Getting ready to head on on first trip of season. Ran water in shower and have a leak. Appears to be coming from under the shower base. Any suggestions as to what to check or fix? GW tank is empty. Thanks
There's a compact trap that uses a membrane under the shower pan and I believe it uses screw on fittings instead of solvent-based weld on fittings. My guess is that it just needs to be tightened. Are you sure it's not dripping down the sides/wall seams?
Doesn't appear to be leaking on the sides,corners, etc. water runs out under pan. How do you get to the trap?
It probably depends on the model. In my case there's a piece of sheet metal on the front of the shower that's held on with just a couple screws. Removing that gives access to the bottom of the shower pan. It's pretty tight though...
In the 16TBS, the trap can be seen using the technique tinkeringtechie mentioned. Actually tightening the joint from there might be tough but could be possible? I removed the entire shower pan (to fix another issue) by removing the trim all around the top of the pan, plus the cover mentioned above. After removing the drain screen, the pan will come out. Under that will be heavy plastic base and after removing that, you can get at the full shower drain plumbing. Are you reasonably certain that nothing was damaged by freezing? If it was, you may be looking at replacing parts and not just tightening.
On my 2013 VRV I failed to properly drain the water in the shower head and a freeze broke a pipe that was part of the shower controls. The leak drained down the wall and came out under the shower pan when the water was on. In the VRV there is a panel in the cabinet behind the shower that allowed access to the controls. It was fairly easy to access and fix. Might want to check there first.
I can't speak to how to find and fix the leak but I can say that I just had our new camper back to the dealer for the same problem. Additionally I noticed that under the kitchen sink there are 3 connections that screw on and there were a couple drops of water there. I checked and was able to tighten each of those. The dealer said they found the same situation under the shower. Seems that either LL isn't getting these connections tight at the factory or they have a propensity to loosen up during transport to the dealers. Good luck!
Here's a link to shower drain that is posted on sticker on base of my shower, 21BHS. I have found that outside shower parts will crack easy from freezing water if not completely dry or winterized with RV antifreeze. The shower valve is probably built the same just different outlet position for shower hose.
http://www.hepvo.com/
Quote from: Merlin on March 09, 2017, 05:08:20 PM
In the 16TBS, the trap can be seen using the technique tinkeringtechie mentioned. Actually tightening the joint from there might be tough but could be possible? I removed the entire shower pan (to fix another issue) by removing the trim all around the top of the pan, plus the cover mentioned above. After removing the drain screen, the pan will come out. Under that will be heavy plastic base and after removing that, you can get at the full shower drain plumbing. Are you reasonably certain that nothing was damaged by freezing? If it was, you may be looking at replacing parts and not just tightening.
After driving in heavy rain, I get a trickle of water from under the shower pan. No trickle if it rains and the camper is parked.
My speculation is that when my camper 2016 Camplite 16TB was built, that the area around the base of the drainpipe was not sealed where it enters into the grey tank, and under hard rain while driving, rain water makes it way to top of grey tank and under the shower base. Even though I have owned the camper since 3/2016 and traveled with it, I have not had many heavy rains while traveling.
Merlin-since you removed your shower pan/base, if I remove mine do you think I will be able to seal that area with GE Sealant?
TIA
Galen
Yes. Removing the shower pan on the 16TBS allows access to all the connections and holes for wiring and plumbing. On my 16TBS the main floor entrance hole for the shower plumbing and wiring is accessible from under the trailer; it is not hidden over the grey tank. Is there a chance the water could be coming up through the wheel wells? Those are notorious for leaking on the Camplites. Mine took a whole tube of caulk each to seal up properly! I have also had to seal the wiring/plumbing holes in the floor with expanding caulk. The hole under the kitchen sink was so open I could see the ground from inside the trailer!
I will have to go looking in more detail about accessing from underneath. BTW, I did have leaking wheel wells and they were sealed by dealer under warranty last year. And have not noticed a leak from the J-sofa/sink floor area as before. Trickle coming only from shower pan.
What expanding sealant do you recommend?
Edit-just did another look, and can not locate an access area from below. I see the black tank in rear, going forward there is an aluminum cross beam with water lines, then the grey tank.
Is similar to yours?
The floor opening for the plumbing/wiring I'm referring to on my 16TBS is directly over the black/grey tank outlet in the left rear of the camper. It's right next to the outer frame member.
I recommend Great Stuff Window and Door expanding foam because it expands gently and is a bit flexible when it dries. That helps it stay put in the rigors of trailer life. Just be extremely careful when using it. I can't imagine a more sticky substance and it's hard to remove (understatement of the week).
My camper is parked over a mud puddle, but I managed a quick look and did see the opening you noted.
I will purchase a can of Great Stuff Windows and Door Foam and close up the holes.
And I will re-visit the lines under my sink and determine if they sealed.
This saves me from removing the shower pan.
Thank you very much Merlin!