csevel

So, this is where I'm at. This took about an hour and a half total. I used a box cutter to break the sealant and then a putty knife to drag along the edge to pry the lense off. The lense did hairline crack in one spot about 1/2'' long but I think I can use flexseal tape to mend it... otherwise I'm probably out a week or so before Oliver will send me a new one. My lense is held on to the surface opening by 3M double sided HD tape and then caulked all around. I'm not entirely sure if this is where my leak is stemming from as the caulking looked fairly plyable and contiguous. Do I need to caulk those marker lights up there? They look completely void of any caulk. Now, the arduous task of cleaning all of the remaining sealant and try to get that tape off!

Thanks. I saw this earlier but I thought a simple hose bib would be cool!

Ha, that didn't occur to me to use the outside shower! I guess having a garden hose fitting there would be nice to run the water away from the trailer, but I see your concern. Could be quite low hanging.

Has anyone installed a Sharkbite or equivalent garden hose valve for the pex fresh water drain? I'm used to getting water for my dogs bowl from a fitting I added to my Casita. Is there any harm in installing one and leaving the inside valve open?

How did you cut the epoxy part of the lense? I'm dreading having to cut it out!

I'm not sure I'll be able to get it out in one piece. There's no going back now! I've already removed the sealant on 70% of it.

Since I'm dealing with a number of messy issues with my new to me LE2, I wanted to shift my attention and share with y'all a couple recent mods that I'm proud of. Some were the genius of others on this forum that I copied and some are my own.

I'm tackling this too but am trying to get the lense out.. Its in there good.. Im done for the day and will continue tomorrow. Taped it up with white duct tape. The only good thing I can say is that I went ahead and peeled the black Oliver sticker off! With the way I feel.. Im not ashamed.

So, RideandFly, you're saying that the lens can be removed once the caulking is removed, right? How does it come out? It looks like from the inside that it would have to slide out one side or the other from the grooved white bracket it's held in and there isn't any room for it to slide either way. Do I have to dis-attach the wire going to it?

I'm dealing with the exact issue! Waiting on responses

Just so you guys know..I went ahead and peeled the insulation back from the interior rear brake light and ScubaRx is the winner winner chicken dinner. There is definitely moisture back there! I'm not sure exactly how to take it apart but I took the obnoxious amount of Gorilla tape from around it and am studying how it's fixed in there. It looks like it slides out..but I'm not sure. I'm off to buy some Fllexseal tape and figure out how to proceed. If you have any tips ..please keep them coming! Oh, and just so you guys know, I DO have EZ rv rain gutters over every window..might try to add some to above that brake light! Thanks guys/gals! Claudia

Like I said.. I wasnt completely delusional about maintenance as ALL RVs need some kind of upkeep .. Just ask my rivet gun! Its just I thought I wouldnt be encountering one issue after another in a trailer that is considered in the top three FB manufacturers! No offense, just am annoyed to sleep in a wet bed!

Thanks everyone.. I'm aware of trailer maintenance items as my Casita was my baby and I took exceptional pride and care in keeping her pristine. I have no problems doing the work, I actually enjoy it, but this has been one heck of a week! I thought I'd be able to put down the tools a bit with ILOVHER and camp!

I read nearly all of your posts on the rear lens. I am bound and determined to get to the bottom of it and will now tear into that freaking light. I realize all trailers need maintenance but am just getting upset that I'm having this many issues with a unit this young. I took out a large portion of my retirement savings as this was my dream trailer..but its feeling more like a nightnare!

Thank you..I had an older Coleman Polar Cub that was quiet considering the smaller space but this Penguin is ridiculous! I hope I never have to sleep with that thing on! We were just up on the roof as when we bought the trailer, the first thing we had to do was remove a nice sized bird's nest from under the shroud. It's tight and I've added rubber washers to help rattling.

Thank you. I will check the window caulk. The trailer already has the ez rv gutters running on every window!

I've worked for a solid week on various issues/mods and am trying to learn all the systems in my new to me LE2. I seem to keep coming across problems! Besides the city water slowly filling my fresh water tank, I've finally managed to get the fresh water outlet unplugged with two rounds of bleach solution, one round of vinegar and some compressed air! My trailer sat for awhile so I understood that algae/mold clogged the drain and pump prefilter. I'm a little miffed that the fresh outlet is so small, that it takes forever to drain and there's no way to clean it! On my Casita, I installed a top marine deck plate so I could scrub it out! I had a party when I finally got this thing flowing. But here's my next irritation! Now...unfortunately, the rain for the last two days has somehow soaked both mattresses & brand new bedding in the rear! I've thoroughly pipe cleaned all the weep holes days before this rain came... I did this with my Casita so I know to do it.. As I lay here I'm watching water come down from the rear window and cross over the silver belly band trim and on to the other streetside bed! I went up on the ladder and the rear brake light doesn't seem to have a break in the caulking. There's no leak I can see from the inside of the rear cupboard either! What the heck? This wasn't a cheap investment...I'm getting frustrated...whats it gonna be next? I never had this many issues so close together in 10 years of owning my Casita..and I also bought it used! Help me out here folks! I'm getting discouraged. Even the Penguin air conditioner sounds like a jet engine..is it really always going to be this LOUD? There just shouldn't be this many issues with a four year old trailer of this caliber!

Y'all would be amazed at the things I've seen! Two ways are always a great idea.. I've seen absolute divorces created through backing trailers! I've only been in one situation with my Casita that was tricky and stressful. I imagine the learning curve is going to be a little higher with my ILOVHER because of her added girth and height. Let's hope I stay married!

