New 5th wheel few questions

[Steelworker]

Hello everyone, I just bought a 2006 Designer 31RKS. I also have a TT I'm trying to sell. So I'm not new to camping but this 5th wheel is completely different from my TT. I used the tank, and the pump to shower for better pressure. After two showers I lost all pressure like there was no water in the system. Tank is darn near full and water system works fine on city connection.

The next thing is when I pull my master slide in and the bed raises and then will drop and push the slide back out. Works fine if the bed isn't on there though. Which leads me to believe the motor isn't the strongest or a gearbox has a stripped gear or the like. Again I have never had a 5th wheel. My TT only has one slide, not two and never gave me any issues.

Thanks
Adam

 

[Stan&Sharon]

Congratulations on your purchase and welcome to Jayco Owner's Forum from New Hampshire. Here is a link to 2006 Jayco 5th Wheel Owner's Manual.
Regarding your service items, without inspection I'm not sure what the cause of your two issues might be. There is a water pump, do you hear it running? Your slide mechanism may need some expert adjustment and/or rebuild.
Below are a couple links to help you find someone local who can better determine what is needed:
https://rvlife.com/rv-mobile-service-techs/
https://rvtaa.org/locate/

Please post into this thread what you decided to do and what was the ultimate fix.

 

[Steelworker]

I hear the pump running, but no pressure anywhere.

 

[Steelworker]

So I tried priming the system. Opened the low point drains and kicked the pump on. It changed tone, but never did stop running? Bad pump?

 

[Stan&Sharon]

Water pumps are pretty simple, motor turns a wheel. It could be the pump (wheel) is worn out and not able to pump, or the hose running into it doesn't have water (why?) or the hose running out of it is stopped up (why?)
Frustrating for you, I'm sure. You'll need to find the pump and investigate things. Take lots of towels with you because you do not want things to get wet.

 

[Stan&Sharon]

If you decide to buy another pump, you might want to consider including an accumulator. This accumulator tank will smooth out the water movement -- no pulsing water.
Here is an example

 

[Stan&Sharon]

So I tried priming the system. Opened the low point drains and kicked the pump on. It changed tone, but never did stop running? Bad pump?

If the hose going into the pump has no water (or very low pressured water) is coming out, then yeah... sounds like the water pump is the problem.
If no water is within the hose going into the pump, find out why.
If water is coming out of the pump, then the pump is okay and problem is within the hose.
You have a few different faucets to test if water is coming out of the pump... kitchen, bathroom, shower, and outside faucet (outside shower).
The hoses that go to the pump likely have a plastic connector. It's kind of fragile so twist it gently and don't over-tighten it when reattaching.

 

[Stan&Sharon]

Are you certain you have a lot of water in your fresh water tank?
If you have a garden hose going into your camper, you don't need a water pump... but you know that. I'm just trying to cover all the bases.

 

[Steelworker]

It was empty when we got here, readout shows 2/3rds full. I watched the gauge increase. I'm not going to dig into the pump today. We're leaving this site tomorrow and going further South for the rest of the week. It looks like a pain to get to the pump. It's in the compartment underneath by the control valves for the water. Appears you have to remove that wall first to get to the pump.

 

[Stan&Sharon]

Right, it's a pain on our camper too. If you connect to campground water and you have water at your faucets, then it further indicates the problem could be a bad pump.
Good luck.

 

[Steelworker]

I can run "city water" no problem. I believe it's the pump. This camper has so many more doo-dads and gizmos even though it's four years older than my TT. I rushed getting new tires put on it and finding a 5th wheel slider hitch for my truck, that dummy me didn't test out the water system before we left. I can't get the propane to light for the water heater. Luckily the electric side of it works fine.

 

[Stan&Sharon]

It sounds wonderful. I would love to see a photo. Attach one if that's convenient some time.

 

[Steelworker]

I'll have to post some when we get to our new campground the signal here is terrible to download pictures.

 

[Steelworker]

Here's a few pictures.

 

[gunafulltime]

Congratulations! It looks like it's in good condition.

 

[Steelworker]

The outside is a little faded. The wheel skirts need replaced their cracked and paint has chipped off, but the interior is pristine for the age. No major defects or damage.

 

[gunafulltime]

The outside is a little faded. The wheel skirts need replaced their cracked and paint has chipped off, but the interior is pristine for the age. No major defects or damage.

It sounds like a nice score!

 

[norty1]

Most pumps have a strainer that can be unscrewed from the inlet and cleaned. They often can restrict flow when they are contaminated. Easy to wash and replace.

 

[Steelworker]

Does anyone know what this valve is for? It looks like some sort of bypass but I'm not sure. It's currently closed.

 

[MPD56]

Steelworker in Canada


I had the same Unit, but a few years older.

The yellow valve is to bypass the hotwater tank.

As for the water pump, I changed mine. They had a replacement for them because they had problems with certain model's of pumps

Not saying that is your problem

I'll try and find the thread