Water valve

[Pauldh88]

Hi, I'm new to caravans, I've just bought a 2003 caravan and I have connected the water and pump and it's bringing water in, however the water is being drained straight out. I understand there should be a valve to stop this and it's usually yellow, however I cannot see one and I've looked everywhere. I have attached a picture of where the water comes in and I think the connection on the right with the red plastic bung sticking up may be a valve as that side of the pipe is where the water comes out under the caravan further down the pipe. However the red bung is not easy to press down, if it is the valve at all. Can anyone clarify? I'll probably have to use a hammer to push it down so i want to make sure first? Or is there a nack to pressing them down?

 

[otherclive]

I’d try a small amount of silicon spray on the drain valve/bung and let it soak for a while. Reduces risk of damage by just using a hammer.

 

[Pauldh88]

Thank you, at least I know now I'm looking at the right thing

 

[Martin_E]

That’s a carver water heater, the drain valve/bung is on the outside bottom left of the water heater.

 

[Martin_E]

It doesn’t look like there is a water pipe attached to the water inlet on the water heater, the black spout on the water heater to the left of the red bung

 

[Pauldh88]

That’s a carver water heater, the drain valve/bung is on the outside bottom left of the water heater.

Yes its a carver, so is it on the outside of the caravan?

 

[Martin_E]

Yes its a carver, so is it on the outside of the caravan?

Yes bottom left of the water heater, it’s got a big slot in it, like this https://www.caravancrazy.co.uk/prod...PyYncQuZI5aN2l8FE-l85J-U0OLehAsNTfjZQddn3AqyE

 

[birdman101]

The Red bung in the T is a blanking plug. Caravans of that age usually had one of those Red bungs underneath the caravan to drain. Push the outer ring around the Red bung inwards to release then you will be able to pull the bung out to drain water.

 

[Pauldh88]

I've found that now. That's screwed in. I have attached another photo of the whole pipe, the black connector to the right of the photo on the blue pipe is where there is an outlet where the water is draining under the caravan. So that's why I thought it was something to do eith the connector with the red bung top as it's on the same pipe. I've tried hammering that in but its not moving.

 

[Hutch]

Just a thought, have you tried pressing down inside of the red "button" and then pushing down the red part, I don't think hitting it with a hammer is a wise idea.

 

[Martin_E]

I've found that now. That's screwed in. I have attached another photo of the whole pipe, the black connector to the right of the photo on the blue pipe is where there is an outlet where the water is draining under the caravan. So that's why I thought it was something to do eith the connector with the red bung top as it's on the same pipe. I've tried hammering that in but its not moving.

So, the one to the right of the wooden upright?
If it is, is that a T piece with a pipe/connector coming down through the floor?
If it is, then you might find the red blanking bung is not in it and needs one fitting

 

[Gafferbill]

........the red blanking plugs in your first picture are nothing to do with your problem.
Caravans of 2003 era like yours had a similar red plug fitted under the caravan to facilitate draining the system.
Your caravan likely has a red blanking plug missing from the fitment that is issuing water under the caravan. Did the previous owner leave a red blanking plug loose somewhere in the caravan?
If not you need a John Guest blanking plug.

Martin_E got there first!

 

[Pauldh88]

Must be missing the plug, I'll order one. Thanks for the help.

 

[IanB1485]

You could upgrade to the three way dump valve fitted in more modern caravans and motorhomes. It will fit onto the 12 mm pipework they are about £15 from various caravan accessory shops , via ebay - Truma do one :- https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/227122671379 also Reich :- https://www.berger-camping.co.uk/item/reich-uniquick-drain-valve-12-mm-193565
So much easier to drain down each winter( or every trip) rather than crawling underneath the caravan .

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hi, I'm new to caravans, I've just bought a 2003 caravan and I have connected the water and pump and it's bringing water in, however the water is being drained straight out. I understand there should be a valve to stop this and it's usually yellow, however I cannot see one and I've looked everywhere. I have attached a picture of where the water comes in and I think the connection on the right with the red plastic bung sticking up may be a valve as that side of the pipe is where the water comes out under the caravan further down the pipe. However the red bung is not easy to press down, if it is the valve at all. Can anyone clarify? I'll probably have to use a hammer to push it down so i want to make sure first? Or is there a nack to pressing them down?

Hello Paul,
I know you have already received quite a number of replies with advice, so I hadn't taken a close interest in the thread but I knew there was something niggling me it until it hit me a few moments ago.
The pipework demonstrated in your pictures does not look like the standard of work most caravan manufacturers would achieve, it looked too neat! and the fittings did not look like typical items for the time.

You tell us the caravan is a 2003 model, but your picture shows the side of a Cascade 2 water heater. That does not make sense because the Cascade 2 water heater was taken out of production in 2000.

Carver sold its leisure product range to Truma in 1999, and Truma then closed down the Carver heater production, replacing them with Truma models in 2000 early 2001. It's unlikely any of the main caravan manufacturers would have designed any 2003 model caravan to accommodate a Cascade 2, they would almost certainly have designed it for the Trumastore equivalent, which is an entirely different shape and design.

This means either you have not got a 2003 model caravan it could be earlier, or that a previous owner installed an old stock Carver Cascade 2 in your caravan, which seems to be the more likely scenario.

This doesn't help with your immediate problem , but it might explain why we have not been able to give an instant solution. What I can state is that you should definitely not require a hammer to make the system operate properly, there should be a less destructive method of safe operation for draining for storage and resealing for usage.

