2499 Water Heater Access mod

kanyonkitty · 10-15-2007, 11:11 AM

Yep, I got the tools out again

This time I'm creating an access door under the front of the sofa. This door will eliminate the need to raise the sofa and piece of luan board to reach the "bypass valve"

I will be adding some support behind the opening, and adding some framing and hinges to the door. The door will be created from the piece of wood that I cut out.

Here is what I have done so far, only worked on it a little bit this am.

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This is a pic I took in my house of the new door, put a pickling white stain on the frame and then a coat of Pearlescent topcoat. I need to install it, but will brace the sofa panel first.

partimcmpr · 10-15-2007, 12:40 PM

I have a 2553, but I think I may need to do the same thing to gain easier access to the water pump. If I decide to winterize with RV-Antifreeze, I would like to syphon from the bottle instead of just dumping in the tank.

Since the furnace is under there, will you need to make it 'air tight' to keep fumes out?

Keep the pics coming, and let us know the difficulty rating of the project!

Thanks,
David

partimcmpr · 10-15-2007, 12:42 PM

Never mind on the airtight comment - I just saw on your picture that it looks like you can see in yours already. Mine appears to be pretty tight, though I have not lifted the board off to see how much so.

Later,
David

kanyonkitty · 10-15-2007, 02:08 PM

David,

The compartment is not airtight, nor does it need to be. But, I will probably add some of that "pipe insulation" to the lines since I'm messing around in there. My next project, after this one will be to quiet down my water pump. It is currently a "jack hammer"

It's pretty easy to get to as it's on the floor in the outside pegboard storage compartment.
I'll post more updates as I do them.

Headed out to dinner with a couple friends for now.

Kitty

precorguy · 10-16-2007, 05:49 AM

i would love to see the pics of what you are thinking of doing --- as i usually lift the panel to get at the waterpump ---- however for some reason the pics do not come up when i check your post ---- is anyone able to help?

**JohnB** · 10-16-2007, 07:05 PM

Some thing is not working right on Kitty's post.

They where there last night, now just the red X and no can see.

However her sig picture works so her Webshots server must be up.

Which means??? Good question

.

But they where there last night.

John

PS On edit, I jsut checked. Kitty's sig pic is hosted on Photobucket. Her pic's TT pic's are hosted by Webshots. Which means Webshots may be down. At least at 9:09PM EST on 10-16-07

**Sunline Fan** · 10-16-2007, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnB

Some thing is not working right on Kitty's post.

They where there last night, now just the red X and no can see.

However her sig picture works so her Webshots server must be up.

Which means??? Good question

.

But they where there last night.

John

PS On edit, I jsut checked. Kitty's sig pic is hosted on Photobucket. Her pic's TT pic's are hosted by Webshots. Which means Webshots may be down. At least at 9:09PM EST on 10-16-07

John,

The pics work for me at 10:06PM EST. BTW, I'm hosting Kitty's sig pic for her. She'll give you the details.

Jon

**JohnB** · 10-16-2007, 11:04 PM

Well Kitty's pics are now back......

Now we see em...

kanyonkitty · 10-30-2007, 11:49 AM

OK, got the door on, just need to get a new latch, DUH, I bought the wrong type.

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Now, I can bypass with ease

Kitty

partimcmpr · 10-30-2007, 12:22 PM

Looks great. I may do the same to get to my water pump so I can use it to siphone antifreeze into the system.

Thanks for sharing!

David

Al in PA · 10-30-2007, 01:31 PM

David:

I winterized my 2553 last week. The hose on the bypass kit is long enough to reach to the bottom of the antifreeze jug if you put it on the floor in front of the sofa. You have to keep the sofa tipped up so you don't pinch off the plastic tubing, but it worked fine - only had to remove two screws.

**PTHutch** · 10-30-2007, 02:10 PM

Kitty,

Excellent job. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

Hutch

partimcmpr · 10-30-2007, 06:11 PM

Al,
I am thinking instead of cutting a door, making some type of brace that will hold the sofa up and out of the way. I was hoping the tube would reach. I just ordered the kit today in hopes that it would work like that.

Any other 2553 tips I should know about? I really like mine. It is our first trailer so we are still learning alot.

Thanks and I will let you know how it works out.

Later,
David

Al in PA · 10-30-2007, 07:09 PM

Kitty:

The finish you used on your door frame looks great. I'll have to remember that combination.

David:

I can't find the thread from a week or two ago to give credit to the original author, but the reminder was to remember the outside shower when winterizing. It would be easy to overlook. After draining the water heater and bypassing it, I blew the lines with a compressor before pumping the antifreeze. One gallon just makes it if you don't let the faucets run. If you have any excess in the jug, pour it down the drains; if no excess, you probably ran the faucets long enough to winterize the drains.

