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Old 10-31-2018, 09:12 AM   #1
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Winterizing 287BHSS

Hi all,

Don't post much but read a good bit. New to Surveyor this year and getting ready to winterize.

I found my pump in the pass-through storage area, and was happy to find that it has the intake for antifreeze into the pump with the bypass valve already.

What I haven't found yet is the water heater bypass. I am assuming it is just behind the water heater like it was in our last coach, but in this floorplan I don't see any access panels. Is it under the lower bunk bed platform? Do I really need to unscrew that and remove the mattress and wooden base to get to it?

Just curious if anyone with a 287BHSS can save me some time...

Thanks for any help.

Dirk in WV
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Old 10-31-2018, 10:52 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kraushad View Post
....... Is it under the lower bunk bed platform? Do I really need to unscrew that and remove the mattress and wooden base to get to it?.....
Yes, your water heater is located under the bunk, on the rear wall of the trailer. In order to gain access, take the mattress out of the bottom bunk and remove the piece of plywood touching the bathroom wall. The water heater will have 2 levers, one high and one low. Turn both and your water heater is bypassed.

***One piece of advice: The water heater is a pain to get to and the structure around the cubby hole above the breaker panel is not sturdy.***

After winterizing and dewinterizing last year, my plan this year is to cut the piece of plywood in half so that the cubby area can be permanently covered and have a small hot water heater hatch.
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Old 10-31-2018, 11:32 AM   #3
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Thanks - that is my plan as well. Trying to think of a good way to build a hatch into that bed platform so i don't have to unscrew it every time. Trouble is it would have to be strong enough to support a person when closed. Good thing is, it wouldn't have to be that large.

I am imagining building a frame around the opening from underneath, by screwing down into it from above. Once that is in place, I could simply lay the cutout piece back in the same hole on the frame, and it wouldn't even need to be attached. Maybe build a jig and use a dremel to cut it out. Can't imagine that platform is all that thick.

Anyway, much harder to access than my last unit, but thanks for telling me where to start.

Happy Camping!
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Old 10-31-2018, 12:05 PM   #4
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.......I am imagining building a frame around the opening from underneath, by screwing down into it from above. Once that is in place, I could simply lay the cutout piece back in the same hole on the frame, and it wouldn't even need to be attached.....
We think alike. That's my plan as well. It will be a worthwhile modification.
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Old 11-06-2018, 09:25 AM   #5
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Wanted to share some pics... Decided to take the existing board out, cut it about six inches from the back of the camper and put hinges on the newly-created joint. Now the back (small) piece is fixed with screws and the front can just lift up when I need to get to the water heater. Added a 2x2 brace under the cut where the hinges are for support.
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Old 11-06-2018, 10:36 AM   #6
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I'm sold on this! Great mod. Now I have a project this weekend.
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Old 11-13-2018, 07:48 PM   #7
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You might want think about 2x2 (or 1x2 on edge) stiffeners on the underside of the hatch.
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