Problems and Fixes on the Road
Posted 01-04-2015 at 08:41 PM by VBSchmidt
We had a few issues come up with the trailer while we were away, but nothing earth shattering.
FRIDGE
-the fridge worked on 110v great until Christmas Day when the 110v element burnt out
-we ran it on propane for the rest of the trip
-I was able to source a new element that should work for $20 so I will install it later
HOT WATER
-after a few days of working perfectly the hot water heater kept going out
-the thermocouple no longer kept the pilot lit
-I sourced the common Atwood modern pilot and thermocouple and made it work
-it was more or less the same, but just wouldn't fit in the same spot so I drilled a new location and got it working
WASTE VALVE
-the original waste valve (Thetford Style) started to leak.
-these are no easy to find it turns out
-since they are a bolt-on version with the flange mounted into the tank I thought the easiest thing would be to find the direct replacement
-after coming up empty handed I bought the Valterra brand that seems to be everywhere and put a 3" ABS flange on each side
-in a Home Depot parking lot I was able to get the old thetford valve and flange out of the tank and slid the Thetford right in place!
-it meant cutting my new drain plumbing underneath and putting it back in with a rubber coupling, but that was a small price to pay to eliminate the leak!
AWNING
-before we left I sourced new awning material for the original Carefree awning on the trailer
-the endcaps were shot on my awning
-I bought the Carefree crank-up conversion part that is for more modern awnings and made it work
-I had to remove about 4" of the awning tube and drill a few holes, but it worked great!
TOILET
-the old toilet was leaking both at the flush valve and the fresh water supply
-I replaced it with a new Bravurra model
-the old flange was metal and quite rusted
-for now I drilled new holes at 3 and 9 and made it work but a better solution will be needed down the line
FRIDGE
-the fridge worked on 110v great until Christmas Day when the 110v element burnt out
-we ran it on propane for the rest of the trip
-I was able to source a new element that should work for $20 so I will install it later
HOT WATER
-after a few days of working perfectly the hot water heater kept going out
-the thermocouple no longer kept the pilot lit
-I sourced the common Atwood modern pilot and thermocouple and made it work
-it was more or less the same, but just wouldn't fit in the same spot so I drilled a new location and got it working
WASTE VALVE
-the original waste valve (Thetford Style) started to leak.
-these are no easy to find it turns out
-since they are a bolt-on version with the flange mounted into the tank I thought the easiest thing would be to find the direct replacement
-after coming up empty handed I bought the Valterra brand that seems to be everywhere and put a 3" ABS flange on each side
-in a Home Depot parking lot I was able to get the old thetford valve and flange out of the tank and slid the Thetford right in place!
-it meant cutting my new drain plumbing underneath and putting it back in with a rubber coupling, but that was a small price to pay to eliminate the leak!
AWNING
-before we left I sourced new awning material for the original Carefree awning on the trailer
-the endcaps were shot on my awning
-I bought the Carefree crank-up conversion part that is for more modern awnings and made it work
-I had to remove about 4" of the awning tube and drill a few holes, but it worked great!
TOILET
-the old toilet was leaking both at the flush valve and the fresh water supply
-I replaced it with a new Bravurra model
-the old flange was metal and quite rusted
-for now I drilled new holes at 3 and 9 and made it work but a better solution will be needed down the line
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