rookie_rv
Rowlett, Texas
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Joined: 08/27/2005
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Hello, Rookie RVer ![[emoticon]](https://forums.motorhome.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/cool.gif "cool") here! Can you provide any “good to know” tips, about storing fresh water in tank? I just installed a double water filter on “MidLife” (Winnebago Vista 30B) and its made a world of difference. How long would you suggest keeping water in the tank? I’m thinking after a certain amount of time its not a good thing. Prior to installing filter I use to empty tank and water heater after every trip. I couldn’t find any post on this.
Thanks in advance!
Darius....the "Rookie RVer"
U.S. Coast Guard Retired
"RVing....cause life's a trip"
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Lwiddis
Southern California :(
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A week without significant use of water in the tank and refilling from a fresh water source. Temperature plays an important part of this. I’m not a water waster but why push it. I empty after every trip. I sanitize before every trip.
Winnebago 2101DS TT & 2022 Chevy Silverado 1500 LTZ Z71, WindyNation 300 watt solar-Lossigy 200 AH Lithium battery. Prefer boondocking, USFS, COE, BLM, NPS, TVA, state camps. Bicyclist. 14 yr. Army -11B40 then 11A - (MOS 1542 & 1560) IOBC & IOAC grad
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midnightsadie
ohio
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Joined: 01/07/2008
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my rv is 16teen years old ,can,t hardly beleave it. but from day one I empty all my tanks after every trip. everything is org. put a drain valve on my hot water tank. I,M on well water has a few more germs than city. sanitize twice a year apr and july.no ones ever been sick. live in ohio.p.s filters don,t kill germs.
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MountainAir05
New Mexico
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Same here , all tanks empty and cleaned after every trip. We do carry bottle water to cook and drink. Got sick once on a trip from the water and that is not a good thing when traveling. Can't help you your on your filter.
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toedtoes
California
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I have chlorinated city water. As long as I was going back out (or using it at home) within a month, I didn't drain it. If the RV was going to sit unused for more than a month, than I drained it.
1975 American Clipper RV with Dodge 360 (photo in profile)
1998 American Clipper Fold n Roll Folding Trailer
Both born in Morgan Hill, CA to Irv Perch (Daddy of the Aristocrat trailers)
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craig7h
Branson MO area
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Joined: 03/23/2002
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As for the fresh water tank, my rule of thumb is if its going to sit for more than a couple weeeks I will drain it. I carry less than 1/3 so not much is sent to the ground.
As for the water heater, I drain mine at the end of the season. Clean it out using a water heater nozzle on the hose. I have never understood the folks who drain after every trip. My question is do they drain their water heater at home when they leave?
Itasca Meridian SE 36g
Road Master Tow Dolly
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rgatijnet1
Florida
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I live in Florida and do not have to worry about my tanks freezing. For this reason I never empty my fresh water tank or water heater. I have treated municipal water and I top the tanks off with as much water as they will hold to minimize oxygen in the tanks that could promote the growth of bacteria. This also gives me a reference to check to see if there are any leaks in the system. I do have an under counter water filter and I have never noticed any difference in the taste of the water from it sitting. Since we occasionally have hurricanes in Florida our RV is our lifeline if a storm hits
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JoeH
Apollo Beach,FL
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rgatijnet1 wrote:I live in Florida and do not have to worry about my tanks freezing. For this reason I never empty my fresh water tank or water heater. I have treated municipal water and I top the tanks off with as much water as they will hold to minimize oxygen in the tanks that could promote the growth of bacteria. This also gives me a reference to check to see if there are any leaks in the system. I do have an under counter water filter and I have never noticed any difference in the taste of the water from it sitting. Since we occasionally have hurricanes in Florida our RV is our lifeline if a storm hits
I do pretty much the same, except I drain and sanitize the fresh water tank 2 or 3 x a year.
Joe
2013 Dutch Star 4338- all electric
Toad is 2015 F-150 with bikes,kayaks and Harley aboard
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Chum lee
Albuquerque, NM
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A lot depends on where you got the "fresh" water that filled your tank and how long it has been there. If it came from your local municipal water supply, chances are the water has been recently chlorinated and disinfected with ozone, UV, or whatever the local water treatment plant currently does. You can usually call them and ask if you want to know for sure. If the water came from a private well, that's not the case. It could be much better than municipal water, or much worse. Test kits are available. Google is your friend.
For me, if it looks bad (anything other than clear) smells bad, or tastes bad, dump it and flush the system with fresh chlorinated water. I drink/cook with RO (reverse osmosis) water.
Chum lee
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Lwiddis
Southern California :(
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“My question is do they drain their water heater at home when they leave?”
No, I don’t.
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