Fresh water while popup is parked

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korey99 - 27 May 2005 19:33 GMT

Hey all-

I'm running the gamut here with beginner's questions. Hopefully
once I get my trailer and get some experience I'll be able to
contribute some answers instead of just questions. I'm familiar with
the fresh water system of popups, and mine in particular, but I wanted
to know, in practice, how you all handle your fresh water system
between trips.

We figure on going one or two weekends a month. While the trailer is
parked at home for a couple of weeks, what do you all do with your
fresh water tank, water heater, etc? I'm not talking about winter
storage, just short-term. Is it best to drain it thoroughly and let it
dry out, or is it better to fill it up then flush the system before the
next trip. Leave the drains open for drying it out, or close them to
keep the critters out? For the record, I'll have a 17 gallon
freshwater tank, 6 gallon water heater, and a demand pump.

Thanks,
Korey

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Mark Filice - 27 May 2005 20:12 GMT

>Hey all-
>
>contribute some answers instead of just questions. I'm familiar with
>the fresh water system of popups, and mine in particular, but I wanted
>to know, in practice, how you all handle your fresh water system
>between trips.

I leave mine full. I live in earthquake country, and whatever water I have on
hand will be gold in the event of one. I have an inline water filter in the
trailer with a separate faucet as well.

I have purifying tablets, so I can use those to make drinking water. We also
have 5 gallon refillable jugs of water at home for making coffee, etc.

Mark Filice
2004 Homestead Settler 255RS
1999 Chevrolet Suburban 2500

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korey99 - 27 May 2005 21:14 GMT

Thanks Mark. Good idea. I live in the midwest, so not as much of a
worry for me fortunately, but still worth considering. Do you dump
this water and refill with fresh before leaving for a trip? When
you're ready to come home from a trip, do you dump whatever water you
have left and then refill when you get home? I'm aware that traveling
with a half-full tank is a bad idea. I don't know how quickly the
stored water will become "nasty", if at all. I'm planning on using
that water typically for washing and taking separate drinking water, so
I guess it's a matter of standards.

Korey

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Jim Redelfs - 28 May 2005 04:34 GMT

> how you all handle your fresh water system between trips.

Before breaking camp, I bypass the water heater and drain it. When
anticipating the end of an outing, I allow the freshwater tank to draw down to
about 1/4-full or less. The trailer remains in this state during storage at
home, occasionally for a month or longer.

When preparing for the next campout, I fill the 30-gallon tank. Then, I
UN-bypass the water heater. I then use the pump to drain the tank, flushing
all the water lines, fixtures and water heater. I then refill the tank for
the last time.

I have read of several folks that leave their tank FULL between outings. This
makes sense to me as there is then much less air space in the tank in which
bacteria can grow. I may try this.

We are connected to municipal, chloramine-treated, high-quality water. I have
every expectation that it does just fine sitting in the tank between campouts.

Although we bring along cheap, Wal-Mart gallons of "drinking" water for taking
pills and (duh) drinking, I insist that the on-board, freshwater tank is safe
for drinking and cooking.

:)
JR

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2000 Skamper Ultra 249 TT
2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
Vortec 8100 - Allison 1000

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