Just moved house and the van will be parked up for a while till I get sorted, maybe 4 - 5 months.
I have 3 x 95 lt water tanks, which are empty atm, is it better to leave full or empty?
Is there a flush I can use when I need to fill them and go on the road again?
Cheers Bob
Aussie1 said
12:15 PM Oct 13, 2019
Bob, For what its worth we keep our tanks full when at home for any extended period. We also have 3 x 95 litre tanks. been doing it that way for many years and never experienced any issues. Hope you get sorted soon and get back on the road.
Knight said
01:12 PM Oct 13, 2019
I store my caravan with water tank almost full of water.
outlaw40 said
03:05 PM Oct 13, 2019
Full always . we are in a rural area so the van doubles as a plan b in case of bush fires etc , so always ready to go at a moments notice.
villatranquilla said
04:25 PM Oct 13, 2019
ours were 1/2 full a while ago and sat for about 6 mths so just topped them up before leaving home and seems they developed algae while half full and we had to empty them out and start again. So now we leave them completely empty and prefer to travel that way till we reach our destination. Carry 9 lts for drinking and dishes along the way - have a shower in a servo along the way then fill up day on 3 before we reach final destination. Day 1 or 2 is usually in a showgrounds so we have no need to carry water
Baz421 said
04:31 PM Oct 13, 2019
Full always,,,
Baz421 said
04:33 PM Oct 13, 2019
Bobdown wrote:
Just moved house and the van will be parked up for a while till I get sorted, maybe 4 - 5 months.
I have 3 x 95 lt water tanks, which are empty atm, is it better to leave full or empty?
Is there a flush I can use when I need to fill them and go on the road again?
Cheers Bob
To flush use heaps of table salt 1/2 fill go for a drive and drain,, repeat if necessary
Tony LEE said
04:38 PM Oct 13, 2019
My theory for keeping them full is that regardless of how clean the water is, the inside of pipes and tanks end up coated with a layer of clay(?) which adheres tightly, but if it dries out it peels off and causes blockages in filters or just causes bits to come through the taps
Plain Truth said
04:50 PM Oct 13, 2019
Tony LEE wrote:
My theory for keeping them full is that regardless of how clean the water is, the inside of pipes and tanks end up coated with a layer of clay(?) which adheres tightly, but if it dries out it peels off and causes blockages in filters or just causes bits to come through the taps
Tony,where does the clay come from,please tell us.
You also told us to go up a gear when towing down steep hills, highly dangerous.
I think you are a troll,the moderator should ban you.
PetenSue said
07:01 PM Oct 13, 2019
Our tanks are always kept full. Cant think of a technical reason, mmmm, maybe a faster getaway when we get a slack weekend to get away !!!! Is that technical enough ? Regards Pete.
iana said
07:47 PM Oct 13, 2019
Tony LEE's comment was okay by me, the mud is more likely calcium build up along the tubing, and yes when it dries, it shrinks and comes adrift to cause problems. Okay he meant gear down not up, not a criminal offence. We need people to comment on the forum, so be nice!
I would say tanks full, as I don't thing you would be able to drain the tanks completely, and that last bit left in the tanks could stew up.
elliemike said
08:26 PM Oct 13, 2019
I have replied to this question a couple of times when it has come up in years past.
I have always Kept my Freshwater Tank Full
I at one time was a maintenance manager in a Food Production Plant
Keeping tanks full (Tight) also all the pipework is much the preferred requirement in "Food Production" plants where water is part of the product.
If for some reason (such as maintenance ) the system has to be drained, even if only briefly, the system has to go through a CIP (Clean in Place) process. To ensure no mould or contaminants have entered the system. once C.I.P. is completed the system is in use again.
Keeping the system full actually reduces significantly the chance of contamination or algae developing inside the closed system.
Empty tanks and Pipe work can be, nice Warm, Damp, areas, that may grow mold, especially if 'vent" piping is open to air/oxygen.
I had to remove my tank a few years back and at the time was using an inspection videoscope camera at work. I put the camera snake in the tank and had a good look at the inside. It was as Clean as a new one, That was after 10 years of use and always keeping it FULL we drink from our tank. I never buy bottled water.
Most people do not Query how old the water is in the Shop Bought Bottled water. Yet it is housed in a nice little Bottle that also acts is like a Greenhouse. Some times for longer than you think
Talking of Bottled water I just looked this up on the net.
How long can I store bottled water?
