Drain the hot water for travel?

[mikegray]

Why not drain it? Only takes a couple of mins.
Mike

[dewey02]

Originally Posted by mikegray

Why not drain it? Only takes a couple of mins.
Mike

Fine if that's what you want to do.
But the answer to that question is: Because you don't need to, and there isn't really any benefit in it, as most of the responses here have said.

[kayakterp]

Originally Posted by Parcany

I drain ours ever time we come home from a trip. If there is any gunk in the water heater it will be flushed out. Also the water taste better after flushing it out. Been doing this for over 40 years.

X2 here, after every trip

[Texdan25]

Originally Posted by TCNashville

When I break camp I open the low point drains and while towing home it drains the entire system including the water heater. .

I don't think my water heater drains by leaving the low point drains open? Anyone have a comment about this?

[Screwby]

Originally Posted by Parcany

I drain ours ever time we come home from a trip. If there is any gunk in the water heater it will be flushed out. Also the water taste better after flushing it out. Been doing this for over 40 years.

You drink the water from the tap? I’d never trust water from any source that wasn’t my own maintained well and with that I still treated it and used a reverse osmosis system for taste and peace of mind. On the road we now use a Berkey water filter for all cooking and drinking. Too many stories of contaminated water and boil advisories for me to ever be confident giving my girls tap water from a campground.

[Jose&Kristen]

Originally Posted by Screwby

You drink the water from the tap? I’d never trust water from any source that wasn’t my own maintained well and with that I still treated it and used a reverse osmosis system for taste and peace of mind. On the road we now use a Berkey water filter for all cooking and drinking. Too many stories of contaminated water and boil advisories for me to ever be confident giving my girls tap water from a campground.

We only use tap water for washing. We take bottled water for drinking and cooking, and for making ice for our vodka & club soda, with a slice of lime ... oh sorry ... got distracted.

[stateboy]

Originally Posted by Texdan25

I don't think my water heater drains by leaving the low point drains open? Anyone have a comment about this?

Yes and no.

No if you keep all the spigots shut and create a vacuum in the water lines while the low point(s) are open (although it may drain slowly if you give it a few weeks).

Yes if you open the spigots to allow all water to drain. It will drain down to the line where the hot water exits the WH.

Opening the drain plug on the WH is the quick fix to that question.

[Route 66 Traveler]

Originally Posted by mikegray

Why not drain it? Only takes a couple of mins.
Mike

Where the drain plug is located makes it somewhat of a chore to remove, plus when it is removed not all of the water completely drained out. A small amount is left in the bottom, and after time will probably start to smell if the water was not chlorinated.



If you run the water pump with the small about of residual water left in the water heater will the pump be able pump it out? I usually use a small plastic hose to siphon it out, but that is still a chore. I only do that when winterizing.



When I return from a trip where I have used campground water I do drain it, but then fill it back up with chlorinated water from my house. There is no harm in leaving the water heater full and it eliminates the possibility of a burned out electrode.

[TCNashville]

Originally Posted by stateboy

Yes and no.Yes if you open the spigots to allow all water to drain. It will drain down to the line where the hot water exits the WH.

This statement is correct. Just before departure I open all faucets including the outdoor shower. If the trip takes an hour to get home all the water will be drained from the system except the residual water left in the WH.

[Parcany]

I took the plastic plug out and installed a valve so all I have to do is turn the valve on and pop open the bypass valve and go on about my business and it will drain. When done I close the bypass valve and it is ready for the next time. I use On the go water filter system. The last trailer we had for 7 years and the inside of the water heater was almost as clean as it was brand new.l

[RAurand]

Originally Posted by mikegray

Why not drain it? Only takes a couple of mins.
Mike

BECAUSE...….. by draining it, you fill it AGAIN next time, Causing not only your water bill to go up BUT also your sewer bill!!

[Jose&Kristen]

Originally Posted by Parcany

I took the plastic plug out and installed a valve so all I have to do is turn the valve on and pop open the bypass valve and go on about my business and it will drain. When done I close the bypass valve and it is ready for the next time. I use On the go water filter system. The last trailer we had for 7 years and the inside of the water heater was almost as clean as it was brand new.l

Where did you get the valve? That sounds like a great idea!

[Parcany]

PM you

[mikegray]

You drain and fill it at the camp site therefore not using my sewer or water.
Mike

[gpeade]

I'll drink straight from a garden hose. Guess my 13th toe and finger will start growing soon.