2001 Westlake is getting me down

[OC Campers]

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!

[harleywolf]

As you know we just bought a

[sewserious]

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.

[mike4947]

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.

[OC Campers]

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.

[paulski617]

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?

[wavery]

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.

: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:

[Mike Up]

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.

[jgr]

As 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.

[TheViking]

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?

[wavery]

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?

Great minds think alike :sombraro:

[Old Goat]

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.....

[wavery]

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.....

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

[OC Campers]

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

[Dray]

Maintenance only goes so far.  I've had my PU for less than 6 months and have had 4 things break so far.