I am storing in Las Vegas so the coldest it gets at night are in the low to mid 20s for just hours at a time. I feel like it would be better for the rubber seals (keeping them moist) if I fill the grey and black tanks 1/2 full of water for storage. Do you think this is a good idea or not?

It is only as crazy as you think it is.

1/2 full probably won't hurt anything, but also unnecessary. The seals you're concerned about are at the very bottom of the tanks. I just pour enough antifreeze into the tanks to know some got down to the drain valves. I dump some in the toilet to keep that seal wet, and a bit into the drains.

Water wont keep the seals pliable. They will be fine without anything in the tank.

You're storing your rig in Las Vegas. Gambling with the weather is your choice.Personally, I would drain the tanks and use RV Antifreeze as recommended above. Then you know the tanks won't freeze in the event of colder than normal weather.

When I gamble in Vegas, I lose. :BWhy gamble on the weather, drain the tanks and winterize.

Is it crazy to leave water in your tanks in storage?

rv2go
Explorer II
Nov 12, 2017
wa8yxm wrote:
In some areas keeping the FRESH tank full is recommended.. Change the water from time to time and use a bit of heat if needed.

WHY: Well can you count on your default water supply?

The OP stated that the RV would be in storage.
Deb_and_Ed_M
Explorer II
Nov 12, 2017
wa8yxm wrote:
In some areas keeping the FRESH tank full is recommended.. Change the water from time to time and use a bit of heat if needed.

WHY: Well can you count on your default water supply?

But chances are that the fresh tank still has a skinny little drain tube that extends underneath the RV, that will freeze in the blink of an eye....
Deb_and_Ed_M
Explorer II
Nov 12, 2017
ScottG wrote:
Keep in mind that if you leave enough water in the tank to fill the shot section of pipe going to the drain, it will freeze and bust the pipe.

Agreed!!! The ability of ice to destroy things is amazing. And it forms rather fast with temps in the 20s....
Dennis12
Explorer
Nov 12, 2017
Call and get a price to repair what may or could go wrong. Then you make up your own mind from that point.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
Nov 12, 2017
In some areas keeping the FRESH tank full is recommended.. Change the water from time to time and use a bit of heat if needed.

WHY: Well can you count on your default water supply?
valhalla360
Navigator
Nov 12, 2017
This is a great plan...if you want to learn how to do plumbing repairs.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Nov 12, 2017
Crazy? No.
Silly and/or unnecessary? Yes.
DrewE
Explorer II
Nov 12, 2017
There's no need for the gasket material to be kept moist with water. If you think about it, the seals on the output side of the valve (which are the same material as on the input side) are dry practically all the time, or at least should be. The whole point of the gasket, be it rubber or silicone or whatever material they use, is to be impervious to water as it seals.
ScottG
Nomad
Nov 12, 2017
Keep in mind that if you leave enough water in the tank to fill the shot section of pipe going to the drain, it will freeze and bust the pipe.
SidecarFlip
Explorer III
Nov 12, 2017
rv2go wrote:
When I gamble in Vegas, I lose. :B
Why gamble on the weather, drain the tanks and winterize.

If people didn't loose, there would not be those big fancy casino's. They plan on you loosing. keeps them in business.

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Is it crazy to leave water in your tanks in storage?

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