I believe there are instructions in your owners manual. You use chlorine bleach ( I can't recall the exact ratio). Flush the tank with clean water and then add baking soda (again, I cant remember the amount). Flush again with clean water and you are finished.
__________________
Jerry Sullivan
'01 Limited
'01 Safari
On The Road, USA
I try to drain it as much as possible and finish the trip with fresh water on empty. When at a full hookup site, I will not hook up to water and use the tank instead. I can always fill back up before I go. Keep cycling water through as much as possible. I watered my lawn one day with two gray water tankfuls of water from the fresh water tank.
I have used the bleach method and it does work well.
I would love to have a drain valve on my 345 to completely drain the fresh water tank. It seems crazy to have to run the faucets and pump to drain the tank.
I still wonder about the drain on my tank. Under the couch at the rear where it is also under the heating duct, and really hard to get to is a drain valve for the fresh water. If I turn it it seems like the water will drain into the cabin. I looked underneath and don't find a drain hose poking out anywhere. Makes no sense....I usually have to drain thru the system, and then this last time I vacuumed the excess out thru the hot water drain hole. A pain but it seemed to work.
I cleaned my tank last year with a cup of bleach, then drove to mix it around a bit, drained, flushed and added a few tbspoons of baking soda to neutralize. Seemed to do the job. There are also purification additives available at WalMart and other spots.
The baking soda and bleach where mentioned. I tried "Spring fresh" last season and it seemed to do the trick. There is also "TastePURE", "EZ-RV H2O freshener" tabs and liquid. All available at Camping world. The best thing to do is after draining all the water/antifreeze and flushing your tank, refill 1/2 way and add a cleaning solution. Then drive around for a while. The more curves and bumps the better. Then come home and drain and flush again. This will take the better part of a morning but it will work pretty well. Also check your water filter, may be time for a new cartridge.
I concur with the cleaning methods mentioned here. I always drain the hot water tank after each trip. I do add the chlorine when about twenty miles from home after a trip...then when I get home I drain the remainder of the tank, usually 1/4 tank or so. When I refill for next trip, I usually add 1 tablespoons bleach with full tank of fresh water. I do have "City" water.
When we purchased the MH, we had the "rotten egg" smell when using hot water for the first couple camping trips. I think it must have been the antifreeze...I shut off the water heater valve when winterizing the system to avoid getting antifreeze in there.
I suck the antifreeze via a "T" fitting I added between the fresh water tank and the pump and run through the pipes until I get it to come out ALL faucets, shower, toilet, ice maker, etc. I then lbow out the system...leaving the antifreeze in the drain line traps and holding tanks.
Alan,
Are you sure that you don't have a drain for the fresh water tank...our 1979 has three valves located under the road side rear bed. One drains the fresh water tank for sure, the others I can't remember right now... BOY, I need to get out camping again...+5 degrees here tonight, 2" snow today.
This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.