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Old 01-15-2018, 10:37 PM   #1
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2006 30' Classic S/O
Naples , Florida
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Emptying fresh water tank

I wanted to drain my fresh water tank, and after locating the drain valve it would not drain by gravity but only when pump was on. Is this the procedure or am I doing something wrong? Thanks. Carolyn
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Old 01-15-2018, 11:22 PM   #2
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2005 25' Safari
Salem , Oregon
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Hi, please give us more information about what you are asking about, what make, model, and size trailer / motorhome that you have. The water pump is not for draining.

I have a 2005 Airstream Safari 25-B travel trailer. My fresh water drain is located between the wheels on the curb side of my trailer. It has a plastic valve with a lever on the top. When I turn this valve towards the front of my trailer the water starts to drain. With a full tank of water, it might take several hours to drain completely. This is normal.
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Old 01-16-2018, 05:17 AM   #3
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Chelsea , Maine
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I’m thinking you found the low point drain. Actually there should be two of them, hot and cold. They will gush when the pump is on, trickle and stop with the pump off.
My fresh tank drain is between the wheels on the left side. Handle forward is closed, rearward is open. There’s a little splash plate under it to keep the water from digging a hole in the ground.
My low point drains are just forward of that, tucked in behind the left front wheel.
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Old 01-16-2018, 06:21 AM   #4
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1966 20' Globetrotter
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Replacing drain valve

Has anyone replaced the fresh water tank drain valve. If so what was involved
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Old 01-16-2018, 06:49 AM   #5
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2005 30' Safari
Montgomery , Texas
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Just replaced mine. Had it done at my local shop for about $100 when I had it in trying to find some stubborn leaks. It’s a 1/4 turn valve similar to the one you see behind a toilet. Drain faces rearward and the little deflector shroud is still there. I wasn’t wild about limited access to the connection and wasn’t interested in dropping the tank, so money well spent for me.

The original plastic one was trash—and was 12 years old. I’d take a picture but it’s icy out today. We couldn’t use the tank before the new valve, so a serious sterilization of the tank, then the rest of the system, was done according to the info in the AS Guide book. Having a trailer with a functioning fresh water tank rocks!!!
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Old 01-16-2018, 09:13 AM   #6
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Just a thought, but I found taking the cap off the fill port, releaved vacuum pressure on the tank.
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Old 01-16-2018, 09:42 AM   #7
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Quote:
Has anyone replaced the fresh water tank drain valve. If so what was involved
Yes. My valve was almost impossible to operate so I removed it to see what was up. Nothing was up, but since valve relies on a friction fit in tank to seal, I had possibly created a leak that would require dropping the tank shroud to repair.

Whew, dodged that self inflicted bullet. Valve is still difficult to operate, barely operable by hand, so I use a small crescent wrench.

On my trailer the valve is between roadside tires. Takes quite a while to drain if tank is full to begin with--half hour plus.
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Old 01-16-2018, 09:52 AM   #8
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Not a new problem.1/4" ball valve from ACE.
Flange from ebay

Ck his eBay store, handy Honda stuff.

Bob
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Old 01-16-2018, 10:00 AM   #9
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Where would the fresh water tank drain valve be on a ‘76 CB 31’ Land Yacht Excella 500?
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Old 01-16-2018, 10:08 AM   #10
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On my 1975 Sovereign the fresh water drain is under the kitchen cabinet (sink). Be sure to open a faucet or 2 or a vacuum will form in the tank which will slow the drainage.
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Old 01-16-2018, 10:22 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tschupp View Post
I wanted to drain my fresh water tank, and after locating the drain valve it would not drain by gravity but only when pump was on. Is this the procedure or am I doing something wrong? Thanks. Carolyn
On our prior 2008 Bambi, the fresh drain is forward under the roadside dinette seat. Drains with or without the pump, but faster with the pump. On our 2012 23D, the fresh drain valve is on the side of the tank, roadside, between the wheels. Drains like molasses.....about 5-6 hours to drain 30 gallons. Pic shows draining in progress. The other valve is the low point water drain for roadside lines.
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Old 01-16-2018, 10:46 AM   #12
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To Robert Cross....does the flange back side (not shown) connect to pex at both ends ?
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Old 01-16-2018, 01:29 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by harryk View Post
To Robert Cross....does the flange back side (not shown) connect to pex at both ends ?
Our '03 did not have PEX, it connected to a clear plastic hose with two worm band clamps, (changed to an all Stainless clamp), same as the OEM plastic.

Bob
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Old 01-16-2018, 01:44 PM   #14
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2018 19' Flying Cloud
Newport , Washington
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tschupp View Post
I wanted to drain my fresh water tank, and after locating the drain valve it would not drain by gravity but only when pump was on. Is this the procedure or am I doing something wrong? Thanks. Carolyn
You might want to update your profile so folks know what model/year etc. of unit you are talking about. In the case of my 2018 FC19 there are two fresh water tank drains located within less than a foot from each other under the dinette seat. One drains by gravity and the other only with the pump.

Did you receive a manual with your RV? If not you might be able to download a pdf version,
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Old 01-16-2018, 02:08 PM   #15
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Carolyn,
I just open the gray water drain valve, then open a cold water faucet and turn on the water pump until the tank is empty. This takes only a few minutes and rinses the gray water tank at the same time. You can also use the outdoor shower faucet for the same purpose. Russ
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Old 01-17-2018, 08:25 AM   #16
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2016 25' Flying Cloud
York , Pennsylvania
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While we're on the subject...

Can anyone explain exactly what the low point drains drain, and how they work? I'm not sure how those drains would fit into a plumbing diagram. When I winterized, I did allow antifreeze to flush into those drains ... I think.

Thanks
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Old 01-17-2018, 09:04 AM   #17
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IMHO They are not necessary.
Low point drains don't do much. Other than become another source for a leak.
Unless they are located in the actual "low point" of the plumbing system they don't drain much.
If you are in a situation where the coach is parked on a hill where the drains are actually up hill from the low point. They don't drain much.
In most cases they are located in spaces with poor access.
I live in an area where winterizing is a must. Temps to -40F. Which requires the pink stuff or at least blowing out the system with air. I prefer the pink stuff approach.
If I have a problem with an existing low point drain, ie leaking etc. It gets removed and replaced with a piece of PEX. If it doesn't exist it can't be a problem.
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Old 01-17-2018, 01:30 PM   #18
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Seems like in most cases a slow drain is desirable. No need for gushing water make a flood or eroding a hole in the ground. Slow drain gives the nice clean water a chance to just soak into the ground...says the guy who parks on the gravel next to his driveway.
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Old 01-17-2018, 06:18 PM   #19
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Burnside Bob, I've replaced mine and now keep silicon sprayed on it to keep it free and easier to operate.
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