Accessing the hot water heater bypass

[curmugeon]

I have a 2015 Interstate Grand Tour. I am trying to find the best way to access the hot water heater bypass valve. Last fall I laid on the floor forward of the lounge and reached though the storage doors under the lounge to turn the valve. I found that to be an unpleasant experience. Is it easier to reach the bypass valve from behind the lounge via the rear doors? There are some covers blocking access to the water heater that seem stuck. I don't want to apply more force to the covers unless they are intended to be removed.

Thanks.

[73shark]

Not sure if the extended version is the same but on mine, I have to remove the gray, fuzzy fabric (Velcroed on) behind the W/H and then reach in to change the valve position.

[MILATV]

From rear, reach under lounge. You do need to pull back the carpet covering the opening, just like you do from the front. There is no good way to get to it. I wear a headlamp so I can see what I'm doing.


Mike

[Titus]

I cut out a 3" wide by 6" high U shaped piece below the lounge seat in front of the water heater. Then put in back in with a spring-loaded cabinet hinge that keeps it in the closed position. I simply open it and reach in to the shut off from the front. It doesn't look bad when the seat is up - though we almost always have the seat made into the bad so it almost never shows at all.

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by Titus

I cut out a 3" wide by 6" high U shaped piece below the lounge seat in front of the water heater. Then put in back in with a spring-loaded cabinet hinge that keeps it in the closed position. I simply open it and reach in to the shut off from the front. It doesn't look bad when the seat is up - though we almost always have the seat made into the bad so it almost never shows at all.

That is a great idea!

[VAtom]

On the 2014 EXT the L-shaped rear water heater cover is attached with two or three screws.
It seems that it can't be removed entirely but can be pulled back a couple of inches.
With the lounge back in the up position you can actually reach OVER the top of the cover and then barely reach the yellow bypass valve.
Since it only has two positions it it pretty easy to manipulate in the blind.