Jump to content

Fresh water tank drain


Going

Recommended Posts

Anyone else ever had a problem draining the freshwater tank?  Up until recently, mine drained fine but this last trip, I turned the valves to drain and no matter what I did, it wouldn’t drain.  Even opened the kitchen and bathroom faucets to make sure could pull air.  I wound up having to run the pump through the system to get the water out.  Any thoughts?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators

Have you attempted to see if a bug/mud-dobber is clogging up the outlet?  If it is blocked with a foreign object, perhaps a pipe cleaner or something similar could dislodge it.  Do you have a source of pressurized air? A short burst of air could help.

 

And do be sure to double check your valve placement to ensure they really are set for draining.  You mentioned that you turned the "valves" to drain.  On my old model Elite, from 2008, it only requires one valve (the one in line with the drain port) to be repositioned in order for the fresh water tank to drain.  Does your newer unit call for turning two?  One last thought . . . if the nose of your trailer is low and the water has all sloshed up towards the front of the tank, you will not be able to drain normally. An elevated nose is best for that operation.

 

Let us know how it finally works out.  Good luck.

  • Thanks 1
  • Like 1

Pete & "Bosker".    TV -  '18 F150 Super-cab Fx4; RV  - "The Wonder Egg";   '08 Elite, Hull Number 014.

 

Travel blog of 1st 10 years' wanderings - http://www.peteandthewonderegg.blogspot.com

 

visited-united-states-map (2).pngvisited-canadian-provinces-map.png

ABBCMBNBNLNSONPEQCSKYTALAKAZARCACOCTFLGAHIIDILINIAKSKYLAMEMDMAMIMNMSMOMTNENVNHNJNMNYNCNDOHOKORPAPRSCSDTNTXUTVTVAWAWVWIWYsm.jpg

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderator+

There is only the valve in the floor of the trailer that needs to be opened to drain the fresh water tank. Raising the nose will definitely help.

  • Like 1

Steve, Tali and our dog Rocky plus our beloved Storm, Maggie, Lucy and Reacher (all waiting at the Rainbow Bridge)

2008 Legacy Elite I - Outlaw Oliver, Hull #026 | 2014 Legacy Elite II - Outlaw Oliver, Hull #050 | 2022 Silverado High Country 3500HD SRW Diesel 4x4 

 

             801469912_StatesVisitedTaliandSteve08-23-2021-I.jpg.26814499292ab76ee55b889b69ad3ef0.jpg1226003278_StatesVisitedTaliandSteve08-23-2021-H.jpg.dc46129cb4967a7fd2531b16699e9e45.jpg

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Having one of the new trailers with the water feed from the top, my guess would be that debris from the hole cut found its way into the drain line and possibly clogged the valve assembly.

 

The beauty to pex, cut the line somewhere before the valve, take it in the house and clean it make sure it flows good and then Sharkbite it back together, it's just a drain line.

 

Make sure the tanks empty before you cut that line though...

  • Thanks 1
  • Like 2

Randy


One Life Live It Enjoyably


2017 F350 6.7L SRW CC LB


2015 Oliver Elite II Hull #69

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

My unit, a 2015 Elite 2, has two valves on lines quite close together at the freshwater drain. If only one is the drain, what is the other?

Mike and Elizabeth Smith


Snow Lake Shores, MS


2016 Ford F150 3.5 EB, max tow (20,900  miles pulling Ollie since Sept 2016)


 


 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have a standard Suburban water heater with zero instructions regarding turning the second valve for winterizing. I generally turn both when emptying the fresh tank, not knowing what the second is for, and not even remembering at that moment which is which.

  • Wow 1

Mike and Elizabeth Smith


Snow Lake Shores, MS


2016 Ford F150 3.5 EB, max tow (20,900  miles pulling Ollie since Sept 2016)


 


 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderator+

When I had our Oliver built I instructed the guys to put in a second drain for the hot water system. Mike, being as yours is one of the early trailers that is most likely what the second drain is for. They quit putting the second drain in soon afterwards.

  • Thanks 2
  • Like 1

Steve, Tali and our dog Rocky plus our beloved Storm, Maggie, Lucy and Reacher (all waiting at the Rainbow Bridge)

2008 Legacy Elite I - Outlaw Oliver, Hull #026 | 2014 Legacy Elite II - Outlaw Oliver, Hull #050 | 2022 Silverado High Country 3500HD SRW Diesel 4x4 

 

             801469912_StatesVisitedTaliandSteve08-23-2021-I.jpg.26814499292ab76ee55b889b69ad3ef0.jpg1226003278_StatesVisitedTaliandSteve08-23-2021-H.jpg.dc46129cb4967a7fd2531b16699e9e45.jpg

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

That's interesting.  I have the drain on the hot water line, but for the reason above.  I really like having it - since my regular tank drain just sort of dribbles, I can open the other one, turn on the pump, and pump all the water out in no time flat.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

When I had our Oliver built I instructed the guys to put in a second drain for the hot water system. Mike, being as yours is one of the early trailers that is most likely what the second drain is for. They quit putting the second drain in soon afterwards.

