflows. Any suggestions?
Dear Jonie,
We’d love to assist you! Would you be able to provide the year and make of your RV so we can assist you further!
Sincerely,
Jessica
RV Repair Club Video Membership
How to drain potable water
There should be a drain valve near the bottom of the tank. If the tank is located underneath of the RV, the valve should be under there as well. Typically it is just a turn valve. If the tank is in a compartment or above the floor, the drain can be underneath the tank or next to the tank. The valves next to the tank can be turn valves but can also be “t” valves that lift up to drain. There are many different configurations but the drain line is going to be on the bottom of the tank so you might have to locate the tank and then search for the water lines to find the drain. I hope this helps!
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
My black water 6 foot cable, that opens and closes the sewage valve was always difficult to open or close. The cable broke today and I need to figure out if I should get a whole new valve and cable assembly since the valve was always hard to open and wouldnt close all the way, or try a 6 foot cable first.
Can you use a tankless water heater for water you pay at the rv site–we are too old for boondocking although we are installing a compost toliet in our rv
where is the water tank
I hooked up to a site water supply that had really high water pressure. I didn’t know it but a neighbor site told us water was pouring out of our water supply on the side of our RV. It basically blew the plastic attachment point off the side of our unit. In addition, the sinks back up with clear water. I replaced the out side faucet attachment. We are on our first trip after that one and when I hooked the water hose supply up to our RV eventually the sinks backed up again. In reviewing our owners manual it appears there is a check valve in the water pump. My question is could this check valve have been damaged from the high water pressure? If it was damaged from the high water pressure, could this be causing the sinks to back up? If so is the best thing to replace the water pump?
Dear J,
Thank you for your patience. In response to your question-
High water pressure can definitely damage check valves but I think there might be something else going on. If the sinks have water coming up from the drain, there is something filling your fresh tank. A bad check valve on the pump would just fill the potable water holding tank and would have nothing to do with the gray tanks. The sink and shower drains just feed into the gray tank, there is no water connection that goes directly to the tank (at least there shouldn’t be). I would check all of your faucets, inside and outside, and make sure nothing is constantly filling the tank. Most of the time when this happens it is because of a blockage in the air flow. The sinks will have a check valve by the p-trap, looks like a round box sticking off to the side, or it is vented through the roof. These check valves can go bad but not from high water pressure since the water doesn’t flow through it, just air. If you have a check valve on the plumbing near the trap unscrew it and see if the sinks drain better. If they do then it will need replaced. This would happen only when you use the sinks. If you aren’t using the sink and it is filling up, you would have to check and find where water is getting into the gray tank. I hope this helps!
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
in where the black and grey water drainage are there is a hose connection. there is water running out of this .why does this happen? ty
We connected to water source and have full water pressure in bathroom but only a trickle in kitchen and no hot water. It worked fine before winterization. What are we doing wrong?
Asking question about water heater. I have an outdoor on/off switch and I have an indoor on/off switch at computer panel. Which one should be turned on for electric and which one for propane?
Dear Deborah,
Thank you for your patience. In response to your question-
It depends on how the manufacture set it up. I assume this is a Suburban water heater. They all come with a switch on the outside for electric. They do this because some manufactures just run the wiring directly to the tank and they don’t have to do anything else. Some manufactures like to have a switch for electric on the inside for convenience. When they do have a switch on the inside, the switch outside has to be on as well. It can be set to “on” all the time though, as long as the inside switch is set to off there will be no power to the heating element. The outside switch would just be a kill switch to the heating element. You would just leave the outside switch on all the time and use the inside switch for the control. If your inside switch is for gas operation and there is no other switch, the outside switch would be used for electric. The outside switch usually has a cotter pin through it so you can’t accidentally turn it on, this is when there is no inside switch. It all depends on how the manufacture sets up the wiring from the panel inside. The propane switches with usually say “gas” or have a picture of a flame next to the switch. I have seen some that do not have either and they just have a red light that comes on before ignition and then turns off when it does light. The red light will come back on if the ignition system fails, it is a fault light letting you know the system is not lit. Again, they are all different so make sure to check and see what each switch does with water in the tank. I hope this was helpful!
We’d love to have you be a part of our community. We are convinced you will enjoy the benefits of becoming a member and having access to the best instructional how to videos and professional tips. We would like to offer you a special promotion for your first-year membership.
https://go.rvrepairclub.com/c16375
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club
Water was shooting out the back of the RV City fill valve.
We have a gravity feed fresh water holding tank. When connected to city water, water is coming into the holding tank forcing an overfill out the air vent.
Hello,
It is most likely the check valve on the water pump has failed. The only thing connecting the water lines in the system from the fresh tank to the water lines is the pump. There is a check valve in the pump that only allows water flow in one direction, from the tank. If this valve fails, they water from the city inlet will flow into the tank. These can easily be replaced by disconnecting the pump and removing some screws on the cover. Some check valves are part of the diaphragm so the whole assembly would need replaced but other models you can just get the valve itself. There is a model number on the side of the pump, you would be able to find parts based on that. This should solve your problem.
I hope this was helpful!
Dan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
I have a water leak coming from under the black water tank. I took the RV to camping world and they told me I had a leak in the shower head and the water heater. Is it possible for the water to make it all the way under the tank to the clean up compartment? Thanks for your comments.
How many waters there are for water pressure
I need to know how to replace a freshwater flow valve do you have to remove everything under there to get to the valve
Can’t get sink or shower to work pump is on but I get no water ???? Water tank is full
Hello,
I would first check and see if there is a valve near the pump. Some pumps are set up for a siphon hose for winterizing. If the valves are in the wrong position, it will prevent water to flow through. If this is OK, the pump may need primed. Sometimes the pump seizes up and needs water forced through to free it up. This can easily be done if there is a siphon hose attached. Open the valve for the hose and poor a little water in it. Turn on the pump and blow through the hose with your mouth, this will force the water into the pump and can sometimes free it up. If there is no siphon hose, you can disconnect the water line inlet and connect another water line and try the same thing. If this doesn’t work, you may want to take apart the pump and check the check valve and diaphragm. We have a great video showing how to do this, I will post the link below. Another thing to check is the screen filter, if one is present. These can get clogged with debris and can stop water from flowing through. You can easily remove and inspect the screen. https://www.rvrepairclub.com/video/rv-water-pump-troubleshooting-tips-007923/
I hope this was helpful!
