Model 2507S Trailer, Suburban 6gal Gas/Elec Water Heater. Has been out 4 times since new last summer. Last trip lasted 5 weeks. When setting up at camp, open up trlr and operate Water heater on Gas, with any kind of winds from Drivers side rear quadrant, The CO - Propane detector goes off, and readings of up to 350ppm of CO (no gas odorant noted). Gas heater is shut off as unit is emptied of personnel, and ventilated (upper bath vent fan, and external fan in door), for 20 minutes. This is NOT a gas leak as soapy water on joints do NOT bubble on all exposed joints and no odorant smell in or around unit. The Water heater sits about a foot aft of the one slide out. Seals are in good shape on the slide out. Inspection of the Water heater body and trim cover, shows a few gaps that could very well allow exhaust gases into the interior. Note that DIRECTION of Wind is important here. Any winds from the Front or passenger side DOES NOT cause the CO Detector to sound. Winds from 90 deg on Driver side to 180 (back) causes CO Detector to sound. Levels seen on Detector are 5 to 7 times the OSHA 8hr weighted maximum exposure of 50ppm. Feel this is a design defect as the slide out may be causing a blocking of exhaust (lack of draft) out of the front cover, and the exhaust is getting blown internally. Trip lasted from 3-22-24 to 04-25-24. Electric side of Wtr Htr was used exlcusively after noting problem. No injuries occured.
- NHTSA ID
- 11585739
- Incident
- Mar 24, 2024