“Un-winterizing”

[TopherNC]

So! Getting things all set for me and the families first trip out our fifth wheel, had a question though. Is all this absolute necessary when it comes to flushing the water supply system? Un-winterizing I guess you could say. Our manual talks about using a bleach solution to sanitize the tank fresh water tank, which will in turn sanitize all the fixtures. Then it says to use a vinegar solution. I’m sure people do this…right? lol I’m sure some don’t. As usual I’m looking for some others experiences and insight! Apologies if this type of topic as been gone through over and over and over again!

 

[NB Canada]

I have never “sanitized” the water system in 11 seasons
Still alive and very healthy

Just rinse and use

On edit: I don’t use my fresh tank though. Always have water hook up but I still wouldn’t worry about it if I did because I wouldn’t be drinking out of the fresh tank.

 

[Scott'n'Wendy]

I sanitized my previous trailer's fresh tank after 12 years or so.
I have never sanitized our 2021 Reflection since we bought it new in Oct 2020.
We drink from our fresh tank.
Recently we installed a Rainfresh UCS2 filter system so we can draw water from local lakes so I guess we aren't really straight outta the tank stock anymore.

 

[retired_engineer]

I sanitize our fresh tank and water lines before our first trip. I use a bleach solution, let it sit overnight then drain the fresh tank. I then fill the tank with fresh water, flush the system and drain whatever is left in the fresh tank. I've never bothered with the vinegar. We go out often enough that I don't bother with sanitizing the system again until the following year.

 

[ajg617]

I sanitize at the beginning of the season. I do not use vinegar - just a bleach solution in a full freshwater tank and then flush through all the faucets, drain the the freshwater tank and low point drains, then re-fill & flush the bleach out of the faucets and drain the FW tank again to remove any chlorine smell/taste. I usually let the bleach solution sit for about 4-5 hours. If we are months in between long trips (in the heat and sun with fw tank not empty), I'll repeat but typically, just once in the spring. I do not put bleach solution in our residential refrig icemaker so I'll typically just create ice for a day or so after the pink anti freeze is flushed. We also have a tank water heater which I tend not to put a bleach solution in though the manufacturer recommends it. I do pay attention to our W/D as I don't want any bleach to ruin clothes. We are not full-timers but do take extended trips.

 

[reubenray]

I have never “sanitized” the water system in 11 seasons
Still alive and very healthy

Just rinse and use

On edit: I don’t use my fresh tank though. Always have water hook up but I still wouldn’t worry about it if I did because I wouldn’t be drinking out of the fresh tank.

How do you insure that all of the antifreeze is flushed out of your lines. I don't use my fresh water tank either.

 

[NB Canada]

How do you insure that all of the antifreeze is flushed out of your lines. I don't use my fresh water tank either.

When it runs clear

It won’t hurt you to drink it if there even was trace amounts

 

[reubenray]

When it runs clear

It won’t hurt you to drink it if there even was trace amounts

My wife reminded me that on our second trip will be staying at a COE campground with only electric hookups. We still will not drink out of the freshwater tank, but we will use the water to shower, wash some dishes, rinse out the coffee pot, etc. So I may need to sanitize the fresh water tank after all.

 

[retired_engineer]

We don't drink the water from the fresh tank either. Being an unsealed system I sanitize it because I don't know what might have grown over the couple of months down time we take each year. I figure with how easy it is to sanitize and flush the system why take a chance.

 

[BoredWeasel]

I sanitize at the beginning of the season, just because it is really a non job.

We don't drink from our tanks either, just flushing toilets, dishes and showers.

 

[MtnGuy]

We sanitize our tanks every spring, although I question if that is needed if someone is filling their tanks from a municipal water supply that uses chlorine.

 

[Wichita Dave]

So! Getting things all set for me and the families first trip out our fifth wheel, had a question though. Is all this absolute necessary when it comes to flushing the water supply system? Un-winterizing I guess you could say. Our manual talks about using a bleach solution to sanitize the tank fresh water tank, which will in turn sanitize all the fixtures. Then it says to use a vinegar solution. I’m sure people do this…right? lol I’m sure some don’t. As usual I’m looking for some others experiences and insight! Apologies if this type of topic as been gone through over and over and over again!

I have never sanitized on any trailer.
But we don't drink it or cook with it either.
I do brush my teeth with it though.

 

[dalen02]

Damage to seals and gaskets:
Bleach is a harsh chemical that can dry out and damage the rubber seals and gaskets in your RV's plumbing system, potentially leading to leaks and costly repairs

 

[LanerC]

once a year is what i do. if you follow the directions for sanitizing its a pretty weak solution that shouldnt hurt seals. I didnt sanitize in a camper once for a couple years and got a big slug of black slime that came out when i did finally sanitize. Now i sanitize! Happy camping!

 

[NerkGDguy]

I sanitize our tank and water lines each spring. After purging all of the lines and low point drains of antifreeze, I fill the fresh water tank. Sanitizing recommendations are 1/4 cup of bleach per 15 gallons. I found the easiest way is to let the water drain out of your hose that you will fill with. I have a 70 gal fresh water tank, so I pour just a bit more than one cup of bleach directly into the hose, hook up to the tank fill, switch my nautilus panel to fresh water fill ( or your fresh water connection) and turn on the water, the bleach gets diluted quickly. After the tank is full, run the bleach solution through all faucets, shower and toilet until you can smell bleach. After sitting 4-8 hours, I run all faucets, toilet and outside spigot, hot and cold, until no more chlorine smell is present plus 30 seconds. For the short time it takes to sanitize, it simply isn’t worth taking a risk. After lines are sanitized, you can dump the remainder of your fresh water tank. It is recommended in your owners manual for a reason.

 

[PTParker]

So! Getting things all set for me and the families first trip out our fifth wheel, had a question though. Is all this absolute necessary when it comes to flushing the water supply system? Un-winterizing I guess you could say. Our manual talks about using a bleach solution to sanitize the tank fresh water tank, which will in turn sanitize all the fixtures. Then it says to use a vinegar solution. I’m sure people do this…right? lol I’m sure some don’t. As usual I’m looking for some others experiences and insight! Apologies if this type of topic as been gone through over and over and over again!

RV antifreeze, more specific Propylene glycol prohibits bacteria growth. So while not 100% you will not have bacteria at first of the season but probably less likely than during the summer when it sits for a month or two in the hot sun not being used! I have never sanitized system in 40 years of camping unless we were going to boondock and use the holding tank, but we do not drink from the plumbing, using bottled water and purified water to drink and cook and make coffee with! I do sanitize my hoses at the first of season and some during summer since they get closed up wet with no antifreeze in them.

 

[PhilandAmy]

If you’re not crazy about the chlorine smell, hydrogen peroxide does the same thing with no odor. Use 8 ounces per 10 gallons of water, run it through the plumbing system and let it stay in the tank for three or four hours or overnight. Drain and flush one time.

 

[reubenray]

RV antifreeze, more specific Propylene glycol prohibits bacteria growth. So while not 100% you will not have bacteria at first of the season but probably less likely than during the summer when it sits for a month or two in the hot sun not being used! I have never sanitized system in 40 years of camping unless we were going to boondock and use the holding tank, but we do not drink from the plumbing, using bottled water and purified water to drink and cook and make coffee with! I do sanitize my hoses at the first of season and some during summer since they get closed up wet with no antifreeze in them.

How do you sanitize your hoses?

 

[retired_engineer]

How do you sanitize your hoses?

I pour some bleach into mine, close it up and rotate the hose slowly for the number of turns it takes to work the bleach around all of the loops. I let is sit for a few minutes and repeat before flushing with fresh water.