Dan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Can anyone tell me on this motor home are all water hoses and components dealing with water enclosed. I will be doing some cold weather camping in a few days and trying to prepare, should have strarted sooner. I will be using fresh water from the holding tank not a faucet.
Hello Susan,
It depends on the make, model and year of your motorhome. You want to check underneath the RV. Most of the plumbing is underneath the floor and then goes up into the walls to the water components. Some fresh tanks will be under the floor but there are others that are above the frame in a storage compartment. I would look underneath and see if you see anything exposed. Some RV’s have an underbelly and some also add insulation to help prevent the water lines from freezing. Some come pre installed with tanks heaters while others do not. Some RV’s also run a furnace duct into the underbelly to help keep things warm. You have to check the model you have and see if it came equipped with the cold weather features. Most of the time crawling underneath and checking is the best way to know for sure. Pay attention to outside kitchen areas and outside showers. Most of the time those are not set up for winter use. I recommend tracing the water lines inside and installing a shut off valve. You can then run anitfreeze through the outside faucets and then shut off the lines from the inside and use everything else as normal after that. I hope this helps, if you have trouble locating the tanks and lines underneath I would check the owners manual to see if they can give you a better location.
Thanks,
Dan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
I just bought this coach. It was winterized. I count get any hot water to flow. I found my hot water heater and messed around with the two valves. Now I have no water. P.S. I am new to RVing
Just had my rv winterized at the rv shop. Had to leave on an emergency job. Got to location and now have no water pressure at the shower. Pressure at all other faucets. Is there a shut off valve to the shower, if so, where is it located?
My shower and bathroom sink seems to drain extremely slow, my unit is level. Was wondering if there is anything safe to use in the drains for possible build up?
Hello,
Drano advertises that their products are safe for all draining systems including plastic, which most RV’s are ABS plastic. You could try any of their products. If those don’e seem to work, there could be a venting problem. If the vent on the exterior, usually the roof, gets clogged with debris from leaves or critters it will cause water to drain slow. There could also be another vent under the sink past the p-trap that sticks straight up. There is a check valve in there and if it gets stuck into a certain position it will also cause slow draining. These can be easily removed by twisting them off. If the vent cover is removed and the drains work better, replace the vent cap.
I hope this helps!
Dan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Can I use the water pump to put the antifreeze into the waterlines for winterizing the RV?
Hello Jeff,
You sure can, a lot of RV’s these days even come with a siphon hose attached to the pump for this very reason. I would check to see if you have this, if not you can install your own siphon hose. There are two common types of pumps. A Shurflow pump will have the water lines attached with a screw on fitting. This fitting can be removed and a hose attached with the same waterline fitting and 1/2″ hose. They also make make a siphon install kit to permiantlly attach a hose and a turn valve so you don’t have to disconnect it ever again. The other common style of pump is from FloJet, the water line going to the pump will have a blue clip that can be raised to release the water line. You can get a fitting to attach to hose and plug it directly in the same way. You can also install your own valve and siphon hose but it would have to be done by cutting into the line from the fresh tank and then installed, they don’t make a simple install kit for this model pump. Just make sure when attaching a hose or kit to do it on the correct side of the pump, the output side. There will be an arrow on the pump to show the directional flow. I hope this helps!
https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Permanent-Converter-Winterizing-Antifreeze/dp/B0006JJ588/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1541816429&sr=8-1&keywords=rv+water+pump+siphon+kit
https://www.amazon.com/Zurn-QQPE33BSX-Swivel-Qicksert-Fitting/dp/B003BHWXWW/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1541815755&sr=8-9&keywords=1%2F2%22+fpt+swivel
https://www.amazon.com/Flojet-Port-Degree-Elbow-20381009/dp/B0000AZ771/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1541816313&sr=8-8&keywords=flojet
Hope this helps,
Dan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Grey water won’t drain , we keep stuffing water hose in shower to UN clog, it won’t! Where is the water going? We looked under trailer and nothing, but its not going out the sewer hose???
have a slight water leak involving cold water that runs into a white valve and down a seperate pipe to both sink and shower cold water line. On the down return, I can see and hear some type of air gurgle … sounds a little like a scratching noise. Turned off water input to coach and noise quit and leak stopped. What is that valve and its purpose, and could it be the source of the leak as water tracks down the pipe to the floor.
my overflow line leaks as I try to fill the freshwater tank. The light on the panel says the tank is empty. I dont know what to do
I know I’ve seen you cleaning the water source hook-up at a campground, but I can’t find the video again. I’m looking for the recipe of the spray cleaner used to spray on the faucet connection. Thanks
Hello,
Dave used a mixture of 1/4 cup of bleach with a gallon of water and then put it into a spray bottle. This will disinfect and clean just about anything.
I hope this helps!
Dan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Just wondering if I can use Liquid Plumber in my kitchen sinks. It is draining slow-and I have tried boiling water with vinegar and baking soda-to no avail. Thanx
Hello,
All of their products are listed as safe for plastic, which RV plumbing is, and safe for septic so it can be emptied into any sewer. Just make sure not to dump it on the ground, must be in a sewer.
I hope this helps!
Dan
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Belly pan
I just purchased this rv. and intend to have it parked for a year. I have a fresh water hookup. For some reason the water is going into the holding tank, and leaking outside the unit when full. I have asked everyone I know with RV experience, however they do not have a consistent answer. Can you tell me why and what to do? Appreciate your time.
Need to replace shower faucet and fixtures
Floor wet around stool. No water leaks anywhere else.