 

Do both drain valves exits the trailer via one pipe through the floor?

Horace & Dianne

Chesapeake, Virginia

2016 Toyota Tundra Crewmax 4x4 Limited

2015 Oliver Legacy Elite II - Hull # 93

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderator+
That’s interesting. I have the drain on the hot water line, but for the reason above. I really like having it – since my regular tank drain just sort of dribbles, I can open the other one, turn on the pump, and pump all the water out in no time flat.

 

 

I discovered that too when I "winterized" last fall.

 

 

Do both drain valves exits the trailer via one pipe through the floor?

 

 

Mine has two pipes going through the floor.

 

 

Steve, Tali and our dog Rocky plus our beloved Storm, Maggie, Lucy and Reacher (all waiting at the Rainbow Bridge)

2008 Legacy Elite I - Outlaw Oliver, Hull #026 | 2014 Legacy Elite II - Outlaw Oliver, Hull #050 | 2022 Silverado High Country 3500HD SRW Diesel 4x4 

 

             801469912_StatesVisitedTaliandSteve08-23-2021-I.jpg.26814499292ab76ee55b889b69ad3ef0.jpg1226003278_StatesVisitedTaliandSteve08-23-2021-H.jpg.dc46129cb4967a7fd2531b16699e9e45.jpg

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

I'm still searching for the elusive freshwater drain valve (2019 Elite II). The attached picture is from the Owners' Manual page 99.  It's not very helpful as it shows the drain valve after one has located it. To add to my confusion, the caption says it's in the 'open position', but the ball valve seems to be closed.

zxc.jpg.7343e1a316eacda85b5ba24eea85786a.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My unit is considerably older than yours, but I suspect the valve is in the same location. Remove the curb side bedding, and open the forward large access door. (your unit likely has a smaller access on the side, which may (or may not) allow you to view the valve. Looking down into the compartment, you might see the water pump, some water lines, a HVAC flexible duct (mine is a shiny silver), and a bit further toward the rear, your water heater. Using a headlamp (or wife with a flashlight), gently lift the HVAC duct and look around underneath it. The valve should be there. It is small, and it is dark in there, so use the light.

 

I promise that all the little things that seem so difficult, and even frustrating initially, become second nature after a time. Be sure to relax and enjoy the process.

 

 

  • Thanks 2
  • Like 1

Mike and Elizabeth Smith


Snow Lake Shores, MS


2016 Ford F150 3.5 EB, max tow (20,900  miles pulling Ollie since Sept 2016)


 


 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators

The Smith's got the description of where that valve is located down to a science.  I too remember my first venture into that area to try to find that puppy.  I can now even find it in the dark!

 

Yes, that picture does show the valve in the closed position.

 

Bill

  • Like 1

2023 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5EB FX4 Max Towing, Max Payload, 2016 Oliver Elite II - Hull #117 "Twist"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

I had a similar problem last night. I filled the tank to check the readout on the tank level monitor. I then raised the front of the trailer and opened the drain valve (my 2019 Elite 1 has only 1 valve, also opened the sink faucet and bathroom faucet for air relief on the line. The stream of water from the drain was really slow, it took over an hour to drain the tank?

 

Is that normal?

 

 

 

 

2019 Legacy Elite #431;  2019. TV 2019 GMC Canyon Denali, crew cab, 4X4, Long bed, Duramax Diesel.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators

While I have the Elite II, my experience is that the fresh water tank does drain slowly.  When I want to empty it I usually open that drain just as soon as I'm ready to pull out of camp.  That way the tank is empty by the time I get to my first gas stop.  Note that normally I only do this when I'm headed home.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Bill

  • Like 1

2023 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5EB FX4 Max Towing, Max Payload, 2016 Oliver Elite II - Hull #117 "Twist"

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It certainly seems like a common problem, if not normal.  I experimented with mine while sanitizing the fresh tank a few weeks ago by covering the overflow with my hand while filling the tank and having the drain open.  I was hoping that the drain might be blocked with plastic shavings or something and that it would push out with some extra pressure.  No luck, though I didn't want to let the pressure build up too much for fear that it would pop the overflow drain hose off the tank.

 

I did find out though that if you have the Truma you can do the same trick that you can if you had the extra hot water line drain like Steve and I do.  Just open the Truma drain and turn on the pump, and it will pump all the water out the Truma.  You may be able to do the same trick with the standard water heater.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators

 

I did find out though that if you have the Truma you can do the same trick that you can if you had the extra hot water line drain like Steve and I do. Just open the Truma drain and turn on the pump, and it will pump all the water out the Truma. You may be able to do the same trick with the standard water heater.

