Nine Days Before the Trip and Major Camper Issues!

[Drewsmommybear]

I've been mostly a lurker for a while but I need a place to vent and I think this is it. We are nine days from our first Fort Wilderness trip. What makes it even more exciting is the fact that we're taking our brand new pop up. We've only used it one other time before winter came so we're all ready to try it out.

Today we took it to Camping World to de-winterize it since we are storing it at my MIL's and she wasn't willing to let us do it there. After waiting forever for them to start on our camper, I took my DS for a walk before he destroyed the store. DH and I noticed that they were finally working on our camper so we went to watch. Well, I noticed that water was flowing heavily out of the water heater I looked at my husband and asked him if this should be happening. He said he didn't think so.

Five minutes later we find out that our brand spanking new pop up has not one, not two, but THREE leaks in it. DH called the dealership because we are under warranty but they didn't know if they could have us finished this week. This when we leave in one week!

DH says he's going to have a nervous breakdown if we lose all of our money because we can't go on our trip. I say water or no water, our hineys will be on the road next Saturday.


I swear....if it's not one thing, it's another

 

[seabee]

Sorry that you are having issues. Any way you can rig it up for the trip and get it in the shop when you get back? What a bummer, good luck!

 

[2goofycampers]

I say water or no water, our hineys will be on the road next Saturday.

..DARN STRAIGHT !! Thats what I'm talk'n bout ! Since it's under warranty , if it's not ready in time, I would ask for a free rental pop-up for the trip .

 

[LONE-STAR]

Is it the water lines leaking or the water heater. What is actually leaking.

 

[Drewsmommybear]

You know, the rental pop up is sounding better and better. I think the leak is in the water line since we also have a leak at the sink. I could be a really horrible wife in this case and tell both of my boys (husband and son) that I wanted to stay in a hotel but I'm just as excited about camping as they are. The spirit of camping is adventure, right? I think ours has just begun!

 

[LONE-STAR]

I know you don't want to but fixing water lines on a trailer is really easy if its in a accessible place. Most likely if your pop up is new you have pex water lines. You can go to home depot and buy brass repair fittings called shark bite. You just cut out the leaking section and just push on the fittings with some new pipe and your done. Its really easy.

 

[bradisgoofy]

You can make due without the water system, just plan on using the comfort stations, just like the tenters do.

 

[ynottony99]

We had an old pop up for years that had most of the plumbing disconnected. I ended up hooking up a hose to a single valve at the sink and we had water. You could easily fish a hose in through the side with a nozzle on the end to get you by. Use the comfort station for the rest. Or just keep a gallon of water in a jug for a little water. Although it is frustrating to have a new camper that is broken, it is sure not going to ruin your trip not to have hot and cold running water!!! IMHO Especially after reading everyone's experiences of worst things that have happened while on their FW Vacations!

 

[DisCamper]

Take your popup don't use the water system and have a good time. Fix it when you come home.

 

[LarryJ]

I've been mostly a lurker for a while but I need a place to vent and I think this is it. We are nine days from our first Fort Wilderness trip. What makes it even more exciting is the fact that we're taking our brand new pop up. We've only used it one other time before winter came so we're all ready to try it out.

Today we took it to Camping World to de-winterize it since we are storing it at my MIL's and she wasn't willing to let us do it there. After waiting forever for them to start on our camper, I took my DS for a walk before he destroyed the store. DH and I noticed that they were finally working on our camper so we went to watch. Well, I noticed that water was flowing heavily out of the water heater I looked at my husband and asked him if this should be happening. He said he didn't think so.

Five minutes later we find out that our brand spanking new pop up has not one, not two, but THREE leaks in it. DH called the dealership because we are under warranty but they didn't know if they could have us finished this week. This when we leave in one week!

DH says he's going to have a nervous breakdown if we lose all of our money because we can't go on our trip. I say water or no water, our hineys will be on the road next Saturday.


I swear....if it's not one thing, it's another

If it's from a busted water line it might not be a warranty item. Can I ask exactly what you did to winterize it and generally dewinterizing is simply a matter of putting some water in your fresh water tank and clearing out the faucets all of which go into your holding tank, putting the WH back in the circuit and filling it. If you have an outside shower that could wait till your first use. Thus nothing goes on the ground so not sure why you MIL would have had a problem with you doing it there. Also you could dewinterize at your first stop on the road.

