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Debgranger's avatar
Debgranger
Explorer
Nov 10, 2014

How do I fill my fresh water tank?

Newbie here. I have a 1999 Fleetwood Flair class A motor home. The water tank spout is in the rear, just above the gas tank. I've opened the spout, stuck the hose it and tried to fill the tank. I'd say half goes in the tank and half shoots right back out as I'm filling. Same thing is happening when I try to pour antifreeze in the tank for winterization.
There is a small hole just to the lower right of the filling spout. It's open, no plug. Don't know if that has anything to do with it. Any help is appreciated.

10 Replies

  • tenbear's avatar
    tenbear
    Explorer
    Nov 11, 2014
    When you are connected to a CG water supply does the water get into your fresh water tank? If no, which would be my answer, why would antifreeze get into the fresh water tank.
  • Debgranger's avatar
    Debgranger
    Explorer
    Nov 11, 2014
    Snowman9000 wrote:
    Putting antifreeze in the tank is a horrible idea IMO. Will it work, yes. But it's a poor way to go about it. And many tanks don't drain completely so you'll fight that antifreeze forever. Your RV might have an antifreeze siphon hose near the water pump. Otherwise you can use a hand pump into the city water connection.

    See here:
    http://www.camco.net/assets/catalog/winterizeRV.pdf


    Thanks! That's a great resource!

    So, do I understand this correctly? I don't need to put the antifreeze in the FW tank, but use a hand pump and pump it directly in from the city water connection? Then run the faucets until pink stuff comes out? I already have my hot water tank bypassed but not sure if I have a bypass to keep it from getting into the FW tank...
  • NanciL's avatar
    NanciL
    Explorer II
    Nov 11, 2014
    I had the same problem with my travel trailer and what it turned out was the idiots at the factory put the filler hose up and over the water pump hose instead of under it. That created a large hill for the water to go over.
    I rerouted the filler hose under the water pump hose, andx now it goes in fine

    Jack l
  • tenbear's avatar
    tenbear
    Explorer
    Nov 11, 2014
    Like robsouth, I made my own filler but I made it 45" long so it goes right into the tank. I can fill it at full flow and not spill a drop.

    BTW, have a look at this post for more info on winterizing.
  • tatest's avatar
    tatest
    Explorer II
    Nov 11, 2014
    Slow down your filling procedure. I allow about 20 minutes to fill my water tank, an upper tank has to take it all, though half is going down to a lower tank.

    I do not put antifreeze in my fresh water tanks. I pump it into the water lines beyond the pump, to displace water that might freeze and expand in a confined space. A tank not filled is not a confined space.
  • Snowman9000's avatar
    Snowman9000
    Explorer
    Nov 11, 2014
    Putting antifreeze in the tank is a horrible idea IMO. Will it work, yes. But it's a poor way to go about it. And many tanks don't drain completely so you'll fight that antifreeze forever. Your RV might have an antifreeze siphon hose near the water pump. Otherwise you can use a hand pump into the city water connection.

    See here:
    http://www.camco.net/assets/catalog/winterizeRV.pdf
  • robsouth's avatar
    robsouth
    Explorer II
    Nov 11, 2014
    I made a fill tube from clear plastic tubing and a hose connection that goes all the way down into the tank. No more splashing out. Oh, you don't need to put antifreeze in the FW tank. If you don't already have a bypass for the tanks, install one and you will not have to flush antifreeze out of the fresh water tank ever again. Same for the Water heater.
  • Johno02's avatar
    Johno02
    Explorer
    Nov 10, 2014
    The small hole os the vent to let air out while you fill. Sounds like it may me stopped up or kinked. Wasps like to make nests in that line if it doesn't have a screen. Also, try filling slower.
  • Janss's avatar
    Janss
    Explorer II
    Nov 10, 2014
    I used to have a '97 Flair. I had the same problem. My fresh water tank was under the bed. Lifted the bed and found out that the incoming hose under there had a kink in it. Straightened out the kink and no more water filling problem.
  • ReallyBigMax's avatar
    ReallyBigMax
    Explorer
    Nov 10, 2014
    You need to go get something like this (Camping World choice shown):
    Water Tank Filler with Shutoff Valve"

    I use one of these on the end of the hose, and can go almost fully open to fill my tank. Very hard without it.

    BTW: That little hole is the tank breather vent, so air can escape while water rushes in.

    ReallyBigMax

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