Hot water heater full

[grizz272]

I was reading the labels on the side of our camper and noticed something that does not make since to me.
The label said the weights were calculated with a full fresh water tank but the hot water heater empty. The label went on to state the traveling with the hot water heater full was not recommended. This is a 6 gl heater not a house size water heater. Any ideas why the water heater should be empty.

[Community Alumni]

Nvr2loud wrote:

PackerBacker wrote:
I can understand not traveling with the hot water heater 'on' using propane but emptying the tank every time you tow is simply never done; completely unrealistic!

Why unrealistic to empty? Takes less time then emptying fresh water tank

Nothing within setting up a camper for a weekend should involve needing tools (wrench, sockets, plumbing tape etc... ) to drain and reinstall a plug or anode rod. My tank does not fully empty with the low point drain. Also there is the fact that the water might still be very hot and as well, you end up in a 6, 10 or 12 gallon mess around your camper or your neighbor's camper as you're tearing down. Our's is a 10 gallon tank.

We, as well as many other RVers, use their rigs (in particular bathrooms) while traveling and if is nice to have so warm water to wash up. We also don't drain the fresh water tank.

To each their own but it's just not something practical for many of us to do.

... Eric

[facory]

Needless waste of time and energy. Better things to worry about.

[Nvr2loud]

PackerBacker wrote:
I can understand not traveling with the hot water heater 'on' using propane but emptying the tank every time you tow is simply never done; completely unrealistic!

Why unrealistic to empty? Takes less time then emptying fresh water tank

[Community Alumni]

I can understand not traveling with the hot water heater 'on' using propane but emptying the tank every time you tow is simply never done; completely unrealistic!

[Nvr2loud]

rockhillmanor wrote:

Nvr2loud wrote:

Huntindog wrote:
If 50 or 60# makes a difference.... I wouldn't want that TT.:B

You don't want my TT then... I need to travel with ALL tanks empty. My trailer has a GVWR of 5870 lbs, last time over the scale (empty tanks) was 6006 lbs total. CCC of 1200 lbs disappears very quickly with rear ladder, A/C, propane tanks, battery, food, drinks, drinks, drinks, clothes, and other gear LOL.

But I knew that any trailer I purchased would be at the limit, otherwise I would have to upgrade to a 3/4 ton and that would completely SUCK!

I would certainly think about lessening the load of the family's carry on's before I'd drain my hot water tank every time I had to leave a CG. :W

I just don't see that plastic plug lasting very long if you had to take it out and put it back in every time to drain the hot water tank after each time you use it. Heck I've had to replace that plug just from taking it out to winterize the RV once a year! :B

My plug is metal, but I don't need to pull the plug to drain the tank, just to winterize. To drain the tank in the summer months, simply open the low point drains at the back of the trailer (I have ball valves on them) and then lift the pressure relief valve handle on the water heater tank. Open at least one hot water faucet inside the trailer and the tank will drain.

I drain the entire trailer before leaving the campground. All the fresh water goes down the toilet until the black water tank is full, then I open the low point drains outside and the fresh water tank drain. Lessening the carry on gear would result in a lot less fun while camping.. we have fishing gear, chairs, bike gear, tubes, toys, games... ect.

[rockhillmanor]

Nvr2loud wrote:

Huntindog wrote:
If 50 or 60# makes a difference.... I wouldn't want that TT.:B

You don't want my TT then... I need to travel with ALL tanks empty. My trailer has a GVWR of 5870 lbs, last time over the scale (empty tanks) was 6006 lbs total. CCC of 1200 lbs disappears very quickly with rear ladder, A/C, propane tanks, battery, food, drinks, drinks, drinks, clothes, and other gear LOL.

But I knew that any trailer I purchased would be at the limit, otherwise I would have to upgrade to a 3/4 ton and that would completely SUCK!

I would certainly think about lessening the load of the family's carry on's before I'd drain my hot water tank every time I had to leave a CG. :W

I just don't see that plastic plug lasting very long if you had to take it out and put it back in every time to drain the hot water tank after each time you use it. Heck I've had to replace that plug just from taking it out to winterize the RV once a year! :B

[Nvr2loud]

Huntindog wrote:
If 50 or 60# makes a difference.... I wouldn't want that TT.:B

You don't want my TT then... I need to travel with ALL tanks empty. My trailer has a GVWR of 5870 lbs, last time over the scale (empty tanks) was 6006 lbs total. CCC of 1200 lbs disappears very quickly with rear ladder, A/C, propane tanks, battery, food, drinks, drinks, drinks, clothes, and other gear LOL.

But I knew that any trailer I purchased would be at the limit, otherwise I would have to upgrade to a 3/4 ton and that would completely SUCK!

[Nvr2loud]

The idea is that the sloshing water can affect the pressure relief valve, I don't believe it can actually cause an issue, but that has always been a concern with domestic hot water heaters (according to the manufacturers)

When I had to move one inside a house to do work behind it, I was always required to drain it first, the theory was that the pressure relief valve could be damaged by water during the movement. I'm not sure how strong any of you people are... but I can't move a 60 gallon water heater that is full anyway, so it was always drained first.

My trailer label states the weight of the fresh water tank when full and the weight of the hot water tank when full, nothing about keeping it empty to travel.

[facory]

Keep it full so that you never turn it on with an empty tank and burn out the element.

[Huntindog]

If 50 or 60# makes a difference.... I wouldn't want that TT.:B

[NanciL]

Re read that message. I'll bet you read it wrong.
It makes no sense at all

Jack L

[Old-Biscuit]

Is that in your EverGreen Ascend trailer?

Trying to keep the weight down :B

Why call dealer....they just sell them
Contact EverGreen and inquire just what they mean by that idiotic statement........LINK

[grizz272]

Third tt with a hot water heater. I have always traveled with the tank full never on. The label said not to travel with the heater full. I am going to call the dealer tomorrow and see what they say.

[path1]

Agree on all above posts.

Only thing I can think of maybe manufacture had problems with about 60 pounds in the spot where they mounted it??????

And your sure the label read "traveling with the hot water heater full was not recommended"

versus "traveling with hot water "ON" was not recommended"????

Just one word makes a difference.

[DiskDoctr]

Water swishing around inside a confined space can lead to global warming. Just like the gas can retrofits of a few years ago, the heaters are slated for a retrofit consisting of 6 one-gallon ziplock bags you set in the sun to warm 🙂

Real answer? I don't know of any reason, unless it is due to possible overpressurization from hauling in the sun?