How long do you leave water in your fresh water tank?

[Headhunter]

Just came back from our first camping trip of the season, it was only for four days? Naturally before I left I put some fresh water in the tank, drained it and filled it up. I always carry a full tank of fresh water just in case. Naturally we used the fresh water tank for the bathroom use and clean ups but that is about it. When we got to our camping destination I switch over to city water.

When we return home I still have almost a full tank of water almost 80 gallons. My question is do you guys just drain the water out or leave it in the tank for a while? Lets say your next trip is in two weeks? leave in or drain? I always drain and start fresh, but it seems like a waste of water. Can your water become contaminated in just a week or two in your tank without using it?

HH

 

[Aweese2]

Just came back from our first camping trip of the season, it was only for four days? Naturally before I left I put some fresh water in the tank, drained it and filled it up. I always carry a full tank of fresh water just in case. Naturally we used the fresh water tank for the bathroom use and clean ups but that is about it. When we got to our camping destination I switch over to city water.

When we return home I still have almost a full tank of water almost 80 gallons. My question is do you guys just drain the water out or leave it in the tank for a while? Lets say your next trip is in two weeks? leave in or drain? I always drain and start fresh, but it seems like a waste of water. Can your water become contaminated in just a week or two in your tank without using it?

HH

To answer part of your question, I too carry a full tank of water in case of emergency. I've added a male hose fitting to the end of the tank drain line. I then connect a pump to it and pump the water out onto my grass so as not to waste the water.

 

[Rollin Ollen]

Just came back from our first camping trip of the season, it was only for four days? Naturally before I left I put some fresh water in the tank, drained it and filled it up. I always carry a full tank of fresh water just in case. Naturally we used the fresh water tank for the bathroom use and clean ups but that is about it. When we got to our camping destination I switch over to city water.

When we return home I still have almost a full tank of water almost 80 gallons. My question is do you guys just drain the water out or leave it in the tank for a while? Lets say your next trip is in two weeks? leave in or drain? I always drain and start fresh, but it seems like a waste of water. Can your water become contaminated in just a week or two in your tank without using it?

HH

We never travel with a full tank of water (unless we will be boondocking). To me that is just a waste of fuel. We travel with under a half tank We do this just in case our next site doesn't have good water. (We test the water at each new site before we will attach a hose to it.) If we are at a park, we will not hook up to "city" water until our tank is near empty. That way we keep the freshest possible in our tank and don't waste any.

 

[Neal]

I always travel full fresh and empty black/gray in case of an unfortunate situation sidelining me. I leave it full in storage, cycle it and/or sterilize it prior to or on the first stop of the next trip using bottled water until ready.

 

[Scooterfan]

We use our water for showering, toilet, dishes, etc... and use bottled water for consumption. I always add a bit of Chlorine when filling the tank. We leave it until the next trip. In my (uneducated and humble) opinion, bacteria and other "stuff" will grow in there regardless of the water level. So I'd say it doesn't matter...either way Blessings

 

[GTS225]

As to the question of leaving water in your tank for extended period.......you don't. There's a LOT of microscopic organisms in even treated water that can grow to a very high PPM count and contaminate it. Drain it and replace with fresh as you approach your camping site.

FWIW; When I was still in the Nat'l Guard, we were always told to drain, rinse, and refill our canteen(s) not less than every 24 hours.

Roger

 

[Neemer]

My opinion: It depends on the source of your water. I’m on a well, so will empty if my coach is going to be sitting unused for a couple of weeks before heading back out. If city water, I wouldn’t hesitate to leave it in there for a month.

 

[DennisT]

While parked for extended periods of time we change it out monthly. Use the water from the tank prior to the replacement.

Normally travel with about 1/2 tank to save the weight of the other 75 gallons of water

Sanitize everything annually.

 

[FLSteve]

I always travel full fresh and empty black/gray in case of an unfortunate situation sidelining me. I leave it full in storage, cycle it and/or sterilize it prior to or on the first stop of the next trip using bottled water until ready.

This is what I do also for the exact same reason.

FLSteve

 

[Kevin D Pem]

I sound like the odd man out! I will drain all but 1/4 out before I hit the road, otherwise it stays until used up.

But then I fill with RO water, and filter with carbon block as I use it, sometimes use the UV light.

 

[team bradfield]

I always travel full fresh and empty black/gray in case of an unfortunate situation sidelining me. I leave it full in storage, cycle it and/or sterilize it prior to or on the first stop of the next trip using bottled water until ready.

Same here