171 hot water cut off valves for winterizing
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: I need HELP!!!
Forum Discription: Perplexed/need help with a problem - ask here
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=16083
Printed Date: 09 Jun 2025 at 9:39pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: 171 hot water cut off valves for winterizing
Posted By: jrbelding@gmail.com
Subject: 171 hot water cut off valves for winterizing
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2024 at 6:59pm
|
We had a 2018 171 with cut off valves to short circuit the water heater for winterizing. Our new 2023 replacement 171 lacks the cut off circuit, as far as I can tell. I thought Forest River had designed a wonderful automatic cut off for winterizing and winterized last year with 1 gallon, as usual. Today, I did it again, pink fluid out faucets, one gallon used BUT no identifiable cut off valve of the water heater and I can't see how it avoids filling the 6 gallon water heater. Has FR finally designed the 'free lunch', or maybe the cut off valves were left off by the factory and we got thru last year's mild winter very fortunately, or ...? ------------- JRB |
Replies:
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 12 Nov 2024 at 7:12pm
|
They are still there, now for you to find them. Am not sure if you have a 2 valve or 3 valve system but there are normally 2 ways to access them. The first is by opening the storage area door (toward the rear of your 171) and then removing the panel that is located to the left just inside the storage area and reaching inside. Unless you are a great contortionist, this way doesn't work, and beside you are going to have to do it all by feel - not good, considering the consequences of if you don't turn the valves all the way to 'open' or 'closed.' The better, and more difficult way (but you only have to do this the first time) is to remove your mattress and unscrew the luan board underneath and lift the whole board up so you can locate the valves - they will be directly behind the HW tank. Turn both or all three opposite to how you found them - make a note so that the following spring you will not have to guess as to what to do. Before putting the luan sheet back down cut an opening directly above the valve location, the opening I cut was 5" x 7", enough so I can shine a flashlight in the opening and get my hand in at the same time. The next time you winterize or un-winterize the system you will only have to lift up a corner of the mattress and with flashlight in hand, turn the valves. On my 177, it takes roughly a minute for me to lift up the mattress and turn the 3 valves and then drop the mattress back down. ------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: jrbelding@gmail.com
Date Posted: 13 Nov 2024 at 11:09am
|
Thank you very much, I appreciate your thoughts very much, but I have already done that. I am going to try to attach a pic showing that there is no 'shunt' between the two tubes of the water heater, nor is there one at the other end, next to the pump, and in between the lines are behind the paneling. Wish me luck on the pics.  ------------- JRB |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 14 Nov 2024 at 9:45am
|
Unfortunately it is difficult at best to see much of anything although it appears I can see at least one valve shut-off. Likely you have a 2 valve system, valves look like fittings but have a knob on top to open/close, unless they were installed upside down, then they would be underneath. Your 171 is an almost new model - the valves have to be there. ------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |