Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike400AS
We're the second owner of a 2017 Airstream Sports 16. We drained the fresh water by opening the 2 drain valves (see attached photo) at the bottom of the unit while running the pump till water stops. The user manual mentions the 2 other valves (see 2nd photo) under the dinette seat. These 2 valves are in the close (90 degrees) position. What are these valves are used for? We also drained the water heater once several weeks ago and have not used the water heater. Do we need to drain it again? Thanks.
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1. The two drain valves under the trailer that you used are actually "low point' drains that are opened to help drain the plumbing lines. They don't go in to the water tank, they just look like they do. However, since the Sport 16 does not have a dedicated drain valve under the tank (a third valve on other models), the way to drain your tank is the way that you did it, opening these valves, and turning on the pump. Actually, you only need to open the 'cold' one to drain the tank. There should be a hot one and a cold one. The 'hot' one will be red. Ok if you do open it though, it'll just drain some of the hot plumbing lines too.
2. The other two valves under the dinette are also 'low point' drains. Just two more. You should notice a couple of rubber hoses sticking out under the trailer at the location of those valves. You could also drain your fresh water tank by opening one of those valves and turning on the pump.
3. If you drained your water heater via the drain plug that's on the outside of the trailer behind the exterior access panel, but then did not "bypass" the tank, the tank would have filled with water next time you used your trailer, whether city water hook up, or the fresh water tank and pump. So your tank is full of water again. In order to 'bypass' the water heater, on your trailer there is a hinged door under the clothes closet shelf on the roadside (driver's side). Open that, and you will see the back of the water heater, and some valves. Pic is attached. See valve marked "2". If the valve is 90 degrees to the pipe, the tank is bypassed and will not fill with water (once you empty it). If it's 'in line' with the pipe, it is not bypassed, and the tank will fill with water. If you do drain the tank and bypass it, remember to open this valve and fill the thank again before turning on the water heater!
The purpose of this valve is that after draining the tank for winterizing; you then bypass it if the trailer's plumbing lines are winterized using anti-freeze (to avoid having to fill the tank with six gallons of antifreeze--just drain it, bypass it, and it's ready for winter). As one last note, there is no need to drain your hot water tank in between trips all summer.
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