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Hot water tank - drain or leave full?
08-12-2011, 06:46 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Ohio
Posts: 62
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What is the best way to store the hot water tank between trips of a few weeks to a few months. Full or drained?
Didn't know if it made a difference to its longevity.
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08-12-2011, 07:41 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Rising Sun, MD.
Posts: 190
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I leave mine full all summer, of course I drain in the winter. 
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08-12-2011, 07:43 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 348
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Quote:
Originally Posted by slackercrust
What is the best way to store the hot water tank between trips of a few weeks to a few months. Full or drained?
Didn't know if it made a difference to its longevity.
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Always drain, that way the minerals in the water wont screw up the inside of the tank. I drain mine as soon as we get home.
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Don and Maxine McQueen
1996 Damon Intruder
F53 Chassis 33 ft
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08-12-2011, 07:44 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Body's in Las Vegas, Heart & Soul's in Texas
Posts: 426
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lostagain
I leave mine full all summer, of course I drain in the winter. |
Ditto. Winters here are not that bad, but we do occationally have overnight freezing.
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Stan, Shirley & 2 Schnauzers
RV's: 2011 Vista 26P & '65 Mustang
Tsgt, USAF, Retired
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08-12-2011, 08:18 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Johnstown, PA USA
Posts: 1,965
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Drain ours after every trip and let the drain cap off for air to circulate.
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John, Deb; & our dog, Benji, Forever in our hearts.
2006 Gulf Stream BT Cruiser 5231B V-10
2011 Jeep Liberty Jet
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08-12-2011, 08:32 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner Winnebago Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Body's in Las Vegas, Heart & Soul's in Texas
Posts: 426
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John H...
Drain ours after every trip and let the drain cap off for air to circulate.
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Do you keep a screen on the drain cap to keep critters out?
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Stan, Shirley & 2 Schnauzers
RV's: 2011 Vista 26P & '65 Mustang
Tsgt, USAF, Retired
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08-12-2011, 08:41 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Johnstown, PA USA
Posts: 1,965
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No I haven't but thought about it after our last trip. It is probably a good idea. Mud wasps or something could set up camp in there Wouldn't be very good for water quality...lol
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John, Deb; & our dog, Benji, Forever in our hearts.
2006 Gulf Stream BT Cruiser 5231B V-10
2011 Jeep Liberty Jet
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08-12-2011, 09:38 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Cobden, IL
Posts: 126
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Quote:
Originally Posted by slackercrust
What is the best way to store the hot water tank between trips of a few weeks to a few months. Full or drained?
Didn't know if it made a difference to its longevity.
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Always drain ours and siphon out water left in bottom ( just a small amount), leave plug out, cover inside of water heater cover completely so nothing gets into tank or gas valves, etc. Have a bypass, so in winter we do not have to put RV antifreeze in water heater tank because it is dry. Ours has an anode rod on the end of the drain plug which keep minerals from damaging inside of tank. If yours does not have an anode rod, you can buy the combination plug/anode rod from an RV dealer or he can order one. Check screw size of plug to get the right one.
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USAF Retired
2012 Tiffin Allegro 32CA
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08-12-2011, 09:56 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Rising Sun, MD.
Posts: 190
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cutrell01
Always drain ours and siphon out water left in bottom ( just a small amount), leave plug out, cover inside of water heater cover completely so nothing gets into tank or gas valves, etc. Have a bypass, so in winter we do not have to put RV antifreeze in water heater tank because it is dry. Ours has an anode rod on the end of the drain plug which keep minerals from damaging inside of tank. If yours does not have an anode rod, you can buy the combination plug/anode rod from an RV dealer or he can order one. Check screw size of plug to get the right one. |
If you water heater doesn't have a anode rod you probably don't need one. The steel tanks use an anode rod to help prevent corrosion of the tank material. The corrosive elements in the water attack and "eat up"the anode rod rather than the material of the tank. These anode rods should be inspected and replaced annually, if required. Aluminum tanks do not require an anode rod.
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08-12-2011, 09:59 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Oregon
Posts: 141
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I have an aluminum water tank and only drain during the winter --- tank has been going strong since 91.
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08-12-2011, 10:13 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 1,253
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We have an Atwood water heater which doesn't require an anode rod. Living in Vegas, I leave the tank full year around.
After 11 years I thought it may be a good idea to remove the Teflon drain plug and check the water as it drained form the tank for any particulate accumulation and found none.
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Jim & SherrySeward
2000 Residency 3790 v10 w/tags
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08-12-2011, 10:16 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
National RV Owners Club Nor'easters Club
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 132
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that was my next question is it a atwood or suburban hot water heater, one is made out of steel an the other is made out of aluminum.
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08-12-2011, 10:21 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Nature Coast, Florida
Posts: 163
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Some say drain , some say don't drain. It's a matter of opinion and either has some merit. But if you drain, make sure you never turn on the electric or gas to the hot water tank without being full of water. You'll be replacing the tank if it's not full of water. Maybe you could put a tag or a piece of tape over the switch that says: TANK EMPTY.
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08-12-2011, 10:46 AM
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#14
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Community Moderator
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Mesa, AZ, USA
Posts: 2,332
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I agree I only drain ours in the winter. we dont have a rod either and most times I run a tank of water through filling the holding tanks and making sure theres no air in it before starting.
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Jim (SSG US Army Ret.) and Cheri (TSG Phx ANG Ret.) Mesa, AZ
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 HD Mega Cab Diesel | 2005 Honda Goldwing | 2006 35' Dune Chaser 5th Wheel
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