What would cause the 2nd hose connection on our 5th wheel to stop working? It is fed from the same valves as the main hose fitting, which still works. The second fitting is on the opposite side of the RV and has a quick disconnect fitting, just like the main.
In this model there are three water shutoff valves associated with the hot water tank, city water supply and fresh water tank pump. One valve is the hot water tank bypass, the second appears to control water flow from the hot water tank to the interior faucets and toilet. The third valve is the one I’m unsure about. Visual inspection seems to indicate that it is a mixer valve, adding cold water (white line) to hot water (delivery) red line. This third valve’s use is what I am questioning. Can you clarify this plumbing configuration for me?
Cannot get hot water out of the water heater both faucets run cold don’t know for sure if I am missing a valve somewhere only had the motorhome for a couple of weeks Cording to the manual there should be a water heater shut off in the bedroom under the drawer but that’s not the case could you help me out
Where you put the water hose into the trailer the L shape plastic pipe leaked took off it was cracked when I took it off several pieces came out with it looks like gaskets. Two different kinds. Can’t find at any store waiting to get to a camping world. I am camping. But I contacted two that I will be passing non can see it till end of Aug. I am wondering if the complete box that hasconnections to the outdoor shower etc needs to be replaced. This will be my first do it my self job. Can you help me . Please. Thank you
AFTER I FILL MY FRESH WATER TANK AND TURN ON THE PUMP WHY DOES WATER COME OUT OF MY CITY CONNECTION ?
How do you turn on the water heater. This is my first Motorhome and I am not sure where do I begin from the basic beginning
Hello,
Could you please provide us with the year, make, and model of your RV and we will look further into your question for you.
Thanks,
Becky
RV Repair Club Video Membership
I cannot figure out how to drain the fresh water tank. Does anyone out there know how it’s done?
We purchased our camper trailer used and there is nothing connected to the potable water fill up port it just goes into the trailer underneath where the dinette is. I am able to see where it comes in but it is basically a hole to the outside. Where is the potable water tank normally located?
my city water fill and tank fill selector valve is leaking water to fresh water tank,how do i access the valve to change the part?
Shore water issues. Issue is only shore water. I have good pressure at bath sink and toilet weak pressure at shower and kitchen sink can get good pressure at shower and kitchen sink if while the water is running either flush toilet or turn on faucet in bathroom sink. Any help
The anti siphon value for the black water tank overflows when I turn the bathroom sink faucet on and my water pressure has deteriorated in kitchen faucet and shower.. any ideas?
hooked up hose to flush antifreeze and check previous kitchen o ring replacement when moved by pass to begin flush could hear water running-shut off the hose, and I saw water dripping from underneath the rv-passenger side below the sink and hot water heater area. I crawled under the rv and water is coming through the floor at the entrance of 3 copper pipes and further ahead through 3 small holes in the center of the floor. All sealed no doors or openings through the floor or below the sink. My only access is through the hot water heater compartment. So do i start there and just take it all out to find the leak. PS no water on hoses or lines under the sink or up to bypass valve –only water running out from under rv Thanks in advance.
I have almost no water pressure at faucets while hooked up to city water. Hose has good pressure. What can be the cause or lower the pressure after the inlet screen?
We just purchased this used 5th wheel, 366SA3S. Took it to our lake lot & when hooked up to a water source we have no running water in the trailer.
My pump is pumping less gpm. Is it repairable or must it be replaced? Is there a better pump that has quieter operation?
Hello Ken,
Your water pump should be repairable, it’s probably an issue with the rubber diaphram or even a crack in a fitting that is allowing air to come in? Check out the video on water pump repair on the site. Shurflo and Flojet both have upgrades available for more gpm and quieter operation.
Thanks,
David
RV Repair Club Video Membership
When filling the fresh water tank when it gets full it over flows from somewhere like top of the tank into the storage beneath and comes out of the bottom of the kitchen cabinet. What’s up?
Hello,
You should have an overflow tube that prevents the tank from overfilling
and running back out the fill neck which seems to be disconnected or
broken? You will need to get to the freshwater tank and inspect that
tube as it should direct water out the bottom of the rig?
Thanks,
David
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Can’t get hot water through the lines. Water heater is working, hot water in tank but hot water through the faucets.
Fresh water tank is full ,took lines of the back to drain and nothing comes out ,unless I turn the pump on
In the compartment for the water pump; The viewing glasses of the strainer popped off and the hose that went to the spray port popped off and had water all over the floor. I was trying to D winterize my camper, when I turned the water on At the spigot, i found water laying on the floor. The water line popped out of the threaded part of the line which was connected to the spray port. Confused as to why?
Hi Ken,
I assume you are talking about the clear plastic cover for the water pump filter? There could be a couple different issues that cause this and the hose to come off, first would be high pressure. Did you check the water pressure (psi) of the hose you connected from a residential source? Most of those can not take more than 40 psi and some garage and outside faucets have much more than that to run sprinklers. Otherwise, the pump could have frozen in the winter? If you blew out the system with compressed air it will blow out all the lines through the faucets and shower after the pump as the city water system bypasses the water pump. You would need to run the pump out of water to winterize that as well. If the pump froze, it could have cracked the plastic.
Thanks,
David
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Leak in water fliter vacuum side only model 15-085-00255-213
I have a leak at the water heater this year. It was winterized by our local dealer, they said it is probably a broken tank, although it was properly winterized by them. Any suggestions for me to take apart to Chek ?
Hello Thomas,
If you paid the dealer to winterize the unit, they should have drained the tank and all lines, or ran RV antifreeze through the line with the tank drained. I would suggest contacting the dealer and asking for a review of what happened and what is actually leaking. The only way you can tell if it’s the tank is to pull the water heater out and take the insulation off to inspect the tank. There is no such thing as a broken tank! It gets cracked when water is left inside and it freezes and splits the tank!
Ask these questions:
How did you winterize? Blow out all the water in the lines or add RV antifreeze? How did you drain the water heater? Find out if you have an Atwood or Suburban water heater. If it’s Suburban, ask them; “How did the anode rod look?” Ask them to show you the water heater bypass valve. How do they know it’s a broken tank?
