Fresh Water Holding Tank Questions

[3nails]

I recently purchased a 2015 Blue Ridge 3025RL 5-er. The specs state that it holds 73 gallons of fresh water.

Problem 1: I filled the tank up until the overflow hose started to discharge. The overflow continued to discharge about 2 gallons of water before stopping. This was the second time I have filled up the tank since we bought the 5-er. The first time it didn’t seem to hold near 73 gallons, even though the monitor said it was full. As I filled it up the second time I checked the monitor as it filled up and it seems to register correctly. It showed 4 dots when full. I then drained the fresh water tank and it only measured 56 gallons. Any idea why I can’t get the full 73 gallons?

Problem 2: I have seen a number of post on how to fill up the tank without having to move the 5-er to a pressure hose by using the winterize fill and the outside shower head, but I don’t know where the winterize inlet is. I know where the pressured fill connection is but I don’t know what the other two connections are (A and B).





Problem 3: On our first trip with a “full tank” of fresh water, when we arrived we only had about 20 gallons left. I have also seen post about the tank being siphoned down and how to fix the problem. I guess my question is, if the overflow outlet is at the top of the tank, how can it siphon most of the water out. Our trip was mostly on flat blacktop.

Thank you for any information on any of the three problems.

[A32Deuce]

My understanding is, the total capacity of the water system is the total gallons. 10 gallon water heater, water filter and water lines. That's how I was told. A lot of people put a shut off on the overflow. Just heave to remember to open when you get there.

[CHICKDOE]

pretty sure about this.

in your picture A is the black tank flush. B is the winterizing (antifreeze) input port. try pulling it out a bit it will probably come out and pull a hose out so you can put the end of the hose into a jug of antifreeze.

[3nails]

A32deuce...seems like a little false advertising, but that sure helps explain the shortfall, at least a big chunk of it. I may try to fill it a little slower and see if that helps. I will also put the valve on the overflow line to stop the siphoning issue.


Chickdoe....I pulled out the antifreeze hose like you said. It is about 16". Now I can make my fresh water tank refill through the shower head. Plus now I know where to flush out the black water tank! Sure wish there was a website that had information about this model.


Thanks a bunch guys.....you both have been a big help, especially with the really quick response!

[rockfordroo]

I'm guessing the overflow is on the side of the tank. If the tank is up against the bottom of the floor, I'd almost guarantee it.

Lots of prior discussion of FW capacity here on the forum. Consensus seems to be the WH volume is included.

[Tom48]

Drain everything. Buy a hose end water meter. Mine was like $15 at home Depot but cheaper on Amazon. The four lite gauge is useless. Ditto on waterheater being included.

[cmar273225]

If your fresh water tank is set up like the one on my 2015 wildcat you will not be able to access all of your fresh water. The reason being the outlet fitting that connects to your water pump is elevated a couple of inches off of the bottom of the tank. I assume this is a precaution to avoid pulling sediment from the bottom of the tank.

The problem on my unit is I cant completely drain the tank for sanitizing or winterizing as the drain is teed into the line to the water pump. Thus I can only drain down to 2 inches from the bottom of the tank. I assume this was a design to save money for Forest River. The logical and more efficient set up would be a drain placed in the bottom of the tank so it could be drained completely. Yes a second drain probably would have cost Forest River another $3-4 dollars in parts.

The way I found this out was by accident. I had drained my fresh water tank on a drive home. A few days later I wanted to wash my front cap and decided to lower my front power jacks. Since my driveway is on a 20 degree slope it tilted my 5th wheel considerably toward the front. My drain started draining water from what I assumed was a empty fresh water tank. After about ten minutes of draining I placed a 5 gallon bucket under the drain. Lo and behold another 5 plus gallons drained before it stopped. Being curious I lowered my coroplast and observed the elevated outlet on the side of the tank and the tee with the tank drain in it.

[jimmoore13]

Water capacities include the hot water heater, and they may include other water in the system.
56 + 10 is pretty damned close to spec.

Don't worry about it, and enjoy your rig.

If you want to worry, verify that the 465 pounds of water in that plastic tank are VERY well supported. If the tank is not up inside your rig on a plywood floor, then it's suspended under the floor on steel framing. You may wish to reinforce that structure if it's box stock, because this forum is full of horror stories of fresh tanks falling out of the RV and other such disasters.

Lots and lots of big rig campers NEVER boondock, and they always connect to the water supply in the park. It's possible that this fresh tank will make its wet maiden voyage with you. Make sure it's up to the task. Many are not.

[3nails]

I called the Forest River dealer in Albuquerque and he verified that the fresh water capacity does indeed include the hot water heater, filter, and lines. He said the tank itself is basically 60 gallons. Not that it's a big deal, but thought it might put to rest some of the confusion / discussion on fresh water capacity.


Thanks to everyone for weighing in on the issue.

[Reverse_snowbird]

Thanks for letting us know what you found out.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by 3nails

I called the Forest River dealer in Albuquerque and he verified that the fresh water capacity does indeed include the hot water heater, filter, and lines. He said the tank itself is basically 60 gallons. Not that it's a big deal, but thought it might put to rest some of the confusion / discussion on fresh water capacity.


Thanks to everyone for weighing in on the issue.

I think that is the RV Industry standard, if there's such a thing.

[Kimber45]

I put a cap on my over flow to stop the siphon effect, but do not under any circumstances forget it is there. I learned by mistake

[Smittty]

I have a 2017 Coachman Mirada 31fw and also can not fully drain down my fresh water tank. It seems there is 2-3 inches that I can see ithyough the plastic tank. Has anyone figured out a way to drain this. Water is 8 months old and I want it out.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by Smittty

I have a 2017 Coachman Mirada 31fw and also can not fully drain down my fresh water tank. It seems there is 2-3 inches that I can see ithyough the plastic tank. Has anyone figured out a way to drain this. Water is 8 months old and I want it out.

If your drain plug/valve isn't on the bottom, you're stuck.

[Smittty]

Why would they build them this way?

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by Smittty

Why would they build them this way?

Because they can?? I don't think any of the people designing these things actually USE them.

[A32Deuce]

Ill tell you how I fat most of mine out. I park slightly down hill with the front since my drain is in the right front corner of the tank. Then put the left side leveling Jack's down and move the left side up till nothing comes out. Could do the same putting up on blocks. That's how I did it before getting the levelers. I use my tank a lot so very little stale water is ever in there. Also every couple years I run Spring Fresh through the whole system. Hope this helps.