Shower pan not caulked? Is this normal?

[Borismkogan]

We own a new 29M hurricane and taking a closer look at the shower pan and the shower wall have a large gap between them. I would assume that it should be caulked to prevent water running into this large gap? Or is this type of installation normal? TIA

[Judge]

Yes.... that is the way it is supposed to be.

The pan has a lip that runs up behind the wall to prevent water from getting around the pan. But this gap allows air to get behind the wall to allow moisture to dry and prevent mildew.

[Travelin' Texans]

And the allow movement while traveling our great highway system.

[Borismkogan]

Thank you!

[JamieGeek]

Ours sits atop the rear wheels.

On our recent long trip drove through some pretty sandy areas and found the shower full of dust/sand LOL.

[K. Meckes]

I have a 2019 Thor Axis 27.7 and when I am in the shower the shower pan feels very flimsy under my feet and moves up and down with the pressure under my feet. I am only 135 lbs. the plumbing underneath leaked from the factory but was fixed while under warranty. It is leaking again. Does anyone know how to fix this so it will not keep leaking? I don't know how the plumbing will ever stay water tight will so much flexibility. Please help.

[Judge]

Originally Posted by K. Meckes

I have a 2019 Thor Axis 27.7 and when I am in the shower the shower pan feels very flimsy under my feet and moves up and down with the pressure under my feet. I am only 135 lbs. the plumbing underneath leaked from the factory but was fixed while under warranty. It is leaking again. Does anyone know how to fix this so it will not keep leaking? I don't know how the plumbing will ever stay water tight will so much flexibility. Please help.

Not sure of your shower is elevated with an access cover but I have had two coaches where the shower pan flexed more than I preferred. I cut mutliple 2x4" to the proper length to better support the shower pan on the first coach with the problem. Took some work because it was tight working under the shower pan and the low point drains where located there so my options were limited.

My Magnitude shower pan was not as bad and I was going to do the same thing until I saw I had much more room underneath it. I ordered a couple of thesre and then placed them under the plywood holding up the shower pan. two of these worked great for me.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Pete'sMH]

Originally Posted by Judge

Yes.... that is the way it is supposed to be.

The pan has a lip that runs up behind the wall to prevent water from getting around the pan. But this gap allows air to get behind the wall to allow moisture to dry and prevent mildew.

I wish manufacturers would put a sticker there telling people it’s supposed to be that way. This gets asked and answered SO often! Not objecting to the question as everyone has to learn but there is a significant amount of angst precipitating it each time!!

[K. Meckes]

Originally Posted by Judge

Not sure of your shower is elevated with an access cover but I have had two coaches where the shower pan flexed more than I preferred. I cut mutliple 2x4" to the proper length to better support the shower pan on the first coach with the problem. Took some work because it was tight working under the shower pan and the low point drains where located there so my options were limited.

My Magnitude shower pan was not as bad and I was going to do the same thing until I saw I had much more room underneath it. I ordered a couple of thesre and then placed them under the plywood holding up the shower pan. two of these worked great for me.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I clicked on the link but it said page not found. Can you describe or tell me the name of what you used so I can look it up? K.

[paulwadley]

The link works. They are called Camco save a step brace steps.


Paul

[Axis25.2]

Originally Posted by K. Meckes

I have a 2019 Thor Axis 27.7 and when I am in the shower the shower pan feels very flimsy under my feet and moves up and down with the pressure under my feet. I am only 135 lbs. the plumbing underneath leaked from the factory but was fixed while under warranty. It is leaking again. Does anyone know how to fix this so it will not keep leaking? I don't know how the plumbing will ever stay water tight will so much flexibility. Please help.

The reason is feels flimsy under your feet is because there are only 2 pieces of 2x4 wood approx. 6" long (facing upwards like 2 legs) that are stabilizing the entire shower base.

How do I know this? I also had various leaks in my shower area, with the latest being actual staples into the hot water PEX line. When Thor was stapling interior panels, they put one into a water line, which would only leak while pressurized.

Also, almost EVERY white water knob connection was loose, from the water tank on. While installing a 2nd ATS switch, an inverter and solar this week, I also also noted loose water connections under counter along the floor in the kitchen area.

To date, I have spent thousands improving my 25.2 just to make it safe and enjoyable. I have gone though every water line, electrical line etc... especially after having one electrical wire just fall out it its flimsy connection (loose in Thor's ATS electrical box).