Bottom line…if the unit did not leak before it was winterized, then they did something wrong and either the tank or a line had water in it and froze causing a crack and leak. Find the service manager and ask the right questions.
Thanks,
David
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Unable to disconnect hose from city water line
just bought this unit and on my first trip the water pressure is very low on 12 volt system. I haven’t tried it on water hose yet
12 volt water supply is low on pressure. it sounds like it may be sucking air at times.
What is wrong when my shower is getting no water and a small trickle comes out of faucet
I have water leaking into my closets in the rear of my coachman, is potentially a leak in the inner water system?
Hello, I just purchased this RV. I have 3 options for water selection: normal, tank, and city. Which selection should i be on if I am hooked up to water?
Thank you
I am currently on a no water supplied site in pa. I have been having water delivered on a daily basis, we on do dishes an toilet no showers and are tank is empty by morning. No visible leaks visible underneath rv or in storage are where the fresh water tank is. Really stumped by this. Any recommendations please help
I’m getting water coming from somewhere under the sink but I cannot find any leaks. It seems to not always be doing it I can’t seem to figure it out
When I am driving, I notice water spilling out the white water gravity door. I seem to lose about 1/3 of a tank. I talked to the dealer and he said to only fill the tank about half full. This does not sound correct to me. I’m wonder if it’s a design flaw and if there is something I can do about it.
Hello Irwin,
Normally a gravity feed door has a rubber gasket on the inside of the door that seals the vent and keeps the water from splashing out? It could be a design flaw as you indicated with the gravity feed designed a little low allow the water to slosh up the supply hose as well? Another option would be to get a rubber stopper from a home improvement store plug it will traveling?
Thanks,
David
RV Repair Club Video Membership
Our water pump turns on on its own and runs for 2-3 seconds every 20 minutes or so. None of the faucets drip or leak. There are no leaks at the connections under the sinks.
Hello Joe,
Somewhere you have an air leak or a pinhole in the diaphragm of the pump. This allows air to get into the system and reduces the pressure over a gradual time and the pump senses a demand as the pressure has dropped and starts up to build pressure. Take the pump off and check all your connections, plastic screen housing, and diaphragm.
Thanks,
David
RV Repair Club Video Membership
I think you answered my question in your response to Carrie regarding hot water. We have an lp only hot water heater. Heater produces plenty of hot water, but when I have the system hooked up and the water supply turned on, we only get cold water. If I turn the supply off at the faucet, we get hot water (for as long as the residual pressure lasts). I’m guessing it’s a pressure problem then. I live in Lancaster, SC. Where would I be able to find a pressure regulator, and what should I set it at?
Thanks!
Does anyone know what the stock filter replacement is for the filter beside the fresh water holding tank that can be accessed in the rear bed. This RV is new to me and has been winterized and the pink antifreeze is in the filter container and I will need to replace it when I use it.
could you tell me or show me were are the water level are cannot get any water throught my motorhome
could you tell me or show me were are the water level are cannot get any water throught my motorhome iam hook up to city water but nothing in coming out of my faucet
Hi John, can you provide us with the year, make and model of your RV? Thank you, Hallie RVRC Video Membership
Dear Friend: I have just noticed a recent leak in my left (driver’s) side storage compartment. The leak is coming thru the hole in the floor where my fresh water lines move from the water pump thru the floor up into the shower. Leak is either from the fresh water lines or the drain. Since it is only a steady drip (not a steady flow like from a drain) I think the leak is somewhere in the supply line. How to I access the supply lines feeding the inside shower unit? Thnx for your help!! bob
We need to replace the shower H/C nobs and hand held shower sprayer….
but we can’t find the main water shutoff for the entire RV. Please, please help.
We have tried everything and still cannot shut off water to sinks and shower.
We are getting quite wet.
I’m trying to figure out why my camper hose is spraying at the RV hookup area, last year I had no problems, this year it got so bad that I had to shut off our water. My landlord told me it’s my camper. Not their faucet. What do I do to find out if it is me or not?
No cold water to kitchen sink.
Hello Molly,
To provide more specific troubleshooting information regarding your cold
water issue, we need the make, model, and year of your RV. I also
have a few questions:
Do you get cold water to other faucets?
Do you have a single handle faucet or hot and cold dials?
Does this happen when connected to city pressurized water and using the on
board water pumps?
Do you get any water coming out when opening the cold faucet?
If you are getting hot or warm water when opening the cold, have you let
it run for a couple of minutes?
Depending on these questions, it could be a plugged line or faucet,
defective faucet, kinked line, or a cold line getting heated by a furnace
duct?
Thanks,
David RVRC Video Membership
We’d love to have you be a part of our community. We are convinced you will enjoy the benefits of becoming a member and having access to the best instructional how to videos and professional tips. We would like to offer you a special promotion for your first year membership.
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My water fill has a city, tank, and normal selection on it. What is the “normal” selection for?
Water pressure seems low even though I have a regulator turned up to 45 lbs.
Hello Kurt,
In order to assist you better, could you please provide us with the year make and model of your RV?
Thanks,
Becky RVRC Video Membership
I have what looks like two connections for city water, I’m sure only one is correct, they aren’t labeled in any way what is the best way to determine where to hook my hose. I am very new to all this
How do you get to the hot water tank? We are new to this
We think we have a busted pipe. When we hooked up to water for the first time in 2 years it started running out from under the stove onto he step
Service says I need to replace or rebuild my “red top” switches. Any information on this is appreciated.
Where is the water filter located
fresh water leak
I am getting back pressure in the water system and it is blowing the filter off. What could be causing this?
Flooding
I have low water pressure on my on board fresh water pump. When I turn the water pump on the pump will
run and charge the lines . when I use the water it will run normal for a run normal for about 8 to 10 seconds
and then almost nothing
I’m trying to figure out how to sanitize my RV fresh water tank. It wants me to open the water tank drain valve. Does anyone know where this is on a 2003 National Sea Breeze?
