Remove Alde Flow from 2018 Classic?

[JimskyD]

The Alde Flow unit in our 2018 Classic 30 started leaking 4 years ago. We had it replaced. Now the new one is leaking too!

Online information seems to indicate that the Flow unit is prone to springing leaks.

It turns out we don't use that much hot water. Anybode have thoughts or experience in just removing the flow unit altogether? It seems like a problemmatic system of questionable utility in our case.

[kb0zke]

Jim, no one answered you, so I'll toss a few thoughts out there. Someone who knows much more than I do will probably chime in and correct me.


First of all, the Alde system is not only a hot water heater but also a replacement for the furnace. The idea is a good one, and hydronic heating systems are common on higher-end motorhomes. I wondered why no one put one in a towable RV. Then I ran into the Airstream Alde system.


As you know, the heat source heats a glycol mixture which is used to heat the water. I believe that the Alde unit occupies the space where the hot water heater would go. Since we both have 30' trailers, I'm guessing that your Alde system is under the dinette seat that faces forward, next to the potty room. If you wanted to install a traditional hot water system, where would you put it? Under the stove, where the furnace is on our trailer?


We were looking at Classics, too, until this Flying Cloud popped up. I didn't want all of the "extra" stuff (power awning, Alde system, electronic switches, etc.) I still got stuck with a tankless hot water heater, but I've found ways to work around it, at least for now.