Help - Water Leak?

[Ruth Anne D.]

We were in Florida for a couple of months and while we were inside, we heard what we both thought was a small explosion and it rocked the whole camper. There was a lady outside who heard it and she jumped. When we got outside, water was coming from underneath the camper. We were hooked up to city water and not using the holding tank.
We took off the under shield but couldn't see anything wrong. Just before we left for home, we filled the holding tank and when we hooked it to the truck, water came flooding out from under the camper again. We know something is wrong, and we are assuming it is the holding tank, but not sure exactly what happened. It has been too cold to pull it all apart, but wondered if anyone else has ever heard of anything like this before. Thank you Ruth Anne D

[jeffba]

My bet would be a clogged fresh water tank vent and teh city/fill valve leaking to fill the freshwater tank

[Montana Man]

I've heard what you describe. You have to figure out which tank it is. Keystone used two piece tanks in certain models and mounted them in a manner not approved by the tank manufacturer. When filled they separate and leak out. That separation is quite alarming. The break isn't always noticible from visual inspection from underneath. Try filling each of the tanks one at a time and see which one leaks. Post what you learn and we can go from there.

[rohrmann]

What I bet happened is, your water pump check valve that is built into the pump was leaking allowing water to go backwards into the fresh tank, and the pressure finally blew out the tank. Sounds like besides a new tank, a new water pump will be needed. I surprised you hadn't noticed the water leaking from the fresh tank vent. You might be lucky and it isn't the tank and is just the hose from the tank that goes to the pump.

[lightsout]

Originally Posted by rohrmann

What I bet happened is, your water pump check valve that is built into the pump was leaking allowing water to go backwards into the fresh tank, and the pressure finally blew out the tank. Sounds like besides a new tank, a new water pump will be needed. I surprised you hadn't noticed the water leaking from the fresh tank vent. You might be lucky and it isn't the tank and is just the hose from the tank that goes to the pump.

How is that possible when FW tanks all have overflow relief when over filling to prevent tank failure under pressure?

[rohrmann]

You are assuming the vent line is not kinked or otherwise obstructed. The description of the problem indicated it is likely the fresh water tank or something related to it, because when they tried filling the fresh tank, water came out from underneath the rig.

[mazboy]

Ruth, the answer is to get to a service center. Like stated above, 'probably a tank' and/or 'water pump/valve'


Figure at least $1000 for the tank replacement if that is what it is.

[lightsout]

Originally Posted by rohrmann

You are assuming the vent line is not kinked or otherwise obstructed. The description of the problem indicated it is likely the fresh water tank or something related to it, because when they tried filling the fresh tank, water came out from underneath the rig.

I know you have a wealth of knowledge and have help many for a long time here, I applaud that.

Respectfully that was not your original assessment/advice, what are the odds of that happening in the 1st place, 2nd what are the odds of the pump issue and the overflow failing at the same time, better odds playing the lottery.


It was possibly a water line failure that was under pressure, then when they hooked up to truck to leave they changes the attitude of the 5er, maybe trapped water then leaked out.

On My Class A we recently sold when I was on city water and if I had the outdoor shower knobs on but not using it, it would divert water to my tank then eventually over flow. Happened a couple times when I forgot to turn those off.

It cold be as benign as that, who knows

[jimcol]

This is a forum to help people with problems seek possible solutions based on real life experiences. Everybody has a right to post their ideas. Every post doesn't require a refute or rebuttal.

[Montana Man]

If the OP doesn't participate, how can we help? They made one post and gone.

[lightsout]

Originally Posted by jimcol

This is a forum to help people with problems seek possible solutions based on real life experiences. Everybody has a right to post their ideas. Every post doesn't require a refute or rebuttal.

You are in part correct, while advice is great and there will be a wide variety both good and bad, still have to be careful on over zealous analysis that can be more unproductive potentially leading folks down rabbit holes that are highly un-probable or unlikely or something that would require the planets to align.

All I did was point out a likely flaw in an assessment which also benefits the OP. There was no ill will in that just pointing out the obvious. I am sure that member that posted that was doing so in very good faith as they have 1000's of times before, I respect that. In fact I even received a thank you from the OP for my observation.

When Technicians approach a problem they do not rush to worst case senario, they start with the more benign and easiest evaluation and then progress from there. I simply questioned telling someone they likely needed to replace their fresh water system when there are possible other benign easy fixes.

[Jester]

Originally Posted by jimcol

This is a forum to help people with problems seek possible solutions based on real life experiences. Everybody has a right to post their ideas. Every post doesn't require a refute or rebuttal.

Amen to that.....

[SterlingSilver]

Did anyone ask the OP about using a pressure regulator on the water inlet? I have had friends that blew lines and flooded the under-carriage when hooked to "city" water. Some sites are running really high pressure to ensure that users get enough water.

[paulinbaja]

Originally Posted by lightsout

I know you have a wealth of knowledge and have help many for a long time here, I applaud that.

Respectfully that was not your original assessment/advice, what are the odds of that happening in the 1st place, 2nd what are the odds of the pump issue and the overflow failing at the same time, better odds playing the lottery.


It was possibly a water line failure that was under pressure, then when they hooked up to truck to leave they changes the attitude of the 5er, maybe trapped water then leaked out.

On My Class A we recently sold when I was on city water and if I had the outdoor shower knobs on but not using it, it would divert water to my tank then eventually over flow. Happened a couple times when I forgot to turn those off.

It cold be as benign as that, who knows

Sounds to me the tank ruptured. Could be the back flow valve on the pump or the direct fill valve in the service panel. Maybe it just blew the drain connection away from the tank. Good luck.

[CaptnJohn]

As he heard a loud 'boom' it is unlikely anything but the tank. The problem may have started with a plugged or kinked overflow hose!

[DebNJim B]

More info needed. The OP doesn't say what took place between the "explosion" and when they hooked up to leave. It seems if a tank or pipe blew, water would have continued to flow while connected to city water. Did the explosion happen when they were hooking up or was there a period of time in between? Just doesn't make sense that something would blow and then not continue to leak.
OP, More details please.

[rich6506547]

Did you pressure regulator on city water ?? Could be to much pressure on lines

[DutchmenSport]

And another confirmation from all these comments why I never leave my camper hooked up directly to city water and leave the city water turned on. I always fill my fresh water tank and pump from there. The on-board water pump will not pump greater pressure than what it is set for. If a valve fails, the water will just circulate from the fresh water tank, to the pump, and back to the tank, never overfill. If a holding tank fails for whatever reason, there is only so much water in the fresh water tank that can be pumped, even limited amounts of water if you overflow your toilet.

My logical suspicion from the original poster's comments is, a water line blew under pressure. But again, the question needs to be asked ... from the time of the explosion to the time they prepared to leave the campground, what was going on with the water?

[Michael-R]

Began looking for a leak that initially seemed to be under the trailer near my utility connections, however after further investigation I see that the leak is coming seemingly in the area directly below the shower faucet. Is the faucet removable or can someone give me an idea how to inspect ??

[CaptnJohn]

Yes it is removable probably a loose connection. Most use the cheapest parts and labor. Not difficult to remove, tighten or replace. I’d never try to repair junk though.