1988 HWH is a mess! Replacing it

[RustyMac]

OK so the OEM hot water heater is a rotting mess. I finally got around to pulling it out of the coach, albeit it was a PITA for me to climb down under that couch and undo all the lines.

I have a new 6-gallon unit ready to insert. The way I read the instructions, is the red wire goes to a switch, the blue to a light and the green to the ground. Hook up gas (I will replace and use flex lines) hook up 120v power line to a switch, and then water.

It looks pretty straight forward from my arm chair...

 

[johnsonbrits]

RustyMac, I replaced my Suburban 6 gallon Water Heater in my 1988 Hilo Funchaser a couple of months ago. I found it easier to remove the couch to give room and clear access to all the connections. In my case, the original leaking water heater was a manual unit with no electronic lighting, hence I needed to add the switch and power to the unit. Your comments regarding color coding of the wired appear correct per the attached installation diagram from Suburban. I also used a flexible gas line extension for the new unit, made life a lot easier!

 

[RustyMac]

you are right about the couch removal! I also had to remove mine. While I was in there, I replaced the pump, and the converter and removed a ton of stuff (money, trash etc) left over from previous owners, I bought a 3/4 inch thick plywood and then built a base for converting the couch to a bed. Since it's only me and the Siamese cat, I converted the couch into a bed.
I went with a Fogutti instant hot water heater. I had forgotten I had that unit also sitting in a box waiting to be used in another project. It works pretty damn good btw.

I ran down a water leak at the kitchen faucet and replaced that OEM with a new one I bought on sale at Lowes, Next I found the toilet leaking. I have yet to figure out what's going on it it. I need to get a mirror to peer up behind the can to see why this nipple is dripping water, I am thinking maybe its time to chuck the OEM dinosaur toilet too. It looks like it should be in a museum!

 

[sam-HILO]

Good Morning

Welcome to the wonderful world of RV repair. Keep in mind the original price of the HiLo. I will take a sturdy HiLo any day of the week. New RVS are made cheap and sell for inflated prices. Dh has done many repairs and has had to remove the couch several times. Put in a new ADA height toilet. Your body will appreciate the 18inch height. Put a piece of tape on the back of the couch so you don't reinstall wrong. Ask me how i know. Our first HiLo had two couches that folded out to a bed. Very uncomfortable to sleep on the cracks. We had a custom mattress made. Worth every penny for a comfortable nights sleep. Keep plugging along with your repairs.

 

[RustyMac]

I have that same couch configuration. It sucks. I put a 2" foam covering over it, and a sleeping bag over it...and yet it still was a PITA ( literally and figuratively). I am considering buying a twin-sized soft mattress to put on the plywood I laid down.

BUT FIRST---I have banged the top of my head almost every time I have entered the trailer. Surely there has to be a good fix where those of us over 6 feet don't cave in our skulls after owning a HiLo...my head is sore...����.

I got the brilliant idea of replacing the front clearance lights. Only to yank the passenger side green wire. I guess I am going to have to either take the inside of the trailer apart or put in a jumper green wire from the drivers side to the passenger....

 

[RustyMac]

RustyMac, Rather than a Surburban, I went with a Fogutti instant,