Investigate Randon Screws
Since our very first trip with our fifth wheel, we’ve occasionally found random screws lying on the floor or in one of the storage compartments. Most of the time, it was obvious where they came from and an easy fix. Every now and then, though, we’d find one that didn’t seem to belong anywhere. We’d toss it in a drawer and forget about it.
I’ve learned that’s not the best approach.
On our trip home from Florida, we developed an occasional water leak around the toilet. It was frustrating because I couldn’t pinpoint the source. Once we got home, I spent some time investigating the problem. After working the flush pedal for several minutes, I finally found the leak. As I suspected, it was related to the foot-operated flush valve.
My first step was to find out if the valve could be repaired. Some sources claimed the entire toilet needed to be replaced, which didn’t make much sense to me. After doing more research, I discovered that the flush valve could, in fact, be replaced. I found a short, well-produced YouTube video from RV Living Yet that clearly explained the repair process.
I ordered the replacement valve and started the repair.
That’s when those mystery screws finally made sense.
The flush valve is secured with two screws. Mine only had one.
That loose screw we had found months earlier had almost certainly come from the valve assembly. With only one screw holding it in place, the valve could shift slightly each time the foot pedal was used. Most of the time it sealed properly, but with repeated use it would move just enough to create a leak.
Since I already had everything apart, I installed the new valve. The old one was still in good condition, so I cleaned it up and kept it as an emergency spare.
The experience reinforced an important lesson.
When something doesn’t seem right with your RV, take the time to investigate before assuming the worst. There are countless RV owners and technicians who share their knowledge through videos and online forums. A little research can save a great deal of time, frustration, and money.
The replacement valve cost about $35. Had I taken the trailer to a service center, the repair could easily have cost several hundred dollars between parts, labor, and shop time—not to mention being without the RV for weeks during camping season.
One thing I want readers to know is that this website isn’t monetized. I’m not writing these posts to sell products or earn advertising revenue. I’m simply documenting our RV experiences, the problems we’ve encountered, and the lessons we’ve learned along the way. If something we’ve experienced helps another RVer avoid the same issue, then it’s worth sharing.
So the next time you find a random screw on the floor of your RV, don’t just toss it in a drawer.
Take a few minutes to find out where it came from. It might save you a repair bill—and a few headaches—later on.