My unit is in its storage bay awaiting our next trip. I don’t have access to city water and my fresh water tank is smelling. I want to add some bleach to this tank but don’t have a pump nor gravity feed option. Can I use the winterizing siphon hose and set my valve on “fill tank” to get bleach into the fresh water tank?
How do you turn on the water heater?
Heather, good article.
I was wondering if it would be advisable to install the in-line filter at the site hookup to filter and clean the water before it enters the fresh water hose, thereby preventing contaminating it with unknown water borne contaminates the filter is to eliminate?
Hi, Richard. Please see your email for a response from our expert!
in the specs it says I have one black water tank but I have two bath rooms and on my panel it shows an aux tank with a black water falve it has a tag on both black water tanks for hookup for flushing them it says to keep the valves open when I hooked the hose to it to flush it I got water all up in the bath room what did I do wrong
Hi, Thomas. To provide more specific troubleshooting information we need to know the make, model, and year of your RV. However, let’s walk through your question and see if we can identify some of the component descriptions? First, it’s not uncommon to have two bathrooms and only one black water tank as that is typically only toilet waste. “On the panel it shows an aux tank with a black water falve” (I assume valve)? Are you referring to the monitor panel inside with the tank levels or the panel outside in the service compartment? I assume your monitor panel has an aux tank listed with the fresh water and black water? Typically a black water flush valve is designed to connect a garden hose to and flush out the tank. If you connected to the black water flush valve and got water in the bathroom, you probably have a problem with the toilet seal or valve as this should not happen. Check out the videos on how the waste water dumping works. You will see the valves at the dump station as well as the flush valves. Also, if you could provide a photo of the area you are describing, we should be able to provide more information.
My handle for the gray shower water is really easy to operate but before it was rather stiff. I cant tell if it is really closing all the way or not. Does the handle rod ever break off inside the valve and can I access this valve by removing part of the basement wall?
Hi, Royce. The rod of your dump valve can break inside the channel, however it usually will pull all the way out? Without knowing the make, model, and year of your RV, I can’t advise to the access, however since you indicated removing part of the “basement wall”, I assume you have a motorized unit? If it looks like you can remove the wall or panel, I would start with that and see if it provides access. You can also tell if the valve is opening and closing by running a couple of gallons of water down the shower drain with the valve closed and see if it comes out of the sewage bayonet with the valve closed. Usually will not if the rod is broken as it will push the spade valve shut. Then open the valve to see if the water comes out. If it does, you do not have a broken rod, if it doesn’t, you have a broken valve and at least you’ll only have 1 gallon of fairly fresh water in the tank to capture when you tear the valve apart.
We just purchased a new 5th wheel camper. We have the model with the front bathroom and bedroom. There are 2 sinks the master bath. I dropped a ring down the drain on the sink. We are trying to figure out how to get it out. Would you know the diagram of the plumbing under the sink?
Hi, Vickie. To provide more specific information on the configuration of your sink drains we need the make, model, and year of your 5th wheel. Typically a two sink mode would have a drain pipe coming off the bottom of the bowl into a “P” trap which is an S shaped curve that holds water to keep odors from the holding tank from coming up into the bathroom. Some manufacturers use a separate “P” trap for each sink and then run them into a T down into the gray water tank while others use the T first then a “P” trap. You should be able to open the vanity under the sink and see the bottom of the sink and the plumbing?
Water hose leak that seams to be along sides he hot water tank Need help in finding where this hose is attached to. As so far does go into the hot water tank. But we have a good sized leak when water is turned on by outside faucet meant to say hose does not seem to be connected to hot water tank. Not sure where does connect.
Hi, Mike. Thank you for visiting the RV Repair Club site and the opportunity to assist with your water leak issue. To provide more specific information we need to know the make, model, and year of your RV. In the mean time, you might be able to find it by isolating where the leak is, and if it’s hot or cold water. Most water lines are routed in the bottom of kitchen and bath base cabinets or closets. Sometimes you need to take off the false floor or bottom shelf. Some trailers have them sandwiched under the floor above the corrugated underbelly.
My water levels in my gray water tank are not functioning correctly. It registers as full after a complete emptying. Any help short of replacing the probes and are there any videos regarding the process?
Hi, Kenneth. This is a very common problem with waste water system probes that are the metal screw in type that go through the tank and use fluid inside to “arch” across for signal. You should have one wire coming in to the bottom part of the tank and three screws and wires across and going up about 4-5 inches apart? When the liquid drains, there is still something clinging to the side of the tank and creating the false reading. Start with using the Thetford probe cleaner product available at any dealership or online. I would also recommend installing a black water flush valve which sprays water on the probes to help clean them. You might also be able to use a flush wand stuck down the toilet. Some owners have been successful pouring 5-6 bags of ice down the toilet and driving around for an hour but it’s hit and miss with this. There are several videos on the site showing these procedures in the “Plumbing and Water Systems” section.
This is a problem in my GRAY water tank and not the black water tank.
Kenneth, I had the same problem with my grey tank sensors and I finally figured out that apparently one time or another grease or cooking oil was washed into the grey tank after washing an oily or greasy pan, This oil was clinging to the side of the tank where the sensors were and was conducting just enough to give the monitor false readings. The way I solved the problem was I poured about a quarter cup of dawn dishwashing liquid a half gallon of bleach into the kitchen drain and then run the faucets until I filled the tank. Let it set for a day then drained the tank. From that point on my monitor readings were correct and I make sure now that no oil or grease enters my drains.
The connection to ther shower hose and the faucetcontrol was leaking. I took the hose off and tightened the part that appeared to be leaking but now I can’t get the hose to thread back on. Any suggestions.
2016
Hi, John. Thank you for visiting the RV Repair Club site and the opportunity to assist with your shower/faucet issue. To provide more specific information we need to know the make, model, and year of your RV and what type of shower/faucet you have. The typical set up is a plastic faucet with a hot and cold knob mounted to the wall at about 3’ with a plastic male thread coming out the bottom. A plastic female connection on the end of a rubber hose is threaded to that and goes up to the shower head. Not sure what “part” you tightened to keep it from leaking if it was not the actual hose end? Usually these are plastic so you might have a striped or damage thread on either the male or female end?
