How do you drain Fresh Water tank?

Rogue Runner · 05-22-2023, 10:22 AM

We have 2004 Granite Ridge. We've enjoyed this rig for a few years but have never figured out how to easily drain the Fresh Water tank. I've searched in vain the plastic tank and all over underneath our RV and have found no valve to empty the tank. Has anyone else encountered this problem? I'm thinking of just tapping into the tank myself and installing a drain valve. Any thoughts or advice would be deeply appreciated.

Jagiven · 05-22-2023, 10:36 AM

I never owned a MH from that era, but we did rent a 2005/6 model. I know we put water in the tank and drained it. I am confident there should be a drain. However, a PO may have modified the drain.

Have you tried YouTube, lots of videos on every subject. Hopefully someone will chime in.

Good luck.

JimD · 05-22-2023, 10:40 AM

I always pump my water into the holding tanks and drain from there. I will add bleach for sanitizing the tanks. I do have the advantage of being able to empty my tanks at home.

SmokeyBear · 05-22-2023, 12:48 PM

I have a 1997 so maybe yours is similar. Is you tank underneath the sofa? I, completely by accident, found a LOW DRAIN valve next to, and rearward, the tank, I opened it and very little water drained. Then, again just by accident, I found water coming out with the pump on. I thought that sort of dumb as I have to run the pump dry to fully drain the tank. I decided it was not worth it. I'm not nearly as anal about these things as some are. Just me.

SmokeyBear · 05-22-2023, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimD

I always pump my water into the holding tanks and drain from there.

I do the same but that won't completely drain the freshwater tank, will it? Not without running the pump dry, which I've been told is not good for the pump.

**norty1** · 05-22-2023, 02:39 PM

I have owned a half dozen campers and all had a fresh water drain. On many, it was just a small hole with a plastic valve hanging down and not secured.

The last 3 were Jaycos and all were mounted securely on the frame.

Rogue Runner · 05-22-2023, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norty1

I have owned a half dozen campers and all had a fresh water drain. On many, it was just a small hole with a plastic valve hanging down and not secured.

The last 3 were Jaycos and all were mounted securely on the frame.

You RV history sounds allot like mine. I've had numerous RV's over the last forty years. That's why I'm so perplexed that I can't find that Fresh Water tank drain valve on this unit. They are normally very easy to find. It's hard for me to believe that Jayco would have required the use of the water pump to evacuate this tank.

Grumpy · 05-22-2023, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Runner

You RV history sounds allot like mine. I've had numerous RV's over the last forty years. That's why I'm so perplexed that I can't find that Fresh Water tank drain valve on this unit. They are normally very easy to find. It's hard for me to believe that Jayco would have required the use of the water pump to evacuate this tank.

Did you look behind the rear wheels? I know dumb spot, but isn't the tank over the rear axle?

Jim Davis · 05-22-2023, 03:55 PM

Not a direct answer but when I leave the last dump station on a trip that I have used the fresh water tank, I open the drain and drive home. The hills help in getting most of the water out and I haven't been bothered by the police.

Rogue Runner · 05-22-2023, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpy

Did you look behind the rear wheels? I know dumb spot, but isn't the tank over the rear axle?

Unfortunately RV is at the storage facility so I'll have to check your suggested drain location tomorrow. I'm pretty sure though that the tank is forward of the rear wheels. Approximately at the centerpoint of the coach.

Rogue Runner · 05-22-2023, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Davis

Not a direct answer but when I leave the last dump station on a trip that I have used the fresh water tank, I open the drain and drive home. The hills help in getting most of the water out and I haven't been bothered by the police.

I've done exactly what you mentioned many times on my previous rigs. That's one of the main reasons I would like to find that pesky drain valve.

ARoamer · 05-22-2023, 05:19 PM

On a older class C MH my fresh drain valve (and tank) was inside under one side of the rear split sofa bed behind a storage door.

Grumpy · 05-22-2023, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Runner

Unfortunately RV is at the storage facility so I'll have to check your suggested drain location tomorrow. I'm pretty sure though that the tank is forward of the rear wheels. Approximately at the centerpoint of the coach.

Then the valve may be in one of the basement compartments.

Rogue Runner · 05-27-2023, 11:16 AM

Well, using all your suggestions I spent the last two days thoroughly checking our RV for that elusive Fresh Water Drain Valve. The check included: inside/outside storage bins, wheel wells, under all furniture, entire chassis, etc. Guess what NO Fresh Water Drain Valve! I resort to the manual and find a single sentence that says:

Drainage
To drain the permanent fresh water tank, open the low point drain valves in the utility center (Fig 19).

I attached a picture of that page for your reference. I thought the Drains shown are for just draining the water lines but they're also for draining the tank. So now I'm wondering if I need to turn the water pump on to drain the Fresh Water Tank or just open these valves? I guess time will tell. Thank you all for assisting me in this mystery.

pconroy · 05-28-2023, 09:37 AM

When draining my system, I'll open a faucet or three. And run the pump for 30 seconds or so.

**norty1** · 05-28-2023, 10:57 AM

Well I'll be! There is something in the owners manual that actually gives you some info. I have seen some tt's that drain the hot water tank from a low point drain but never the fresh tank.

I have never had a class C.

SmokeyBear · 05-28-2023, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pconroy

When draining my system, I'll open a faucet or three. And run the pump for 30 seconds or so.

But will that drain the freshwater tank? 30 seconds does not seem long enough.

At the end of each trip, prior to dumping, I turn on all faucets and the toilet and let the pump run until I can hear it gasping and the faucets are starting to sputter. That always takes more than 30 seconds. Not a complete drain, but the best I can do. By then, when I open the low point drain (similar to what the OP has) barely a trickle comes out.

pconroy · 05-30-2023, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SmokeyBear

But will that drain the freshwater tank? 30 seconds does not seem long enough.
.

No, I just flip the pump on to clear the lines. My tank just drains on its own thru the 3 low point drains.

SmokeyBear · 05-30-2023, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pconroy

No, I just flip the pump on to clear the lines. My tank just drains on its own thru the 3 low point drains.

Ah Ha. Now I get it.

jj1946 · 06-03-2023, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue Runner

We have 2004 Granite Ridge. We've enjoyed this rig for a few years but have never figured out how to easily drain the Fresh Water tank. I've searched in vain the plastic tank and all over underneath our RV and have found no valve to empty the tank. Has anyone else encountered this problem? I'm thinking of just tapping into the tank myself and installing a drain valve. Any thoughts or advice would be deeply appreciated.

We have a 2004 Jayco Greyhawk & are able to drain the water tank (and everything else) by opening all the drain valves as shown in the photo

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