Community Forums

Vrayparrish · 08-09-2015, 07:52 AM

Hi everyone, I'm new to this site and also I just bought a used 2008 Kodiak Skamper 24RB-SL. travel trailer.
I love this trailer but when I got it home I found there is one spot in the floor that was wet (under a throw rug) beside the bed. It is the size of my heel but feels like a hole under the lament flooring. So I am looking for a diagram of all the water lines and tanks in this camper. There is a outside barrier, for lack of a better word, under the camper that I can see no damage on but I Also can not see and plumbing lines or tanks either. Can anyone help me get a diagram of where all these things are. Maybe I can make a decision where the water is coming from. There are no signs of a roof leak either.
Thanks for any help in advance.
Vickie

Ray,IN · 08-09-2015, 08:05 PM

I've never seen or heard of a plumbing diagram for a trailer, but the mfgr. might have one they can email to you. Many trailers have the water pump under the bed, this is a common source of water leaks. With the water pump on, and system pressurized, blot every connection with a paper towel to locate any seepage. Also, the water pump will cycle for a short burst if you do have any leak in the plumbing system, just turn on the pump, and do not use any water for 10-20 minutes to test the entire system.

Vrayparrish · 08-10-2015, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

I've never seen or heard of a plumbing diagram for a trailer, but the mfgr. might have one they can email to you. Many trailers have the water pump under the bed, this is a common source of water leaks. With the water pump on, and system pressurized, blot every connection with a paper towel to locate any seepage. Also, the water pump will cycle for a short burst if you do have any leak in the plumbing system, just turn on the pump, and do not use any water for 10-20 minutes to test the entire system.

Well there is nothing under the bed but we will check the water pump and water heater again, they are under the dinnette seat. When we had our demo at the company where we bought it from they had water in the tank but during the demo we cleaned out all that so I'll need to refill the water tank and see if that's where it could be coming from. If the soft spot is under the linoleum how can I find a leak under that?
Thank you so much for you help. I love these forums where good people try to help each other out!!
Vickie

Ray,IN · 08-11-2015, 06:32 PM

Water damage can show up a long way from the source. I'd first attempt to determine if the plumbing is actually leaking, using the method I offered. If the pump holds pressure and does not short-cycle when no water is used, it pretty-much eliminated the plumbing and pump.
The next would be to determine if their is a water leak through the skin or roof of the RV. IMO, the most dependable method is to locate an RV repair shop that has, and uses, a Seal-Tech leak detection system.
When we bought our new 5er, I discovered the first rain that it had a water leak. The dealer's technician used the Seal-Tech system and located that leak source over 20' from where it appeared inside the 5er. He continued and found 3 more very small leaks I hadn't spotted. That was 2005; we never had another leak between then and when we sold the 5er in 2013.
Just talking here; if you have a leak around a clearance light, simply drill a 1/8" hole in the bottom of each lens. Any water leaking into the lens will drain out instead of filling the lens to the wiring hole and leaking into the wall. I discovered that the hard way with our first 5er.

Vrayparrish · 08-12-2015, 04:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

Water damage can show up a long way from the source. I'd first attempt to determine if the plumbing is actually leaking, using the method I offered. If the pump holds pressure and does not short-cycle when no water is used, it pretty-much eliminated the plumbing and pump.
The next would be to determine if their is a water leak through the skin or roof of the RV. IMO, the most dependable method is to locate an RV repair shop that has, and uses, a Seal-Tech leak detection system.
When we bought our new 5er, I discovered the first rain that it had a water leak. The dealer's technician used the Seal-Tech system and located that leak source over 20' from where it appeared inside the 5er. He continued and found 3 more very small leaks I hadn't spotted. That was 2005; we never had another leak between then and when we sold the 5er in 2013.
Just talking here; if you have a leak around a clearance light, simply drill a 1/8" hole in the bottom of each lens. Any water leaking into the lens will drain out instead of filling the lens to the wiring hole and leaking into the wall. I discovered that the hard way with our first 5er.

Thanks I'll check those areas.
Explain a little better how to short cycle the pump. I put water in the holding tank and then turn on the pump but don't turn on the faucet, correct. If the pump comes on it is leaking somewhere right? What about the Gray water and the you know nasty water??? All they had in it was clean water ( they hadd sanitized and cleaned it) in all the tanks so I don't know if these tanks are leaking. If they are how would I check them??
Any help is appreciated!
Thanks in advance!!

Ray,IN · 08-13-2015, 07:45 PM

Short=cycling is what happens when there is a pressure leak in the fresh water plumbing, not a good thing, because it means water damage somewhere, if left un-repaired. If the fresh water system does not have any leak/pressure drop, the pump will never run unless you turn on something to use water.
The grey and black tanks cannot leak up into the floor and cause that soft spot, any holding tank leakage will drip from the bottom of the RV.

Vrayparrish · 08-14-2015, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

Short=cycling is what happens when there is a pressure leak in the fresh water plumbing, not a good thing, because it means water damage somewhere, if left un-repaired. If the fresh water system does not have any leak/pressure drop, the pump will never run unless you turn on something to use water.
The grey and black tanks cannot leak up into the floor and cause that soft spot, any holding tank leakage will drip from the bottom of the RV.

Nothing that I can tell seem to be leaking but I have not Filled the fresh water tank and turned the pump on yet as I didn't know how to check this. Thanks for the clarification.
Everybody on here are the best for trying to help!!