Got almost all the water out of my fresh tank!

[KyDan]

File this under "Now they tell me!".

Have had 3 trailers over the years.
All 3 had similar drain valve for the fresh tank.
All 3 would leave at least an inch of water in the tank.
Took our last trip out last week.
A friend of mine was leaving just as we were so we
met at the dump station.
I noticed water draining from his trailer as he sat waiting
for the holding tanks to empty.
When he finished and drove off it was still draining.
I figured he was draining his fresh tank so I opened my
fresh drain also.
By the time we got home nearly all the water had sloshed
out of my fresh tank.
It's got maybe 1/4 inch left in there--
much less than it would have had just draining it in my
driveway.

Oh, well. If I can remember to do this every year it is
a good idea but so far have not had any problems with
the normal 1" that's usually left in there.
Add this to your list of things to try to remember!
Happy Camping!

[Don and Elaine]

Been doing that for about 10 years! I just never thought about posting it! It really does get almost all of the water out of the fresh water tank, and If you think about it, open your low point drains also on your way home from the last camping trip of the year. You would be suprised how much easier it makes winterization!

[dharri770]

Dumb question....how do you know if you have 1" of water or a 1/4" of water? I open my drain and leave it open all winter. But I can't see how you would know how much water is left in the tank?

[KyDan]

My water tank in located in the front of my trailer in the pass thru
storage area. With both side doors open it's easy to see the water
level in the translucent white tank. And it's much more accurate
indication of how much water you have than those 3 LED lights
on the wall panel.

[ScottnKimmer]

We leave our drain valves open on our trip home after each wet camping trip. We then close them when we arrive home so no little kritters crawl in. We learned it from a long time camper and we too were very surprised to see all the water that comes out when turning a corner and during braking. I was even startled by the mist it creates the first time. Forgetting it was open I thought for a split second I had a problem only to remember the valves were open and the tires were just kicking the water up into a mist.

Thanks for posting this for others to see.

[KyDan]

Side note-- another camper in another chat group reported that
he was stopped by a New Jersey state trooper and nearly got a
ticket for "dumping" water while on the road.
Even though it was fresh drinking water the trooper said it was
illegal to allow anything to drain from any vehicle while on
the road in NJ.

My tank drains so slowly you'd never know it was coming out
unless I stopped at an intersection.

[AVid]

Originally Posted by KyDan

Side note-- another camper in another chat group reported that
he was stopped by a New Jersey state trooper and nearly got a
ticket for "dumping" water while on the road.
Even though it was fresh drinking water the trooper said it was
illegal to allow anything to drain from any vehicle while on
the road in NJ.

My tank drains so slowly you'd never know it was coming out
unless I stopped at an intersection.

Same exact thing happened to me last year in Michigan. Trooper let me go with a warning, and had to close the tank drain.

AVid

[NWJeeper]

Originally Posted by KyDan

Side note-- another camper in another chat group reported that
he was stopped by a New Jersey state trooper and nearly got a
ticket for "dumping" water while on the road.
Even though it was fresh drinking water the trooper said it was
illegal to allow anything to drain from any vehicle while on
the road in NJ.

My tank drains so slowly you'd never know it was coming out
unless I stopped at an intersection.

You would think that FR would do a better job on the tank vents then as a majority of us FR owners have experienced the water being siphoned overboard on the road due to the lousy vent routing. That is something that can't be shut off.

[ScottnKimmer]

I too had wondered what the "Legal" issues might be for draining fresh water onto the road while driving. I had meant to look it up here in Florida and will check into it because I don't even want a warning.

[dezolen]

Now I have heard everything. Will these troopers send a ticket to the good Lord next time it rains?

[KyDan]

I've heard the laws are on the books because some un-scrupulous folks
might drain their gray or black tanks by cracking a valve and driving
off.
Also there have been documented cases of tank trucks hauling
hazardous waste who cracked open a valve and drove on the
interstate in the rain to get rid of a "hot" load.

I'll dump mine in the camp ground and take my chances on the
little bit extra that sloshes out on the highway.

[cfsoistman]

Originally Posted by KyDan

Side note-- another camper in another chat group reported that
he was stopped by a New Jersey state trooper and nearly got a
ticket for "dumping" water while on the road.
Even though it was fresh drinking water the trooper said it was
illegal to allow anything to drain from any vehicle while on
the road in NJ.

My tank drains so slowly you'd never know it was coming out
unless I stopped at an intersection.

I wonder what their law is involving trash trucks? Have you ever been behind a truck with a nicely packed dumpster of rotting food from a grocery store. That's not fresh water pouring out the back, not to mention the wonderful aroma that goes with it. At least we're helping to clean the road not mess it up.

[Al_B]

I thought I'd post another perspective for this thread. If you ride a motorcycle, you'll appreciate the laws about not dumping on the highways. Fresh water isn't too bad, but it is very difficult to tell if it is fresh or grey or black - until it is too late. Unfortunately, I've experienced some of those people who were leaking the latter.

On the other hand, non of this is quite as bad as following a loaded livestock truck up a steep, windy road where all the extra fluids run out on the corners. Not only does it smell bad, but it is extremely slippery as well. I've learned to stay well back until the right opportunity presents itself to pass.

[IIFID]

The only drains I have are right by the door one is red and one blue I believe those are the low point drains they only work with the pump on. Do I have another drain?

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by IIFID

The only drains I have are right by the door one is red and one blue I believe those are the low point drains they only work with the pump on. Do I have another drain?

The low point drains should drain the lines when you open the faucet valves.

There should be a separate drain under the fresh water tank.

[KyDan]

You have a drain on your fresh water tank and one on your
hot water heater.

[hanbunjtig]

Can anyone tell me where the fresh water drain is located on the 2010 "Forester"?

[flyrotor]

Originally Posted by hanbunjtig

Can anyone tell me where the fresh water drain is located on the 2010 "Forester"?

More specific would help, but I'll give it a try.

The fresh water tank should have a drain coming out of the bottom of the tank, either capped or a small valve. Look under the trailer

There should also be a couple of low point drains, easy to find if you have a creeper to crawl under the trailer with. Mine are behind the left rear axle, should be a blue pipe, and a red pipe (cold & hot), my low point drains were capped, I bought a couple of 1/2 inch valves to make is simpler to drain.

[shineysideup]

Originally Posted by flyrotor

More specific would help, but I'll give it a try.

The fresh water tank should have a drain coming out of the bottom of the tank, either capped or a small valve. Look under the trailer

There should also be a couple of low point drains, easy to find if you have a creeper to crawl under the trailer with. Mine are behind the left rear axle, should be a blue pipe, and a red pipe (cold & hot), my low point drains were capped, I bought a couple of 1/2 inch valves to make is simpler to drain.

I found my fresh water drain under the axles. Not very easy to get at. I wanted to be able to drain the fresh water tank with ease so I installed an elbow and brought a valve out to where I can reach it. It takes some time to drain but is effective!

[hanbunjtig]

I am aware of the low point drains (H & C). I've looked under the fresh water tank and couldn't see a valve.