Any ideas in how to access water leak?

[Espo05]

Have a 2017 Fleetwood Flair and have sprung a water leak...found it in tubing that is behind a drawer that is under my stovetop. Looks like they secured it to the flooring back there with a cheap metal tie down - probably punctured the tubing. Even if I take drawers out, it’s hard to reach. Wondering about the outside bay that is directly opposite it...do those rubber bay enclosures come out? Seems that if they did, it would be easy to access and repair.
Any thoughts?

[plasma800]

That's a tough one for sure. I think you'll just have to look at it real hard... Call Fleetwood. They generally have good answers, but this is a pretty obscure case... they might shrug, but it's totally worth a try for sure.

[l1v3fr33ord1]

Espo05-

It's hard to tell without pictures of the piping, cabinet and storage bays.

If your coach is still under warranty, I'd let Fleetwood have a crack at fixing it on their dime.

If not, first look for other access "hatches" in the area. Sometimes these come in the form of vents. If there are none, consider removing the drawer, drawer glides, stovetop, and whatever else is in the way. Still not enough room to get light in and work on the problem? Then consider cutting an access hatch from the interior top or side, especially if repeated access might be helpful. Your goal is to do this in a location that is not visible when everything is back in place.

Make any hatch larger than you think you need (funny how a small hole never has enough room to get a light in there or to swing tools!). I cut a hatch in our coach to access the washer-dryer hookups from above, using the cutout as the hatch cover.

A vibrating multi-saw works well to cut clean holes in wood.

Best, though, to have Fleetwood either fix it or tell you how you might fix it, as they should have some idea of access options to that area.

[Espo05]

Thanks! I will call Fleetwood first thing Monday - thinking I can access through hot water heater or furnace area, but it may require removing furnace to get at it. Not sure how comfortable husband or I am at doing that.
So until he arrives, I turned the bypass valve to shut off the hot water and shut the hot water heater off. I can still get cold city water for flushing toilet and cold running water can be heated in a kettle for doing dishes.
Hoping Fleetwood will authorize a mobile repair since it’s still under warranty. Dealers around here are booked for weeks and we get on the road as soon as hubby arrives back in the States.
Water with three kids is important! Luckily, we have very nice campground showers for the week!

[Al n Cindy]

"water leak...found it in tubing that is behind a drawer that is under my stovetop."

While I'm not familiar with the Flair, I've found that stovetops in most coaches can be easily removed. That is how we repaired ours (actually, replaced) the water tubing from the sink to the fridge ice maker.

In our coach that tubing should be fastened to the wall above the furnace; it slipped down to make contact and a small hole burned through. If your layout is similar, when it is repaired, make sure everything is properly suspended so no furnace contact can be made.

Fleetwood is not known for sending mobile techs out unless there is an emergency. Plead your case with something the damsel in distress scenario; you might get better results!

BTW, when you call be sure to have your FIN# handy (not VIN). On our coach it is on a tag outside beneath the driver's mirror. Many people say it is also posted on the wall behind their pilot seats, but on mine it is not--only the VIN is there (other numbers to, for the engine, transmission, axles).

[Espo05]

I pleaded my case to Fleetwood, as they originally were not helpful - according to Fleetwoods warranty policy, if the coach is driveable it needs to go to a dealer. I explained that I did my due diligence and called dealers in the area but the wait was over 2 weeks! Did they want me to let water leak for 2 weeks and cause more problems or pay for the mobile service? They agreed to pay for everything but the service call. Mobile repair will be here in 2 days.

Until then we are using campground bathrooms, water jugs for drinking and flushing toilet (for potty at night) and boiling water to wash pots and pans - using paper plates and plastic cutlery. Thankfully my kids fondly remember years of dry camping in the RPod and don’t seem too phased that we can’t use the “luxury items” in our brand new coach.

Hoping for an easy and quick repair. Followed by a reimbursement check from Fleetwood.