Community Forums

billjohn20 · 08-26-2011, 10:42 AM

I am new to Class A motor home camping. I own a 1999 Itaska Sunrise SE Model 31 B. The water in the fresh water tank smells horrible for some time after trying to use it. I have read the instructions over and over, for the life of me I can't figure out how to drain and flush the tank. Can any one out there help me?

larry08i12 · 08-26-2011, 11:30 AM

On my unit, I have a drain valve next to my pump that I can drain the fresh water tank or fill it up with the fresh water hose hooked up to the camper. Mine was labeled. I just found this out while killing time one evening. Hope this helps.

BlauMax · 08-26-2011, 11:31 AM

I have the same issue with my 06 HR Admiral. Checking what I believe is the Owners Manual.. to drain the tank for sanitizing or after winterizing.. "See Owners Manual". So, new to me.. I called HR to see if there is another manual to go along with the ton of paperwork I received when I got the MH.

The tech said he would check. He had no idea how to drain the tanks. Told me to open the low point drains and turn on the pump. Hmm, I hope that is not an indication about HR.. I'm sure it's not.

I still don't know how to actually dump that FW tank.

RickO · 08-26-2011, 11:52 AM

Welcome to the forum.

I'm not familiar with your particular coach but hopefully someone who knows will chime in soon but I would think you should have a lever to pull in the plumbing bay which opens the fresh water tank drain.

Use our search feature to look for "sanitizing fresh water tank" and you'll find a lot of how to material. It involves draining the tank and then refilling with a bleach and water solution added. Run water through all faucets (hot and cold) to fill the lines and hot water heater. Allow to sit for several hours before draining, rinsing and refilling.

Most of us try to do this a couple of times a year... especially if the coach is stored for long periods. Use of chlorinated city water helps a lot but breaks down after a few months and stuff can begin to grown in there and you don't want that.

Rick

Dave78Chief · 08-26-2011, 12:03 PM

Based on page 3 of the plumbing diagram for a 1999 Itasca Sunrise SE Model 31 B (http://www.winnebagoind.com/diagram/...f31b_plumb.pdf) and the key that goes with it (http://www.winnebagoind.com/diagram/...g_callouts.pdf), item "V-10" is a drain valve. As shown on page 3 of the drawing, it is located by the pump motor. Page 4 shows some alternate tank configurations but all of them use the V-10 valve for draining.

Dave

ccook129 · 08-26-2011, 06:41 PM

My low point drains are in my last compartment under water fill.Red line is hotwater heater,middle is lines and far left is fresh water tank,when my camping is over I drain all but a few gallons to flush and wash hands,and fully empty when I get home.

BlauMax · 08-26-2011, 06:50 PM

I found my FW tank drain.. It was in the compartment behind all liquid servicing compartment. It's a 2" dump line.. I was expecting maybe a 1/2" line. So big I totally missed it..

When things aren't where I expect them.. I don't see them. For instance.. Hey honey.. what did you do with the peanut butter?? reply.. It's right in front of you... Me.. where? reply.. On the shelf below your hand. Me.. That's not where it always has been. Reply.. I moved everything today so there'd be some order... Me... whose order.... on and on.. but, ya get the idea

Beabop · 08-26-2011, 06:51 PM

Also drain and flush the hot water tank or it will grow algae and smell like sulfur.

kketterling · 08-26-2011, 07:10 PM

If you have it take a look at the anode in the hot water tank. It needs to be replace every so often or the smell from the tap when running hot water can smell like rotten eggs.

When I bought my previous coach the anode was completely gone and when I pulled the anode and drained the tank is came out like looking like oatmeal.

billjohn20 · 08-27-2011, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave78Chief

Based on page 3 of the plumbing diagram for a 1999 Itasca Sunrise SE Model 31 B (http://www.winnebagoind.com/diagram/...f31b_plumb.pdf) and the key that goes with it (http://www.winnebagoind.com/diagram/...g_callouts.pdf), item "V-10" is a drain valve. As shown on page 3 of the drawing, it is located by the pump motor. Page 4 shows some alternate tank configurations but all of them use the V-10 valve for draining.

Dave

Thanks!

Gary RVRoamer · 08-27-2011, 09:33 AM

Atwood water heaters, which I think he has, do not have an anode rod. But they do need to be flushed and sanitized along with the rest of the system.

BlauMax · 08-27-2011, 09:55 AM

Someone has prolly already figured this one out. The anode plug is about a 1/4" above the floor of the heater.. There has to be some way of really flushin out the bottom of the WH. I can get it up to the opening and then I feel like a procter ologist.. shoving my finger in there and getting the punk out a bit at a time.

RickO · 08-27-2011, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreatWhite

Someone has prolly already figured this one out. The anode plug is about a 1/4" above the floor of the heater.. There has to be some way of really flushin out the bottom of the WH. I can get it up to the opening and then I feel like a procter ologist.. shoving my finger in there and getting the punk out a bit at a time.

Yep, there is. Camco Mfg Inc - Water Heater Tank Rinser - Water Heaters - Camping World

Rick

Triker56 · 08-27-2011, 11:52 AM

Sometimes the fresh water drain will not get all the water out of the tank.
On mine to get it all out it takes a little drive to move what is left around.