Draining the fresh water tank?

[Dave and Kimberly]

   We just picked up our E2 in May and after some great travels, it is now time to get it winterized for a few months.    I watched the Oliver University video on the whole process and even typed up the steps to have it for the future.   The gray and black tanks are all cleaned and drained.    The winterization process went as expected and I believe it to be fully winterized.

   My question is this:   How do you truly drain the fresh water tank?   The most I knew to do was run the pump until it was spitting part air and water.     Is that enough?   

 

[topgun2]

One way or the other - this is not a big deal in that there is nothing the fresh water tank that will be hurt even if it freezes.  And, you will sanitize it in the Spring anyway.

However, I like mine to be as empty as I can get it and by just emptying it via the water pump there will be (perhaps - depending on the slope of the Ollie at the time) a bit of water left in the tank.  Therefore, I open the fresh water drain valve and even slope the Ollie towards the drain point.

Bill

[Dave and Kimberly]

Ok... that is going to be embarrassing!   I didn't know there was a fresh water drain valve!     Where is that darned thing located??🤣

[ScubaRx]

Easiest way is to open the fresh water tank drain on the way home during the last trip of the season. By the time you get settled at home, it will be empty.

[Ray Kimsey]

 

6 minutes ago, Dave and Kimberly said:

Ok... that is going to be embarrassing!   I didn't know there was a fresh water drain valve!     Where is that darned thing located??🤣

 

[Dave and Kimberly]

Thank you!   I can't believe I missed this!   I'm on it now!

[John E Davies]

1 hour ago, ScubaRx said:

Easiest way is to open the fresh water tank drain on the way home during the last trip of the season. By the time you get settled at home, it will be empty.

Be very aware that many motorists around you will not understand what is going on, they will only see “something” pouring out and leaving a long splashy stream on the highway. They might think your trailer plumbing is broken 😳😳😳  I have done this in the past, drained the fresh tank, but only on deserted backroads. I personally don’t recommend doing it.

Don’t be this guy: …. 18 years since the Dave Matthews tour bus dumped 800 pounds of feces on people taking a cruise

John Davies

Spokane WA

[Patriot]

3 hours ago, ScubaRx said:

Easiest way is to open the fresh water tank drain on the way home during the last trip of the season. By the time you get settled at home, it will be empty.

Agreed Steve, Yes, no issues at all with draining the fresh water tank in this manner. 👍🏻👍🏻 Even if the popo 👮🏻‍♂️ were to question the water dripping from your Ollie, it’s easily explained. In most states cops have bigger fish to fry.  😊

[John and Debbie]

4 hours ago, topgun2 said:

One way or the other - this is not a big deal in that there is nothing the fresh water tank that will be hurt even if it freezes.  And, you will sanitize it in the Spring anyway.

However, I like mine to be as empty as I can get it and by just emptying it via the water pump there will be (perhaps - depending on the slope of the Ollie at the time) a bit of water left in the tank.  Therefore, I open the fresh water drain valve and even slope the Ollie towards the drain point.

Bill

I sloped mine so the nose was up.  I think it's on the curb side (that's where the valve is) so maybe a tilt to make the curb side lower might.help too.  Correct me if I am wrong.

John

[ScubaRx]

1 hour ago, John Welte said:

I sloped mine so the nose was up.  I think it's on the curb side (that's where the valve is) so maybe a tilt to make the curb side lower might.help too.  Correct me if I am wrong.

John

That is the correct way to do it. But, it’s hard to do while running down the road. 🤣🤣🤣

[ScubaRx]

4 hours ago, John E Davies said:

Be very aware that many motorists around you will not understand what is going on, they will only see “something” pouring out and leaving a long splashy stream on the highway. They might think your trailer plumbing is broken 😳😳😳  I have done this in the past, drained the fresh tank, but only on deserted backroads. I personally don’t recommend doing it.

Don’t be this guy: …. 18 years since the Dave Matthews tour bus dumped 800 pounds of feces on people taking a cruise

John Davies

Spokane WA

Now whatever made you think I would be dumb enough to do this if there were “…many motorists around…”? I may be from the South and talk funny, but I ain’t stoo-ped [sic].
 

I do apologize to anyone who took my post as a literal recommendation. I only said it was the easiest way. 
 

I’m adding emojis because we’re not talking face to face. 😜😜😜😜

[John and Debbie]

2 hours ago, ScubaRx said:

That is the correct way to do it. But, it’s hard to do while running down the road. 🤣🤣🤣

Not hard in Missouri!  Driving there was like being on a roller coaster!

[topgun2]

10 hours ago, John Welte said:

Driving there was like being on a roller coaster!

And people think that the Midwest is flat?

Either I-70 or I-40 through Missouri will teach you differently.

Bill

[Guest]

11 minutes ago, topgun2 said:

And people think that the Midwest is flat?

Either I-70 or I-40 through Missouri will teach you differently.

The Ozark mountains extend, focally, all the way north to I-70, near Colombia. I know Missouri has always been included as a mid-west state, however, I have only thought of northern Missouri, north of the Ozark Mountain range, as mid-west. 

Kirk

[ScubaRx]

3 hours ago, topgun2 said:

And people think that the Midwest is flat?

Either I-70 or I-40 through Missouri will teach you differently.

Bill

I agree with you, but it is I-44.

These guys can help you with directions.  

 

[topgun2]

3 hours ago, ScubaRx said:

I agree with you, but it is I-44.

Look!

I didn't suffer all those long 25 years living in St. Louis for nuttin'.

But, unfortunately - you are correct - I did mean I-44.

  😵

p.s.  Of course what is now I-64 used to be I-40 and the locals still call it that.  However, I-40/I-64 really wasn't ever all that bad and is now still my favorite way to get through St. Louis when traveling from east to west and looking for I-70 west of St. Louis.

Edited November 17, 2022 by topgun2
added detail