Freshwater tank drain

[wagontrain]

I’m winterizing right now
2005 Safari 25
I have Three drains under the water tank in between the curbside wheels
Two are metal petcocks these seem to be system drains and drain well with the water pump running
The third is a white plastic/pvc valve which I think is the direct tank drain , very difficult to shift the lever
I get nothing out when I operate this one
Is it gummed up through never being used?
Is there another direct drain?
I have emptied the tank now through the system drains by using the pump until it ran dry
I will now blow through with 50 psi compressed air through the city water connector and then think about how best to get anti freeze in
Anyone have any thoughts
Help much appreciated
My first Airstream so my first rodeo
Thanks all round

[CBWELL]

That white valve is the fresh water tank drain. They are sometimes hard to open, and I have used food grade silicone spray up and into the valve to help keep if moving. If you have drained the tank with the pump, there is virtually nothing left in the tank Get an antifreeze winterizing kit and install the valve on the INLET side of the pump. Then use the pump to pump antifreeze through the system.

[wagontrain]

Thanks CB
That makes sense
Antifreeze will come out of the faucets and the shower head will it be sufficient to fill the traps in the sink drains?
Does the shower tray have a drain trap before it goes into the grey tank?
Anything special around the toilet that needs special antifreeze attention?

[CBWELL]

I always pour some extra into the sink drains, after I use a toilet plunger to purge the water out of the trap. Yes, there is a trap under the shower. Don't forget to run anti freeze through the toilet and the rinse spray as well. Remove the filter for the drinking water tap on the kitchen sink and install the bypass if you have one. Don't be afraid to use extra Antifreeze, it's a lot cheaper than plumbing repairs. I usually leave the drain out of the water heater as well. Don't forget to bypass the water heater before putting anti freeze in the lines.

[urnmor]

The third is a white plastic/pvc valve which I think is the direct tank drain , very difficult to shift the lever
I get nothing out when I operate this one
Is it gummed up through never being used?

I am having the same issue. I know they are to open however even when I got it mostly open no water came out. Is it a bad assumption on my part to assume it is clogged. If so what is the best way to un clog it?

[SSquared]

The freshwater tank is wide and shallow. If your trailer is tipped at all to the curb side, there will be water left in it, out of reach of the pump and the drain line.


I drain my fresh tank using the little white plastic drain while I am parked in front of my house. Then I drive to my storage lot dump station. I pull onto plastic blocks there, and get several more gallons out of my fresh tank.

[CBWELL]

You can blow air up into the valve, but low pressure. As long as there is no water in the valve the small amount in the tank can freeze and do no harm.