How much water is to much?

skijlw · 06-10-2015, 08:04 PM

My friend just bought a new Pinnacle. He was getting ready for a trip and filled his fresh water tank until the gauge inside read full. A few hours later he noticed it dripping water in the center of the RV. You could see the under belly material bulging where the leak was. He called the dealer and they told them to bring it in right away and they would look at it being the trailer was loaded to head off on the trip. A few hours later he picked up the trailer and was told there are a couple of vent pipes that may spill over if filled too much. That's what they think happened. How do you know when the tank is full before it floods? I think I have the same set up as my friend on our 2014 Eagle Supreme 5er. I have not filled my fresh water tank to full capacity yet.

Higgy · 06-10-2015, 08:12 PM

The vent tubes on the top of the tank should be sticking out the underside already so that they are visible and dont leak into the underbelly. Maybe they had not been connected or something? I fill my tank up until its coming out of the vent tubes anyway. That way i have the max amount of water there. You lose some in your travels as it sloshes and comes out the vent tubes too. Never had a problem with it.

Jmooney · 06-10-2015, 08:24 PM

I agree. Vent tubes should be below the belly cover

oldmanAZ · 06-10-2015, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skijlw

snip... filled his fresh water tank until the gauge inside read full. A few hours later he noticed it dripping water in the center of the RV. You could see the under belly material bulging where the leak was. snip...

I have a similar issue. Sanitized the FW system so filled the system a couple of times until it ran out of the overflow tubes (tubes do extend below the belly cover) and left the FW tanks full for a short, June 1 'camping' trip. The cover isn't bulging down a noticeable amount, but there is a drip.

Both the gray and black tanks are empty.

Have an appointment for the 15th to have it investigated and fixed.

skijlw · 06-10-2015, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Higgy

The vent tubes on the top of the tank should be sticking out the underside already so that they are visible and dont leak into the underbelly. Maybe they had not been connected or something? I fill my tank up until its coming out of the vent tubes anyway. That way i have the max amount of water there. You lose some in your travels as it sloshes and comes out the vent tubes too. Never had a problem with it.

I have a couple of pipes below the belly pan that I don't see a valve on. They are near the low drain pipe valve. Are these the vents for the FW tank you referred too? Do you know where the FW drain valve is located? I did not need to winterize last winter but I will this year.

33 RLDS · 06-11-2015, 05:24 AM

lose some? I lose a 1/3 of my tank from the siphoning effect. I extended my vent tubes and put caps on the ends so I can cap them when full and keep all my water on the way to my site..

jal0710 · 06-11-2015, 08:41 AM

I have almost always plugged the vent tubes after filling the fresh water tank to keep the tank full until the FW is parked. Otherwise, you'll lose any where from a little to a lot of water depending on how far you trailer until parking the RV. I just use those little plastic wire nuts to plug the vent tubes.

**norty1** · 06-11-2015, 10:07 AM

The fresh water drain valve on my rig is behind the door side rear tire.

oldmanAZ · 06-11-2015, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norty1

The fresh water drain valve on my rig is behind the door side rear tire.

I assumed (dang, hate when that happens) there would be LOTS of variation between trailers.

My trailer has two fresh water drain valves on the right side, between the rear door and the tires. My two overflow tubes are almost directly opposite, on the left side behind the tires.

**norty1** · 06-11-2015, 10:40 AM

True but Jayco is pretty good about adding stickers that identify them. Some require a little imagination and a screwdriver.

alaskahofferts · 06-11-2015, 11:03 AM

I agree. I fill mine up till its coming out the overflow tubes. I've never plugged them after filling though, it usually only comes out manuevering to the main roads. But I may have to try it now. Sounds like a good idea. What are you guys all using to plug them with?

33 RLDS · 06-11-2015, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alaskahofferts

I agree. I fill mine up till its coming out the overflow tubes. I've never plugged them after filling though, it usually only comes out manuevering to the main roads. But I may have to try it now. Sounds like a good idea. What are you guys all using to plug them with?

Mine were 1/2 inch so I bought some male 1/2 inch garden hose replacement ends and a pair of caps. Also needed some 1/2 double barb ends and clamps to extend the hoses to where I can reach them.

sailor · 06-11-2015, 12:52 PM

Skijlw- The fw drain on our unit is located between the door and the wheel. The overflow is in the same area. There is a valve under the trailer for the fw drain. Further forward on the door side are the low point drains. There are no exterior valves on the lines. You access the valves by removing a panel in the outside storage compartment. The valves (3 of them) are located behind the panel. They are a push/pull type.

rryman · 06-11-2015, 01:07 PM

I've read other posts about the vent tubes siphoning water out of the FW tank. I have noticed when I fill mine, and the water starts coming out of the TWO overflow lines beneath the trailer, it continues until I guess about 3-4 gallons of water has come out after I stop filling. Don't know if it will continue, as we haven't traveled with a full tank yet. I'm reluctant to put valves on the overflow lines or plug them for fear I won't remember to open them up when filling or using water from the tank. But, I also have a vent tube next to the fill hole. Anybody got any idea why so many tank vents?

**norty1** · 06-11-2015, 02:11 PM

My understanding is that there are actually 2 fresh water tanks that are tied together by a hose. When you fill one, it overflows into the other. This is to keep the size of the tanks from having all the weight in one location.

Disclaimer: Only been told this, not verified.

troutslayer · 06-11-2015, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alaskahofferts

What are you guys all using to plug them with?

This is what I use. However, I only use them when I fill up at the campground. I never feel comfortable traveling with a completely full FW tank.
Amazon.com: Valterra A01-2025VP Carded Barbed Universal Drain Valve: Automotive

KLGard · 06-11-2015, 03:19 PM

Hi everyone! I fill our fresh water tanks just until the overflow tube begins to drip, then turn off the water. I find that if I let it just run out, then I lose a lot of the water in the tank. Have been able to keep the tanks full by not overfilling them. We usually do not travel long distances with a full fresh water tank, usually about half full or a little less for overnight stops along the way, if needed.

alaskahofferts · 06-11-2015, 03:35 PM

Being up here in Alaska we do a lot of boondocking. I'd say 90% of the time is spent that way. We always have a full load of water. A family of 4 needs showers to wash away the bug dope........and a family of 4 uses a lot of bug dope in this area of the world

.

fsrmike · 06-11-2015, 05:04 PM

The fresh water drain does nothing when I open. Also when I travel I loose half the fresh water, maybe I'm over filling it and its siphoning out.
I have the fresh water drain on my list for the dealer next week when it goes in for warranty issues.

SECDuke · 06-11-2015, 06:03 PM

We have the 2013 HT27.5BHS. In our first few months of camping I never could figure out why my fresh water would not enter as if it had no vents at all. This is the first unit I have had that gave any problems like this. We had to park it for the last year due to sickness in the family but will start back very soon. I did not check the vents but will. It doesn't sound like this a common problem.

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