Challenger with no water to fridge

[Pointerman]

We took our new Thor Challenger 37YT out for a shake down weekend. One issue we discovered is we have no water to the fridge. I looked under cabinets and drawers for a valve that might be turned off, but can't find anything. When I shine a flashlight into the gap on either side of the fridge I do not see a water line on either side which makes me believe it might be plumbed from below. I have gone through the basement and traced the water lines and can't find anything headed up towards the fridge.

Is there anyone here with a 37YT that can advise on where the water line for the fridge is supposed to run? Has anyone ever experienced the factory forgetting to run water for the fridge?

Will be calling Thor later today, but they will likely just say bring it into the dealer which will result in it sitting around for a month. While I have a pile of issues building up I would rather resolve as many as possible on my own and get some camping in prior to turning my new baby over to a dealer.

[dmckee]

I have a 2005 Tiffin and the water valve for the fridge is accessed by removing the outside fridge vent cover.

[Pointerman]

Originally Posted by dmckee

I have a 2005 Tiffin and the water valve for the fridge is accessed by removing the outside fridge vent cover.

Thanks, but this is a residential fridge so there is no outside panel.

[Kluffinator]

I have a 2021 Challenger 37FH with the Whirlpool side by side residential refrigerator.

If you go to the owners section on thormotorcoach.com and log into owners resource, you can download the vehicle schematics. Look for the file category “Schematics”

These drawings include the fresh water plumbing isometric which will show you where the line is for the ice maker.

Also look in the whirlpool or refrigerator installation manual to see where the line Connects to the reefer.

Also if you have the whirlpool remember there may be an on off switch on the bottom of the ice maker itself to turn the ice maker on. Depends on the style.

[Pointerman]

Just spoke to Thor and the valve is behind the fridge. Trim needs to be removed and fridge pulled forward to turn the valve on. Dealer should have done this prior to shipping to me... yet another failure by my dealer that I purchased from remotely. So frustrating. I guess there will be no ice or cold water until I can get my new rig into a local dealer for a pile of warranty work.

[Kluffinator]

That’s messed up. Why even put in a valve if it’s so hard to get to.

So that means if you happen to be camping and the ice maker springs a leak you can’t easily isolate and shutoff the water supply to the ice maker and keep on camping. That’s just so asinine.

As I study the isometric for my 37FH a thought occurs that a valve might be able to be installed by the dealer (or yourself if you know how to work with pex) in the sink base cabinet. The water flows from from the plumbing control panel to the kitchen sink first and then to the icemaker and finally to the washing machine. putting a valve there could give you a quick isolation in the event of a leak.

[Kluffinator]

Your post got me curious. I found my ice maker valve behind the pot and pan drawer under the cooktop.

Much more accessible than pulling the refrigerator out.

Not sure how much your floor plan varies from mine but I would have to think it’s a standard Challenger factory setup to put the valve in line between the kitchen sink and refrigerator

[Pointerman]

Originally Posted by Kluffinator

Your post got me curious. I found my ice maker valve behind the pot and pan drawer under the cooktop.

Much more accessible than pulling the refrigerator out.

Not sure how much your floor plan varies from mine but I would have to think it’s a standard Challenger factory setup to put the valve in line between the kitchen sink and refrigerator

I looked in that location. Heck, I think I looked everywhere. I will look again. It seems like a much more likely location than behind the fridge and needing to remove trim every time you need to winterize.

Is your valve on the floor or mounted somewhere else?

[Pointerman]

Found the water diagram. What it does not show is the location of shut off valves.

[Kluffinator]

There is a pex stub up above the floor and the valve is attached to that. I looked at your floor plans and it’s not that different form mine as to sink stove refer line up. I’ll try to post a picture.

[Kluffinator]

Behind the bottom drawer under the cooktop.

[Pointerman]

Originally Posted by Kluffinator

Behind the bottom drawer under the cooktop.
Attachment 323289Attachment 323290

Thanks for those pics. Really helpful, but I think it is helpful in confirming that they either did mine differently or failed to run water to my fridge. Headed to the RV tonight to load some stuff for this weekend's trip and I will take a look again. Will bring a good flashlight.

Really appreciate your help here.

[Pointerman]

Nice Beagles by the way. We have had two in more recent years, but are down to one very old one now. We have moved on to Frenchies. Slightly less damage to the yard.

[Kluffinator]

Yep. Love the beagles. They only listen to me when I mention food.