Does black water tank have an overflow feature just in case ?
Hi, Kristi. Thank you for visiting the RV Repair Club site and the opportunity to assist with your black water tank question. The black water tank does not have an overflow feature as you would not want raw sewage going out of an overflow to the open! It will basically back up in the toilet.
I want to replace my ice maker. The one I have leaks. Is leaking a common problem?
Hi, Bud. Thank you for visiting the RV Repair Club site and the opportunity to assist with your ice maker issue. Most often what happens with an ice maker is the owner forgets to drain all the water from the lines, valve, and tray and it doesn’t take much of a freeze to crack the plastic in any of those places. It’s important to not only drain the lines, but cycle the ice maker a few times to get all the water out.
How do I get the Fresh water tank to drain and also step by step to winterize this trailer.
Hi, Anthony. Thank you for visiting the RV Repair Club site and the opportunity to assist with your winterizing question. To provide more specific information we need the make, model, and year of your RV. However most water tanks can be drained by a small valve that is placed in the supply line going to the water pump? Look underneath the rig to see where a water line extends through the floor and the valve should be above that. See the attached photo. To winterize with RV Antifreeze, fill the fresh water tank with about 6-8 gallons of antifreeze after you have drained all the water out. If your unit has a winterizing valve, you can just put the tube in the gallon jug and draw it from there. Next, empty your water heater and switch the water heater bypass valve to bypass, you don’t want to waste 6 gallons of antifreeze in the water heater! Turn on your water pump and open the nearest faucet and let it run until pink antifreeze comes out. Do this for all faucets, toilet, toilet sprayer, shower, and outside faucet/shower. Drain your ice maker in the refrigerator if applicable!
From Oct 20, 2016 discussion; You said to put 6-8 gallons of anti-freeze into the fresh water tank.Why would a person do that if the tank is drained??
Hello Donald,
Here’s what the experts had to say about your question:
Most RV’s nowadays are equipped with a siphon hose attached to the water pump or is inline with the water system in the wetbay to allow you to add RV antifreeze to the water lines. If you do not have a way to siphon the antifreeze into the system you can do it through the fresh tank by filling it with 6-8 gallons of antifreeze. Add the antifreeze, turn on the pump and then open each fixture one at a time until all lines have antifreeze in them. There are other options as well, like using a manual hand pump on the city inlet to pump antifreeze through or installing a siphon hose at the water pump if one isn’t present. The way of doing it through the fresh tank is a way a lot of RV user used to have to do it. You always had to add a lot more so the pump could suck it into the system. Using a siphon hose attached directly to the pump reduces the amount of antifreeze needed to about 2 or 3. I don’t recommend filling the fresh tank with antifreeze as it takes a long time to flush it all out in the spring but it is an acceptable way to pump it to the system.
Sincerely,
Dan
RV Repair Club Technical Expert
Hooked up a hose to the tank flush for the first time to clean. I was a little concerned because I did not hear any water running in the tank and only a trickle came through the sewer house. What is wrong?
We would be happy to assist you; we just need some more information. What is the make/model/year of your RV?
How do you get water into your fresh water tank? All of the instructions about sanitizing the water lines says to add bleach and water to the freshwater tank. Hate to sound stupid but not sure how this is done. That’s why I joined the RV repair Club.
Hi, Dennis. Thanks for visiting the RV Repair Club site and the opportunity to assist with your sanitizing question. You should have a gravity feed on the side of the rig which allows you to insert a hose and fill the tank rather than attaching to the city fill and turning the valve. Use a funnel and pour the appropriate amount in the gravity fill and then add water. It will either be a small door on the side of the rig (3” x 3”) with a tube like opening behind it, or in the service center if your rig has an enclosed compartment for the water center.
Odor only from bathroom sink hot & cold.
Hi, Kenneth. Thanks for visiting the RV Repair Club site and the opportunity to assist with your bathroom odor issue. Are you getting an odor only from the hot and cold freshwater coming out of the faucet and not the shower or kitchen? It sounds more like your getting an odor from drain when turning the water on as it hits the P-trap forces odors back up? This is fairly common just after arriving at a campsite as the water that is supposed to sit in the P-trap to stop odors from coming up from the waste tank gets splashed around and has drained out? And sometimes the bathroom sink is plumbed into the black water just because of location? If it is the water, replace the lines using Pex and the new compression fittings by Sealand or Watts available at home improvement stores. It’s an easy job. Also, check your water heater to make sure it’s clean and you don’t need a new anode rod used in Suburban water heaters.
Dropped object into waste tank. How to remove. Is removal recommended for smaller object?
Hi Connie. Thank you for visiting the RV Repair Club site and the opportunity to assist with your toilet obstruction issue. Nothing but waste, water, and RV toilet paper should go into the waste water tank, however I guess it depends on the item and what it will do to obstruct the pipes, valves and what damage it can do. If you dropped it down the toilet, there is a fairly large pipe that it probably went into the holding tank. Your next issue is that item obstructing the 2” drain pipe? If you think it could obstruct that, then yes have it removed.
filling black water tank
we have a 1998 fleetwood jamboree and the bypass is not working when we switch it over the water keeps going in to the hot water tank
Hi Jane. Thanks for visiting the RV Repair Club site. When you turn the handle on your bypass valve it is supposed to turn a cylinder inside with holes that divert the flow either to the water heater or to the bypass hose. My first question is: Has it ever worked properly for you? I ask this because there are cases where RV DIYer’s attempt to install certain features with parts from home improvement stores that don’t work and then they sell the unit so you don’t really know what was installed? Let’s assume it did work at one time and is now not changing the flow to bypass. This means the inside cylinder has either become too loose to turn or broken off the handle. If it’s a plastic valve, it probably got frozen and turning the handle snapped it off. If so, I would suggest replacing it with a brass valve.
