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Old 05-02-2013, 09:42 AM   #1
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Water Bay Panel - Berkshire

As many of you, I have been confused about not having a handle or gas pistons on the water bay door of the Berkshire. I just talked with the parts department at the factory and was ordering the gas pistons so at least the door would stay open when I am working on winterizing, etc. They will not sell the parts for this purpose. The reason is they do not want customers to have easy access to the water bay so they won't store stuff in there and cause damage. They have apparently had customers do so and try to get the warranty to cover the damage caused.

At least the mystery is solved!

By the way, the parts department at Forest River has been more than helpful on the several transactions I have had with them. Found all kinds of parts for me and very fast turnaround time. Kudos!
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Old 05-02-2013, 10:00 AM   #2
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Parts Department

I agree, their Parts Department has always been helpful.

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Old 05-02-2013, 10:46 AM   #3
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my 2013 390bh has the gas struts on the water panel door...


in fact, all my doors have gas struts on them... maybe a standards change sometime after your model year?
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Old 05-02-2013, 10:50 AM   #4
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I believe that trtt is talking about the compartment door where the fresh water tank and the water pump is located. Mine is on the passenger side near the rear wheel well.
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Old 05-02-2013, 10:51 AM   #5
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oh i see... yes, i do not have struts on that door either...
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Old 05-02-2013, 02:37 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by trttrving View Post
As many of you, I have been confused about not having a handle or gas pistons on the water bay door of the Berkshire. I just talked with the parts department at the factory and was ordering the gas pistons so at least the door would stay open when I am working on winterizing, etc. They will not sell the parts for this purpose. The reason is they do not want customers to have easy access to the water bay so they won't store stuff in there and cause damage. They have apparently had customers do so and try to get the warranty to cover the damage caused.

At least the mystery is solved!

By the way, the parts department at Forest River has been more than helpful on the several transactions I have had with them. Found all kinds of parts for me and very fast turnaround time. Kudos!
Yep, I thought about storing a few flat things in there. Found that with the water tank empty, it bulges inward quite a lot. So backed off that idea quickly.

If you need to support the door for working on the water pump, etc I used a canvas strap that went behind the power awning slide and then down and completely around the door. Works well, just make sure there is no wind so the awning doesn't self retract. Run the awning about about half way first though.

Boowho??
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Old 05-02-2013, 03:56 PM   #7
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I went to the Dollar store and bought a sponge mop. I put the sponge end under the lip of the bay door and stand it up on the handle. Works well for me.
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Old 05-02-2013, 04:07 PM   #8
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Do the same here as tmmar, works fine
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Old 05-02-2013, 04:17 PM   #9
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Water Pump Compartment

Same here, broomstick, mops, cleaning brush, they all work to hold up the hatch. I store the long handled things like the squeege, window cleaning brush, a couple of buckets and small things like that in there. There is plenty of room for stuff that will not interfere with the tanks.

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Old 05-04-2013, 08:50 AM   #10
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Broken shovel handle has found new life as door prop.
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Old 05-04-2013, 09:47 AM   #11
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trttrving,

Being serious about the lack of gas pistons, when communicating with Forest River did you specify the plumbing bay not the water pump compartment? I've never seen a Berkshire without the pistons on the plumbing bay. It would not make sense as they limit the height the hatch can be raised to avoid interference with the slide.

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Old 05-04-2013, 10:13 AM   #12
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I would like easier acess to this compartment also. Easier to check and maintain tanks. Has anyone changed out the latches as well? If so what works the best. I want to change the latch and add gas struts. Thanks ken
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Old 05-04-2013, 04:29 PM   #13
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To clarify, the plumbing bay does have gas pistons. The water pump bay does not. I am deliberating whether it is worth the effort to install pistons. I'll probably take a few trips before deciding.
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Old 05-04-2013, 04:56 PM   #14
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To clarify, the plumbing bay does have gas pistons. The water pump bay does not. I am deliberating whether it is worth the effort to install pistons. I'll probably take a few trips before deciding.
Correct. The bay with the water pump and those latches are a pain as well. I am going to change them and add the pistons. I had the bay open on me last summer in the interstate. I had to zip tie the latches closed. Not the best design.
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Old 05-04-2013, 09:13 PM   #15
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Correct. The bay with the water pump and those latches are a pain as well. I am going to change them and add the pistons. I had the bay open on me last summer in the interstate. I had to zip tie the latches closed. Not the best design.
There should be wire cotter key to secure the latch. I know they are not cotter keys I just can't Think what you call them. Anyway the latch will not stay closed without them.



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Old 05-04-2013, 09:27 PM   #16
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There should be wire cotter key to secure the latch. I know they are not cotter keys I just can't Think what you call them. Anyway the latch will not stay closed without them.
Mine actually opened with them in place. There was enough movement that the end of latch popped off. It opened going about 60 luckily I saw it in the mirror moving. I had to bend the latches tighter re install cotter pins and then zip tie. I am going to change to a better latch just curious if anyone else as done that yet and if so what kind.
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Old 05-04-2013, 09:39 PM   #17
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I better look at mine. Thanks for the warning.



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Old 05-04-2013, 11:36 PM   #18
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pop up camper latches

Put these on ours.
Attachment 29621
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2015: 188 days, 2016: 72 days, 2017: 185 days: 2018 182 days
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