2014 FR Rockwood water pump

[mcneilp]

On my last trip I filled the water tank like normal and hit the switch to pressurize the water and nothing happened. No sound. Nada. Checked fuses multiple times and everything looks good.

My only guess is that on the previous trip the pump was left on while the tank was empty and it ran itself to death.

So a few questions:

- Is there anything else I should check?
- Where is the pump even located, I could not find it
- Is replacement the most logical step (the water pump)
- Any tips for diagnosis

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by mcneilp

On my last trip I filled the water tank like normal and hit the switch to pressurize the water and nothing happened. No sound. Nada. Checked fuses multiple times and everything looks good.

My only guess is that on the previous trip the pump was left on while the tank was empty and it ran itself to death.

So a few questions:

- Is there anything else I should check?
- Where is the pump even located, I could not find it
- Is replacement the most logical step (the water pump)
- Any tips for diagnosis

I can’t help you find your pump but you’ll have to find it because the water pump fuse is generally within 18” of the pump. The pump is generally near the fresh water tank.
When you turn on your water pump, does the switch light up?

[5picker]

Yes... you are going to have to find the pump and check for voltage.

On my 5th wheel, the pump is 30' from the fresh tank and hidden behind a panel in the pass through.

[mcneilp]

The switch doesnt have a light sadly.

So from what it sounds like I find the pump, turn it on and check to see if I am getting voltage at the unit. If so, and it doesn't turn on, then its toast.

If no voltage...well, get some!

Thank water tank is under the trailer...and the whole trailer is small enough that it could be anywhere. I will roll it out soon and try to find it again.

Thank you so much for all the quick responses.

[pgandw]

Originally Posted by mcneilp

The switch doesnt have a light sadly.

So from what it sounds like I find the pump, turn it on and check to see if I am getting voltage at the unit. If so, and it doesn't turn on, then its toast.

If no voltage...well, get some!

Thank water tank is under the trailer...and the whole trailer is small enough that it could be anywhere. I will roll it out soon and try to find it again.

Thank you so much for all the quick responses.

The water pump will usually be located on the left (driver) side in a pop-up because that's where the water fill and other plumbing is. Look under the seats, behind drawers, or in a cabinet. Again, without knowing your specific model PUP, the pump will be very close to, if not under the sink, and within a foot or two of the switch. It is generally mounted to the floor, with screw-on connections. Forest River doesn't spend a lot of time and money running plumbing and electrical in PUPs and A-frames.

I did the same thing to my pump in my first A-frame. My house at the time had well water, and the tank water would get a sulfur smell if it sat in the tank for a couple of months (water heater was worse). So I would open the tank drain as we left the campsite on the way home. One time, I forgot to turn off the pump, and burned it out.

Sherwood pump replacement was $65 - not bad compared to some of my other mess-ups. Installation of the replacement was a PITA because of difficult access. I managed to cross-thread the inlet side of the replacement pump, and created an air leak which stopped the new pump from priming and pumping. Took a couple of hours to find that one.

I sincerely hope it goes better for you.

Fred W
2019 Flagstaff T21TBHW A-frame
2008 Hyundai Entourage minivan
camping Colorado and adjacent states one weekend at a time

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by mcneilp

The switch doesnt have a light sadly.

So from what it sounds like I find the pump, turn it on and check to see if I am getting voltage at the unit. If so, and it doesn't turn on, then its toast.

If no voltage...well, get some!

Thank water tank is under the trailer...and the whole trailer is small enough that it could be anywhere. I will roll it out soon and try to find it again.

Thank you so much for all the quick responses.

The first thing you should do after you find the pump is find and test the pump’s fuse.

[mcneilp]

Ok, so knowing it is close to the switch really helps. I bet it is hiding behind a drawer there.

The model is 2317G 2014 Forest River Rockwood

So my order of operations is:
1. find the pump
2. test voltage to the pump
3. test and check fuse again

If i have voltage and fuse is good, i am guessing the pump is toast. I wonder if that is a part that local RV dealers would carry.

Thanks again for all the quick help.

[backpacker3]

Did you check the battery? If your P/U has the original battery it may be bad. Just a thought. My water pump is under the bench seat next to the sink cabinet. Good Luck.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by mcneilp

Ok, so knowing it is close to the switch really helps. I bet it is hiding behind a drawer there.

