Simple Leak Checks for a Camper Van

A useful leak check begins before anything leaks: know where the pump switch and water shutoffs are, and keep them accessible. A switch hidden behind a loaded storage box is inconvenient when water is spreading across the floor.

A white sink and faucet below a window in a Jayco camper-trailer kitchen. — Finished fixtures are only part of a leak check; accessible spaces below them also need inspection. Jayco interior of kitchen sink.jpg — Flickr user iluvcocacola, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. · CC BY 2.0. Resized to fit within 1600 x 1600 pixels without cropping; WebP encoding for web delivery.

During normal packing checks, look under the sink, around the pump and filter, and beside accessible tank connections. Inspect for dampness, staining, loose containers, and hoses rubbing against stored gear. Look again after the first drive with a new or recently serviced system.

Pay attention to a pump that starts unexpectedly with all fixtures closed. It is a reason to investigate, not proof of one particular failed part. Winnebago's Spirit manual explains that a slow faucet leak can empty the fresh tank, fill a holding tank, and drain the battery; it recommends switching the pump off when away or not using the system. Winnebago 2018 Spirit operator manual plumbing section

If a leak appears, stop using the system and safely turn off the pump and any incoming water supply. Keep clear of wet electrical equipment and seek qualified help if water reaches it. Follow the component manuals before opening or repairing pressurized plumbing.

Keep photos, model numbers, and a description of the symptoms for whoever services it. Avoid random pressure adjustments or progressively tightening plastic fittings.

Read about 12-volt pumps, independent spare water, and the complete water plan.

Sources and further reading