Winterizing= Draining Hot Water & Fresh Tank

[sprintnut]

Suburban 10 Gallon Water Tank--I pull the plug with anode rod & open the pop off valve to expedite the water draining. This leaves some water in the bottom of the tank. Can this water freeze and cause damage to the tank?

Fresh Water Tank--I open the drain valve and not all of the water drains out. If I shake the camper real hard I can get more water to drain out.
It's as if the tank design has low spots that hold water unless I shake the camper Can this water freeze and cause damage to the tank?

All replies welcomed
SPRINTNUT

[LindaH]

No, the little bit of water that's left in the water heater and fresh water tank won't hurt anything when it freezes.

[NJ Hillbilly]

I open all the drains, remove the anode rod and then go for a little ride. Going down the road gets most of the remaining water out of the tank and water heater.

[lostagain]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LindaH No, the little bit of water that's left in the water heater and fresh water tank won't hurt anything when it freezes.

X2...won't hurt a thing.

[diandtom]

I pump a little RV antifreeze through the lines. I use about two gallons. some in the fresh, gray and black tanks. As of now I only pulled the plug on the hot water tank. I have just not got by Walmart to get any anifreeze. It usually ok here in eastern North Carolina until late Dec.

[John H...]

Don't forget to pour some in sinks and tub to fill the traps.

[1taylor]

i'm new to this just got 5th wheel and i filled the fresh water tank turned on water pump but no waterso i checked the pump and it;s running is the something i'm not doing?

[jimcumminsw]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1taylor i'm new to this just got 5th wheel and i filled the fresh water tank turned on water pump but no waterso i checked the pump and it;s running is the something i'm not doing?

Some manufactures will put in a bypass valve in the water line, this is used to winterized the camper. So you can pump the pink RV anti-freeze fluid through out the fresh water lines and not into the water tank. You need to open up the inspection panels and see if there are any bypass valves, that need to be open/closed to ensure that the water is running from the fresh water tank to the pump. There also maybe a bypass valve in the hot water line at the tank so you do not need to add anti-freeze to the tank also. You will also need to be open/closed this valve to ensure that the hot water tank will fill with fresh water.
Jim

["007"]

1taylor here are some pictures of a bypass setup.

[justustwo]

That little bit is not enough to expand when it freezes.

[Mopar1973Man]

Like other have said it fine... The Atwood water heater is the same way... It leaves about 1 quart of water in the bottom and no issues with it freezing... As for the main tank as long as it drained out the same way you good...

I blow my lines out with compressed air (don't forget the outside shower if you got one!) and add 8 ozs of antifreeze to the p-traps and your done...

[Ray,IN]

The only time frozen water creates a problem is when it is in a confined space that will not allow the water to expand as it freezes. The remaining water in your water heater and fresh water tank is probably less than 1 inch in depth. Since it has such a large surface area compared to depth, when it freezes it expands upward (path of least resistance) instead of pushing the sides of the container apart. If you can see inside your tank when the water freezes you will see a ridge in the center of the tank. This is where the freezing pushes water towards the tank center until the center freezes.
This is also why your water lines rupture when they freeze, the expanding water/ice has nowhere to go but push outward.
Bottom line, your water heater and fresh water tank are safe from damage if you leave the drain valve open so the valve will not be damaged by this remaining water.
That is my view of the subject anyway.