d-mac1
Colorado
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I've read about how to sanitize the water tanks and lines after winter storage. Basically, the best method I've read about involves dumping bleach into the water supply hose, connecting it to trailer, and filling up the water supply tank and then pumping it through all lines and faucets and flushing it out twice.
I'm receptive to enhancements to this approach but really my question is what should be done during the season when a trailer is used only periodically?
If I use the trailer every couple months, should I run in some bleach after each trip to assure that things don't start growing in the lines and then flush it out before each succeeding trip?
What about the holding tanks? Naturally I'd empty and flush upon my return, but is there something good to leave in them to keep em fresh?
Thanks.
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Dave Wilburn
Ogden UT
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Pesonally, I sanitize when dewinterizing, then I just drain it and open the low point drains if it won't be used for more than a couple months during the season. If there is little to no water in the tank or lines, it limits what can grow in it.
Sanitizing once a year is probably overkill anyway....When was the last time anyone sanitized the pipes in their house?
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nayther
Burbank, CA
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I just keep the fresh water tank full all the time, without air bad stuff can't grow. We use our trailer at least once a month and never winterize in So Cal.
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Eycom
32043
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As a full timer, I tap into the CG's hose bib, but use the on-board F/W tank often during transit. The chlorine in city water is good for about a month and should be recycled within that period of time. I also use a faucet filter for added filtering and consistent taste in drinking water. I sanitize about four times a year to be on the safe side. After all, it's still just a holding tank. Two months between trips? To be safe, I'd sanitize if planning to use the tank for drinking water.
Dave Wilburn wrote:Sanitizing once a year is probably overkill anyway....When was the last time anyone sanitized the pipes in their house?
Might want to put a little more thought into that before drinking from the RV F/W holding tank.
I don't use chemicals in the gray or black tanks, just water. And I never let the black tank dry out. There's always a few gallons replaced after emptying. Wouldn't be a serious problem if it froze and I don't need to start a pyramid.
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BobWanderer
Perris,Calif,USA
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nayther wrote:I just keep the fresh water tank full all the time, without air bad stuff can't grow. We use our trailer at least once a month and never winterize in So Cal.
Same here, thats My "earthquake" water supply, along with a few cases of bottled water.
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Y-Guy
Tri-Cities, WA
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Might be overkill but since I also fill on the road at some campground I still sanitize once a year with the host/bleach method. I don't sanitize in between trips, however I have a few times after I filled at campgrounds that I didn't totally trust the water supply.
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BobWanderer
Perris,Calif,USA
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Y-Guy wrote:Might be overkill but since I also fill on the road at some campground I still sanitize once a year with the host/bleach method. I don't sanitize in between trips, however I have a few times after I filled at campgrounds that I didn't totally trust the water supply.
If I fill on the road somewhere, I dump the tanks when I get home and re-fill with known quality water and figure the Chlorine will take care of things ??
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d-mac1
Colorado
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Thanks for the replies guys! Our home water supply is well water and no chlorine so I won't get any chlorinization upon fill-up unless it is in the water I get somewhere along the way.
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kford131
Colorado Springs, CO
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I also have well water so generally I bleach the fresh tank in the spring. It actually works out pretty good to bleach the tank and then use that to purge the antifreeze from the lines. The bleach even helps clean out the color from the antifreeze from the tub and crapper. I usually don't fill up with anything but the well water at the house (kids don't like city water).
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d-mac1
Colorado
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Ok....lots of info on fresh water tanks and lines. I have a plan for that now. I like the idea of leaving full so no air.
What about the black water tank while your trailer sits? Do you guys do anything to keep it somewhat fresh after dumping it and while waiting for next trip?
Thanks.
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