Forum Discussion

Hathalm's avatar
Hathalm
Explorer III
Aug 03, 2026
Solved

Why no hot water?

Hi.  Mine is a Forest River Flagstaff Classic.  It’s lovely.  But there is no hot water. I’m sure it has inline water heater. I turn it on at the panel, it lights blue, run “hot” water…but no hot...
  • Hathalm's avatar
    Hathalm
    Aug 18, 2026

    ELECTRIC HOT WATER HEATER SOLVED!!!

     My electric hot water heater never worked in my 5th wheel.

    i coordinated with y’all great guys here, got ideas for winterizing, maybe it’s bypassed, burnt out, broken wire…

    I worked with the service manager at the dealership…

    then I went to an rv place, who couldn’t help me, but they referred me to a man who comes out to the RV Park, mobile repair tech.

     He was very knowledgeable, began testing…. The element was NOT burnt out, but there was no electricity to it. He checked the control panel, the breaker box… electricity should be there.

     He opened the wall cabinet in the head and began searching—AND THERE WAS THE PROBLEM:   

    the electric water heater was not plugged in.

    Ugh!!!    It was inside the wall. I’d have never found it

    Here plugged it in.

     

     It works.  

bid_time's avatar
bid_time
Navigator
Aug 03, 2026

Are you familiar with the process for by-passing the water heater? By-passing the water heater is done in cold climates so that antifreeze can be pumped through the rv water system without filling the water heater with antifreeze (this is necessary so the lines don’t freeze and break). The point being, the by-pass valves need to be in a specific position to accomplish this by-pass mode. If those valves are currently in by-pass mode, you won’t get any hot water. If you don’t know about “by-passing”, google it and read up.

  • Hathalm's avatar
    Hathalm
    Explorer III
    Aug 06, 2026

    Hi all,

    i am not familiar with winterizing or bypassing.  That is reasonable. Though i bought this thing new in a hot climate, I’ve learned they neglected to tell me a few things, and that could be one of them.

    I’m a little fed up with trying to figure things out on my own. I think I’ll go to a camping RV store and ask them to show me some things.

     Everyone’s advice has been helpful.  

    • Hathalm's avatar
      Hathalm
      Explorer III
      Aug 18, 2026

      ELECTRIC HOT WATER HEATER SOLVED!!!

       My electric hot water heater never worked in my 5th wheel.

      i coordinated with y’all great guys here, got ideas for winterizing, maybe it’s bypassed, burnt out, broken wire…

      I worked with the service manager at the dealership…

      then I went to an rv place, who couldn’t help me, but they referred me to a man who comes out to the RV Park, mobile repair tech.

       He was very knowledgeable, began testing…. The element was NOT burnt out, but there was no electricity to it. He checked the control panel, the breaker box… electricity should be there.

       He opened the wall cabinet in the head and began searching—AND THERE WAS THE PROBLEM:   

      the electric water heater was not plugged in.

      Ugh!!!    It was inside the wall. I’d have never found it

      Here plugged it in.

       

       It works.  

      • StirCrazy's avatar
        StirCrazy
        Moderator
        Aug 18, 2026

        so I am gladd you got it sorted out, but when we asked you if it was bypassed, you should have looked in there and said " there is no bypass valves, and by the way there is a cord that isn't plugged in in there"  haha, but seriously that is the first water heater I have seen in a long time that doesnt have any bypass on it and you might want to get one put in it if you plan on winterizing your rv.  

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