Unopened bottled water products can usually be stored indefinitely, provided the bottles are kept in the proper environment. Typically, bottled water manufacturers indicated a shelf life of 1-2 years. Bottled water is a food product and should be stored in a pantry or other similar environment just as you would other food items. Keep bottled water away from chemicals, such as cleaning compounds, paints or gasoline. In addition, don't store bottled water in a garage or storage shed where it could be exposed to chemical fumes, excessive heat or sunlight. If you suspect any of your stored bottled water has become contaminated (smells funny, has algae growth, etc.), discard or boil it before using it in an emergency.
So I am in the KEEP THE TANKS FULL brigade.
Tony LEE said
06:30 AM Oct 14, 2019
Actually said go up a gear and meant it, but maybe the reasons for saying that were not clear.
Going down a hill is a matter of maintaining an equilibrium between the forces accelerating you along the road, and various forces that oppose that acceleration. With most diesel engines without any form of auxiliary braking the amount of retardation from the engine is very small so on any moderate decent, even in bottom gear, brakes will need to be applied - using the snub braking technique if you are smart.. This means a pretty slow decent when perhaps the road conditions are such that the hill could be safely descended at a much higher speed at which the drag due to pushing the typical brick shaped RV might increase to the point where a secondary equilibrium is reached at a higher speed. If you have exhaust or engine (Jake) brakes then there will be another set of speeds that depend on the gear you are in that also provide equilibrium conditions giving safe decent often without using the brakes at all.
For the benefit of the ignorant poster who called me a troll, I can point out that I have spend several years driving several different vehicles up to 40 feet long plus the flat towed behind, safely over the worst mountain grades Australia, North America, South America and a fair bit of greater Europe (including Turkey where they specialise in very steep grades as Peter will verify) - so I think I can claim reasonable expertise on the subject.
As for mud on the inside of tanks and pipes - Yes, mud! And I will leave it up to your over-inactive imagination to figure out how it gets there - in all water pipes, not just RV systems
Tony LEE said
06:49 AM Oct 14, 2019
Oh, OK plain truth, I'll save you the trouble.
In any municipal water supply that gets water from a river, the water invariably contains suspended solids - often called "dirt". In the good old days - not all that long ago - many supplies were chlorinated but not filtered so during flood times you got to have a bath in pretty muddy water which quickly settled on the bottom and had to be scraped down the plughole.
Later improvements introduced a floculating process which got rid of most of the visible "dirt", but still left a lot of very fine clay suspended, which will eventually settle out.
Then there are those occasions when you get a chance to fill up from a homestead rainwater tank instead of bore water. Nice and clean and fresh you say. Wrong! The reason a tank has the tap up the wall a couple of inches is to try and stop the worst of the dust (that the rain washes out of the air), bird and bat droppings and all sorts of dead things from spoiling your belief that you are drinking pure water from Mother nature. All that crap will deposit on any and all surfaces of pipes and tanks. Might not happen overnight, but it will happen.
Bobdown said
10:16 AM Oct 14, 2019
Thanks for your posts, the tanks were empty when we parked up at the new location and I thought why fill them when it's going to be awhile before it gets used again, but did think it was better to be full.
I wont be floculating about moving house again, so much crap one collects over the years.
Once we are settled, we will be floculating out here and hitting the road again, only had the short trip to the Kimberleys last winter as the sale of the house went thru while we were away.
I'm floculating (love that word) out to get the hose now...............cheers Bob
Dougwe said
04:08 PM Oct 14, 2019
"floculating" Gee, that sounds painful Bob or Jayne.
I don't leave water in tanks if not needed, even for lengthy times. I do however, rinse out with Milton, leave for a while then drain and rinse and drain. It is not done if there is a water shortage where I might be at time though.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there (even if you are "floculating")
The Travelling Dillberries said
04:56 PM Oct 14, 2019
I empty both tanks when I get home from each trip. Rinse with hose jet before I fill for the next trip. Never had any issues, water flushed out is always clear as crystal.
Cupie said
11:08 PM Oct 14, 2019
My use of on board water is perhaps different from most, in that I rarely camp where there is no water supply.
Therefore my tanks are usually empty. I installed taps that ensure they are emptied fully.
When going on a trip where I'll need my own water for bathing (I drink bottled water in these occasions) I go through a cleaning regime like Dougwe.
We have an Instapure on tap filter at the sink.
denmonkey said
10:05 AM Oct 15, 2019
I'm a tank full kinda guy here.
Mainly because I didn't want anything moving in and calling the space home whilst it was vacant.
That was my theory anyway.
cheers Brett
cjt55 said
01:59 PM Oct 18, 2019
Always full. Home or travelling.
