Sinks - Who else has issues!

[travellingworkshop]

Hi there!
I was interested in who else has issues with there bathroom sinks. For some reason this seems to be a common issue in a few motorhome models, either inconveniently oversized, discoloured or cracked.

 

[Andy Norfolk]

The only issue I have is it running away slowly. I have tried various remedies, pipe cleaner products etc. They help for a while but then it slows. I guess smaller pipes than a house, toothpaste etc. On our Adria Adora Seine the size is fine. I'd say if I was redesigning it I'd make it about 3 inches shorter to give better access when using the toilet.

 

[toad a caravan]

Is the waste pipe flexible? If so and it's feasible check that it is positioned so that it is orientation is always downwards,mine had a very slightly raised section, once through the caravan floor it continues as rigid piping to the rear,this slopes downward, I increased it by adding a few spacers between the clips and floor, each one slightly increased in thickness

 

[otherclive]

Before going home after each trip I would pour a bowl. full of hot water down the kitchen and bathroom sinks and the shower drain too.

 

[Woodentop]

I won't name our caravan, but we got a new one at the beginning of last year and it had several bathroom issues one of which was the sink.
The square bowl is quite small - just about deep enough and large enough to place your hands side by side fingers splayed on the base of it - but the bowl was partially under a wall cupboard. Not an issue when washing your hands, but ???? awkward to spit into when cleaning you teeth!
Why do designers never think of such things? Maybe they never clean their teeth?

 

[Sam Vimes]

It seems to me that like a lot of things these days, caravans are designed more for the looks than for the practicalities of use.

There are numerous instances of this on the caravans and motor home that we've owned.

I once got invited to go to the Swift factory because of all the problems I was having with our Motorhome - I was not alone. However, one thing that got mentioned was - 'Does anyway actually try these things out in real life?' The answer was that some staff members actually get to use them for real. This though is not a real life test in my opinion because staff will already have some expectations as to the limitations the designs impose.

 

[Hutch]

Yes our problem is the shower and the handbasin at the rear, after a couple of days use I have to use a plunger either in the sink or the shower. Which clears the blockage,. This is caused by a rise in the drain pipes going through the chassis causing a water trap.
I keep meaning to fit a non ridged pipe to go from the joint shower/ sink joint across to the waste pipe on the side but never get around to doing it.

 

[Johnb]

Slow draining through ridged pip and dip where it emerges under the van and changes to solid wall pipe.
Presumably the "dip" will create a barrier for smells but drainage is really slow.
I've toyed with the idea of changing all pipe to rigid with swept bends. I'm sure flow would increase but by removing the "dip barrier" would the sink smell?
I'm sure others have done this.
Verdict?

 

[GaryB]

I won't name our caravan, but we got a new one at the beginning of last year and it had several bathroom issues one of which was the sink.
The square bowl is quite small - just about deep enough and large enough to place your hands side by side fingers splayed on the base of it - but the bowl was partially under a wall cupboard. Not an issue when washing your hands, but ???? awkward to spit into when cleaning you teeth!
Why do designers never think of such things? Maybe they never clean their teeth?

We had a 2016 Swift Challenger 580 that had the same problem. No matter how carefully you were, water always ran down the front of the undersink cupboard! Trying to shave without getting water on the floor was almost impossible.

 

[otherclive]

We looked at a nice new Adria and the bathroom sink was raised above the surface, glass and oval. My first thought was it’s a strange place to install a fruit bowl. Classic case of form over function.