Fresh Water Tank

[Doc Mark]

I have been unable to find any thread that addresses this question, so I will post one.

We just got home for the winter and will not be using the coach for awhile. The fresh water tank was sanitized, drained & flushed recently as part of a PM schedule.

What should I do over the winter? Drain the tank? Top it off?

As we occasionally use the coach as a spare bedroom, I don't want to do something that will take a bit of time to undo before the company comes.

Thanks in advance for the suggestions.

Mark

[Route 66]

Since freezing weather is not a problem and if you have city (chlorinated) water, I don't see a problem with leaving the tank full.

I have done that the last 2 years.

[BryanL]

The disinfectant in city water will dissipate over a few days so it is always a good idea to flush and refill it it sits for much longer than that. I always drain the tank after an outing and refill with fresh water when needed.

If you are looking at convenience for a 'spare bedroom' I'd suggest leaving the tank empty and using the city water feed as needed if you can arrange a reasonably protected hose.

[Doc Mark]

Thanks Dirk & Brian.

I have a full hookup next to the RV so that isn't going to be a problem.

I wasn't sure if an empty tank would grow "stuff" the same as a filled one would.

Mark

[Ray,IN]

You may safely leave the fresh water tank filled for a month at a time. Chlorine does evaporate slowly over time, but full-timers on the escapees forum say they never have a problem with their fresh water tank. If you are cautious, just add a few oz of vinegar each filling. Besides inhibiting bad stuff growing, it's good for your health.

[Retired and Happy]

Is a vinegar treatment something new? I had always heard of Clorox, but not vinegar.

[Gary RVRoamer]

We leave water in our fresh tank since we too call Florida home and use the coach off and on even during the winter, eihter as guest quarters or an occasional trip. If it sits too long for some reason, I would drain and refill and I sanitize a least once a year regardless. Our local water supply is chlorinated, so refilling the tank is normally sufficient to keep it free of nasties.