Having plenty of issues with my 2023 25jm

[andrewsandlin]

Got my new trail runner 25jm over a month ago and my first immediate problem was the sink basket drain. The lack of plumbers puddy made dishwashing sketchy because water would seep by into the cabinet drawers. I fixed that with plumbers puddy then my next issue was the control board for the 6g water heater. Connectors to it were corroded and the length of the wire was created by somebody unethical. Literally had to disconnect and connect everything by feel as there was no way to fully access it. The wires were just too short.

This morning I ran out of propane and didn’t have a space heater going. It got down to 30 degrees inside by 6am. Unfortunately the countertop has some kind of laminate and it must’ve shrunk up and because of this it cracked real bad. I don’t have the luxury of calling a repair man. I’ve already had to fix the pipes and stuff today too. I have a heated water hose but that didn’t stop the spigot from freezing and my fresh water tank inlet ti the pump froze up as well.

I’ve been battling with the plumbing on this camper and after repairing everything today I just want that countertop fixed.

Anyone know what type of countertop and how to install it?
And what has been your experience with the 25jm. Has plumbing been as big of a nightmare?

 

[taskswap]

Every one of these things is like a snowflake. They're all made of the same stuff, but they're all unique in the end. Most countertops are laminate but you'd have to post a pic to know for sure because they can have different interior packages and you didn't say what yours is.

I'd be very surprised if freezing conditions alone caused it to crack. These laminate countertops are popular both because they're cheap AND because they're dimensionally stable. Solid wood and other materials expand and contract at different rates, but laminate over particleboard doesn't do that. Every camper in every cold climate that isn't used full time gets winterized and none of them have any heat. None of them get broken countertops as a result. Even if you had a solid surface, the same applies. And 30F is really borderline on things freezing in the first place. Perhaps you got some water soaked into a crack somewhere as a result of your other issues? Post a pic.

Heated water hoses only heat themselves, as you've learned the hard way. In the future you can buy "heat tape" (sometimes called "pipe heat cable") and wrap it around the spigot, too. Then wrap THAT with Reflectix insulation (it's cheap on Amazon) or some fiberglass batts, and tape it all up so no air can get in. For the spaces inside the camper e.g. where the hose inlet is, if you don't have "basement heat" (winter / arctic / whatever package) you can buy a device called a "Goldenrod". It's designed to keep spaces like closets dehumidified and runs around 45F all the time at a very low wattage, just enough to keep pipes in an enclosed space from freezing without jacking your electric bill too far.

Good luck

 

[andrewsandlin]

Every one of these things is like a snowflake. They're all made of the same stuff, but they're all unique in the end. Most countertops are laminate but you'd have to post a pic to know for sure because they can have different interior packages and you didn't say what yours is.

I'd be very surprised if freezing conditions alone caused it to crack. These laminate countertops are popular both because they're cheap AND because they're dimensionally stable. Solid wood and other materials expand and contract at different rates, but laminate over particleboard doesn't do that. Every camper in every cold climate that isn't used full time gets winterized and none of them have any heat. None of them get broken countertops as a result. Even if you had a solid surface, the same applies. And 30F is really borderline on things freezing in the first place. Perhaps you got some water soaked into a crack somewhere as a result of your other issues? Post a pic.

Heated water hoses only heat themselves, as you've learned the hard way. In the future you can buy "heat tape" (sometimes called "pipe heat cable") and wrap it around the spigot, too. Then wrap THAT with Reflectix insulation (it's cheap on Amazon) or some fiberglass batts, and tape it all up so no air can get in. For the spaces inside the camper e.g. where the hose inlet is, if you don't have "basement heat" (winter / arctic / whatever package) you can buy a device called a "Goldenrod". It's designed to keep spaces like closets dehumidified and runs around 45F all the time at a very low wattage, just enough to keep pipes in an enclosed space from freezing without jacking your electric bill too far.

Good luck

Thank you. Here’s a picture of that countertop

 

[taskswap]

Wow. That is the worst cracking I've ever seen. It's a little hard to tell, but it almost looks to me like the contact cement was either not applied at all or failed entirely due to being too thin of a coat. All the laminate adhesives I've dealt with have been a darker amber and are usually very shiny on the under-side of the laminate itself. Yours looks almost smooth/factory finish on the piece you're lifting.

I have plenty of complaints about Heartland's QC of my own, but I'd have to say this doesn't look like their fault. That material looks to be custom molded where the sink is and that's not something done on the line. It takes special equipment (I believe they do it in a vacuum-forming oven?) Perhaps there was a bad "lot" in the adhesive used, or it wasn't applied properly.

I'd start by contacting Heartland with your VIN - a number of threads here have information on how to do that. I don't know the details of your warranty, but this isn't "my coffee cup was too hot" territory, so you might have a claim. Unfortunately, it will need to be replaced unless somebody smarter than me has a better idea. If it was just a flat surface you can buy replacement laminate and re-apply it yourself (laminate sheets are cheap). But since yours is custom-molded around the sink opening I believe the only option is replacement...

This is probably not the route you want to go down, but if you want make lemonade out of lemons maybe you should also get a quote from a local kitchen/counter contractor. There's really nothing special about counters in RVs other than generally preferring lighter-weight materials. It could be your chance to upgrade to a solid surface. Not granite, obviously, but there are lightweight options out there that aren't massively expensive...

 

[Bogie]

I’m thinking there is more than one thing going on here.

Whatever bonding agent they used either failed or wasn’t applied at all. Also, based on your photo, the laminate most likely would have had to have been heated when it was applied. That is the only way I can think of to get it to roll over at the sink cutout edge as shown in your picture. Vacuum and heat. With that kind of cracking, my guess is that the laminate was overheated causing it to fail. In my opinion, it’s beyond repair.

If you are still under warranty, Heartland would be your first stop to see if they will honor a claim.

Weather under warranty or not, unfortunately you are looking at a complete replacement. As taskswap suggests, a counter top maker may be your best option.

You might try Bontragers In White Pigeon Indiana. You never know what they might have. Just may have something you can use.

Here is a link to their web site. https://bontragers.com/ There may be others in the Elkhart area as well if you search for them.

 

[andrewsandlin]

Thank y’all for the helpful information. If it wasn’t for the fact I turned the bunk into my tool room I might go the warranty route. Unfortunately tho I’ve ripped the bunk out as I don’t need it and I’ve turned into a designated tool room for my small engine business.

I think I might look at doing a custom sheet metal countertop industrial style. It will be easy, cost effective, and since I am like 90% positive heartland won’t honor the warranty because of the small renovation work I’ve done… it shouldn’t matter too much as long as it’s done professionally