Larry

 

[stacktester]

I was wondering the same thing on the warranty. Who winterized it? If CW did the job and it went wrong then of course they need to fix it. If you did it and the lines/hot water heater ruptured it may not be covered.

I didn't winterize mine this year and we had 2 nights in the 20's that I was nervous about but I did drain the hwh and nothing broke. I'm in Florida though so it's not as bad cold here.

BTW, we're at the Fort next Sunday for a week. Hope to see you all pull in with happy faces.

 

[ILoveDisney&Cruising]

Ugh, I'm sorry to hear that!

When we first bought our travel trailer, we had several water issues too - at the water heater, kitchen sink and fresh water connection at the water pump (next to my bed - squishy carpet ). Just turned out to be some loose connections - once they tightened them up, we didn't have any more problems. Hopefully that's all it is with you too. I was told it was a fairly common occurrance. Very frustrating!!

I hope you have a wonderful trip, despite the water snafoos!!

 

[disney4dan]

If it were me and it was just the water lines, I'd go anyway. Our plumbing is fine and we have a full size bathroom, but I plan to make use of the comfort stations at the Fort anyway. I feel that they will be much more comfortable to shower in than the smaller shower we have.

Once on the road and heading to Florida, all the stress should start to melt away. Hakuna Matata

 

[AuburnJen92]

I agree with the others. Use the comfort stations and don't worry about the lines until you come back. Then, after you are well vacationed and rested, you can fight with the manufacturer about who is going to pay to fix the water lines. Have a great time and don't forget to post pictures of your trip!

Here is to y'all not having no more trouble on or before your trip.

 

[JCJRSmith]

I had that happen in our Kiwi. I have a small air compressor and used it to blow the water out of the lines one winter, and I drained the water heater, but I didn't get all the water out of the water heater and it cracked. I found that out at the campground when I hooked up the water supply and it leaked into the trailer. Our water heater had a bypass on it so I used that. We had cold water to the faucets and toilet.

As I recall, with parts and labor, the replacement water heater cost me just over $400.

If your water heater has the bypass (most do - if not, Camping World sells a bypass kit for about $25) use that and get the repairs done after your trip to the fort.

Edited to add: here is the BYPASS KIT

 

[stacktester]

I had that happen in our Kiwi. I have a small air compressor and used it to blow the water out of the lines one winter, and I drained the water heater, but I didn't get all the water out of the water heater and it cracked. I found that out at the campground when I hooked up the water supply and it leaked into the trailer. Our water heater had a bypass on it so I used that. We had cold water to the faucets and toilet.

As I recall, with parts and labor, the replacement water heater cost me just over $400.

If your water heater has the bypass (most do - if not, Camping World sells a bypass kit for about $25) use that and get the repairs done after your trip to the fort.

Edited to add: here is the BYPASS KIT

The antifreeze for the water lines and tanks is way cheaper than the costly repairs not using it brings. I remember going to this place near Atlanta in 06 to ride our 4 wheelers and it was so cold the heater was having a hard time keeping up.I ran warm water all night thru the lines. I went to empty the black tank before we left. I pulled the valve and nothing happened. Come to find out the gray, black and fresh tanks had frozen solid overnight. Luckily nothing cracked. They don't offer heated tanks to us southna's you know.

 

[Drewsmommybear]

You guys are so wonderful and so are your suggestions. As it stands, we're going. We can shower outside of the camper. We're going to see what we can get fixed and what we can't will have to wait.

I'm not sure what is covered under warranty and what isn't at this point. We used it once in the fall and never even turned on the hot water heater. My husband was going to take it in to get winterized and was told to do it himself. We followed the directions to the tee.

I guess we'll know more tomorrow on what can be fixed. Regardless, we'll be there! This just means that I don't have to cook!

 

[Drewsmommybear]

Oh! I just thought of one more thing. We never used the water when we went camping so there should have been no water in the system. My husband used the antifreeze and turned on the pump.

My other thought is who needs water when there are so many other beverages?

 

[JCJRSmith]

My other thought is who needs water when there are so many other beverages?

Yep - you'll fit in juuuuust fine.

 

[AuburnJen92]

Kungaloosh!