Short Term Storage

[Road Geezer]

We store our AS in an RV lot, and we've had it only a short time since February. Right now we're using it on weekends and the longest stretch between trips is about three weeks or so.

My question is about what to do with the fresh water left in the tank after a camping trip.

Is is OK to leave unused fresh water in the tank and simply add to it the next time we dry camp--we visit a lot of places w/out hookups--or is it better to empty the tank and fill it up when needed? Alternatively, if it's OK to leave fresh water in the tank, is it best to leave the tank full or does it matter?

We're newbies to this trailer camping thing and I REALLY don't want to end up with some sort of Montezuma's Revenge because of tainted water.

I'd appreciate any advice you have...

Paul

[dkottum]

I don't ever trust that stored water for drinking, but bring along some gallon water bottles and refill them as needed. The problem is you don't know what may have gotten into the tank when refilling (especially from a campground source, less so from a municipal source).

Even then it is easy and wise to periodically disinfect the tank with a bleach solution, as described in your Owner's Manual. The tank will never be drained completely dry, disinfecting is the only way to ensure it is safe, even for cooking and bathing.

Doug

[mojo]

I always dump my fresh water after camping simply to reduce the weight when towing. And try to refill when closest to my next camping designation. Sometimes this is not practicle when going to primitive sites. I have no problem with drinking water from the holding tank as I filter it before filling and have an onboard filter at the sink. But you will get a lot of opinion on that issue. However, I wouldn't let it sit for a week or two.

[ZoominC6]

Wouldn't think a few weeks would hurt anything, especially if you filter at the sink. Having said that, we usually dump fresh water between trips of a month or so and then bleach out the tank and water lines prior to the next trip. Better safe than sorry. Lock your water filler door when in storage.

[blmitch5]

I'd clean the tank and lines between uses to be safe. To many things can grow in there especially in the summer.

[moosetags]

About the longest Lucy stays dormant is a month or so. We don't ever dump her fresh water. We have always just used it and refilled it as necessary. We do use one of those blue cylinder water filters when filling Lucy's fresh water tank.

We've been going this way for 5 years now. I don't think that we have ever dumped Lucy's fresh water tank. I did try out the dump valve once to make sure that it worked.

Brian

[drew05]

I would sample (sniff and taste) the water at the tank drain before you leave. If you have any doubts, put some bleach in your holding tank, let it sit, run some through all of your faucets, drain, and refill. You don't need much bleach, and you can drain the fresh tank in the driveway. You don't need much bleach, I don't remember the ratio, but it is in your owners manual in the winterization section.

An alternative is to add the bleach when you return home. The only down side to this is if it sits too long, and gets too warm the bleach will begin to weaken and become ineffective.

I also use a blue filter with pressure regulator.

[dkottum]

Speaking of the fresh water dump valve, are they all as tight as mine? Need pliers to turn it on and off, and then just barely can move it. Can it be lubed? Still under warranty, replaced?

Doug

[Road Geezer]

What's a "blue filter"? Is it a brand or a specific type of filter?

Thanks for the help and info. I think I'll end up playing it safe and rather than trusting to luck ...

[polarlyse]

I believe the "blue filter" they are referring to is the in line cylinder type filter. Available at Camping World and Walmarts and others I'm sure. Just screw it between the hose and trailer inlet. Change it periodically and you have filtered water in the house. As you may have guessed they are "BLUE" in color. I'm sure that there are other filter options, this is just one.

[Mikethefixit]

We never use our fresh tank for drinking,although Im sure we could if worst came to worst. I always add bleach to the first 50 gallons and then add water the rest of the summer. Water we take from home is NON CLORINATED WELL WATER. We always take fresh water in two refrig containers and 1 gallon milk jugs for the dogs. Our fresh water tank is used for dish washing and bathing and toliet flushing. Hope that give ya a little insight to the way we do it.

[A W Warn]

I sanitize my water tank spring and fall. Each time I fill the tank I dump what is left after the trip. Generally we do not drink water out of the tank, but we do use it for cooking. When we know we will not be hooked up to water, we carry bottled water for drinking and brushing our teeth. Don't want Montezuma taking his revenge on me!

[Wsmith]

I use my trailer water storage tank as a emergency water supply in case of a natural disaster. I also try to keep at least 120 gallons of Diesel on my truck at all times. It takes one gal per person per day minimum and you should have a two weeks supply. You can safely store water in the fresh water tank by as stated bleach and rinse with bleach. If you are filling with city water using chlorine you don't have to do anything but fill it up to overflowing. I then put a stopper into the neck and block off the overflow also. It is good for about 6 months. I then tag the pump switches to remove plugs before use.

I also keep some food items stored in ice chests that contain powered milk can goods
instant potatoes, dried beans, rice and other survival items. After going through a Major Hurricane and seeing store shelf's bear. I take no chances especially living in The NO. 2 Potential Terrorist City in the country.

When I am using the trailer in the summer I just keep it topped of when I get back home.

I believe this in much better them emptying most of the water and having some that doesn't drain out exposed to air.