Fresh water tank level during short term RV storage

[otterprods]

Since my family and I still work and are in school full time, we usually go a few weeks or more between trips, even in the summertime. At these times, we store our motorhome (25' class C) in our driveway. I dump the grey and blackwater and turn off the water pump, let a little pressure out of the faucets and of course turn off the main power. But I have not habitually drained the fresh water tank or topped it off during this sort of short term warm-weather storage. My RV manufacturer's manual talks about winterizing but not between-trip storage. So I'm looking for a little best-practice advice if you have it. We live at over 7000 ft in Colorado so it doesn't get super hot here and I do sanitize the tank at least oncer per year, but still, I'm always thinking about the sanitary state of my fresh water. Thanks in advance.

 

[TJ&LadyDi]

As long as you are sanitizing the fresh water tank periodically (at least annually), I would store the coach with the FW tank full. That minimizes the water/air contact a bit. My feeling is that if you fully drain the tank, it then needs to be sanitized as small amounts of water will remain in a “drained” tank and there will be a lot of air contact.

Others may have a different outlook, but that’s the way I would do it.

TJ

 

[J&JD]

I live in California and, like you, I park my rv in my backyard. It is hooked to 30amps 24/7. Since I live in an earthquake prone area I use my rv as my go to earthquake prepared spot. My fresh water tank is ALWAYS stored full, as is my fuel tank. I have done this for 15 years now with successive rv’s. Ususlly I will drain & refill the fresh tank every 6 weeks or so regardless of whether the rv has been out for a trip Or not. We use the fresh water tank for all our water needs while traveling, including drinking. Keep in mind that I have a dual filter system installed (triple if you count the refrigerator filter) and change the filter cartridges frequently. Never once had a problem with illness using the fresh tank in this manner.

 

[otterprods]

Thank you so much TJ and Jerry.
My Dad also lives in CA and uses his trailer as a preparedness kit of sorts and keeps its freshwater and gas topped off at all times. Now that I'm over fifty, I value his advice more than ever but it's always nice to get 2nd (and 3rd or more) opinions. I think I'll top off my fresh tank as soon as weather permits. What about propane?

 

[Scooterfan]

I'm a believer in storing the FW tank(s) full with an amount of bleach that equates to about a teaspoon for every 10 gallons (or so). Thus for an 80 gallon tank add (SAY) an ounce of unscented bleach. Please do not take this as advice or a recommendation because that's just my humble opinion. BUT, it works for me. Me wife brings bottled water for brushing teeth and drinking... Mostly we use the fresh water to wash dishes and shower so ingesting it really doesn't enter our picture.

 

[Neal]

I'm also a fan of full fuel, full water, not only for disaster reasons but any displacement for things that can grow, i.e. don't allow a garden to grow in the fresh tank, is my reasoning. I do cycle fresh at the first stop by using the water pump solely and sometimes even use a low point drain at the end of that cycle before putting in new.

 

[otterprods]

I'm also a fan of full fuel, full water, not only for disaster reasons but any displacement for things that can grow, i.e. don't allow a garden to grow in the fresh tank, is my reasoning. I do cycle fresh at the first stop by using the water pump solely and sometimes even use a low point drain at the end of that cycle before putting in new.

Thanks... slightly different subject, but what about propane? Can I keep that mostly full year round too without worrying about the cold winter temps we get here at 7K+ feet in CO?

 

[Scooterfan]

Propane tanks are not vented, thus keeping them full provides no advantage. Thus, I fill them when it's convenient. It's never "full" in the sense you have to worry about expansion. I say try not to run out so you always maintain positive pressure in the tank. Again, just MHO?