Question about freshwater tank use

[SUMRX4]

I have had two TT previously. Between the two about 8 seasons of camping. I have never put a drop of water into a freshwater tank nor have I ever needed to. I have occasionally thought about if I needed to sanitize it or just leave it be. Well I just purchased a new unit and in an effort to prevent any issues I wanted to hear what others do. Do you keep a few gallons of sanitizing solution in it so it stays clean or what? I had a camping neighbor tell me once that he filled his up every time he set up camp just incase the campground lost water.

[SAR_Tracker]

We also use ours for a "bug out trailer" since we live in a high fire danger area. Full water, fuel, batteries on charge, everything ready to go if we have to evac. Once fire season is over, I'll drain for the winter, and move freezable stuff into the house.

[SUMRX4]

I guess everyone is different LOL. I have never stayed at a CG that didn’t have water available. Not that I’m against it, just none that I’m aware of around me for boondocking. As far as traveling we usually camp within a couple hours of the house so no need for stopping along the way. And if we do I just always pulled I to a convenience store or fast food joint.
So the tank on the new rig was filled for the PDI. If I use that and drain it, then say two years down the road i need it, I can just rinse, sanitize, and I’m good to go?

[Lantley]

It's amazing to me how many people do not use their fresh tank fresh.
But I guess if you are a pedestal topedestal FHU camper you have no need for a fresh tank.
While I enjoy FHU camping,there are many great places in my area that are not FHU.Some are electric only sites.
When the weather dips below freezing often CG's will turn off water and require all campers to disconnect from the hose connection and use their fresh tanks to supply water to their RV.
If I did not use my fresh tank I would miss out on a lot of great camping spots.

[valhalla360]

As mentioned, if you never plan to use it...who cares.

That said, we use the tank and pump even on full hookup. Had an experience on our boat many years ago, heard a slight hissing sound late at night. Searched it out and found the city water had sprung a pinhole leak. If it hadn't been dead silent, it would have continued for hours or days without us noticing.

Running off the water tank with the pump, if there is a small leak, we will hear the pump kick over periodically alerting us that there is an issue. The RV may not sink but the floors can certainly rot out.

[toedtoes]

If you never put water in it, then there is no need to sanitize it. Putting a bleach solution in it and leaving it will be more damaging to the tank and leaving it dry.

If you plan on actually using the tank, then you could run a bleach/chlorine treatment through it now. If you don't leave the same water in the tank for months on end, you shouldn't need to sanitize him again.

[DrewE]

It would be good to at least fill it once to make sure nothing leaks and the pump works properly and so forth.

Other than that, I sanitize if it's been some time (months) since I used the water system, and pretty much always fill it before heading out from home. I also more often than not camp without full hookups. It's really convenient in my opinion to have water available for use while en route; you can make a proper dinner and wash dishes afterwards, flush the toilet, or even take a shower while stopped at a rest area if needed. That said, if you don't have any use for water when not hooked up, then filling it is obviously extraneous work and there's no good argument for insisting on doing that.

[Super_Dave]

4 seasons in our 5th wheel and the fresh water tank has never seen a drop of water. Our campground has full hook ups and never had an issue. We do keep a few 3 gallon water jugs in the trailer for coffee.

[rk911]

SUMRX4 wrote:
I have had two TT previously. Between the two about 8 seasons of camping. I have never put a drop of water into a freshwater tank nor have I ever needed to. I have occasionally thought about if I needed to sanitize it or just leave it be. Well I just purchased a new unit and in an effort to prevent any issues I wanted to hear what others do. Do you keep a few gallons of sanitizing solution in it so it stays clean or what? I had a camping neighbor tell me once that he filled his up every time he set up camp just incase the campground lost water.

we've been RVing since 1986 and always keep the fresh water tank at least 2/3 full cuz we never know what the water situation will be at our next stop. IMO your fears and concerns about filling and using the water in the tank are unfounded. fill your tank and enjoy the freedom your RV affords you.

[K_Charles]

We keep water in the tank and drink it too. We also poop in the pooper and cook on the stove and in the oven.

[ktmrfs]

we constantly use ours, even for drinking water, and haven't grown extra ears or anything. Drain it after every use, in the spring I sanitize with "spring fresh". Other than that we fill it before we leave home, drain when we get back.

We often go to sites w/o water, and in to many times we've been to campgrounds where there were water/power issues keeping those w/o tanks dry and dark.

It's SO nice to pull into a campground, unhook, relax and enjoy and not need to worry about water for a few days while we watch others spend time hooking up to water, single battery, so they need to plug in, etc.

[bgum]

We always keep water in ours. In winter the cold cuts water off on freeze nights. What do you do for water? When traveling and need to stop for restroom what do you do for water?