Forum Discussion

cochise49's avatar
cochise49
Explorer
Apr 05, 2014

Dumb Question

Got a new rig. It has a electric/gas water heater. All is working well. I can see where the vent is for the WH on the passenger side exterior. What I can't find is the latch to open the compartment. Don't need into the compartment but, past experience tells me that I eventually will. I will certainly ask the dealer about it when I see them in a few days. Anyone have insight? Its a '14 Winnebago Adventurer 38Q. Nothing in operators manual or the two supplemental manuals. Just info on the water heater itself. Not how to access it.

8 Replies

  • Haven't tried to open it yet but, it looks like it has the two screws at the bottom edge of the compartment "door." No quick release catch. As far as I know, on/off electric/gas switching is done from inside. All of that works as I said. With any luck I won't have to access it for a very long time. However,as we all know, Murphy's Law is alive and well in the RVing world. Thanks for the replys. Always get good info from the forum members.
  • dougrainer wrote:
    Some Winne's, you have to open the compartment door type cover and you then see the complete Water heater door and release latches. They install the regular type compartment door over the Water Heater to give a better look to the outside of the motorhome. It can have a quick release latch or you may have to remove a couple of screws under the bottom edge for the door to hinge up and out of the way. Doug



    Winner, winner....chicken dinner!
  • Not every RV has the electric switch for the water heater on the outside. I'm glad that our travel trailer's switches for both electric and gas were on the INSIDE.
  • You need to take the "vent" cover off to get at the water heater so you can switch on the electric. the rocker switch has a pin through it so it is off (reason is so it can't be turned on when there is no water in the tank---which would fry the element immediately)

    so you fill the tank and THEN turn on the electric element. The hard part is to remember to turn it back off before you drain the tank whenever you do that.
  • anconn wrote:
    Not trying to be a smart a$$. But. Could it be you are looking at the furnace vent and not the hot water heater and the water heater is on the other side.


    x2
  • Not trying to be a smart a$$. But. Could it be you are looking at the furnace vent and not the hot water heater and the water heater is on the other side.
  • Some Winne's, you have to open the compartment door type cover and you then see the complete Water heater door and release latches. They install the regular type compartment door over the Water Heater to give a better look to the outside of the motorhome. It can have a quick release latch or you may have to remove a couple of screws under the bottom edge for the door to hinge up and out of the way. Doug
  • isn't there a ring that flips out 90 degrees and can be turned to let the door swing out and down.
    bumpy

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