The model is 2317G 2014 Forest River Rockwood

So my order of operations is:
1. find the pump
2. test voltage to the pump
3. test and check fuse again

If i have voltage and fuse is good, i am guessing the pump is toast. I wonder if that is a part that local RV dealers would carry.

Thanks again for all the quick help.

Did someone say the pump is near the switch? Mine is certainly not.

[pgandw]

Originally Posted by Mr. Dan

Did someone say the pump is near the switch? Mine is certainly not.

In PUPs and A-frames, it is very awkward to route any more wire or pipe or similar across the center aisle than is necessary. Any connection going across the aisle has to be routed down through the floor, strung across the frame, and back up through the floor. There is no wall or ceiling to route stuff through. There are also no fixed full height partitions.

That's why the pump switch is usually within a foot or two of the actual pump.

Fred W
2019 Flagstaff T21TBHW A-frame
2008 Hyundai Entourage minivan
camping Colorado and adjacent states one weekend at a time

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by pgandw

In PUPs and A-frames, it is very awkward to route any more wire or pipe or similar across the center aisle than is necessary. Any connection going across the aisle has to be routed down through the floor, strung across the frame, and back up through the floor. There is no wall or ceiling to route stuff through. There are also no fixed full height partitions.

That's why the pump switch is usually within a foot or two of the actual pump.

Fred W
2019 Flagstaff T21TBHW A-frame
2008 Hyundai Entourage minivan
camping Colorado and adjacent states one weekend at a time

Sorry... I wasn’t questioning the facts - I just hadn’t seen the “pump close to switch” comment. Now I do. Thanks for the explanation.

[pgandw]

Originally Posted by Mr. Dan

Sorry... I wasn’t questioning the facts - I just hadn’t seen the “pump close to switch” comment. Now I do. Thanks for the explanation.

You are welcome. That's why it's so helpful to know what model of RV the OP has - there are some subtle differences between the types and between models that make sense when you understand the reasons.

Fred W

[pgandw]

Originally Posted by mcneilp

Ok, so knowing it is close to the switch really helps. I bet it is hiding behind a drawer there.

The model is 2317G 2014 Forest River Rockwood

If i have voltage and fuse is good, i am guessing the pump is toast. I wonder if that is a part that local RV dealers would carry.

I bought my drop-in replacement pump from Amazon. I used the model number off the existing pump. I am not Prime, so I normally take the lowest cost shipping option. Generally gets to me (Colorado Springs) in less than a week.

Camping World with a good parts store might have it in stock. My best bet would be Roberts RV in Denver - they have an extensive stock of parts for pop-ups and A-frames because they rent pop-ups (as well as sell pop-ups and A-frames). Phone calls work with Roberts - it's a family-owned business.

Fred W
2019 Flagstaff T21TBHW A-frame

[mcneilp]

Well, I found the pump, it was under the back u shaped bench next to the compartment with the water heater.

Opened it up and there was a power cord not connected to anything. Being a master electrician I deduced that this was generally not correct. Plugged the pump back in and presto...fixed.

I guess vibration from travel or otherwise loosened it? Really strange as its on the back side of the pump and jammed against a wall (had to unscrew the pump to even plug it in). Perhaps it was never really properly connected anyway.

[kfd82]

Originally Posted by mcneilp

Being a master electrician I deduced that this was generally not correct.

Well thank goodness for that! I would probably still be staring at it, bewildered, wondering why the heck it wasnt working!

[MRphotography]

I am having the exact same problem with the used 1640 ESP tent trailer we just bought, changed the battery which was bad, made sure the switch is set to 12v power, checked the fuse, but still no sound when I turn the switch on. Also no water when I turn on the faucet. I also can not find my pump any thoughts on its location for my model?

[MtBiker]

Look under the sink and follow the water lines. They should point in the right direction.

[pgandw]

Originally Posted by MRphotography

I am having the exact same problem with the used 1640 ESP tent trailer we just bought, changed the battery which was bad, made sure the switch is set to 12v power, checked the fuse, but still no sound when I turn the switch on. Also no water when I turn on the faucet. I also can not find my pump any thoughts on its location for my model?

Is there water in the tank?


Fred W

[MRphotography]

Originally Posted by MtBiker

Look under the sink and follow the water lines. They should point in the right direction.

Thank you, found it today got the pump swapped g2g.

[MRphotography]

Originally Posted by pgandw

Is there water in the tank?


Fred W

Yup it was full of water. It was a bad pump, swapped it today, the previous owner left it on and drained the water tank and burned out the pump.