Water heater without water

[JBM3M]

2018 Cougar 28SGS. New unit to me, bought as is, winterized. The anode needed replaced. Got one, saw a lot of corrosion in heater and was just going to let water run and wash it out before putting in new anode.


Well got the right anode, got water both in the main water tank and shore power. I have water flow on the hot side at the faucets, but the hot water heater has no water. No clue if there is a shutoff valve in the back of the unit which would be in the kitchen where here is a vent of sorts, but removing the screws did not loosen it at all.

[bsmith0404]

Originally Posted by JBM3M

2018 Cougar 28SGS. New unit to me, bought as is, winterized. The anode needed replaced. Got one, saw a lot of corrosion in heater and was just going to let water run and wash it out before putting in new anode.


Well got the right anode, got water both in the main water tank and shore power. I have water flow on the hot side at the faucets, but the hot water heater has no water. No clue if there is a shutoff valve in the back of the unit which would be in the kitchen where here is a vent of sorts, but removing the screws did not loosen it at all.

Sounds like the water heater bypass valve is closed. Not familiar with the exact layout of your RV, but the bypass valve is typically near the water heater. Could be behind a cabinet somewhere of near the water connections. It’s used to winterize so you don’t fill the water heater with antifreeze

[JBM3M]

Obviously a shutoff somewhere, but I cannot locate. I do have polar package and bottom with exception of the drains is all closed up.


In bathroom I found this, no water on either side of whatever it is.




I thought maybe behind this,




but it is the heater and and water heater is behind another wall behind it. Above W heater is bathtub and shelving without access.


No valves in outside heater access except for the pop off and gas stuff.

[sourdough]

Top valve is the black tank flush anti siphon valve so not your culprit. Find the water heater access door outside then look inside directly behind it - that will be the water heater. Figure out how to access behind the water heater and you will probably find a valve that diverts incoming water from the cold water intake of the water heater and sends it downline thus preventing the water heater from getting water to fill the tank. Run down the location of the water heater, look behind it and I bet you find that valve and it's turned off.

[bsmith0404]

As we’ve mentioned, it’s typically behind/near the water heater. I had one trailer that the bypass valve was in the cabinet under the refrigerator. Sometimes you need to drop the wall in the pass through storage or there may be a small access point where a cover is removed.

[bsmith0404]

In the area where you connect your water hose, is there a valve that says “winterize”? That would be the wh bypass.

Edit, I finally found pics of the docking station for that trailer, no bypass valve there. Must be behind the wall in the pass through storage

[RollaMo]

Originally Posted by bsmith0404

In the area where you connect your water hose, is there a valve that says “winterize”? That would be the wh bypass.

This!


Look in the Wet Bay of your 5th wheel.
In the image below, you can see the water heater by pass valve.

[bsmith0404]

Originally Posted by RollaMo

This!


Look in the Wet Bay of your 5th wheel.
In the image below, you can see the water heater by pass valve.

I was thinking the same thing, but I found pics of what his is like, just a small docking station. Nothing like what you’re showing.

[JBM3M]

Well, everyone is quite correct.


Took some looking and online research, on this model the shutoff valve is behind the water heater with the access from inside the front storage compartment.


Two screws on the side of that panel and everything is accessable, including the water pump, and lots of plumbing. I am going to ponder on just removing that partition as it really is only taking up some usable space on the other side.

[bsmith0404]

That’s what I figured, glad you found it. If you remove it, just make sure you protect the water lines from shifting cargo.

[RollaMo]

Originally Posted by bsmith0404

I was thinking the same thing, but I found pics of what his is like, just a small docking station. Nothing like what you’re showing.

I found the picture I posted from the following thread on this forum:
https://www.keystoneforums.com/forum...ad.php?t=35317


That owner listed his model as a Cougar 28sgs, so I assumed it was the same as the one listed by the OP in this thread.
Maybe not though.

[JBM3M]

Mine doesn't look that way

[JRTJH]

You might consider just cutting a "hatch" in the partition and leaving it in place. It serves to protect the plumbing from shifting cargo, but more important, it prevents "little things from rolling too far back in those areas to find and even if you can see them, too far to reach.... All of us have "wrenches, chocks, hose nozzles, a electrical adapter or any of a bazillion other little things that can roll too far to get them without lots of unloading, crawling into the belly and cussing the entire time.....

I cut a hatch in mine, one of the best things I did to modify the passthrough. Now, all I have to do is remove the hatch cover, reach inside and turn the water heater bypass valve and replace the hatch cover. Easy Peasy ...

[heikejohn1]

Mine doesn't look like that either.
Apparently there were 2 different models of the 2018 28SGS.
One with the white front cap, the other one with the dark front cap.
We have the white one, which is the earlier model?

[JBM3M]

Thanks for all your comments. This idea will be researched when I am not getting ready to go for the weekend. I do like the access porthole idea

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by heikejohn1

Mine doesn't look like that either.
Apparently there were 2 different models of the 2018 28SGS.
One with the white front cap, the other one with the dark front cap.
We have the white one, which is the earlier model?

2018 was a "transition year for Cougar"... (my name, not Keystone's name for the process)

In 2018 Cougar was still building "east coast and west coast LITE models".

The east coast models were called Cougar XLite and the west coast models were called Cougar Half Ton. The XLite was a "white cap/tan sidewalls/black or white aluminum trim trailer" The Half Ton was a "dark cap/tan sidewalls/black aluminum trim trailer"

BOTH Cougar XLite and Cougar Half Ton produced a 28SGS floorplan.

THEY ARE NOT THE SAME TRAILER !!!!! and it goes much deeper than just the front cap color....

So having a 2018 Cougar 28SGS does not define a specific floorplan or even a specific brand of trailer.

This are the photos and specifications for the 2018 Half Ton and the 2018 XLite 28SGS. As you can see, the Half Ton is 6" longer, GVWR is 280 pounds greater, dry weight is 644 pounds heavier and fresh water capacity is 17 gallons more....

So saying, "I have a 2018 Cougar 28SGS" is not identifying a specific trailer...