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Dumping the Fresh Water Tank

chrisandoctavia
Explorer
Explorer
Here is a question I should have asked the tech who gave us a run down of everything in our RV when we bought it - but it didn't occur to us....

He showed us where the yellow lever valve is under the bed in the master bedroom that you use to dump the contents of the potable fresh water tank

What he didn't say though was WHERE the water is dumped

Does it just open a valve under the RV that spills the water out onto the road (or wherever the RV happens to be standing at the time...)

Or...

Does it dump into the RV's grey water tank

We have a 2007 Itasca Impulse C31 (which is a Winnebago under the covers)

Thanks for any help anyone can give us

Chris
15 REPLIES 15

chrisandoctavia
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks to all for your valued responses

Much appreciated

Chris

Bordercollie
Explorer
Explorer
Call the manufacturer of your RV and talk to a tech support person. Have model/floor plan info handy when you contact the mfr.

wbwood
Explorer
Explorer
Bordercollie wrote:
Most RV's have a spigot on the side to dump fresh water tank, They also have two separate "low point" drain valves inside the RV, that you must open to drain the hot and cold water lines. You must close the low point drain valves completely, after draining, or fresh water pump will not shut off with pump switch "on". When draining the low point drains you should see water dribbling out of two small tubes under the RV.


I must have had the RV's that don't fall under "most". The 2010 TT we had didn't have the spigot on the side. It did have the low point drain tubes underneath. Our 2013 Class C does have a spigot on the side, but I have not noticed any other models (other than our brand) with the spigots on the side. We also do not have the other drain tubes as you mentioned. I was going to respond to this yesterday, but decided I needed to wait until I got home and recheck. I climbed underneath and looked everywhere. The only drain we have is where the spigot is. No other drain tubes and no water lines whatsoever...
Brian
2013 Thor Chateau 31L

OFDPOS
Explorer
Explorer
To answer your question they drain to the ground .

But this is my routine since we don't get to do alot of trips through out the year...

I have easy access to a dumping station , so the morning we are headed home from ? I usually have about a 1/4 FW tank full, but I dump the B&G tanks and flush them a couple times at the place we stayed at , then put a couple gals of water into the B&G tanks for if we have to use the bathroom before getting home ? Wash up or ?

Once home I'll turn the WP on and turn on the faucets/shower to run out the water from the FW tank , once pump starts sucking air shut it off . Then head on over to the place where I can dump the tanks..
That way while we're driving home and then back to the dump station any other residuals in the B&G tanks may have broken up/loosen up for the final dump
While doing the dumping I'll raise up the bed /and pull the two spigots to drain out the rest ...
Once back home , close the two spigots , and while leaving the faucets/shower open I'll blow out the lines, Reopen the the two spigots to see if any water got blown down into the low lines spots.

That way there's not much or any water that may set and get stagnate in any of the lines.
And yes drain/blow out the HW heater too.

Next trip I know where, what, how I have to fill up to go ..

Some may say overkill but that's my routine...

korbe
Explorer
Explorer
Bobbo wrote:
Dumping the fresh water on the ground is no different that what happens to that ground when it rains.

Yes, but that's nature doing it.....and not man. Big difference. 😉
.

Bobbo
Explorer II
Explorer II
Dumping the fresh water on the ground is no different that what happens to that ground when it rains.
Bobbo and Lin
2017 F-150 XLT 4x4 SuperCab w/Max Tow Package 3.5l EcoBoost V6
2017 Airstream Flying Cloud 23FB

F1bNorm
Explorer
Explorer
One of the nice things about Winnebago products is the availability of product info on line. Specific to model and year wiring, plumbing,parts and sales brochures are there. So for plumbing see: http://www.winnebagoind.com/diagram/Plumbing.htm

BTW, my Winn dumps to the ground and it might be the same exit as the overflow.

Norm
F1BNorm

tenbear
Explorer
Explorer
Bordercollie wrote:
Most RV's have a spigot on the side to dump fresh water tank, They also have two separate "low point" drain valves inside the RV, that you must open to drain the hot and cold water lines. You must close the low point drain valves completely, after draining, or fresh water pump will not shut off with pump switch "on". When draining the low point drains you should see water dribbling out of two small tubes under the RV.

That's how mine is plumbed.
Class C, 2004/5 Four Winds Dutchman Express 28A, Chevy chassis
2010 Subaru Impreza Sedan
Camped in 45 states, 7 Provinces and 1 Territory

Bordercollie
Explorer
Explorer
Most RV's have a spigot on the side to dump fresh water tank, They also have two separate "low point" drain valves inside the RV, that you must open to drain the hot and cold water lines. You must close the low point drain valves completely, after draining, or fresh water pump will not shut off with pump switch "on". When draining the low point drains you should see water dribbling out of two small tubes under the RV.

kalynzoo
Explorer
Explorer
The fresh water just dumps on the ground. I guess it would depend on where you are parked/stored as to attaching a hose for the drain. I've never had an occasion where dumping onto the RV pad represented a problem. It is fresh water and it either runs off into the grass or down the normal water channels. Naturally you don't want to flood your neighbors campsite. But you really don't need to drain the fresh water too often. When traveling your water weighs in at about 8lbs per gallon.

DrewE
Explorer II
Explorer II
Many places don't object to dumping fresh water on the ground. (Of course, there are others that do). If you're in your own driveway, it's no different than rinsing something off with a hose.

Often it's just a little bit of tubing sticking down where the water comes out, and not something that's particularly easy to attach a hose to. You might be able to park over a drain with a bit of care, or rig up a funnel somehow.

korbe
Explorer
Explorer
Our 5er has a drain valve pointing down from the FW tank. But after looking at the tank and valve, I noticed the outflow line is connected to the tank along the bottom side, and not along the bottom. I will now drain my tank while sitting on a cross slope.
.

chrisandoctavia
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks for the swift replies which are appreciated

I guess I need to get under the RV and see where the outlet for the tank is and attach a hose to dump it into a drain...

Chris

brirene
Explorer
Explorer
On the ground.
Jayco Designer 30 RKS Medallion pkg, Trail Air pin
'05 F350 6.0 PSD CC 4x4 DRW LB B&W Companion, Edge Insight

“Certainly, travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living." Miriam Beard