Apparently, it's yet another common Thor safety issue that they refuse to address. They've been warned about using cheap electrical connectors. An easy lawsuit, IMHO... While installing a soft-start capacitor unit for my AC last week, their instructions clearly state to use crimp connectors only, since house type screw-on connectors arent rated for RV vibration. CHECK YOURS!

I'm still waiting for a generator door vent recall. New ones have vents, so obviously there is an overheating issue with rear mounted units.

I ordered this to even out the feeling of falling through the shower stall - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[K. Meckes]

Originally Posted by Axis25.2

The reason is feels flimsy under your feet is because there are only 2 pieces of 2x4 wood approx. 6" long (facing upwards like 2 legs) that are stabilizing the entire shower base.

How do I know this? I also had various leaks in my shower area, with the latest being actual staples into the hot water PEX line. When Thor was stapling interior panels, they put one into a water line, which would only leak while pressurized.

Also, almost EVERY white water knob connection was loose, from the water tank on. While installing a 2nd ATS switch, an inverter and solar this week, I also also noted loose water connections under counter along the floor in the kitchen area.

To date, I have spent thousands improving my 25.2 just to make it safe and enjoyable. I have gone though every water line, electrical line etc... especially after having one electrical wire just fall out it its flimsy connection (loose in Thor's ATS electrical box).

Apparently, it's yet another common Thor safety issue that they refuse to address. They've been warned about using cheap electrical connectors. An easy lawsuit, IMHO... While installing a soft-start capacitor unit for my AC last week, their instructions clearly state to use crimp connectors only, since house type screw-on connectors arent rated for RV vibration. CHECK YOURS!

I'm still waiting for a generator door vent recall. New ones have vents, so obviously there is an overheating issue with rear mounted units.

I ordered this to even out the feeling of falling through the shower stall - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Did you also add supports under your shower pan? Also thank you for the info I will definitely check. Also, my wipers go on when I hit a bump. Ford said it was the wiper motor so I had it replaced. RV repair said it was the wiper switch so begged ford to replace it and still didn't fix it. $695.00 in. I think it is a loose wire somewhere....we will see. K.

[Axis25.2]

Not yet. Just installed that 3/4" pad. Will see how it dissipates my weight. If it doesnt satisfy, I'll remove the two 2x4s, cut 3/4"off each one and add 2 sizable plywood squares (say 6"x6" as better support). Will probably need 4, in all honesty.

[VA Curt]

Our pan cracked because of poor support under it....thankfully it was covered by the Good Sam extended warranty...and our service shop beefed the supports under the pan...feels much sturdier now.

[telcoman]

Originally Posted by Judge

Yes.... that is the way it is supposed to be.

The pan has a lip that runs up behind the wall to prevent water from getting around the pan. But this gap allows air to get behind the wall to allow moisture to dry and prevent mildew.

Correct, I have seen a lot of people caulk them. That pan behind has a high lip.

[Rosemary]

Needs to be able to move as you travel.

[crazylegs]

You're all drinking the Thor koolaid. The separation of the pan is not for flexibility during transport, but due to the addition of the pet feeder drawer. The drawer does not allow for the drain to be placed in the proper spot (directly under the shower head). The drain location does not allow proper support, due to the piping, etc., but it does not usually matter as you tend to stand at the back of the shower.

The drawer does not allow for proper support and causes the drain pipe to extend through the middle of the shower pan. Very little support can be added to the middle without putting pressure on the pipe and causing leaks.

I have a very small access hole through the bottom storage and have added additional pieces of 2x4 as a temporary solution. The intent is to someday remove the useless drawer and rotate the pan and replumb the drain to where it should be. This will allow me to properly support the shower. Until then I try to stand as close to the front as possible.

Unfortunately, with this assinine design flaw, there is very little that can be done permanently without redoing the shower pan.

Do not caulk the gap though, as this will cause additional problems as the interior of the shower is open to the lower storage and needs to be able to dry.

[Bob Denman]

Sorry... it is normal, and for a perfectly good reason: to prevent the growth of mold.
The pet food drawer has nothing to do with it.
Our Outlaw had the same "non-flaw": yet had no pet food drawer
You may have overdosed on the "Thor is bad" Kool-Aide...

[cruzin101]

Originally Posted by Judge

Yes.... that is the way it is supposed to be.

The pan has a lip that runs up behind the wall to prevent water from getting around the pan. But this gap allows air to get behind the wall to allow moisture to dry and prevent mildew.

Would the same be true for a 2011 Hurricane 31D??

[Bob Denman]

For ALL of them...