Water Heater

[ragster_ga]

Howard,
I'd be happy to give you a hand....I will provide the Fried Chicken

Glenn

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Howard O. Truitt"
wrote:
>
> Glenn,
> If I ever need to replace mine I will come up to the land of the
Big Chicken for a visit.
> Does sound like an item that should be visually checked at least
anually for leaks.
> Howard T., Camilla, Ga. 86, 8V92, PT40
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: ragster_ga
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wednesday, August 29, 2007 8:29 PM
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Water Heater
>
>
> Howard,
>
> When I purchased my 1986 PT-40 about a month ago, I was aware
that it
> has a failed hot water heater. I did a casual inspection of the
> heater, but not through enough. While I did plan on replacing the
> HWH, I was not aware nor did the prev. owner enlighten me that
the
> HWH has been leaking for a very long time.
>
> When I went to replaced the HWH and disassembled the right rear
> corner for access, I discovered wood decay in the sub flooring
under
> all the rear cabinets and under the raised deck portion of the
queen
> bed. The area was covered so that is was not evident by casual
> inspection. I believe the unit was stored with a forward slope so
> the leaking water drained forward and caused the problem.
>
> A long story short, I removed all of the rear cabinets and
replaced
> all the decking on the bed and under the rear cabinets. I
replaced
> the HWH with the Atwood Stainless Steel HWH hoping that it will
have
> a longer life that the standard unit.
>
> While the effort was time consuming, I was impressed with the way
> BlueBird built the area in the back. The decayed wood was on top
of
> steel plate. Because of the primer and coating on the steel
plate,
> there was no rust anywhere the water had been. The only thing I
do
> not like, is the access to the HWH. Also, the rear cabinets are a
> real pain to remove and install.
>
> I received a quote from Camping World to replace the HWH with a
> standard HWH for about $800. This would not have included
replacing
> any damaged sub-flooring. I would hate to even try to guess at
the
> bill to do the work the I did myself. My total cost using my
labor
> and including the upgraded HWS was about $500.
>
> In hind sight, the area under the HWH should have a drain pan
with a
> drain going below the coach to avoid such problems.
>
> Regards,
>
> Glenn Allen
> Marietta, GA
> 1986 PT-40
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Howard O. Truitt"
> wrote:
> >
> > Thanks all for location of water heater.
> > Sounds like a job for a pro.