How do you sanitize the fresh water system when it does not have the gravity fill opening and only the city water hookup to fill the fresh water tank?
Hi James. Thanks for visiting the RV Repair Club site and the opportunity to assist with your water systems issue. This is one of those situations that I’ve argued with designers and engineers for years and falls into the “real world scenario”. They design this cool valve to switch the city water pressure to fill the tank rather than having a gravity feed thinking it’s so much easier and better. But…what about adding bleach to sanitize, deodorizer, or even filling the tank when boondocking with out access to pressurized water? There are several homemade solutions for most of these situation such as using a small pump like the type used in landscape ponds, however for your situation I would suggest measuring out the correct amount of bleach in a container and just use a funnel to pour it into the city fill hose before hooking it up to the city source. Once you connect it and open the valve, the bleach will flow into the fresh water tank and eventually the bleach smell will dissipate.
Have a 2000 Itasca 32. Every time I take the cap off to drain my waste tanks, I get a fair amount of liquid spillage from the grey and black tanks.
Hi Mike. Thanks for visiting the RV Repair Club. If you have liquid at the cap then you have one of the valves not sealing. Check out the RV Dump Valve Troubleshooting video in the Plumbing section of the site. You can try adding some lubricating liquid available from Thetford, however it’s more likely you will need to disassemble the piping and either clean the rubber gasket or replace the valve. Make sure you empty the tanks well before tackling this!
Purchased a new trailer and it has antifreeze. What should I do to clean out the antifreeze and start out fresh for the 1st time? Thx
Thanks for visiting the RV Repair Club site. The antifreeze should be a pink colored, non-toxic antifreeze designed for RV and/or marine use which has no taste. Therefore you should be able to just put water in the fresh water tank or connect to a city source and run each faucet and toilet until you get a clear stream of water. Don’t forget about the 6 gallon water heater. It probably has the plug pulled and the water heater bypass valve turned so they did not have to fill the tank with 6 gallons of antifreeze. Some owner’s like to run a little bleach solution through the system as well to get rid of stale taste and any plastic residue from the lines. 1/4 cup bleach in a gallon of water and use about 8 gallons of the solution and run it through each of the faucets. Then plain water through or let it sit for a couple days and the bleach smell will dissipate. (ZD: 3013)
My wife and I don’t like the lingering residue in our water lines from the RV antifreeze the dealer used to winterize the RV. I do it myself now and decided to use 100 Proof vodka 2 year in a row because it leaves no after taste and there is no foaming. It will protect from freezing to -41*F. And it makes it fun to open the RV in spring….
Well done!
Vodka for winterizing is fabulous – does it work??
I have a 2005 Winnebago 37B, recently when I turn the tap to hot the flow stops.. Works fine in cold on all taps. Seems like there is a check valve that is malfunctioning but I can’t find it in the manuals.
Thanks for visiting the RV Repair Club site and the opportunity to assist with your hot water issue. Just to verify, the hot does not work on all taps as well? There is a check valve on the incoming water line to the water heater and outgoing line as well. Visit http://www.winnebagoind.com/diagram/2005/05_g37b_plumb.pdf for a water systems diagram from your 2005 Adventurer. You will see the valves listed as V-6 coming in and out of the water heater. There is also a water heater by-pass valve on your system that could have gotten something stuck inside? This should be located in the service compartment.
Hope this helps.
I I I would like to replace my Restroom fan and put a NEW unit and cover on, but I cannot find where to go? Can you please help me? Thank-you, Randy
Thanks for visiting the RV Repair Club site Randy. I would recommend replacing your roof vent with a new Fantastic model which can be a standard fan, or upgraded to the temperature and rain sensing models. You can purchase these from any RV dealer or online at Amazon.com
I have a 1995 kountry air you137 foot close to my waterpump is a 4 inch vent with looks like a fan mortar keep warm air to the water pump and cold weather. My question is If this is true what turns it on and off? Is it automatic or do I have to turn a switch on someplace?
Hi Kenneth. Thanks for visiting the RV Repair Club site and the opportunity to assist with info on your 1995 Newmar. From what I can tell on the older models, Newmar had a basement fan to supply warm air to the water pump and other plumbing fixtures that would draw from a furnace duct routed close to it. Typically it was controlled by a separate temperature switch, however there seems to be several variations in models in the various forums? I would first look at the 12-volt fuses in the distribution center to see if there is a dedicated fuse for that fan. Some models were wired to the furnace so it would turn on any time the furnace ran. Newmar should be able to provide a wiring diagram that can help trace this as they have weathered all the financial storms over the years and not bought and sold like so many others. Hope this helps.
I have a 2004 Winnebago Adventure 33v. When it is parked in driveway an hooked up to city water for a few days my grey tank fills up without any water turned on in sinks or shower. I find no water leaking from sinks or shower.
Thanks for visiting the RV Repair Club site and for the opportunity to assist with your Grey Water Tank issue. The grey water tank collects waste water from the shower and some sinks inside the rig. Not all sinks go to the grey water tank, depending on floorplan and location, sometime Winnebago routed the bath sink into the black water tank or kitchen sink as well. When hooked to the city water fill, the water bypasses the on-demand pump and provides pressurized water to the faucets, toilet, and shower head. There is no plumbing going anywhere close to the grey water tank so if it is filling the tank, you have a faucet leaking somewhere to to drain. You may not be able to physically see it, it might be under the sink leaking down the overflow path into the drain or the shower behind the wall down into the pan? Keep in mind that Winnebago makes their own tanks and usually uses grey material for both the black and grey water tanks! So what you are calling grey, may actually be the black water or sewage tank from the toilet? A common problem with tanks filling is owner’s hooking up the city water hose to the black water flush valve as it looks very similar to the city water connection. This will fill the tank rather quickly and since the tank is actually grey in color, owner’s think it’s coming from a leak. You can identify the proper tank by running a hose down the toilet and see what tank on the monitor panel is filling. Make sure you throw the hose away when you are done! Or you can run a hose into the shower pan and make sure you know which tank is actually grey water. Otherwise, you will need to trace the drains to see where the water is coming from. Disconnect the kitchen and bath sink drain P-trap and connect to city water. Place a bucket underneath otherwise you’ll have a huge mess! Hope this helps!
