Leaving water in fresh water tank

The only thing I can say is that IF I leave my 16 gallon Hot Water Heater filled after trips and do not use it within 3-4 weeks.. I get a smell.. slight but still a smell.... If not using it within a week or 2 , I now drain the HW...

We only fill our TH freshwater tanks with chlorinated city water from home and always leave whatever is leftover for the next trip which is usually within a month or so. Once the camping season starts we just top-off and only dump FW when winterizing.

There has been a time or two while on the road where we had to add FW where we couldn't verify it's quality and have dumped it after trip was over. We normally carry (120 gal) our water from home as we have run into poor water quality issues while on the road. For a weekender we'll just fill one tank (60 gal) and we're good to go.

Keep the water in there, there shouldn't be any worries about bacteria and if you are worried, pour a teaspoon of unscented household bleach into the full tank before your next outing.

I don't see any problem leaving it for 2-3 weeks between outings, especially if it is city water.

I drink from my tank, so if longer, I like to start with all fresh. Mine goes through a whole coach filter, and for drinking, we keep a brita pitcher in the fridge.

Jerry

Depends upon how long the water sits in the tank. It can sit for quite a while if sealed up good.

But, if you have water in your tank, why not use it at home. Catch the water in a bucket. Use that to help flush the toilets in your house, wash dishes, wash the dog, or wash the floors.

If you have to park your camper in storage, get some 5 gallon containers or 1 gallon milk jugs and fill with the water from the camper and use in the house.

This way, your tanks are emptied, and the water is being used and not going bad by sitting collecting bacteria.

FYI, we always drain our tank too at the end of every trip. But, we're not in a drought where I live either.