ipeltier
St. Albert, Alberta
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We will be going "dry" camping for a few days for the first time. What steps should we take to make sure we have hot and fresh water with us?
Also--how can I tell if there is water in the water heater? Does it stay there after the grey water tanks are drained? We're always worried that we will burn out the water heater.
Thanks.
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big dave
Soldotna, Alaska, USA
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As long as water comes out the hot tap when you turn it on, the water heater is full.
I don't quite understand the rest of your question. Just fill the fresh tank, and have fun. Normaly, we just turn the water heater on if, and when we need it ( 10 or 15 minutes before doing the dishes).
Dave & Rose C
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PenMan
New Mexico
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You can make sure you have water in the water heater by making sure your bypass valve is closed and the supply valve to the heater is open. Then turn on a hot water faucet which will fill the tank before water will come out the faucet. You normally only close the supply valve and open the bypass valve when you winterize the unit. As far as dry camping goes, you should fill your fresh water tank and take extra water if you can carry it. The most important step is to conserve your water. Some of the dry camping areas we go to actually have water available but you have to carry it back to your trailer and pour it in the fresh water tank. Have fun camping.
Chris and Jane and two boys who use a tent
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smkettner
Southern California
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Water heater does not drain with the waste tanks. If you run out of water in your fresh tank you will pump air into the water heater and you will get some air and no water out of the faucet.
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PenMan
New Mexico
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big dave wrote:As long as water comes out the hot tap, the water heater is full.
This may be true in some units without bypass valves but not many. You can get cold water from the hot water tap because it is bypassing the hot water heater and then you can burn up your heater by running it empty. That is why I say to check the valves first.
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floridacamper
Florida/Georgia Line
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You will want to fill your fresh water tank prior to getting to your site ideally. Depending on far you have to go, it's best that you fill your tank right before getting to your site. That way you don't have to travel with all that extra weight.
Secondly dumping your gray water has nothing to do with your water heater. Two different systems
You should always make sure that you turn off your water heater prior to leaving your camping site. If not you can burn it up if you plug your unit back in and you don't have any water going to it or if your running it off of propane forgeting to turn it off. Whether it be shore water or water from your tank. You can have a full water tank but if you don’t have your pump on you will still burn it up
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big dave
Soldotna, Alaska, USA
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PenMan wrote:big dave wrote:As long as water comes out the hot tap, the water heater is full.
This may be true in some units without bypass valves but not many. You can get cold water from the hot water tap because it is bypassing the hot water heater and then you can burn up your heater by running it empty. That is why I say to check the valves first.
TRUE! I guess I was assuming it was already de-winterized.
Dave
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ozhoo
Pacifica, CA
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I'd recommend that you "practice" before you go. It's far easier to get answers while you're dry camping in your yard than it is out on the trail.
O
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coachman05
Minnesota
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The hot water heater usually will hold about 6 gallons of water which has it's own plug in order to drain it. The only way you can burn out the heater is if you turn it on.
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Fish On I'll Get the Net
Dryden, Ontario, Canada
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Fill your fresh water tank before you leave home but that will only last a few days depending how much water you will be using or you can take bottle water for drinking an a jug of water for coking then your fresh water will last you longer.
Your hot water tank will have water in it until you pump it dry or you take the drain plug out.
Hope this helps.
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