 

[RogerL]

Hello Paul,
I know you have already received quite a number of replies with advice, so I hadn't taken a close interest in the thread but I knew there was something niggling me it until it hit me a few moments ago.
The pipework demonstrated in your pictures does not look like the standard of work most caravan manufacturers would achieve, it looked too neat! and the fittings did not look like typical items for the time.

You tell us the caravan is a 2003 model, but your picture shows the side of a Cascade 2 water heater. That does not make sense because the Cascade 2 water heater was taken out of production in 2000.

Carver sold its leisure product range to Truma in 1999, and Truma then closed down the Carver heater production, replacing them with Truma models in 2000 early 2001. It's unlikely any of the main caravan manufacturers would have designed any 2003 model caravan to accommodate a Cascade 2, they would almost certainly have designed it for the Trumastore equivalent, which is an entirely different shape and design.

This means either you have not got a 2003 model caravan it could be earlier, or that a previous owner installed an old stock Carver Cascade 2 in your caravan, which seems to be the more likely scenario.

This doesn't help with your immediate problem , but it might explain why we have not been able to give an instant solution. What I can state is that you should definitely not require a hammer to make the system operate properly, there should be a less destructive method of safe operation for draining for storage and resealing for usage.

Caravan dealers were/are notorious for mis-identifying caravan model years, specifically when they became old stock at the model year changeover in August each year - a situation which occurs quite frequently.

The OP should examine the VIN number, embossed in each window on a British-built caravan, the 10th character gives the model year - Y for 2000, 1 for 2001, 2 for 2002, etc

 

[otherclive]

Hello Paul,
I know you have already received quite a number of replies with advice, so I hadn't taken a close interest in the thread but I knew there was something niggling me it until it hit me a few moments ago.
The pipework demonstrated in your pictures does not look like the standard of work most caravan manufacturers would achieve, it looked too neat! and the fittings did not look like typical items for the time.

You tell us the caravan is a 2003 model, but your picture shows the side of a Cascade 2 water heater. That does not make sense because the Cascade 2 water heater was taken out of production in 2000.

Carver sold its leisure product range to Truma in 1999, and Truma then closed down the Carver heater production, replacing them with Truma models in 2000 early 2001. It's unlikely any of the main caravan manufacturers would have designed any 2003 model caravan to accommodate a Cascade 2, they would almost certainly have designed it for the Trumastore equivalent, which is an entirely different shape and design.

This means either you have not got a 2003 model caravan it could be earlier, or that a previous owner installed an old stock Carver Cascade 2 in your caravan, which seems to be the more likely scenario.

This doesn't help with your immediate problem , but it might explain why we have not been able to give an instant solution. What I can state is that you should definitely not require a hammer to make the system operate properly, there should be a less destructive method of safe operation for draining for storage and resealing for usage.

A good point Prof but sometimes model registration and manufacturing dates can be well separated. I had a Sprite Musketeer completed manufacture in November 2011, but first registered to the original owner May 2013. But the arrangement does look very neat compared to what we have become used to seeing.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Thanks both Roger & Clive, I am well aware that models that don't sell out in their year of manufacture may be sold later probably at quite a discount, and show a later year of registration.

When I was working in the industry during the 1990's we did have to attend most of the caravan manufacturers storage facilities for a safety recall, to replace gas valves (a shared component used by several different gas appliance manufacturers)

In particular at one manufactures (who subsequently went to the wall) we noticed they had caravans in part assembled stages dating back to four years.... We were told some may be raided for parts, and some would be finished, and given current serial numbers! bellying their real age!

I don't know if any of the present day manufacturers continue with such extreme unsatisfactory practices.

 

[RogerL]

Thanks both Roger & Clive, I am well aware that models that don't sell out in their year of manufacture may be sold later probably at quite a discount, and show a later year of registration.

When I was working in the industry during the 1990's we did have to attend most of the caravan manufacturers storage facilities for a safety recall, to replace gas valves (a shared component used by several different gas appliance manufacturers)

In particular at one manufactures (who subsequently went to the wall) we noticed they had caravans in part assembled stages dating back to four years.... We were told some may be raided for parts, and some would be finished, and given current serial numbers! bellying their real age!

I don't know if any of the present day manufacturers continue with such extreme unsatisfactory practices.

The thing is that, unlike cars, there's no concept of registration for caravans - just the date first sold which isn't recorded anywhere official although the original owner should have that on their invoice and it's likely to be on the warranty documentation but neither are required to be passed on to subsequent owners.

 

[ProfJohnL]

The thing is that, unlike cars, there's no concept of registration for caravans - just the date first sold which isn't recorded anywhere official although the original owner should have that on their invoice and it's likely to be on the warranty documentation but neither are required to be passed on to subsequent owners.

When I used the word registration, I was referring to the caravans official VIN number, which as has been pointed out is supposed to show the vehicles date of construction. Being pedantic (Like I usually am - please get used to it) the caravan is only deemed to have been constructed when it is finished, so if its been under construction for four years that will not be reflected in its VIN number. However the chassis manufacturer would (or should have) have a record number of when the chassis was supplied to the caravan manufacturer.

 

[otherclive]

When I used the word registration, I was referring to the caravans official VIN number, which as has been pointed out is supposed to show the vehicles date of construction. Being pedantic (Like I usually am - please get used to it) the caravan is only deemed to have been constructed when it is finished, so if its been under construction for four years that will not be reflected in its VIN number. However the chassis manufacturer would (or should have) have a record number of when the chassis was supplied to the caravan manufacturer.

I determined the date of manufacture of my caravan from the manufacturers information papers supplied with the caravan. There were various sign offs and the final sign off date. But what I didn’t know was how long it had been in manufacture.