Newbies - please read this about hot water heater

[johnsent]

Several weeks ago, we got our first TT, a new Rockwood 8293IKRBS. We took notes of everything Camping World told us during orientation and followed their instructions exactly when we took our shakedown weekend last week. They missed something critical!

After hooking up I checked and we had running water from both the hot and cold faucets so I turned on the electric hot water heater. We had no hot water! A few kind soles in the campground were trying to help me figure out what was wrong when one gent mentioned the hot water heater bypass but no one could locate it.

Once we got home and I started reading this forum, I saw comments saying if you try to use the electric hot water heater without turning off the bypass, you will burn out the element within minutes and that it is an expensive repair that will probably not be covered under warranty. I was in a sate of panic!

Luckily my buddy (also a camper) stopped by yesterday to help me and we found that to get to the hot water heater, you have to go in under the bathroom sink where the cabinet door is screwed shut and you need to reach out the side of the cabinet and turn 3 separate water valves in order to get water flowing into the heater (you need small skinny hands to do this). Once we knew water was running to the heater, I turned on the electric and within a short time I had hot water. Even though I had initially turned on the electric function for some time, for some reason I was fortunate and avoided disaster. By the way, Camping world said between their service backlog, needing the manufacturers authorization if it was warranty and ordering the parts, I was looking at a 6 - 8 week wait for the repair. Thankfully there is no issue now as we are less than 3 weeks away from our first weeklong trip to the beach.

Anyway, to make a long story short, if you are given an orientation of a new unit and they do not talk about the bypass, ask them and make them show you where the valves are and what position they should be in. The owners manual does mention the bypass but does not tell you where it is located.

Enjoy your new camper.

[TURBS]

And this is why I say "DO NOT" rely on a hot water tap to either purge air or see if there's water there thinking the water heater is un- bypassed.
Since the wh is bypassed you'll get water from both taps giving the allusion that the hot water tap is getting water from the wh.
"Always" use the water heater pressure relief valve.

Glad nothing was harmed.
Btw it is not an expensive fix.
And this is fairly common among new purchases along with having an electrician wire a outlet for plugging in @ 220v


TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded, 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "9 nights"

[deartruc]

And now you know how to add the pink stuff this fall.

[ependydad]

I do the same as Turbs, for the same reason. I found that I could get water flowing to the taps with the water heater bypassed.

I also got lucky that I didn't burn out my electrical element.

And, I realize more and more how fortunate that I am for Sabre putting in a "water bay" with winterization knobs. Though, it's a much bigger camper and has the room.

[ColoradoRick]

Phew, glad it worked out!

I think my biggest peeve with our Rocky (which we LOVE) is the lack of documentation for things. While they did provide a comprehensive list of all the appliances, not much on HOW to operate and maintain them.

I've heard the reason is because they can put one of a number of appliances and things in the camper but I call bull on that...there's a LOT of things on our campers that doesn't change and could use a good owner's manual. (Especially since we're paying $20 to $30k!!)

[TURBS]

Funny you should mention Rick.
This is in the Rockwood website and pretty informative.

http://idn.tweddle.com/forestriver/m...2015&market=US

Under plumbing it talks about winterizing and dewinterizing.

There's also an app for android and iphone.

TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded, 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "9 nights"

[KyDan]

Originally Posted by johnsent

if you try to use the electric hot water heater without turning off the bypass, you will burn out the element within minutes and that it is an expensive repair that will probably not be covered under warranty.

Not exactly true. You can get the part at most any Home Depot for
around $10. Also need the special wrench which is ~$8.
DIY job if you are the least bit home handy man/gal/person.

Go to our FAQ area sub section water heaters and look for the Suburban
element RR post.
It's not a hard job.
Took me only 1 beer to get 'er done!

Good Luck! Happy Trails!!

[gastan]

Originally Posted by ColoradoRick

Phew, glad it worked out!

I think my biggest peeve with our Rocky (which we LOVE) is the lack of documentation for things. While they did provide a comprehensive list of all the appliances, not much on HOW to operate and maintain them.

I've heard the reason is because they can put one of a number of appliances and things in the camper but I call bull on that...there's a LOT of things on our campers that doesn't change and could use a good owner's manual. (Especially since we're paying $20 to $30k!!)

The first thing I did when I purchased our TT was to make a list of every appliance and component and check it against the literature the mfg. supplied with the TT. For any item that didn't have documentation, I searched that manufacturers website until I found a user manual for the model I had. Some had no manuals and I had to google (sometimes a lot) but I eventually have manuals for every item .... and I printed them out and carry them in the TT. I make this suggestion to every RV owner.

[johnsent]

Thanks for all the comments. Guess I am a slow learner but I'll get there eventually.

Enjoy the upcoming camping season!

[grangalo]

Funny, you should say that the website regarding plumbing is pretty informative because nowhere does it SHOW a design or picture showing which way the handles should be before winterizing or dewinterizing. Therefore the problems with the bypass!!

Originally Posted by TURBS

Funny you should mention Rick.
This is in the Rockwood website and pretty informative.

Forest River Manuals

Under plumbing it talks about winterizing and dewinterizing.

There's also an app for android and iphone.

TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded, 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "9 nights"

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by grangalo

Funny, you should say that the website regarding plumbing is pretty informative because nowhere does it SHOW a design or picture showing which way the handles should be before winterizing or dewinterizing. Therefore the problems with the bypass!!

I guess I thought it was common knowledge.
Handle in line open.
Handle 90° closed.


TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded, 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "9 nights"

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by TURBS

I guess I thought it was common knowledge.
Handle in line open.
Handle 90° closed.

Remember, nothing is common knowledge when you're getting started.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by ependydad

Remember, nothing is common knowledge when you're getting started.

Dealer pdi

TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded, 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "9 nights"

[ependydad]

Originally Posted by TURBS

Dealer pdi "

From what I experienced personally and have read here, a quality PDI is the oddity. Mine sucked- nothing about winter using was covered. Heck, the guy barely covered dumping tanks.

[PhoneDude 8289]

Never seen a "Hot Water Heater", didn't know there was such a thing.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by ependydad

Remember, nothing is common knowledge when you're getting started.

Actually 1/4 turn valves are used in the home so it's not just an "rv" thing.

TURBS
08 duramax tuned n modded, 32bhok Sabre
2015 camping "9 nights"

[Flybob]

You may have been lucky and had some water in the water heater so you did not burn up the element. It usually goes quickly if it is dry. As mentioned the part is not that expensive nor is it too difficult to replace if you brought the correct wrench. Glad it worked out. I have a note on my shore power cover that reminds me to check the WH switch. Saved me several times.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by PhoneDude 8289

Never seen a "Hot Water Heater", didn't know there was such a thing.

Well, it's all relative: all water has SOME amount of heat in it, even if it's at 32 degrees F. So 50 deg is hotter than 32 deg.

[PhoneDude 8289]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

Well, it's all relative: all water has SOME amount of heat in it, even if it's at 32 degrees F. So 50 deg is hotter than 32 deg.

I stand corrected

[asquared]

Another piece of advice learned the hard way a few years ago.... don't try to see if there's water in the water heater by slightly increasing the drain plug. Also make sure you relieve pressure from the water heater before screwing the drain plug. Why, you ask? Because DH tried it when we were newbies. The drain plug shot across the campsite with water flowing behind it. It sent chairs flying and soaked DH. The neighbor helping us sprinted around to the other side of the trailer to turn the city water off. We then had to convince his wife it was my DH's idea and not hers. We had a few laughs over beer and the campfire.