Community Forums

Deek · 04-01-2013, 12:33 PM

What is the best advice about what to do with all tanks -- gray, black and fresh water -- when storing motor home?

We have just returned from a month on the road and will be storing our MH inside in a heated storage facility for another month before spring travel, but we're not sure what to do about the tanks? Empty all? Leave a couple or few gallons of water in gray and black -- with our without deodorant in black? Empty fresh water or keep water in it?

Thanks for the help!

Deek

BFlinn181 · 04-01-2013, 12:54 PM

I usually empty and flush black and gray tanks, sometimes leave a couple of gallons in them but I don't try too hard. The water tank is emptied and left empty. Before I fill again, I often fill and drain once.

jzick · 04-01-2013, 01:18 PM

We are a bit different than most. Our black and grey tanks are not dumped until they are at least 2/3 full. We travel about a half year every summer and winter in FL in a stick and brick. On our final night before arriving home in the fall we empty and flush grey and black tanks. We then use the tanks as normal during our drive to the storage lot. During the winter, we use the tanks during weekend and day trips and are used when I am working on the coach while it is storage. When the tanks are full (normally on our second night out the following spring) they are dumped and flushed as normal.

Our fresh water tank is always full, or nearly so. Most of the time it is emptied and sanitized in the spring before we leave - sometimes I do not bother. While in storage the water tank is full and the water is used during our weekend and day trips. As we travel we fill the water tank as needed.

Our way of handling tanks has worked well for us since 2007. We have never had an issue. Of course we do not have to winterize.

Jack1234 · 04-01-2013, 01:43 PM

I would dump, flush & rinse the black & grey tank(s) several times and confirm (with a clear slinky attachment) that the tanks are running clear. I would then fill each tank about 1/3 full of clean water and drop a deodorizer/bacteria tab in both tanks. I'd probably dump some valve lube in the tanks and silicone spray the release handles.

I'd lube the seal on my toilet and leave it full of clean water. I'd probably also dump & flush my hot water tank & check the anode and refill with clean water. I'd run a cup of beach into the "full"
fresh water tank and sanitize all the pipes,..... leave tank full.

I'd rinse & flush everything prior to start-up.