Newby question , exterior water drip

[Jackcat2]

New to rv'g so please don't laugh at this....but I just noticed a steady drip coming from a small screened opening located right next to the tank water fill cap on the side of our 2009 classic. Hoping it is just condensation from tank or something. We are in our fourth day at a park, first time out..ever...and are using the city water hookup. Any help Appreciated

[Jackcat2]

I should mention that the screened opening is behind the locked cover of the tank water fill cap. Drip is coming from behind the locked cover

[Jim Clark]

That should be the vent for the tank fill. Is your FW tank full ?

[DKB_SATX]

Is this just aft of the street-side wheel well, underneath the trailer? And does it drip when the AC is or has recently been running, or all the time? There's a condensate drain for the AC, though on my old trailer there's no screened opening, it's just a bit of tubing sticking out through the belly skin. They may have fancied it up for Classics.

[Jim Clark]

This is a typical example the vent line connects to the little opening in the lower right corner.

[Jackcat2]

Thanks for the quick replies. The photo posted is exactly how mine looks. I'm not sure if my tank is full or how to check it even. The dealer we bought it from said they filled it to check for leaks but drained it before we took it. They probably told us how to check it but with so much new info to digest. ...

[Jim Clark]

The easiest way is to put a hose in the opening and fill it, if water comes right back out it is full. You have a tank level monitor on the wall somewhere but they never work right anyway.

[Jackcat2]

That makes sense, the systems monitor has been green, also makes sense it would be monitoring tank level, no need to monitor city water coming in. Thanks for the help. If its full may be good time to sAnitize the system before we leave. This trailer was very well cared for by previous owner but we don't know when it may have

[Jim Clark]

BTW buy yourself a sewer solution, your life will improve.

[Sphere Guy]

Jackcat2, If the dealer drained it, the tank should be empty, so no green light should be lit on the monitor. Maybe they didn't drain it. There should be no drip out of the vent line, only overflow from filling. 2 things, 1 the tank is filling from city water line, then you have to get that fixed,not he way it is suppose to work and it is "self" filling. 2 traveling with water in the the tank is a benefit to stability and the dealer should know that. Although there are members here with opinions.

Sanatizing is recommended, 1/4 cup bleach per 10 gallons of water. To assure yourself, do it!

[daveswenson]

My guess, the tank is full, air expansion in the tank head space from the heat in Az is forcing some water out of the vent.

Find the tank drain, open it and see if any water comes out.

[Jackcat2]

Thanks for the advice everyone, once it's learned, seems so simple, but until then,... One more question. Next to the city water inlet there is A faucet handle with a short section of hose attached to another fitting. I recall the tech telling me not to turn the valve on with the city water attached And on but can't recall what this is for.

[Jim Clark]

Originally Posted by Jackcat2

Thanks for the advice everyone, once it's learned, seems so simple, but until then,... One more question. Next to the city water inlet there is A faucet handle with a short section of hose attached to another fitting. I recall the tech telling me not to turn the valve on with the city water attached And on but can't recall what this is for.

A picture of that one would help. BTW I very seldom travel with full tanks unless I have a reason to. I don't notice any diffrence in stability, but I take no issue with anyone who likes to pull with the extra weight.

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by Jackcat2

New to rv'g so please don't laugh at this....but I just noticed a steady drip coming from a small screened opening located right next to the tank water fill cap on the side of our 2009 classic. Hoping it is just condensation from tank or something. We are in our fourth day at a park, first time out..ever...and are using the city water hookup. Any help Appreciated

Hi Jack

I have a 2010 classic.

It is common for the check valves in the water pumps on these to leak when using the city water inlet, with the result that the fresh water tank overflows and then drips as you describe. The check valve leakage is usually caused by some sort of debris being stuck in the valve.

If you shut off the city water for a little while, turn on the pump, and use up some water in the freshwater tank before turning the city water back on, that should clear up the problem temporarily so that you don't make a muddy mess on the ground and get water stains on the aluminum.

It is possible that the problem will ultimately clear up by itself. The "dealer way" of fixing it is to replace the pump. It is also possible in most cases to disassemble the pump and clean the valve, or install a pump repair kit which includes new valves.

Any RV water pump can do this but the late model classics seem to be particularly prone to it for some reason. I had my pump replaced, twice I think, under warranty, and have had leakback problems at least one other time that cleared up by themselves after using the freshwater tank for a while.

[Jackcat2]

Thanks for the help, tank was full. It is now sanitized and reAdy to go. Lots to learn but it is all coming together

[vwilleford]

My 2010 started doing this this past year. I am sure it was the water tank slowly filling up from the trailer being hooked up to city water month after month. Faulty back-check valve. Seems it is very slow to fill. I just shut off city water and use the tank. Then reconnect to city water when the tank is empty.