water dripping when trailer isn't level sideways

[jimrex62]

Hello and Welcome to 2024!

Last weekend's Brazos Bend State Park New Year's trip went pretty good... no alligators at least!

I towsed unit to site without issue and after setting the front to back levelness with tongue jack, I realized that there was a noticeable lean towards the left side of trailer. I wasn't too concerned about it and then realized that I hadn't replaced the leveling pads that weren't recovered in last year's trailer theft - totally forgot and haven't needed them in the 5 or 6 trips since purchase.

Proceeded with electrical and water hookups - no sewer at this park - and at some point later, I noticed water dripping from undercarriage in several places. Not a stream, just a drip. So after ensuring it was fresh water and not grey, I checked under all sinks to rule that out internal water leaks. On Monday while prepping to leave park, I shut off water and observed the dripping ease. After leaving site for the dump station, the unit was more level and I did not observe any dripping while I was draining and flushing black\grey tanks.

Thoughts? I can only assume that there must be a fitting or water line that isn't sealed properly that hasn't shown up yet until the trailer was leaning. I plan on taking to dealer after next trip in a few weeks while unit is still under warranty.

Note that I never have used fresh tank - only use the City Water switch position.

 

[Second Chance]

Unless you drove through rain, it sounds like water collected in the underbelly on top of the Coroplast from some source or another - likely a leaky water line or plastic fitting (the most common failure mode). If the rig were mine, I would hook up water, turn it on, and observe all plumbing points for leaks: the back of the Nautilus panel (frequent source of leaks), under faucets, the back of the water heater, etc.

Rob

 

[trailrydr]

We had a slow drip at a FHU campground this past summer comming from a tiny hole in the coroplast. After peeking thru an zippered section of the coroplast, noticed a small pool of water in a low area section. Removed the coroplast and found that the pressed in pipe in our kitchen grey tank had developed a leak from a cracked pipe an inch or so into the tank opening.

My guess this had always been broke from the factory since the tank outlet had no sign of damage. The drip would only happen with enough water pressure built up.

Would remove the coroplast and check out where the leak is comming.

 

[Dutchman2]

Hello and Welcome to 2024!

Last weekend's Brazos Bend State Park New Year's trip went pretty good... no alligators at least!

I towsed unit to site without issue and after setting the front to back levelness with tongue jack, I realized that there was a noticeable lean towards the left side of trailer. I wasn't too concerned about it and then realized that I hadn't replaced the leveling pads that weren't recovered in last year's trailer theft - totally forgot and haven't needed them in the 5 or 6 trips since purchase.

Proceeded with electrical and water hookups - no sewer at this park - and at some point later, I noticed water dripping from undercarriage in several places. Not a stream, just a drip. So after ensuring it was fresh water and not grey, I checked under all sinks to rule that out internal water leaks. On Monday while prepping to leave park, I shut off water and observed the dripping ease. After leaving site for the dump station, the unit was more level and I did not observe any dripping while I was draining and flushing black\grey tanks.

Thoughts? I can only assume that there must be a fitting or water line that isn't sealed properly that hasn't shown up yet until the trailer was leaning. I plan on taking to dealer after next trip in a few weeks while unit is still under warranty.

Note that I never have used fresh tank - only use the City Water switch position.

Assuming you had a water pressure regulator installed? We stay at Brazos Bend a few times each year and if I recall correctly the water pressure is high enough to need a regulator. Second Chance is spot on with the likely areas to verify for a leak source. We also took it one step further and added leak sensors in the kitchen, Bathroom sink and behind the Nautilus. Cheap insurance in case there is a leak that developed over time.

Dutchman2

 

[jimrex62]

Assuming you had a water pressure regulator installed? We stay at Brazos Bend a few times each year and if I recall correctly the water pressure is high enough to need a regulator.

Dutchman2

No, I did not but that is also a good point. I did notice that the dump station had one on the water hose there. High pressure makes more sense than a leak due to leaning.

behind the Nautilus.

Dutchman2

For both mentioning the Nautilus panel - I don't think that the Transcend has one. There is a box in the storage compartment that contains the water inlet connection, a lever valve with "City Water" or "Tank Fill", and the electrical cutout switch and solar controller display. The water hose comes up through the floor and connects to inlet. That's it.

Since I keep the trailer at a storage lot, there isn't much troubleshooting that I can do unless I have moved it and using it. We have a trip planned in three weeks and these sites are more level. If the problem goes away, I'll have more info for dealer to address under warranty.

 

[Dutchman2]

No, I did not but that is also a good point. I did notice that the dump station had one on the water hose there. High pressure makes more sense than a leak due to leaning.



For both mentioning the Nautilus panel - I don't think that the Transcend has one. There is a box in the storage compartment that contains the water inlet connection, a lever valve with "City Water" or "Tank Fill", and the electrical cutout switch and solar controller display. The water hose comes up through the floor and connects to inlet. That's it.

Since I keep the trailer at a storage lot, there isn't much troubleshooting that I can do unless I have moved it and using it. We have a trip planned in three weeks and these sites are more level. If the problem goes away, I'll have more info for dealer to address under warranty.

Even with the unit in storage you could perform a system pressure leak down test if you had access to a small air compressor. A fitting used to winterize with air to connect to the trailer water inlet connection. A 0-50psi gauge and few pipe nipples and a ball vale to isolate the pressure would be all that would be needed. Pressure the water system up to 40-50 psi MAX and close the upstream ball valve and watch the down stream pressure gauge. If the needle starts dropping you have leak source to locate. verify all valves inside the trailer are in the closed position. I would use soap and water to verify all your external pipe connections are leak free prior to performing the test.

Dutchman2

 

[jimrex62]

Assuming you had a water pressure regulator installed? We stay at Brazos Bend a few times each year and if I recall correctly the water pressure is high enough to need a regulator.
Dutchman2

I'll add a WP regulator next trip... hopefully nothing permanently damaged.

 

[jimrex62]

I'll add a WP regulator next trip... hopefully nothing permanently damaged.

no issues over the weekend with the regulator that I purchased

 

[Dutchman2]

no issues over the weekend with the regulator that I purchased

Money well spent -

Glad it was leak free.

Dutchman2

 

[mitch8628]

Just for future reference. On our 23 311BHS the rig was not level, and all of a sudden water dripping out of near the low point drain. Did some investigating, dropped the belly. No water in the under belly. Water was coming out of the layers in the cloroplast. I bet while driving through rain. It got in the chloroplast and then gravity pulled it out when un level.