Anyone have any suggestions on cleaning the fresh water tank? I would like to do that as part of my de-winterizing but have found very little info. I remember reading somewhere about using bleach but won't that degrade the tank over time? Anyone care to share their process for rinsing/cleaning/sanitizing after winter?Thanks,Spap

When I de-winterize I usually first run water through the system do get rid of the RV antifreeze that had been in the traps and tanks. When that is done I place the hot water heater back inline, add a small quantity of bleach to the city water inlet and the remote camping inlet, flush that through, drain the fresh water tank and hot water tank,close them back up and then add water to the system. This usually works. Also, be sure to drain/fill the water in your fresh water and hot water tanks every few months during the spring/summer/fall. If you don't the water will start to smell and/or taste funny. I always thought that if you used city water, that it would flush through the water in your fresh water tank. That's not the case.

A 1/4 cup of bleach for every 15 gallons of tank capacity is what is recommended by most RV manufacturers. During the de-winterizing process, we fill tank adding an appropriate amount of bleach, run water through system to sinks, toilets, showers etc. Let sit for an hour or so depending on severity, drain and flush with fresh water. Bleach doesn't stay in system long enough to do all that much damage and if you don't overdo it in terms of how much bleach or how long it sits, damage is negligible. We primarily use chlorinated city water from home in our FW tanks (always travel with at least one tank full) as we have run into some questionable water on the road, for us the process of sanitizing the freshwater tank is simple since the tank is pretty much clean already. We have even skipped sanitizing our FW tank a year or two over the 7 years of ownership of our current rig with no ill effects.

To elaborate on the bleach aspect... I make sure to use plain Clorox (name brand, no added stuff), and then once the FW tank is full, empty it out through both the grey and black tanks. This kills odors in both, and also helps with odors in the sewage hose. After running that through, I like filling the FW tank part way, adding baking soda, draining that, then filling up the FW tank for real use/consumption. The baking soda does nothing to sanitize, but more of a taste/odor neutralizer.

Thank you all so much for the information. It's very helpful. One final question if I can. I can not bring my TT to my house as the slope, angle, length of my driveway won't allow it. Do you typically do this at the CG with trips from water to dump station or is there another place you typically do it?Thanks so much,Spap

Tnanks for that question and the answers. We are heading to Flamingo in the Everglades NP in another week, and haven't used our fresh water tank in several years and were wondering the best way to sanitize it.So thanks againJack L

Cleaning fresh water tank after winter. | Good Sam Community

Spappy
Explorer
Feb 20, 2014
Thanks again for all the answers. Sounds like I heading to a full hookup site for my first camp. Thanks again! You are all great.
Spap
fallsrider
Explorer
Feb 20, 2014
Interesting....I just went and looked at Arm and Hammer's web site about baking soda. They have a recommendation for "Deodorizing Your Camper's Water Tank" by dissolving 1 cup baking soda in 1 gallon of warm water. I may try this this spring.
fallsrider
Explorer
Feb 20, 2014
Rjdreyer wrote:
First trip of the year is to a full hook-up site to flush and sanitize. After that, I can use state parks without F/H.
I agree. This is the best way if you can't do it at home.
Shadow_Catcher
Explorer
Feb 20, 2014
I once bought a small bottle of what I was not sure to help kill the plastic taste in a new tank and did an MSDS sheet search and found a Much less expensive source. The kitchen cupboard. Last step for us is to us bicarbonate of soda to de-taste and additionally clean.
Alfred622
Explorer
Feb 20, 2014
My comments would echo those from Sandia Man. That is the exact process we do also and it seems to work fine for us. I use Clorox bleach as you can smell it when it comes out of the faucets. Some other types of bleach are nearly odorless which makes it more difficult to run the water till the bleach comes out.

We also use our fresh water tank for drinking and food preparation so having it clean is important to us.
westend
Explorer
Feb 20, 2014
Bucky Badger wrote:
Spappy wrote:
Thank you all so much for the information. It's very helpful. One final question if I can. I can not bring my TT to my house as the slope, angle, length of my driveway won't allow it. Do you typically do this at the CG with trips from water to dump station or is there another place you typically do it?
Thanks so much,
Spap

Could you do it in the street?
Technically, you probably could with no ill effects since the bleach dissipates quickly in air and the rest should just be water.

Unfortunately, in most cities it is illegal and you stand the chance of someone reporting you and getting a citation. It also looks really bad since no one observing knows what you're dumping.

I'd suggest to take your RV to a dump station and remove the bleach and water there. If the dump station has a potable water supply, you'll be able to rinse to your heart's content. If not, carry some additional water for a rinse.
Rjdreyer
Explorer
Feb 19, 2014
First trip of the year is to a full hook-up site to flush and sanitize. After that, I can use state parks without F/H.
Bucky_Badger
Explorer
Feb 19, 2014
Spappy wrote:
Thank you all so much for the information. It's very helpful. One final question if I can. I can not bring my TT to my house as the slope, angle, length of my driveway won't allow it. Do you typically do this at the CG with trips from water to dump station or is there another place you typically do it?
Thanks so much,
Spap

Could you do it in the street?
Tom_Diane
Explorer
Feb 19, 2014
Spappy wrote:
Anyone have any suggestions on cleaning the fresh water tank? I would like to do that as part of my de-winterizing but have found very little info. I remember reading somewhere about using bleach but won't that degrade the tank over time? Anyone care to share their process for rinsing/cleaning/sanitizing after winter?
Thanks,
Spap
X 2 on the chlorine bleach. Also to you question on getting water. Generally campground have water available.
Depending how far I want to go, I would only carry 5 gal. or so. No need to carry a lot of weight. Enough water for a half a dozen flushes and hand washing.
Other wise I travel mostly with out water.
NanciL
Explorer II
Feb 19, 2014
Tnanks for that question and the answers.
We are heading to Flamingo in the Everglades NP in another week, and haven't used our fresh water tank in several years and were wondering the best way to sanitize it.

So thanks again

Jack L