To Drain Hot Water tank or not ...

[IBEW Sparky]

Very much so...my low points require crawling under the 5W and water running down my arm to my elbow or even arm pit, lol
I do have to apply teflon tape each time to prevent leakage...

My 5th wheel low point drains were a pain in the butt to reach so I modified them. I added a short piece to each line and attached them each to their own 1/4 turn hose bib valves. Mounted everything to a bracket so it's easier to access. The plastic caps are just to protect the threads from road grime.

[cnuech]

I never thought of draining the hot water tank and last year we went 2 months between trips and had a terrible smell to the hot water. It took some time to rinse it and get rid of the smell. Now I drain every time.

[Ynot4me2]

I did something very similar to this on mine. Makes emptying it very quick and easy. https://www.truckcampermagazine.com/...ain-and-flush/

[kduane01]

We always drain water system as we go out just 1× every month or so. Sulfer/ rotting egg smell tough to get rid of and the low water line plugs are next to the steps so easy access and only takes a minute.

[Zorro55]

The time between our long weekend trips could be 4-6 weeks apart. Should I drain the hot water tank between trips?

Why not ?? I always drain the HW tank to save weight. 50 pounds of water in there.

[jasonPlegrand]

I’ve come to watch changing lanes on Ytube, Chad is very ocd about his maintenance on his rig and the hot water heater and sanitizing the fresh water system is a stand alone video if memory serves me correct.

[Grandesigner]

My 5th wheel low point drains were a pain in the butt to reach so I modified them. I added a short piece to each line and attached them each to their own 1/4 turn hose bib valves. Mounted everything to a bracket so it's easier to access. The plastic caps are just to protect the threads from road grime.

Great idea...maybe a winter project if I get bored, lol

[IBEW Sparky]

Great idea...maybe a winter project if I get bored, lol

It also makes it easier to recapture the used RV antifreeze in an empty gallon jug when dewinterizing. I put a short piece of hose on each line and blow out the antifreeze into a jug... then I mark it as "Used" and save it for adding to the traps and tanks the next time I winterize.

[Brad777]

Great question. I've owned four different trailers since 1995. Other than two of them, we kept for at least 10 years or more. Like many others here, I have only drained my system in the fall...never had any issues. I'd guess there could be issues if it's being filled with really hard water, not sure. This thread is enlightening...thanks for posting.

[JFF&KRN]

well good morning all,
For me/us, I drain my system when we get back from a longer than a local trip. For example we have been gone for a couple weeks, one more to go. Started out with home city treated/chlorinated water, then hooked up at an rv park, then dry camp, then four different places. Some may be on well water, some on city water. I don't know for sure, guessing about half and half. So with filter and all the other protections we have at our disposal, when we get home, the entire system will get flushed, including the water heater. this will do a couple things, get rid of anything that made it past the filter and screens, rid the system of potential non treated water and get rid of any alkali build up from wherever. I will then fill everything with local treated water and add a bit of chlorine, set for a day for extra disinfection, run through the system and flush, then fill again and ready to roll. We use our fifth wheel like our house so cooking, cleaning, drinking, coffee etc. In twenty years, thankfully never had an issue.
I do like the addition of the 1/4 turn stops for flushing, thanks for adding another project to my list.