We bought our trailer new and up to now really have not had many problems but lately it's getting to me.
In two of our last three trips we had plumbing leaks.The first was the water heater connection. In looking at the connection, I was actually surprised it lasted this long. The next flood was really a bummer.There are fittings behind the swing level galley that failed.
Whiile I was fixing the latest leak today, one of the bolts for my stepper door broke causing a nasty crease in the stepper door so I found a way to fix that.At least this broke while I was at home.
If you have an older trailer with a hot water tank you might want to check out your connections. Maybe change them or at least pick up some replacements and keep them on hand. My nearest dealer is a bit of a drive so I found a way to use off the shelf stuff from Home depot.
If you want to have some real fun take a look at the pins that hold your stepper door up.
My wife may be right, it may be time for a new trailer!
As you know we just bought a
You had tw things break that are fixable and you want a new camper? Ooookkaaay :( What you need to do is regular maintainence. Things like plumbing connections, gas lines, bolts, pins, any moving parts should be inspected, cleaned, lubricated, and/or replaced as an ongoing process.
sewserious leads me to another of my top 5 rants. Maintenance.
We get complacent about RV's because or everyday vehicles now go thousands of miles without a thought. Self adjusting brakes (which the trailers do NOT have), spark plugs that today can last for years, etc.
Remember folks Trailers for the most part are still built using 1940's & 1950's technology.
Back then on the cars you had to grease the chassis every few months, replace the plugs, and points, do the brakes, and not to mention having tires with limited tread life compared to todays tires.
So it means you need to do preventative maintenance like sewserious said or figure on a lot of mishaps that can ruin vacations or even the camper.
I guess I am not sure any more but I think my point was you need to take a look at these fittings as your trailer gets older. I for one am a fanatic about maintenance an still got burned.
As far as the new camper goes, yes we want one. This just gives us an excuse.
I thought that everyone would jump on board, and support your decision to buy a new one. After all, any excuse to replace is a good excuse, right?
Quote from: sewseriousYou had tw things break that are fixable and you want a new camper? Ooookkaaay :( What you need to do is regular maintainence. Things like plumbing connections, gas lines, bolts, pins, any moving parts should be inspected, cleaned, lubricated, and/or replaced as an ongoing process.
:J You've gotta understand.......this is the way that it is done in CA........When everyone else is getting new campers, you gotta start griping about your old one in order to justify buying a new one.....
I almost hate to say this Randy & Jacqui (because I know you want a new rig :p ) but do you use a pressure regulator on your water hose?
If you do and still have leaks like that................it's definitely time :cool:
I agree on lubing everything, checking screws, checking caulking, and adjustments. However, hoses and fittings should not fail and that's not normal preventive maintanence. What it is, is using cheap, inferior parts. It may be the norm in the RV business, but it's not preventative maintanence. Bolts should also not fail. There are ratings for bolt strength and if these bolts snap that easy, they're either counterfeit bolts from China, or really, really inferior made bolts.
I can only hope that this isn't the norm for any trailer and I hope that's where is problems STOP. If bolts continue to snap, it's a very serious safety issue and the proper channel perhaps should be notified so that recalls could be put in place. If an older person was on that door when the bolt snapped, they may not have gotten up to talk about it.
I guess if it were me, I wouldn't worry about fittings, hoses or screws. These are relatively inexpensive parts and usually pretty easy to fix. However structural bolt failure is serious and if it continuous, I'd trade it in. I couldn't sell it outright and feel comfortable. I'd put it in the hands of the dealer who has the shop and backing to the factory, to make it right.
Good luck, I really hope this is where your troubles end. You shouldn't have this on a relatively new 6 year old trailer.
Good luck and have a good one.
Quote from: OC CampersAs far as the new camper goes, yes we want one. This just gives us an excuse.
OC Campers: If you're looking to sell, and don't think the Westlake is a lemon, I might be interested. (I'm in Sacramento.) Shoot me an e-mail to jr_riddell at
hotmail.com or leave me your contact info in my private messages here.
Let's also mention that they are Dirt Bike riding family and maybe a different type of trailer is in order.........Listen......do I hear .....Toy Hauler????
Quote from: TheVikingLet's also mention that they are Dirt Bike riding family and maybe a different type of trailer is in order.........Listen......do I hear .....Toy Hauler????
Great minds think alike :sombraro:
Have only had one water leak in our 01 Niagara which we bought new. That was caused by a broken hose fitting under the slideout dinette for the outside shower. Disconnected the shower and never had any more problems. Water pressure regulator,what's that? Never owned one.....
Quote from: Old GoatHave only had one water leak in our 01 Niagara which we bought new. That was caused by a broken hose fitting under the slideout dinette for the outside shower. Disconnected the shower and never had any more problems. Water pressure regulator,what's that? Never owned one.....
