About 6 months ago I bought a '74 Amerigo camper. There was water in the fresh water holding tank when I bought it, and has been until now when I finally had a chance to start working on some issues before the first time I took it out camping. The black water holding tank needs to be replaced due to severe cracking, and it got me wondering about what to do with the fresh water tank too. I don't have a clue when the last time the camper was used before I got it, thus I also don't know how long the water has been sitting in the tank. Should I plan on replacing the fresh water tank and fill hose as a precaution as well, or would I be OK going through the normal flush and sanitizing on it (or perhaps some kind of "deep sanitizing" if there is such a thing)? I realize there is likely still some water in the plumbing as well that would be rather unfeasible to also replace without a full rebuild of the camper, but since it's all copper with the exception of the fill hose, I'm less concerned about those. I'm also prepared for the possible need to replace the hot water heater if the standing water has caused damage to it as well.

There is an FMCA National Rally in Chandler next month, starting March 6th. Day passes are offered. With about 1 to 2 thousand RVers and a large display from vendors it might be a great place to talk with people who are or have done rebuilds. FMCA.com., you don't have to be a member.

If possible and economically viable, I would replace the tank. Even after sanitizing you dont really know whats in there.

ScottG wrote:If possible and economically viable, I would replace the tank. Even after sanitizing you dont really know whats in there.If the OP is going to be cautious and replace the FW tank, shouldn't all the water lines be replaced?If there's something nasty growing in the tank I would think it's also in the water lines?

Before replacing anything, I'd do a very, very strong sanitizing first. Maybe even twice. Drain, flush very well after that till no more smell or chlorine or whatever sanatization process you use. Then fill the tank. Let it sit a couple days. Then get a sample of the water and find somewhere to have it tested, like a "Culligan" Water Softener company or some place like that, that can truly analyze your water (and maybe even do it for free). Depending up the results, either keep the tank as is, or replace it then.

gbopp wrote:ScottG wrote:If possible and economically viable, I would replace the tank. Even after sanitizing you dont really know whats in there.If the OP is going to be cautious and replace the FW tank, shouldn't all the water lines be replaced?If there's something nasty growing in the tank I would think it's also in the water lines?It's not so much that I AM going to replace it all, but rather that I have a tendency to overthink things often, and just didn't know if this would be one of those times, lol. That said, I bumped the spring loaded valve a couple times while redoing the wiring on that side of the camper (over pressure valve? over flow valve? I don't know...but water comes out when I press it), and the water that squirted out didn't smell funny, feel slimy, or anything like that. While I haven't done a thorough inspection of the tank yet, it doesn't appear as if anything is growing in it either. I'm guesstimating this to be around a 20 gallon tank, and a cursory check online shows them to be a little over $100, so it's not a huge financial hurdle to overcome by any means. Getting a new one in though will be a considerable project, given the cabinetry built around it. As far as the plumbing, it's just flat not going to happen without a near complete gutting of the camper, and I figured being copper, there really wouldn't be anything that could "stick" and survive a thorough flushing. Even if it was plastic, I'd think with some pressure behind it, a sanitizing solution would still adequately fill the pipes to reach every bit of surface area that wouldn't necessarily be the case with the holding tank. If it is a concern though, I'd just forgo use of the water system for now, and use bottled water until I do rebuild the camper later this year.

Sanitize or replace old camper fresh water holding tank?

ctilsie242
Explorer II
Feb 21, 2017
I'd pull the tank, just because it is so old, it is likely rusted through. I'd also consider replumbing, because PEX with GOOD connections (think Flair-It or Uponor's ProPEX connections) will be a definite upgrade.
DrewE
Explorer II
Feb 21, 2017
toedtoes wrote:
DrewE wrote:

Having lived at times in places where the tap water was not safe to drink, the answer was pretty simple. Pathogens in the water do not survive in the air for very long at all, so once the dishes are clean and dry they are fit to use. Purifying water for drinking was a rather tedious process, involving either boiling it for a few minutes or filtering it through an expensive (and slow) filter.

Here in the US where the tap water is generally safe to drink, I don't understand the reluctance of many here to drink water from the potable water system in an RV. Of course, they are quite free to do as they see fit; I merely fail to follow their reasoning.

Interesting. I've done an internet search and all the health/environmental agencies state that you can wash dishes in "contaminated tap water" IF you soak them for at least 1 minute in lukewarm water with bleach afterwards and let them air dry.

I probably should have mentioned that they were rinsed in very hot (simmering/boiling) water, though I don't know how essential that is with a thorough air drying. It's been awhile since I had to deal with that. My recollection is that at least most of the waterborne pathogens were not very hardy at all in air.
wbwood
Explorer
Feb 20, 2017
replace the tank
NYCgrrl
Explorer
Feb 18, 2017
Effy wrote:
urbex wrote:
Perhaps it stems from the same thing that causes many people to believe that they can't drink water straight out of a river or lake without first purifying it, despite that many of us grew up in a time where we swallowed plenty of the stuff long before environmental regulations went into effect...or we all grew up drinking water straight out of the green garden hose, but we all carry the special white hose to fill our tanks...