 

 

Your statement about an extra hot water drain line made me go look at the plumbing schematics and search for a hot water drain line.  It doesn’t look like there is a drain on the hot water side at all, let alone an extra one.  I understand the drain function of the hot water heater, but I thought that was a winterizing, filter cleaning or descaling function.  Is this something the Truma rep at the Rally suggested?

 

What is the purpose of the extra hot water line drain that you and Steve have and where is the valve and drain?

Mike and Krunch   Lutz, FL  
2017 LEII #193 “the dog house”

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderator+

Mike, our trailer was the first one built and we were just making it up as we went. It has the standard water heater.  I requested a drain in the hot line and it was apparently not something they regularly did on subsequent builds. It was only this past fall that I discovered it would do what Overland has described. I’ve not studied the plumbing diagram enough to know why it drains with this valve open and the pump on. I think it may have something to do with elves or maybe Elvis.

 

The drain is located on the floor of the outer shell right beside the cold water drain.

 

As as far as the tank draining slowly, think about draining 30-something gallons of water through a hole the size of a pencil.

  • Thanks 2
  • Haha 1

Steve, Tali and our dog Rocky plus our beloved Storm, Maggie, Lucy and Reacher (all waiting at the Rainbow Bridge)

2008 Legacy Elite I - Outlaw Oliver, Hull #026 | 2014 Legacy Elite II - Outlaw Oliver, Hull #050 | 2022 Silverado High Country 3500HD SRW Diesel 4x4 

 

             801469912_StatesVisitedTaliandSteve08-23-2021-I.jpg.26814499292ab76ee55b889b69ad3ef0.jpg1226003278_StatesVisitedTaliandSteve08-23-2021-H.jpg.dc46129cb4967a7fd2531b16699e9e45.jpg

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Similar to Steve, mine has the drain because I asked Oliver to do weird stuff to my trailer. I’ve been using it to empty the fresh tank but now that I’ve discovered that I can pump it out the water heater itself I’ll probably do that since it seemed to be a lot faster.

  • Thanks 1
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Mike, our trailer was the first one built and we were just making it up as we went. It has the standard water heater. I requested a drain in the hot line and it was apparently not something they regularly did on subsequent builds. It was only this past fall that I discovered it would do what Overland has described. I’ve not studied the plumbing diagram enough to know why it drains with this valve open and the pump on. I think it may have something to do with elves or maybe Elvis.

 

The drain is located on the floor of the outer shell right beside the cold water drain.

 

As as far as the tank draining slowly, think about draining 30-something gallons of water through a hole the size of a pencil.

 

Plus there is little hydraulic head on the tank  the tank is pretty flat and the outlet (at least on ours) is not on the invert of the tank but on the side at the bottom.  As you noted, raising the nose helps, and at least for ours is necessary to completely drain the tank. It is quite slow to drain.

 

 

Garry and Kristi

Apex, NC

2018 Oliver Elite II Hull 372

TV 2015 Ram 1500 3.0 L EcoDiesel

image.jpeg.aed3a6aa6cd2b2679a4845e1ea98a981.jpeg

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here is a heads up on the drain tube that goes through the floor. That tube can pull out of the hole and if not caught all your tank water will be inside the trailer. As I was getting ready to open the drain, I noticed light coming through the floor, not normal, then I realized it was the hole for the drain. Something to keep an eye on.

 

 

 

Stan

  • Like 1

Stan and Carol


Blacksburg, VA


2014 Dodge Durango 5.7 Hemi


2014 Legacy Elite II Standard  Hull 63

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators
Mike, our trailer was the first one built and we were just making it up as we went. It has the standard water heater. I requested a drain in the hot line and it was apparently not something they regularly did on subsequent builds. It was only this past fall that I discovered it would do what Overland has described. I’ve not studied the plumbing diagram enough to know why it drains with this valve open and the pump on. I think it may have something to do with elves or maybe Elvis.

 

The drain is located on the floor of the outer shell right beside the cold water drain.

 

As as far as the tank draining slowly, think about draining 30-something gallons of water through a hole the size of a pencil.

 

Well, don’t leave either of those valves open by accident on your way north or you might become the star of Ice Road Truckers.

 

Mike

  • Thanks 1
  • Haha 1

Mike and Krunch   Lutz, FL  
2017 LEII #193 “the dog house”

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators

Mike, wish w had an lol button.

?

 

Sherry

  • Thanks 1
  • Like 1

2008 Ram 1500 4 × 4

2008 Oliver Elite, Hull #12

Florida and Western North Carolina, or wherever the truck goes....

400 watts solar. DC compressor fridge. No inverter. 2 x 105 ah agm batteries .  Life is good.


        
 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...