Jump to content

Draining the fresh water tank?


Recommended Posts

   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?   

 

  • Like 2

2022 Elite II, Hull #1097  Elli Rose 🌹 and she has the solar panels with the 390Ah lithium batteries.  Our tow vehicle is a 2019 Ford Lariat F-150 4wd, 3.5L Eco-boost, 3.55 rear end, with the Max tow package.  Elli Rose also has the street side awning and several walnut and cherry mods on the inside.

        TravelMap.png.b89ef2d7bc27b1ea3b58f831ca5bd799.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators

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

  • Like 3

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

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

  • Haha 1

2022 Elite II, Hull #1097  Elli Rose 🌹 and she has the solar panels with the 390Ah lithium batteries.  Our tow vehicle is a 2019 Ford Lariat F-150 4wd, 3.5L Eco-boost, 3.55 rear end, with the Max tow package.  Elli Rose also has the street side awning and several walnut and cherry mods on the inside.

        TravelMap.png.b89ef2d7bc27b1ea3b58f831ca5bd799.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderator+

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.

  • Thanks 1
  • Like 5

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

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

  • Like 1
  • Haha 1

2022 Elite II, Hull #1097  Elli Rose 🌹 and she has the solar panels with the 390Ah lithium batteries.  Our tow vehicle is a 2019 Ford Lariat F-150 4wd, 3.5L Eco-boost, 3.55 rear end, with the Max tow package.  Elli Rose also has the street side awning and several walnut and cherry mods on the inside.

        TravelMap.png.b89ef2d7bc27b1ea3b58f831ca5bd799.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

  • Thanks 1
  • Wow 3

SOLD 07/23 "Mouse":  2017 Legacy Elite II Two Beds, Hull Number 218, See my HOW TO threads: https://olivertraveltrailers.com/topic/john-e-davies-how-to-threads-and-tech-articles-links/

Tow Vehicle: 2013 Land Cruiser 200, 32” LT tires, airbags, Safari snorkel, Maggiolina Grand Tour 360 Carbon RTT.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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.  😊

  • Thanks 1
  • Like 3

 

2020 OLEII - Hull #634 aka-  “XPLOR” 

2021 F350 6.7 liter Diesel Lariat Ultimate Tremor aka- Beast

 

IMG_2879.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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

  • Like 1


John and Debbie, Beaverton, Oregon,  2017 Ford Expedition EL 4x4 3.5 liter Ecoboost, with heavy duty tow package. Hull #1290, twin bed with Truma package (a/c, furnace, hot water heater with electric antifreeze option), lithium pro package, picked up November 7, 2022

spacer.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderator+
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. 🤣🤣🤣

  • 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

  • Moderator+
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. 😜😜😜😜

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

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!

  • Like 1


John and Debbie, Beaverton, Oregon,  2017 Ford Expedition EL 4x4 3.5 liter Ecoboost, with heavy duty tow package. Hull #1290, twin bed with Truma package (a/c, furnace, hot water heater with electric antifreeze option), lithium pro package, picked up November 7, 2022

spacer.png

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators
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

  • 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

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

Kirk and Carrie Peterson

Twin Falls, Idaho

2018 Ram 3500, with overland conversion: Rooftop tent, water, stove, Battle Born batteries, lockers, onboard air, raised air intake, Warn winch. 

2023 Elite 2, twin beds, delivered December 5, 2022 Truma package, lithium platinum package.
Hull #1305

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderator+
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.  

 

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

  • Moderators
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 by topgun2
added detail
  • 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

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...