I don't know....just like I didn't know if there was anything that would be a cause for concern in a tank that may have had water in it for 6 months or 6 years...

As for drinking it..if I filled up at home, I wouldn't hesitate to drink it, but after years of living on a well, I've found that I can't stand the taste of most city tap water any more, so having bottled water on board is pretty likely anyways.

That's because public water is full of Chlorine, Chloramine, Fluoride, dissolved solids and lots of other things. That stuff will kill you. But they tell you it's safe - and make you pay for it to boot.

General Jack Ripper agrees with you:

Do you realize that in addition to fluoridating water, why, there are studies underway to fluoridate salt, flour, fruit juices, soup, sugar, milk, ice cream? Ice cream, Mandrake? Children's ice cream!...You know when fluoridation began?...1946. 1946, Mandrake. How does that coincide with your post-war Commie conspiracy, huh? It's incredibly obvious, isn't it? A foreign substance is introduced into our precious bodily fluids without the knowledge of the individual, and certainly without any choice. That's the way your hard-core Commie works. I first became aware of it, Mandrake, during the physical act of love...Yes, a profound sense of fatigue, a feeling of emptiness followed. Luckily I-I was able to interpret these feelings correctly. Loss of essence. I can assure you it has not recurred, Mandrake. Women, er, women sense my power, and they seek the life essence. I do not avoid women, Mandrake...but I do deny them my essence.
Effy
Explorer II
Feb 18, 2017
urbex wrote:
Perhaps it stems from the same thing that causes many people to believe that they can't drink water straight out of a river or lake without first purifying it, despite that many of us grew up in a time where we swallowed plenty of the stuff long before environmental regulations went into effect...or we all grew up drinking water straight out of the green garden hose, but we all carry the special white hose to fill our tanks...

I don't know....just like I didn't know if there was anything that would be a cause for concern in a tank that may have had water in it for 6 months or 6 years...

As for drinking it..if I filled up at home, I wouldn't hesitate to drink it, but after years of living on a well, I've found that I can't stand the taste of most city tap water any more, so having bottled water on board is pretty likely anyways.

That's because public water is full of Chlorine, Chloramine, Fluoride, dissolved solids and lots of other things. That stuff will kill you. But they tell you it's safe - and make you pay for it to boot.
toedtoes
Explorer III
Feb 18, 2017
DrewE wrote:
toedtoes wrote:
OK. I don't get it. Why would you wash your dishes in water that you wouldn't drink?

Having lived at times in places where the tap water was not safe to drink, the answer was pretty simple. Pathogens in the water do not survive in the air for very long at all, so once the dishes are clean and dry they are fit to use. Purifying water for drinking was a rather tedious process, involving either boiling it for a few minutes or filtering it through an expensive (and slow) filter.

Here in the US where the tap water is generally safe to drink, I don't understand the reluctance of many here to drink water from the potable water system in an RV. Of course, they are quite free to do as they see fit; I merely fail to follow their reasoning.

Interesting. I've done an internet search and all the health/environmental agencies state that you can wash dishes in "contaminated tap water" IF you soak them for at least 1 minute in lukewarm water with bleach afterwards and let them air dry.
urbex
Explorer
Feb 18, 2017
Perhaps it stems from the same thing that causes many people to believe that they can't drink water straight out of a river or lake without first purifying it, despite that many of us grew up in a time where we swallowed plenty of the stuff long before environmental regulations went into effect...or we all grew up drinking water straight out of the green garden hose, but we all carry the special white hose to fill our tanks...

I don't know....just like I didn't know if there was anything that would be a cause for concern in a tank that may have had water in it for 6 months or 6 years...

As for drinking it..if I filled up at home, I wouldn't hesitate to drink it, but after years of living on a well, I've found that I can't stand the taste of most city tap water any more, so having bottled water on board is pretty likely anyways.
DrewE
Explorer II
Feb 18, 2017
toedtoes wrote:
OK. I don't get it. Why would you wash your dishes in water that you wouldn't drink?

Having lived at times in places where the tap water was not safe to drink, the answer was pretty simple. Pathogens in the water do not survive in the air for very long at all, so once the dishes are clean and dry they are fit to use. Purifying water for drinking was a rather tedious process, involving either boiling it for a few minutes or filtering it through an expensive (and slow) filter.

Here in the US where the tap water is generally safe to drink, I don't understand the reluctance of many here to drink water from the potable water system in an RV. Of course, they are quite free to do as they see fit; I merely fail to follow their reasoning.
toedtoes
Explorer III
Feb 18, 2017
OK. I don't get it. Why would you wash your dishes in water that you wouldn't drink?
MKish
Explorer II
Feb 18, 2017
If you're going to drink from it, replace it because plastic doesn't age well and it will probably affect the water flavor. If you are bringing another source for drinking, just bleach it and be done!