A crack in the skylight or roof leak over the shower can cause rain water to fill your gray tank as well, depending on how much rain you get. If you are running your air conditioner the condensation may leak through the roof around a ceiling fixture like the skylight or the holding tank roof vent.
Is there a valve to dump fresh water tank only vs running it into gray tank and dumping
How do you close the drain for the fresh water tank.
Hello Dick,
We would love to answer this expert question for you but I would need the year, make, and model of your RV.
Once we receive the information, we can pass it along to the experts.
Sincerely,
Danesha
Fix My Hog Video Membership
Does anyone have information about water pumps? We see nothing in Videos or the blog. Thanks!
Thanks for viewing the RV Repair Club site and requesting information on the water pumps. We did shoot video of the water pumps, however it was mis-labeled in the plumbing section with a title of Troubleshooting Water Heaters! We’ve corrected the title and description and you should be able to see the video in that section. If you have any specific question or issues with your water pump, please post it listing the make of your RV, model, year, and brand of water pump. Thanks again for bringing this to our attention and happy camping. RVRC Team
This is very helpful. Its easy to forget some of this information when you camp only during the summer.
My outlets are not working inside camper
Is it really necessary to use special RV toilet paper and what chemicals are best?
Hi Tricia, If you don’t want a messy backup in your black water tank valve and improper readings from your tank level probes, you will definitely want to use specific RV toilet paper! Even toilet paper that has been approved for residential septic systems does not dissolve adequately and can create problems. Paper that does not dissolve can get stuck in the dump valves and piping and can also cling to the side of the tank and disrupt the probe readings, a common problem with black water tanks.
As for chemicals, always use an RV approved black and grey water tank chemical. Most are biodegradable and there are some natural product that have recently been introduced to the market.
Good advise. Thanks
Trica, If you need to clean the probes that detect you black water level. You can add a bag of ice and a little water. the slosh of the ice will clean of the probes and you’ll get a proper reading.
How to fix a water leak in bedroom floor
Great question! The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is currently for members of our online community. I would be happy to send your question off to the experts. To get started, please send the email associated with your paid membership account. Thanks!
Jean
RV Repair Club
We take regular toilet paper with us and use an empty coffee can or ice cream bucket with a lid and just toss the used toilet paper into them (we found a Folgers container works great, line it with a doggy poop bag or a dirty diaper bag. Then just toss the bag out. 🙂
Just a word of caution: You’re running a high risk of Pneumo Contamination doing this. Bacterial & viral components which are on the paper can, in a fairly short time, go through the average plastic bag (grocery bags & the like). This means whoever opens the can gets a room-full of airborne bugs. Red bio-bags are 12-layers, and can hold up to bio- waste for days. Costs to treat a case of staph or worse will greatly outweigh the cost of a package of RV TP.
How to replace gate valves on inboard recessed water drain system
There should just be 4 bolts and nuts holding the valve in place. Sometimes the areas aren’t the easiest and don’t give much room but you just need to remove these bolts and pull the valve out of the opening. When installing a new one, make sure to have the gaskets in the proper position and then seat the valve into place. You then install the bolts and just have them nice and snug. Too tight and the fittings can crack. We have a few videos going over valves and how they work, they will give you a better idea on how to replace them.
https://www.rvrepairclub.com/video/rv-waste-tank-tips-how-the-waste-water-valve-works-008156/
https://www.rvrepairclub.com/video/rv-dump-valve-troubleshooting-008163/
Sincerely,DanRV Repair Club Technical Expert
Ok I am hooked up to city water and have had several leaking problems and lines blowing off.and faucet replacement in kitchen.after all that was fixed.(now the new faucet cold is hot and hot is cold) I can live with that but 3 days later turn on hot water and nothing comes out.am I correct that my surflo pump is not necessary to pull hot water from my 10 gallon tank,that the pump is only used when drawing water from fresh water tank.and if this is true how does the water get from hot water tank to the faucet. Help please
Hi Carrie. Let’s start with the issue of “several leaking problems and lines blowing off”. This is a flag that you might be getting to much water pressure for the system to handle. I would recommend getting a water pressure regulator at any store that sells RV parts or online that will regulate the pressure to under 40 psi. I also like to add a filter after the regulator, but that’s another question/video! Second, if you have the hot and cold coming out the wrong sides, it’s a simple fix, swap the lines at the faucet! Open the cabinet doors under the sink and you should see two lines coming up to the base of the faucet. #3, you are correct, when hooked to a city water source, you have pressurized water going throughout the system including the water heater just like in your home. When you open the faucet on the hot side, water is delivered through the hot water lines from the water heater. The onboard pump is before the water heater and provides pressure to both hot and cold from the fresh water tank.
Here are a few questions. Does this happen every time after 3 days temporarily and then it works, or did it just happen 3 days after the fix and now you have no hot water at all? If it’s a 10 gallon system, it’s probably an LP and 120-volt electric model? I believe you need to do some troubleshooting on the water heater. Check the breakers, 12-volt fuses, and especially the water heater bypass valve. Most units today have a valve that diverts or bypasses the water around the water heater so you can drain the water heater in the winter and not have to add 10 gallons of antifreeze for the water heater. If the bypass is shut off, you will not get any water into the heater. If you ran the heater without water, you may have damaged it? Check these things out and let us know.
We connected to city water and it poured out of a drain pipe onto the ground. No water reached the sink. What do I need to insure that water reaches the other fixtures.
Where is the cut off valve for sink in bedroom ? Neither falcet will cut off and pipe is leaking
Great question! The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is currently for members of our online community. I would be happy to send your question off to the experts. To get started, please send the email associated with your paid membership account. Thanks!