Tony Bev said
12:19 PM Oct 19, 2019
Each time I get home, and park up, (sometimes months at a time), I leave my water tanks, as they were, about half full
But...
Before I take off again, I empty the old water, and then refill with fresh water
I avoid using my water tanks for drinking water
My theory is that, I do not know the quality of the water, I use to fill my tanks, while on the road
I drink bottled water as an insurance not to get any gastro, while on the road, which would probably spoil the road trip
If I had to rely on my tanks for drinking water, I would probably keep them full, and then flush and use some sort of tank clean, prior to refilling them
Just moved house and the van will be parked up for a while till I get sorted, maybe 4 - 5 months.
I have 3 x 95 lt water tanks, which are empty atm, is it better to leave full or empty?
Is there a flush I can use when I need to fill them and go on the road again?
Cheers Bob
Full always,,,
To flush use heaps of table salt 1/2 fill go for a drive and drain,, repeat if necessary
Tony,where does the clay come from,please tell us.
You also told us to go up a gear when towing down steep hills, highly dangerous.
I think you are a troll,the moderator should ban you.
I would say tanks full, as I don't thing you would be able to drain the tanks completely, and that last bit left in the tanks could stew up.
I have replied to this question a couple of times when it has come up in years past.
I have always Kept my Freshwater Tank Full
I at one time was a maintenance manager in a Food Production Plant
Keeping tanks full (Tight) also all the pipework is much the preferred requirement in "Food Production" plants where water is part of the product.
If for some reason (such as maintenance ) the system has to be drained, even if only briefly, the system has to go through a CIP (Clean in Place) process. To ensure no mould or contaminants have entered the system. once C.I.P. is completed the system is in use again.
Keeping the system full actually reduces significantly the chance of contamination or algae developing inside the closed system.
Empty tanks and Pipe work can be, nice Warm, Damp, areas, that may grow mold, especially if 'vent" piping is open to air/oxygen.
I had to remove my tank a few years back and at the time was using an inspection videoscope camera at work. I put the camera snake in the tank and had a good look at the inside. It was as Clean as a new one, That was after 10 years of use and always keeping it FULL we drink from our tank. I never buy bottled water.
Most people do not Query how old the water is in the Shop Bought Bottled water. Yet it is housed in a nice little Bottle that also acts is like a Greenhouse. Some times for longer than you think
Talking of Bottled water I just looked this up on the net.
How long can I store bottled water?
Unopened bottled water products can usually be stored indefinitely, provided the bottles are kept in the proper environment. Typically, bottled water manufacturers indicated a shelf life of 1-2 years. Bottled water is a food product and should be stored in a pantry or other similar environment just as you would other food items. Keep bottled water away from chemicals, such as cleaning compounds, paints or gasoline. In addition, don't store bottled water in a garage or storage shed where it could be exposed to chemical fumes, excessive heat or sunlight. If you suspect any of your stored bottled water has become contaminated (smells funny, has algae growth, etc.), discard or boil it before using it in an emergency.
So I am in the KEEP THE TANKS FULL brigade.
I wont be floculating about moving house again, so much crap one collects over the years.
Once we are settled, we will be floculating out here and hitting the road again, only had the short trip to the Kimberleys last winter as the sale of the house went thru while we were away.
I'm floculating (love that word) out to get the hose now...............cheers Bob
I don't leave water in tanks if not needed, even for lengthy times. I do however, rinse out with Milton, leave for a while then drain and rinse and drain. It is not done if there is a water shortage where I might be at time though.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there (even if you are "floculating")
I empty both tanks when I get home from each trip. Rinse with hose jet before I fill for the next trip. Never had any issues, water flushed out is always clear as crystal.
My use of on board water is perhaps different from most, in that I rarely camp where there is no water supply.
Therefore my tanks are usually empty. I installed taps that ensure they are emptied fully.
When going on a trip where I'll need my own water for bathing (I drink bottled water in these occasions) I go through a cleaning regime like Dougwe.
We have an Instapure on tap filter at the sink.
Mainly because I didn't want anything moving in and calling the space home whilst it was vacant.
That was my theory anyway.
cheers Brett
But...
Before I take off again, I empty the old water, and then refill with fresh water
I avoid using my water tanks for drinking water
My theory is that, I do not know the quality of the water, I use to fill my tanks, while on the road
I drink bottled water as an insurance not to get any gastro, while on the road, which would probably spoil the road trip
If I had to rely on my tanks for drinking water, I would probably keep them full, and then flush and use some sort of tank clean, prior to refilling them