Fresh Water Fill

[mbutts]

OK, I'm feeling stupid at the moment. This is my 4th RV and I should know how to do this.

We finally got south enough to de-winterize our Forester 3011. I drained the pink out of the low water point, emptied the pink out of the water filter housing, hooked up to park water, and flushed out all the pink from the water lines.

I then un-bypassed the water heater and the antifreeze pickup valve to set back to draw from the water tank.

I then went to shoot 5-10 gallons into the fresh tank and the water backs up immediately (like the tank is full). The water tank is empty (lifted bed to take a look at tank).

Any suggestions on what's causing this? Dealer is closed today so no help there.

[Igave]

I'd double check my bypass valves, then open the relief valve in case you have a major air lock. The only other thing I can think of right off is the check valve isn't working correctly at the fitting to let water in.

[swuebbels]

On some models the fill tubing can sag and kink. I don't know if yours is prone to that.
Stan

[SeaDog]

X2 what swuebbles said, let the forum know what you find to correct the problem

[NMWildcat]

So do you have a gravity fill or one of the confounded new ones that requires pressure or pump and correct valve settings?

[TakeItEasy]

Same thing happened to me on my 3170 until I adjusted the hose from the port to tank. It was mounted with a bow in the middle. Once I removed the bow it worked.

[newRVer]

I have a 3011 and it had the same issue. Typically the cause is all gravity related. I.e. the corrugated hose has a dip in it and water does not travel well uphill plus the corrugation adds additional resistance to water flow especially at high pressure. Also Pay attention to how level the RV is. On mine, water flows a lot better when it's level.

[Steeljag]

Is the 3011 gravity fed ?

[mbutts]

Hi,

Thanks for the replies. I forgot to mention that we're on the road right now. I'll be able to take a look in the morning and I'll report back.

[77rednecktruck]

I had the same issue on my 2016 3011DS. Had to lift up the bed and correct the hose placement. Took about 15 minutes once I got the bed up. On mine, the hose was tied up really high so water would not flow into the tank. I cut the zip ties they had and let the hose drop down 6 or so inches. I just used another zip tie and some duct tape to hold it. Has been fine for a year with no issues so far.

good luck!

[Gidyupgo]

Mbutts, its not you. Ah yes, the old "droop in the fill hose" problem. Lift the hinged plywood bed base, then lift the wooden cover closest to the head of the bed and you will see a white ribbed piece of hose on the left side. It may have once been strapped to the top of the opening it passes through to maintain a downward angle from the fill port outside to the water tank under the bed. This is a very slight angle so if it has a droop there, the weight of the incoming water has to push water uphill to fill. Tie it up or make yourself an adapter by cutting off about 5ft of water hose with just the female connector. You then gently push this past the droop when filling. Either way, it will fill faster. Several of us 3010 /3011 owners have had this. I found the plastic strap broken on mine and zip tied it to the strap screw. Sorry, no pic.

[mbutts]

Thanks for everyone's replies. I was finally able to take a look at this today without rain, snow, freezing temps, or blackness of night.

The fill hose makes an IMMEDIATE left hand turn after the fill opening. I have carried an old washing machine fill hose with one fitting end cut off for years. We have frequented a few state parks where the fresh water fill takes 20-30 minutes to fill the 39 gallon tank on our former TT. I attached this to the supply hose and stuffed it into the fill opening so I can fill hands free.

I was able to thread this smaller diameter hose in about 18" and easily filled the tank.

I checked the installation of the gravity feed line and it is not kinked or bellied, just has that quick left hand turn at the beginning.

Thanks again!

[Patconl]

Couldn't fill fresh tank on 3010ds. Bought a 10 foot Drinkable water hose. Cut the male end off about 3 foot back and then cut the male end off at an angle. Taped it to a funnel and used that to add sanitizer after snaking the hose about 2 foot down the fill port. Connected the remaining hose (6ft) to regular potable water hose and shoved it down the fill port about 2-3 ft. Every thing works great and total cost was $6.78 at Walmart plus duck tape..

[Sherol]

We found opening a cold water faucet in the motor home also helps it to fill. Seems that there is not enough air escaping as the water fills the tank and this causes a lot of back splashing. We have a 2018 3011Ds Forester.