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Topic: Another trip, another crisis. (Read 1215 times) previous topic - next topic

Another trip, another crisis.

We spent this weekend in Mammoth Lakes with the southern California Motorcaders.  After having dinner at the clubhouse, we came back to a large wet spot on the carpet, adjacent to the recliner.  After we determined that it wasn't Lacy, I looked under the kitchen cabinet and found a stream of water coming from the cold water connection to the faucet.  After shutting the line at the manifold, we pulled up the carpet/pad,  removed the ice maker, pulled up the sink cabinet floor and removed a bottom drawer in order to get to all the water.  Fortunately, we always carry a Bissel wet vac and Kristi had a powerful hair dryer.  We managed to suck up the water and dry everything out (the basement bay was done the following morning).  I also used the steel 2" square tubing safety blocks to hold up the carpet and also blow hot air through.  By the time we went to bed (1:30 am), everything was dry.  So what happened?

I have always been impressed with the fact that PEX tubing has been used throughout the coach and can handle city water pressure without a reducer. In our coach there were extentions  from the PEX to the faucet bib that failed (see photo).  I don't know if this was OEM or if a PO had added them when replacing the faucet - you may want to check yours.  I'm in the process of replacing the "add ons" with PEX, so that it reaches the bibs.  Incidently, I checked the pressure at the park's faucet - 42 psi.  Last comment:  We broke our own rule of shutting off the outside water whenever we leave the coach.
2000 U320 mid entry  #5688
2006 Jeep Liberty


USMCR retired
SDFD retired
FEMA US&R TF8

Re: Another trip, another crisis.

Reply #1 –
ALWAYS cut off the water! We actually only run on 12 volt pump , city water is fo tank fill only!
Tom
1998 U320 40'

Re: Another trip, another crisis.

Reply #2 –
Water leaks are my # 1 enemy. They always happen in the middle of the night in the middle of lost and found.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: Another trip, another crisis.

Reply #3 –
When you run on the water tank like Tas says......you can hear the pump cycle frequently and you know you have a leak. Not so on city water. I NEVER run on city water. It also keeps the water tank clean.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: Another trip, another crisis.

Reply #4 –
Sven, water leaks are the worst nightmare for most and some of the worst possible damage.  Glad it wasn't too bad.

We don't even leave the outside water connected unless water is filling.

And we don't leave the pump on.

Water Pump Timer Automatically Switches Pump Off

Stuff happens without warning.  A bit of preventive caution reduces risk.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Another trip, another crisis.

Reply #5 –
So sorry you had the water leak and damage.  Great that you have the clean up equipment. 

Along with so many others, with more being added all the time, we also run on water pump 24/7/365.  For the last 20 years, we have not left our city water hose connected.  We fill with a gravity feed mod, so even filling does not stress plumbing from city water pressure.

Many years ago, for a few years, we added a $10 sprinkler system electric valve on the water hose, allowing us to flick an inside switch to remove city water pressure.  We no longer used this.

A big benefit of water pump use, is the easy of turning off water pressure every time we leave the coach.  Our door switch panel now has another lighted water pump switch that allows double checking when walking out the door. 

We also have $10 water leak detectors in many places, including under the sink, behind toilet, near water pump, etc.

Water leaks do so much damage anything we can do to reduce its occurrence will pay off.

Re: Another trip, another crisis.

Reply #6 –
We never leave city water connected and don't leave the coach without turning both the water heater and pump off. Pump also off at night.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Another trip, another crisis.

Reply #7 –
A lot of water connections compared to a typical 40 foot sailboat on these coaches. I don't like the amount of connections mine has either. Will have to look into replacing them at some point soon. Thanks for sharing your experiences.
'99 U320 40 WTFE
Build #5462,
1500 Watts Solar 600 amp Victron lithium
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland Hemi
Instagram bobfnbw
Retired

Re: Another trip, another crisis.

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Sven and Kristi –
We spent this weekend in Mammoth Lakes with the southern California Motorcaders. 
Great destination! We were there two weeks ago when it was snowing. Virginia Lakes was still frozen up at 9900 feet. Heading back for a week or so to June Lake at the end of June. Good happy hour at 53 Kitchen & Cocktails in Mammoth.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Another trip, another crisis.

Reply #9 –
I feel your pain Sven! As a newbie 6 years ago I left our hose hooked up and pressurized when at FOT. left in the morning to sight see and later got a call from a friend telling us we had water coming out of all our bays! They were kind enough to shut off the water for us when they saw that. Our issue was the control board for the toilet malfunctiond and kept flushing! If we were just using onboard water would not had been so bad. On the bright side, we did get new carpet and learned a valuable lesson on water safety. From then on we have only used water from our onboard tank and to shut off the FW pump when leaving the coach or not using it.
 We also found out how well theses coaches are built. Never had a tile in the kitchen or bathroom come loose from the water and never hurt the Walnut cabinets. On a side note, Progressive insurance and Servepro did an outstanding job for us!
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Another trip, another crisis.

Reply #10 –
Thanks for the responses.  One of the advantages of the FT is the PEX plumbing (we re-plumbed our Mammoth house with it), which is as strong as anything in a house, regardless of the jarring while traveling.  The weak spot was that "pig tail" that some one added at some point; I replaced both with PEX and are dry.  From now on, I will be carrying PEX parts and a crimper.  The toilet scares me and I shut water to it, choosing to use a plastic pitcher to fill it.  At some point, I will re-design the cabinet behind it and add a manual toilet.
  Replacing the fuel lines will be the next project, so toilet will have to wait.
2000 U320 mid entry  #5688
2006 Jeep Liberty


USMCR retired
SDFD retired
FEMA US&R TF8

Re: Another trip, another crisis.

Reply #11 –
I guess I'm the lone dissenter.  I long ago decided that if I don't turn off the water in a home unless I plan to be gone for months, I'm not going to stress out in my FT.  So, yes, in 10 years and 150,000 miles I've always connected to city water when available(with a pressure regulator) and when I boondock my water pump is always on.  Oh, and I use my Microphor toilet as it was designed.  It did overflow once, but that was my stupidity for only partially depressing the flush lever-lesson learned.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R