The water system on your camper is only designed to handle (I think) 45# of pressure. The standard home water pressure is about 65# and parks can be even higher.
You can purchase a pressure regulator that you screw on to your water hose that will keep the water pressure at 45#
http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?skunum=26539&src=SRQB
I will let Randy chime in on the technical stuff but as far as a toy hauler goes. I am not sold on them yet. Unfortunately, I didn't get the hemi in the truck so we are limited on towing weights. :(
Jgr--Thank you for the offer. I doubt we will be able to buy anything else until next year or until I get a "big girl" job to help pay for it:( . If money falls from the sky or the perfect trailer just can't be turned down I will be sure to e-mail you.:) :p
Jacqui
Maintenance only goes so far. I've had my PU for less than 6 months and have had 4 things break so far.
Quote from: OC CampersI will let Randy chime in on the technical stuff but as far as a toy hauler goes. I am not sold on them yet. Unfortunately, I didn't get the hemi in the truck so we are limited on towing weights. :(
Jgr--Thank you for the offer. I doubt we will be able to buy anything else until next year or until I get a "big girl" job to help pay for it:( . If money falls from the sky or the perfect trailer just can't be turned down I will be sure to e-mail you.:) :p
Jacqui
I tow mine with a Toyota! If your truck can't tow a TH it's because it's a Dodge!
LOL I'll bet Randy loves that one!:p
And besides Jacqui, If you guys come to the desert in Nov., take a look at our TH, they aren't like garages anymore. Plus, there will be dozens of others to see as well.
Quote from: waveryThe water system on your camper is only designed to handle (I think) 45# of pressure. The standard home water pressure is about 65# and parks can be even higher.
You can purchase a pressure regulator that you screw on to your water hose that will keep the water pressure at 45#
http://www.campingworld.com/browse/skus/index.cfm?skunum=26539&src=SRQB
Water pressures for in this area are set at 40 psi which is the standard these days at public utilities and campgrounds. Pressures above 40 psi for homes is just asking for trouble with plastic, flexible lines and fittings that feed lavatories,sinks and toilets, especially on the hot water side. Don't see many pressure regulators on campers around here. The only water pressure problem at a campground I have ever had is low pressure. Never had a problem with onboard water system failure {blowouts, leaks] due to over pressure on any camper I have ever owned...
Man I've never had this much action from a post!
Yes I use a pressure regulator. I forgot to mention both fittings were on the hot water side and both broke so maintenance really wouldn't cut it. I think the hot water probably broke down the plastic over time. The added flexing cased by the swing down galley probably added to it.
The reality is as any RV, even little ones get older you have to feed them.I get bummed when I maintain something well and something breaks two out of three trips. Keep in mind like most Pop Up Times people, I use my trailer more than the average person does.
And yes we want a new trailer. Jacqui wants a hybrid and yes Viking, Randy wants a toy hauler. The problem is the toy haulers are heavy and my truck is only rated to pull 6500 pounds There is that Stacraft Hybrid / Toy Hauler that looks good. The only bummer is it's 30ft long while towing and I have not seen one on the road. Coyote makes one as well, for some reason Jacqui doesn't like the Coyote. Like she has anything to say about it!
Anyway our current trailer is paid for and may have to last another year or so.
Randy
Quote from: Old GoatWater pressures for in this area are set at 40 psi which is the standard these days at public utilities and campgrounds. Pressures above 40 psi for homes is just asking for trouble with plastic
According to the local water companies, 40 PSI is a
minimum standard for homes. My last home was 60-80 PSI, and it worked great.
My new home has just 40 PSI - and
every resident is complaining to the HOA and water company, and they are struggling to try to figure out how to increase it. They've come to several HOA meetings to try to address angry residents.
40 PSI is not adequate for most law sprinkler systems - the grass in the middle of our yards dies in the summer due to this. Check the "distance charts" on new sprinklers at Home Depot, and they are all the rated distance at MUCH MORE than 40 PSI...
Some neighbors have installed secondary booster systems, but unfortunately, many of those only work when the incoming PSI is over 40! (and we drop to the mid-upper 30's at times)
Every house that I own or have owned in SoCal has been set at 65#.. I think that a lot depends on individual water companies or areas of the country. I know that here at our apartment building, the water pressure at the street is 80#. Our regulator is set at 65#.
http://www.ladwp.com/ladwp/cms/ladwp001586.jsp
The first time that we camped in our PU with hook-ups (Doheny State Beach), I turned on the tap and water gushed out of every fitting inside the camper. I had to leave and drive to Walmart to pick-up a regulator. That solved the problem for me.
My sister lives in Port Charlotte, Florida and I know that the water pressure there is pathetic. When I go there, taking a shower is a real challenge. She says that some of her neighbors have special pumps that increase the water pressure.
