Outside Shower leaking into hull

[dfdouglas]

Has anyone experienced the outside shower box leaking on the inside, dripping down into the hull?  It leaks on the input side around one of the rubber gaskets between two pieces.  I have replaced both pieces to no avail.  I may just order a complete replacement but this one from Fontana doesn't appear to be the quality that Oliver normally installs.  I'll first search for a better replacement that will fit the cutout.   Thanks for any feedback.

[topgun2]

I've had no problems with the outdoor shower on my Oliver.  But, I did have one develop a leak in a camper I owned previously.  Indeed, the plastic "feeder tube" or "mixer" area of that shower had cracked thus requiring a total replacement.

If you decide that you are going to replace the unit you might want to give Jason in Service a call, asking what price he'd charge for the unit.

Bill

[Mainiac]

Just a "might" work solution. If you can get to the gaskets, make sure they are not cracked or broken. If they are sound, try rubbing them with a very light coat of Vaseline.  Reseat the fittings and see how it does.

[DavidS]

I had a similar problem this summer, with water leaking inside the hull from the outside shower unit. The insulation below was wet, and water was coming out of the seep holes. 

When the shower valves were open, there was water coming out of the hole in the photo. 

I found part numbers from the manufacturer’s web site, and then found parts on Amazon. 

Replacement Vacuum Breaker. https://www.amazon.com/Fontana-97022-006-DB-Replacement-Vacuum-Breaker/dp/B015Q89WCM

Replacement Straight Nipple, Seal Collar and O-Rings. https://www.amazon.com/Fontana-97020-080-DB-Replacement-Straight-Nipple/dp/B015Q89WA4

Replacement Faucet Set. https://www.amazon.com/ITC-97022008-Exterior-Shower-Repair/dp/B007HRVOHW

They also had the entire unit for $99: https://www.amazon.com/Fontanna-97022-Compact-Exterior-Shower/dp/B019F81FQ0

I contacted Jason in Service, and he said that it would be much easier to replace the unit than to try to swap out parts in that hard-to-reach space. He also was able to send me a replacement unit for a price much cheaper than Amazon's. 

The outdoor shower unit is held in place by rivets, and since I don't have a rivet gun, I called a mobile RV tech that I had used previously, and he came out to where my trailer was stored and installed it. He charged me $75 for 45 minutes work. 

So, I agree with @topgun2 and I suggest you call Jason. 

 

[dfdouglas]

@DavidS, that exactly where mine is leaking.  As soon as I turn water on it spurts out from several places.  I've replaced the Straight Nipple, with new seal collar and o-ring but no improvement.  Fontana has a new model out that I'm trying to find out if it is an exact replacement for the 9"x4.5" cut out.  It looks better made.   I also have a note into Jason to see if they are using the newer model and the price on a replacement unit.  I'll keep this post updated as I make progress.

Also DavidS I enjoyed looking through your travel photos.

 

Edited October 27, 2020 by dfdouglas

[Overland]

I'd suggest that if you're going through the trouble of repairing or replacing the shower box, that you add some cutoff valves on the water lines.  This will allow you a quick solution to any future problems and might also be useful when traveling through cold weather, to cut off the supply and drain the unit as best you can.  

If you get the new model, I'd be interested if it performs any better than the old one.  I wouldn't say that mine trickles, but it's not exactly forceful either.  

Edited October 27, 2020 by Overland

[SeaDawg]

That's a really vulnerable area for freezing, as it is in any rv with an outside shower. And, it's easy to forget when winterizing. (Ask me how I know... yup.) We replaced ours once already . 

I think a bypass/shutoff , as I  have said before, would be a grand idea. 

 

[dfdouglas]

Update:  I got a replacement unit from Jason at Oliver and problem solved.  I did find other brands that I thought were better constructed but they would not fit in the existing hull cutout.

[Ray and Susan Huff]

On 10/27/2020 at 2:52 PM, SeaDawg said:

That's a really vulnerable area for freezing, as it is in any rv with an outside shower. And, it's easy to forget when winterizing. (Ask me how I know... yup.) We replaced ours once already . 

I think a bypass/shutoff , as I  have said before, would be a grand idea. 

 

How much do people actually use the outdoor shower?  I would like the option to at least drain it and have a cutoff valve for Winter use.

[SeaDawg]

48 minutes ago, Susan Huff said:

How much do people actually use the outdoor shower?  I would like the option to at least drain it and have a cutoff valve for Winter use.

Mostly, people use it for doing dishes, and washing dogs, from what I've seen.

And yes, we've actually used it as an outdoor shower. But noone uses it in the winter, I'm sure.😅

[Jim_Oker]

37 minutes ago, SeaDawg said:

yes, we've actually used it as an outdoor shower

Yeah,  I can  totally  see doing that while boondocking in  decent weather in a sufficiently  private spot. But I like your shutoff idea

[Ray and Susan Huff]

4 hours ago, SeaDawg said:

Mostly, people use it for doing dishes, and washing dogs, from what I've seen.

And yes, we've actually used it as an outdoor shower. But noone uses it in the winter, I'm sure.😅

We don't have a dog . . . . nice for cleaning off dirty feet, but I could live without it.

Sure would be nice to not have to worry about leaky connections or freeze damage.