Hi we are Bri and Di

[distarkey]

We have just become first time owners of a 1998 Casita trailer. Boy, do we need help. We love the trailer and have used it twice but, with no manual, we definitely need some experienced owners !!! Hope that we can pick your brains and get some helpful answers so we can truly get it up and running. “We’ll be back!” Thanks, fellow rv’ers.

[Jon in AZ]

Welcome!

The go-to guide for Casita operation and repair is the "A to Z Casita Owner's Guide," available in print and electronic formats. Much more complete than any of the factory documents. Information on ordering here:
http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...ual-76110.html

Best wishes!

[distarkey]

We just received the A-Z casita manual yesterday. Yes, it is thorough but as we looked through it, we found that the one thing that we really needed, was a clear understanding on where and how to get to the water pump for running the water through the trailer. Our battery works and the pump turns on but will not push the water through the spigots. Any pictures on where it is located or how we can get to it? Everything is packed so tight. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks di

[thrifty bill]

What model and size Casita?

Our pump was inside the street side bench (under the bed), while the tank was inside the curb side bench. We had a 17 foot Liberty.

Start at the tank. There will be a piece of tubing on the bottom going to the pump. If it goes along the back wall, then the pump will be on the opposite side. Of course, there has to be water in the tank to pump anything. Water tank will be very close to the tank fill point on the outside of the trailer, also you should have a drain valve from that tank on the outside of the trailer too.

[tractors1]

Start at the faucets by removing any aerators that may be plugged, then connect city water to verify water flow through the piping exists. You may also have an infeed filter on the suction side of the pump which may need cleaning, either near or on the pump, or behind the slant board at the rear of the trailer.

[ehoepner]

The water pump will not pump air, when you fill the water tank, have a cold water faucet open on the bathroom. Over file the tank. Turn the pump on and then flush the toilet using the water only lever. This procedure works for me 98 percent of the time.

Also check the hot water heater bypass valve, you may be pumping water into the water heater. Pumping water into the water heater is good, it just takes a while to fill the heater up.

The other 2 percent of the time I had to prime the water pump by removing the intake fitting from the water pump and install a short hose to the pump from a bottle of water.

[Civilguy]

Originally Posted by distarkey

We just received the A-Z casita manual yesterday. Yes, it is thorough but as we looked through it, we found that the one thing that we really needed, was a clear understanding on where and how to get to the water pump for running the water through the trailer. Our battery works and the pump turns on but will not push the water through the spigots. Any pictures on where it is located or how we can get to it? Everything is packed so tight. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks di

The pump is located inside the trailer under the left rear dinette seat (driver's side). You should be able to locate it by the noise it makes. There is a door on the short vertical seat support under the dinette table.

However, you may not need to access the pump. A trick is to remove the shower head, open the bathroom sink cold water valve and shower diverter valve (pop it "up") and suck on the shower hose while the pump is running. The pump has rubber valves that get 'stuck' and this will generally free them up.

I found this out after disassembling the pump and finding nothing wrong.

[Gerry]

My 69 Casita has the pump, as said on road side under bench seat in back.
make sure suction like doesn't have any leaks in it or it will suck air and not water. Your pump will pump water to the moon but will not pump air if it's in the suction line.
Also you can hear if the pump is trying to pump water by the sound. If it's whinning, you probably are not getting any water to the pump.
If it is a lower grumbling you have water to the pump and it's going somewhere.
Water heater takes a while to fill.
Leaks will show up somewhere.(is the water in tank, getting lower?)
Line is plugged up, ( take aerators off end of faucets to see if they are full of sand)


Bri and Di, Get your trailer ready and join us for the Spring Fling in New England Rally Next May 16 to 19 in Chocorua New Hampsire.
Go to the Rally page and read all about it.
Your Host: Gerry

[Eddie Longest]

Under the slant board between the dinette benches Casita put a strainer filter between the pump and tank. If people use a winterization valve on the pump the strainer does not get winterized. The strainer bowl can crack and cause pump not to prime or the strainer can be filled with trash. Not sure on what years but I would pull the slant board and see if yours has a strainer and see if it has issues. Two screws usually hold the slant board in place.
Eddie

[distarkey]

Yay! Found it. Got to it and pulled it out. Looks like we need a replacement. Hope to get it running soon so we can winterize it. Not quite freezing yet in Philadelphia. Thanks for all your suggestions, it really helped. Bri and di

[Stephen_Albers]

To avoid years of tinkering, frustration and failure, your best solution is to have the unit completely inspected and reconditioned by a Casita expert. If he does the job right you will be looking at a bill of several thousand dollars since all of your systems are used and have deteriorated. But then it will work and you can go camping instead of spending endless hours tinkering.

[FlyGuy]

That Casita ebook is written by Eileen Glick (aka "AZ Eileen") a LONG time Casita owner. Her website is " LoveMyCasita ". Another GREAT resource is : www.littlehousecustom.com " run by Larry & Debbie Gamble (also LONG time Casita owners in TX) Larry & Debbie used to attend a lot of rallies down south and, always had a truckload of products he and Debbie created to modify fiberglass "eggs". Larry has to be in his 70s now. Since I sold my Casita 4+ years ago I haven't seen him but, if you get the chance to meet him, he & Debbie are a WEALTH of good information on Casitas particularly and, other fiberglass trailers in general. There are quite a few "mods" you can do to make your "egg" more livable and user friendly. Casitas are GREAT little trailers and, with minimal maintenance, hold up well over the years.