Lost water on hot side in Motorhome

[David Maddux]

We have an 06 Itasca Meridian motorhome, yesterday, our hot water stopped running. We still have good pressure on the cold side. Also water stopped running in the shower. What has happened? Yesterday morning I showered and the water was fine, then 4 hours later nothing on hot side, and no shower water. Stool flushes fine, good pressure on cold at both sinks. I checked water heater, hit the pop off valve and good presure at tank. So I seem to have good supply to hot water tank.

[stearn]

We had same problem . It was a bypss valve in top of the hot water tank. You will need to drain the HW tank, then on ours there is a cover you can remove to gain access the by pass valve. I think the valve takes a 13/16 or 1' deep socket. I now carry a spare valve. The valve is brass with plastic incert the valve is for winterizing.

[David Maddux]

Thanks Stearn. We found the problem, and yes it was a check valve. But here is what Itasca Meridian owners need to know: The check valve is not located on the back of the tank like most RV's are. It is located on the other side of the motorhome where the water fill door is. You have to remove the panel from around the shower/fill cabinet. Then locate water line labeled with red tape. You will see it there. Here is the sad part, I called the 800 winnebago number for help. The technician pulled up the plumbing schematics and it does not show the location of the check valve. He did not have a clue where it was. It gets better, I then called the local dealership, talked to one of their techs, he told me that the hot water tank on that model has to be pulled out of the motorhome to change the check valve. Wouldn't I have been happy to have hired a technician to spend the day pulling the tank out, to not find the valve? Anyway maybe I can help someone else not to have this happen to them. Dave.

[jimkate]

Wow! Good catch! How did you find out where the valve was?

[stearn]

Makes one wonder where some folks heads are when building these rolling homes! Glad you got your hot water back !

[CWHTRAINS]

Which floor plan/model is your '06 Meridian? I recall some saying that there is a difference in where that check valve is located based on the model.