I forgot to turn off the furnace and gas bottle after our last trip. My Lab kept fussing and pulled me across the barnyard to the camper: That's when I heard the furnace and realized my mistake. She always has to investigate whenever something seems out of place.

**JohnB** · 10-30-2007, 08:38 PM

Kitty

Nice job

Reused the cut out. Neat. I still save my 2 panels I cut out. Now that I see your thought I can turn them into doors too

May use them in the T310

I used my access slide door yesterday. It was going to frost here so I did the pink stuff in the T2499. Figured we are not camping in it any more this year. It is just sleeping in the shed. Sure was the easiest I have ever found that bypass valve.....

Going out camping in the T310SR this week. Can't wait.

John

kanyonkitty · 10-30-2007, 08:47 PM

Thank you all for the wonderful compliments. And yes John, it will be the first time to have very easy access to the bypass valve. I drained the WH(using the mod I did after seeing yours), drained the fresh water, and I'm having a blonde moment and forget where the low point drains are. I am just draining for now, as I leave Nov 20th for Pigeon Forge, TN. Will do the pink in the am of 11/25 when I pack up to head home.

**JohnB** · 10-30-2007, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kanyonkitty

Thank you all for the wonderful compliments. And yes John, it will be the first time to have very easy access to the bypass valve. I drained the WH(using the mod I did after seeing yours), drained the fresh water, and I'm having a blonde moment and forget where the low point drains are. I am just draining for now, as I leave Nov 20th for Pigeon Forge, TN. Will do the pink in the am of 11/25 when I pack up to head home.

The low point drains in my 2004 T2499 are in the bath room sink cabinet next to the toilet. Open the door and they will show up right there.

We too may go out after Turkey day too. Do Turkey with the kids then head out for a 3 day campout. Pick a park, now one there....

John

partimcmpr · 10-31-2007, 05:58 AM

Kanyonkitty,
Where are you going in Pigeon Forge? My wife wanted to go there for Christmas, but we were not sure where to stay. I would like to hear how the trip goes.

Thanks,
David

kanyonkitty · 10-31-2007, 06:18 PM

partimcmpr,

I actually "stay" in Sevierville, TN, which you go thru to get into Pigeon Forge and then thru Pigeon Forge into Gatlinburg. I stay at http://www.riversidecamp.com/ Have stayed there for 6 or more years now. It's not right in the middle of the tourist district, but it's a nice place, decent price and nice lots. It's one of the first campgrounds you come to going towards PF. You'll pass Smokey Mountain Knife Works, then come to a traffic light, you'd turn right at that light, cross small river and right into Riverside. I have gone to PF for Thanksgiving since 1992. You have shoppping galore, tons of "shows" to choose from, restuarants amillion

and wonderful sightseeing. I'll be paying 26 bux per day plus tax for water, electric, sewer and cable. The ride over to Cades Code is nice, once there its an 11 mile scenic (read "slow") loop, to see wildlife, depending on weather. I have seen deer, turkey. an owl, and a bear with 2 cubs. Just never know what might be around. You can go to Cades Cove one way and return another, so you get two nice routes to use. There is also a nice scenic loop right outside Gatlinburg (the road to it is right by the large round tower that you can go up in) might be called Airport Road. There is a great Ripleys Haunted House in Gatlinburg, as well as Ripleys Believe it or not. There really is just so much to see and do.

IF weather permits, take the ride over to Cherokee, NC, about half way up there is a 7 mile side trip to Clingmans Dome, the highest point in NC. Not a lot in Cherokee in the winter, but some stuff is open and they were doing a lot of refurbishing last year. If you want to try your luck in a Casino, they have an Indian owned & operated casino there. Also on the way over to Cherokee, not too far outside of Gatlinburg, you will drive on the "PIG TAIL", the road really does go around like a pigtail.

The cost to vist this area depends on you, you can do a lot of free sightseeing, or you can drop a bundle doing shows, etc.

In Pigeon Forge, the Red Rooster is a wonderful breakfast place, ask for their 10% off card. Then there is "Duffs", a wonderful buffet plus fresh slice meats at you request. Ya might want to take a pair of pants one size larger for your return trip home

Want me to bring some info home and mail it to you?

Kitty

partimcmpr · 10-31-2007, 08:09 PM

Kitty,
Thanks for the info. I know I will be going there in the spring. If you don't mind I would appreciate anything you can send my way. You will have to let me know how I can return the favor.

Thanks again!
David