Back to the original topic...it doesn't matter if you have a new or old trailer. When we picked up our Stafcraft Hybred on a Saturday in order to leave for Montana, South Dakota, et al, on Monday morning, Sal was putinng some water in the holding tank on Monday morning becaue we always stop at Jackpot NV, for the night, just before crossing over into Idaho. It ended up that at 6:00 a.m in the morning I'm in my house coat sweeping out the water that was leaking into the hybred! The idots at the factory didn't hook up the hose conections. Luckily it was easy to get to and Sal added clamps so we never had a problem after that, but IT WAS NOT FUN!!! Bottom line...you just never know! :banghead:
Joan
Quote from: zamboniAccording to the local water companies, 40 PSI is a minimum standard for homes. My last home was 60-80 PSI, and it worked great.
My new home has just 40 PSI - and every resident is complaining to the HOA and water company, and they are struggling to try to figure out how to increase it. They've come to several HOA meetings to try to address angry residents.
40 PSI is not adequate for most law sprinkler systems - the grass in the middle of our yards dies in the summer due to this. Check the "distance charts" on new sprinklers at Home Depot, and they are all the rated distance at MUCH MORE than 40 PSI...
Some neighbors have installed secondary booster systems, but unfortunately, many of those only work when the incoming PSI is over 40! (and we drop to the mid-upper 30's at times)
Time to get out of the HOA and live under city rules where you have the city backing you, not an HOA or go to an area where you can put your own well in. My girlfriends Uncle works for the city water department and they are very quick to resolve these type of problems.
HOAs are not liked by many here and most try to avoid them when buying a house. To many riduculous rules, and they try to be secluded from the City they are in.
Good luck in getting your water pressure to a pressure where it should be. Perhaps your HOA should just hire their own firm to take care of the problem. That's what you're paying them for.
Have a good one.
Wow well there sure has been a lot of activity on this thread since I
The water pump connections! I forgot about those, I have replaced everything but those! I will do that next time I have the trailer out. I am not taking chances on just checking the fittings since in both of my floods, the fitting actually broke.
My fix for all this has been somewhat differrent. The water lines are a 5/8" poly tubing available at Home Depot. Basically everything terminates in 1/2" pipe. I found a fitting that goes from the poly tubing to 1/2" male. Then I used a braided hose connector with a 1/2" female thread at each end to terminate the connection. I the case of the swing galley line that broke I hooked two 20" braided hoses together and went from the faucet to the connections in the cabinet. These fittings work nice becaause I just cut of the old end and put this fitting on and I get extra length and flexibilty.
On the toy haulers I saw what Fleetworrd makes, Starcraft makes even nicer tent trailer haulers. My problem is, my wife wants a hybrid. We also need something that works well as a Toy Hauler but also works for standard camping.I am really not ready to buy yet so I still hope something new will come out.
(http://www.saltzgaber.com/Camping/PwY3bz0eVTvADaBFbmXVTtngzf8L.jpg)(http://www.travelandusa.com/adventurerv/Specials/0806/2006-starcraft-36rt.jpg)
Starcraft Pop-up TH
Just remember Randy, with these, every bike you put up front adds the weight of that bike to the existing tongue weight of the trailer.
We own a 2007 Westlake and we had a water leak on our first trip this year.The leak came from under the sink.We took it to the dealer and
they said they see this all the time.They fixed it within an hour and we
were gone,no problems since.
Mountaindew
07 Westlake- "Breakn' Wind"
Well (OCC) as you know we went to the rally this weekend, third trip out in the Westlake and our 15th night camping in it since we bought it two months ago. At this point I guess it wouldn
Quote from: harleywolfTo top it off the back of my Jeep was open while I was in the RV cleaning and the stupid stray cat (that just had 7 kittens in our ski boat) got in the Jeep and tore through the bag and the to-go box my left over steak and halibut was in from the restaurant we stopped at on the way home, and ate it. I
Quote from: harleywolfWell (OCC) as you know we went to the rally this weekend, third trip out in the Westlake and our 15th night camping in it since we bought it two months ago. At this point I guess it wouldn
Jacqui is mistaken, the door was not creased by slamming on the curb. It creased from the bolt breaking. It really bummed me oiut.
Jacqui needs to stay out of man stuff!
Randy
Quote from: OC CampersJacqui is mistaken, the door was not creased by slamming on the curb. It creased from the bolt breaking. It really bummed me oiut.
Jacqui needs to stay out of man stuff!
Randy
BITE ME!!! Jacqui
Viking, are you trying to get people to purchase toyhaulers so you can out number us HTT's? So far, don't we have 3 or 4 toy haulers in the group?
