Hot Water Heater - Works on Propane Only

[LesBevil]

This weekend we turned the hot water heater switch to electric and after 4 hours or so did not have any hot water. Changed over to propane and water heater worked. Looked at all the fuses and they checked out okay. Anything that I else that I can look at before I take it back to the dealer. Poor trailer has spent more time at the dealer this year than it has on the road.

[tnchuck100]

Fuses do not control the electric side of the water heater. There is a dedicated circuit breaker for it. You did not specify the model of water heater you have. Most have a switch in the outside panel that is for the electric. Check for its existence and make sure it is on.

[ALJO]

if you are technical inclined you can read your schematic and check if you have 110 volt power going to the element (schematic is in hot water compartment and in the manual of your particular hot water heater) By the way 110 volts has breakers instead of fuses. If not technical inclined you need the help of a friend or the more expensive choice of a dealer. All mechanical things can break down TT's are more subject to outdoor elements.

[eldermike]

Sometimes that switch gets left on "electric" by accident and the water is drained out of the TT. When you plug in the heater is dry (not enough water to cover the element) but the electric is "ON" and that ends the life of the heating element.

But with some luck you have a switch outside at the heater that is switched off.

[robkelly]

Do you by any chance have a fireplace in the TT? If so, make sure the switch for that is flipped to WH vs. fireplace - I've made that mistake a couple of times...

[LesBevil]

The water heater is an Atwood on a 2013 Jayco 32BHDS. The breakers were fine since it worked on propane. Looks like there is a relay switch that works the electric side. Water heater had water. Is there some sort of saftey switch or has the relay gone south?

[ALJO]

Suspension and tires???????

If you want to know how much reserve you have on your GAWR compared on the decal of your particular unit?
Crawl under your unit and look at the stamped rating on the axle’s. While you are there also write down the SN# of the axle’s for further references.
If you take the decal ratings of a 198RD GVWR of 5900 lbs it says 3000 lbs axle rating times 2 + 6000 lbs. The actual axle stamped rating is 3500 lbs times 2 = 7000 lbs. So there is a 1000 lbs reserve. The 198RD has Dexter Axles and springs.

Next we going to look at the wheels which are Dexter Wheels white rims the sticker is still on it so it was easy to verify with their website brochure. #17-143 max rating 1820lbs and max air pressure 80 psi
4 wheels @ 1820 = 7280 lbs. Lots of reserve here

The tires what are on the TT are the Standard value (TKS48) Power King – Towmax Radial ST 205/75R15 (C-6 ply) weight rated at 1820 lbs (dual axle) and 50 psi air pressure that is 1820 lbs times 4 = 7280 lbs.
So lots of reserve for the 198RD
There is a ST 205/75D15 (D-8 ply) rated tire from the same company also in the same category at 2150 lbs/65 psi (TKS49) or go to the upgraded quality MAX48 or MAX49

On the average with a properly loaded TT, 12% will be carried by the Tong Weight
For a 5er it will be approx. 20% on the disc.

The tires are the weakest link on the TT’s and depend on so many factors and conditions.
ST tires are rated at a max of 65 mph and on many of my travels I have seen TT’s going 70 to 75 mph. No wonder they blow their tires. Heat built up destroys tires very quick. Sure there are cases where the tire is at fault but most of the time it is the operator who runs with the tires are at fault.

To travel safe with your RV;
Keep the tire running within the tires rated speed limit; Keep the tires within their weight rating (do not go over the GVWR); Keep the tires filled with the rated cold air pressure; Watch the road condition; And check the condition of the tires regularly. Also the current outside temperature is a factor for heat build up.

Every one has their own tire preference and yes there are good quality and low quality tires, but most tires are made in China. Many North America mfg. tires have flaws on side wall too. It all boils down how much we want to spend on tires. The TT mfg’s use in general the cheapest tire available. Be honest to your self when you experience a tire failure. Recommended is to replace ST Tires every 5 years. This is special true for trailer tires as RV’s are stored in loaded condition.

So RV owners happy travelling and verify your own ratings reserve and watch the tire rated speed.

[tnchuck100]

Originally Posted by LesBevil

...The breakers were fine since it worked on propane. ...

Breakers are not involved with running on propane. A breaker COULD still be the problem.

[D&MAKAFUN]

A friend's 5th wheel experienced the same scenario. We pulled the element and it was not fried so we checked for power at the switch in the water heater box.......replaced the switch and it has worked since.
Let us know what you find is the culprit.

[Clayton4971]

Some also have a switch out by the hot water heater. Make sure it's on

[qwed94]

Some also have a reset switch in the w/h panel outside. Make sure they are "in"! Also check the connections outside. I had a customer bring in their TT with the same complaint. It ended up being the connection in the w/h panel was terribly corroded. A quick simple clean, and all worked fine. (Not sure why it didnt affect the LP side, but it didnt, just the electric.