To Drain the Hot Water Heater or Not?

[Mudd]

Sorry for the dumb question, Its my first trailer (145RB) and have only owned it for a few weeks.

We just did our first shake down run this past weekend, we won't be able to take it out again for about a month or two, should I relieve the pressure and drain my 6 gallon water heater or does it matter, since I'm not storing it long term?

Thanks...

[Bookemdanno]

I always drain mine when we get back...just out of habit. I drain it because I don't want the sediment in the tank, nor would I want to shower with that left over water on my next outing. But that's just me. If you are frequently going out, it probably won't be a problem.

BTW, there are no stupid questions on this site! Trust me, I've asked much worse!

[bansai]

Personal preference. I don't drain mine until I winterize.

If you drain in between trips, please don't forget it's empty when you go to flip on the power to your hot water heater. It will fry.

I'm just forgetful enough that I try and limit my exposure to my own stupid mistakes.

[Sundancer330]

I don't see any reason to drain it, whats another month on water thats ten million years old. The tank is aluminum so no rust worries.

[Jagiven]

If between trips is about two weeks or less, I do not drain. If three weeks or more I try to drain the tank and lines.

[BCK]

Like others, I typically don't drain the water heater until I winterize.

[Mudd]

Thanks for the feedback eveyone!...

[Rustic Eagle]

I would drain the HWH since your talking about 1-2 months in storage. Heating and then cooling a tank of water in some cases can produce an odor (sulfur, rotten egg, etc.) from sitting to long....., a lot depends on the initial water source.

Bob

[Sundancer330]

I have never had an odor from the water in my RV HWT, I fill it from my well at home or the state parks. The most common cause of smelly water is anaerobic bacteria that exist in some water and reacts with aluminum sacrificial anodes that come with most home water heaters to produce hydrogen sulfide gas, making the classic rotten egg odor. Since the RV HWTs that I know of are aluminum now a days and don't have an anode rod.

[TCNashville]

Originally Posted by Sundancer330

Since the RV HWTs that I know of are aluminum now a days and don't have an anode rod.

Only the Atwoods are aluminum, Suburbans aren't and have the sacrificial rod. The RV industry seems about 50/50 on their water heater selections. We drain everything after each trip and start fresh. I always thought that it was a high sulfur content that created the rotten egg smell, guess I learn something everyday.

[Parcany]

I drain ours after every trip.

[klpoppe]

Ours drains when we open the low points and drain the entire system. Even if yours doesn't, whats a couple extra minutes to do it... I'd be afraid of the water getting nasty. Plus that is a potential 6 gallons of water to cause damage if it should happen to develop a leak while in storage.

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by Mudd

Sorry for the dumb question, Its my first trailer (145RB) and have only owned it for a few weeks.

We just did our first shake down run this past weekend, we won't be able to take it out again for about a month or two, should I relieve the pressure and drain my 6 gallon water heater or does it matter, since I'm not storing it long term?

Thanks...

Does the temp get below freezing where you are storing it? If yes, then without a doubt the water heater needs to be drained and the whole trailer needs to be winterized.

[norty1]

I rarely drain mine but we use the rig at least one week out of most every month and sometimes more. If it's at home and we are expecting a hard freeze, not often in SC, I drain and flush the sediment out. Inspect the anode for wear and leave it out till the next trip.

I have a small hanging sign on my water heater switch to remind me that the wh is empty.

[TaftCoach]

I guess I hadn't thought of this until now. I never drain mine.

I've just hooked up to the city water and eventually remember to turn on the heater. If I do empty the water heater what are the steps to fill it before turning it on?

The views expressed may not be mine in five minutes.

[bansai]

You would just run one of your hot water taps to fill the tank. When your faucet stops spitting air, it's full.

(Edit) One other thing, 9 times out of 10 if a person is draining their hot water tank, they are also putting their hot water heater in 'bypass' mode by turning the appropriate valves behind the heater. If you were to do this, obviously you would need to put the hot water heater back into service by moving the valves to the 'non-bypass' positions, otherwise just turning on a hot water tap will do nothing to fill the tank. This is part of a typical winterization / unwinterization process, but is usually directly related to a person draining their tank so wanted to mention it in case it isn't obvious. It wouldn't be unheard of for someone to think their hot water tank was full when in reality, it is still being bypassed. Long story short, if you do bypass your water heater to winterize, and you forget to 'un' bypass them in the spring. Your tank will stay empty no matter what you do with your hot water taps in the camper.. just wanted to cover this point.

[Mudd]

Originally Posted by oldmanAZ

Does the temp get below freezing where you are storing it? If yes, then without a doubt the water heater needs to be drained and the whole trailer needs to be winterized.

We are in Vegas, so rarely. If it does its not for long.

[Marine71-76]

We only drain when we winterize, even if the trailer sits for a month or two.

As far as the "smell" or other concerns, our water runs through an outside water filter, then a water softener (which is now mounted inside the unit) and then into the whole house water filter. If the unit has been sitting for any length of time, the water softener requires the water to run for about 10 minutes at a slow trickle so it clears the softener out as well. Doesn't matter how hard the water is, our water is always soft. And it reduces the calcification built up on the faucets.

[mike837go]

Personally, I don't drain the water heater between trips because I use the kitchen while the TT is parked at the house.


However, I would recommend opening all the drains if it is going to be sitting for more than a month. Include sanitizing the water system as part of your next trip.

[Jm9301]

I only drained when the year was up, however we never went more than 3 weeks without camping.