Hot Water Bypass

[Leon]

Just purchased a Laredo 2018 (288RL) and looking for the hot water bypass. Couldn't find it on the water heater.
Two trips so far and love it. Any help would be appreciated.

[MarkEHansen]

The bypass will generally be on the back side of the water heater. Just identify the location of the WH in the trailer (based on the cover on the outside) and then on the inside, there will (usually) be some way to get at it. Behind a small wall panel with screws, under a bunk bed, etc.

Edit: And welcome to the forum!

[Leon]

Thanks, I took the partition hiding the water heater off and can't find it, I will try again.

[MarkEHansen]

Can't find the water heater or can't find the bypass valve?

[Leon]

That was a vague reply wasn't it? Couldn't find the bypass.

Leon

[MarkEHansen]

Oh, well if you can see the back of the water heater and it doesn't have a bypass, then perhaps one isn't installed. Perhaps someone can show a picture of what one looks like, just to make sure?

If you don't have one, I think you can install it - I've not done that as my trailers have had them already.

[JRTJH]

If you have a "water control center" on the trailer with city water connections, dump valve handles, etc, then you may find the water heater bypass control in that panel. If you don't have that type "water control center" then the water heater bypass valve is located on the water input (bottom water connection) at the water heater. There may be a 2"-6" pipe nipple on the connector, but there's an "cold water input to the water heater", a "bypass pipe that usually extends up to connect with the hot water outlet at the top of the water heater. The valve is a "quarter turn" valve and aligning the handle with the vertical pipe places the water heater in "bypass" while turning it "90 degrees from that position" will place the water heater in "normal operation".

The quarter turn valve is very easy to overlook, isn't really much bigger than the half inch PEX to which it's connected.

Here is a photo of a typical bypass valve in the "normal" position on the rear of the water heater.