You don't know a LEMON unil you've seen our 05 Niagara. Hands down, we've beat you out. Every trip and I do mean every trip, something broke on that trailer. A screw would fall out here, the shower hose came detatched, oven didn't work, door lock on the inner roof broke, etc. DH wanted to sell the trailer early on but I said no because I liked the trailer. One trip we popped up and found that a screw came off and the pole holding the tenting over our dinette was ascew. I didn't want the kids to play in the area and I told him that I give up and the trailer was up for sale. We are now extremely happy with our HTT. We've been on approx 7 trips this year with very little wrong with it.
Quote from: OC CampersJacqui is mistaken, the door was not creased by slamming on the curb. It creased from the bolt breaking. It really bummed me oiut.
Jacqui needs to stay out of man stuff!
Randy
I think that's what she said Randy :p .
"
When the hinge let go it slammed into the sloped curb on the street."
Women are just a little more eloquent at saying it :J .
Quote from: TheVikingLet's also mention that they are Dirt Bike riding family and maybe a different type of trailer is in order.........Listen......do I hear .....Toy Hauler????
Boy, you are like a drug dealer....pushing your wares! You are trying to get everyone to Ho it with you!!
Toy Ho!!
Love ya!
Quote from: kimrb266You don't know a LEMON unil you've seen our 05 Niagara.
And that is why we only kept our 02 Niagara for just over one year (it was my parents before that). The Niagara made us actually miss our simple, 1996 10' Starcraft pup.
Then, I gave up, sold it, and bought a hybrid :)
i forgot to mention, it's real easy to tell if you have a leak. The pump keeps kicking on when no water is running. Then all you do is walk around the outside of the trailer, you'll find water leaking out somewhere and you follow the leak back.
Shame on you Jacqui :p
Actually when the hinge lets go the stepper sags (of course) and puts a strain on the outside skin of the door causing it to buckle and crease. I actually put pressure on it and felt with my hand how the metal buckled so my guess is that even if it didn
Rick, Randy said he fixed the stepper almost the same way you did except he used a 1/2 in long (1/4 in diameter) bolt with a stainless steel nylocker nut. The 1/4 in diameter hangs up a little so he said he is going to change it out with a 3/16 or something similar this weekend when we have the camper open.
Jacqui
(writing this statement with permission):p
Quote from: kimrb266Viking, are you trying to get people to purchase toyhaulers so you can out number us HTT's? So far, don't we have 3 or 4 toy haulers in the group? QUOTE]
No. They have 3 motorcycles to haul around. So Randy hasto all 3 in the bed of the truck, then hook up the camper. Just makes sense that if you have toys, a toy hauler would be a logical choice. Freedom5 has a toyand wants to get more, Surfcampers want a Harley, they all have valid reasons as did I. That's all. I have nothing against HTT's. If I didn't have the quads I would probably have one.
Quote from: OC CampersRick, Randy said he fixed the stepper almost the same way you did except he used a 1/2 in long (1/4 in diameter) bolt with a stainless steel nylocker nut. The 1/4 in diameter hangs up a little so he said he is going to change it out with a 3/16 or something similar this weekend when we have the camper open.
Jacqui
(writing this statement with permission):p
Try to get grade "8" bolts. Rather than go to a smaller bolt, it may be better to grind off the place that it is hanging on or drill the hole a little bigger. If the hinge is actually turning on that bolt, you may want to consider getting a longer bolt with a shoulder on it. Cut (or grind) off the excess threaded part. That way, the hinge is turning on the smooth shoulder instead of the threads (which will cut into the metal over time).
I am heading out this weekend to Rollins lake. I plan on doing a little more inspectiung and tightening. i will also make a list of items to rerplace so I can have parts next time.
If you look in your rear vew mirror while driving and see how much the trailer bounces, you can see how things will get loose over time.
My latest thing I need to fix is the broken seat on my cassette toilet.My local dealer says they can't get it and I should buy it on line. I went to the Thetford web site and got a list of distributers. I have contacted three so far and nobody seems to want to deal with it.
I need to fix it soon as it pinches my wife on the behind and she is not happy!
Randy
Quote from: OC CampersI am heading out this weekend to Rollins lake. I plan on doing a little more inspectiung and tightening. i will also make a list of items to rerplace so I can have parts next time.
If you look in your rear vew mirror while driving and see how much the trailer bounces, you can see how things will get loose over time.
My latest thing I need to fix is the broken seat on my cassette toilet.My local dealer says they can't get it and I should buy it on line. I went to the Thetford web site and got a list of distributers. I have contacted three so far and nobody seems to want to deal with it.
I need to fix it soon as it pinches my wife on the behind and she is not happy!
Randy
So that's why Jacqui gave me a dirty look..................... :yikes:
At least it