I ran a NF campground and it's courtesy to allow time for people to get into their site, but everyone is usually running late and in a hurry to get to theirs on a Friday. Unfortunately, many of the campgrounds built in the mid 60s weren't meant for the monstrosities people tow now days and a lot of jockeying is sometimes required. (I still have nightmares over the ruts created! Sometimes I would allow people to come in the opposite direction on a one way to help facilitate an easier backin...with a golf cart assist. I was always amazed how many people wouldn't tap or kick down their ruts! But, sadly there is always a few people annoyed having to wait.

Thank you all for your replies. I haven't nailed down the city water fresh water tank filling issue but my pump is now only chirping every five minutes. I'm hoping it will rectify itself. Does anyone know the difference in the models of the Shurflo 4008 series pumps? My model number is different than some of the pumps available online. The 4008 series has like four sub models ranging in price from 50 to 125 dollars! Are the specs that different? Also, I have a new Shurflo accumulator that I was going to put on my Casita but never got around to it. Looks like some newer trailers have one. Is this a difficult and/or worthwhile addition?

I still contend this mod would be great in that space. I'd love to look outside at my site setup while doing dishes, not necessarily a priority for a pass-thru. Maybe grow some herbs on the sill! I've lived in my Casita for up to five months while managong a NF campground so seeing my camper neighbors is fine with me!

I'm reviving this older thread as one of things that was on my wish/mod list for my Casita was a kitchen window! I know a few Casita'ns who've tackled this mod with sliding windows purchased from Scamp or Hehr direct. In a recent post someone used a boat hull port window! It's certainly above my skill and pay grade but I love my home kitchen window and would welcome a campsite view from my sink. I also like the idea of passing something outside to cook with. Anyone since this thread was created tackle this or is willing to? Suggestions welcome!

Thank you Overland! Sounds like a good idea to just replace it since I can't seem to make the chirping stop. I thank you for your reply, John. I guess I meant there are no 'cupboards' below the seats by the dinette. I am used to having easy access there without having to remove cushions or disturb plumbing/electrical. The other back one under the bed also requires moving a mattress...not especially convenient...except for things not used often and padded up with soft fabric boxes... My pots and pans hopefully will stay in the drawers without popping open around curves. Its a new trailer and new methods of organization will follow I'm sure. For such a young trailer, there was quite a lot of sediment inside the WH tank. I have a valved flush wand and a brush that I've used for years on my Casita's water heater. It's spic and span now! My driveway is asphalt and old as dirt so no etching here!

I have seen the diagram and am aware of the boondocking valve positions, I just wish I didn't have to move the mattress to get at them...sort of a pain.

Hi there Oliver Family, I'm Claudia and I'm the new proud owner of hull #184! I had the pleasure of meeting Char and inheriting their beautiful rig! It was a bittersweet meeting in light of her recent loss but I made sure to let her know that their trailer couldn't have gone to a more impassioned owner. I owned my Casita (OCD - obsessive casita disorder) for nearly ten years and I'm busy transferring, organizing and decorating my new home, who's now been christened 'ILOVHER' I'm struggling a bit with storage (believe it or not) as OCD had a rear cargo box. Drawers are going to take getting used to as well since there is no storage under the dinette seats! Where do y'all put pots and pans and the daggit cleaning supplies??? I'm enjoying the process but I do have a lot to learn, esp. the Andersen WDH, but I'm determined to figure it all out so I can get out and CAMP! I realize the 'search' function is my friend and I'm very adept at that since my membership at casitaforum.com and casitaclub.com started in 2012. I learned all I know from those amazing folks! OK, now.. I've dewinterized the trailer and started the process of making sure the basic appliances and water are working but I DO have a couple initial questions that I can't find. I had some issues with little to zero water in the bath and or toilet using the city water connection. I studied the 'normal use' valve diagram and still couldn't get water to flow. After removing the toilet tank supply line, I was able to clear a ton of sand and debris from the intake valve with a mirror lying on my stomach over the toilet (lets just say ~uncomfortable) using a pair of blunt tweezers! I didn't want to take the valve off to create a leak. The valve screen was completely blocked with dirt! After that, I was able to get water to the toilet. The other issue I had was the bathroom faucet needed to be taken apart and cleaned along with the pump pre-filter. I am going to use vinegar in the lines overnight to make sure there isn't any other crud 'hanging' around... So here are my questions: 1. I haven't quite figured out how to use the pump to draw water (or vinegar mix) into the fresh water tank but I've watched the video. Do you really have to move all of your bedding to access the valves to do this?? I find that somewhat inconvenient since we have big custom mattresses. My simple siphon method used on my Casita was easy-peasy! Am I missing something obvious?? Do I really have to go in and out of the trailer to accomplish boondock water refilling? Is there a simpler method? 2. I have the city water connection hooked up streetside to the correct input and works fine at the faucets BUT... IT IS SLOWLY FILLING THE FRESH WATER TANK TO CAPACITY THEN LEAKING OUT THE OVERFLOW under the trailer. What would cause this?? Is there a check valve not working properly? How do I go about repair? PEX fitting/crimping or valve replacement is out of my realm of comfort. 3. After flushing and scrubbing out the crud in the water heater and replacing the anode, I turned the bypass valve and filled it up. It is working fine on electric but I haven't tried gas yet. I am noticing an intermittent chirp/start from the pump every minute or when disconnected from city water. Do you think I have a check valve issue in the water pump from the pressure of the dirt in the toilet valve and bathroom faucet? I've had this on my Casita before and I just can't remember how I solved it. Thank you for your help in advance. Nice to meet ya'll and I'll try not to be too much of a pest! Claudia and Rex Maximus