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Old 07-29-2020, 11:47 AM   #1
ipb
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Fresh water still remains in tank

I have a 19ft Coachmen "Freedom Express". My fresh water tank holds 49 gallons however it always seems to have around 5 gallons left after the pump runs "dry". Is this normal?
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Old 07-29-2020, 12:15 PM   #2
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I've never been able to measure how much is left in there but yes, it is somewhat normal for water to remain in there.

You could try parking on an angle so that the drain is lower. The only camper I've ever been able to drain everything out of was my pop-up and that was accomplished with a set of automotive ramps.
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Old 07-29-2020, 12:39 PM   #3
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I knew there was quite a bit left in the tank so when I drained the tank from the drainhole underneath, I saved the water into a container so I could measure it. I know there will always be some water left but 10% seemed like a little too much.
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Old 07-29-2020, 12:49 PM   #4
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Install a tee/shut off valve to the drain, move the supply line to the tee you'll be able to use all the water in the tank that way.
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Old 07-29-2020, 12:56 PM   #5
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Originally Posted by ipb View Post
I have a 19ft Coachmen "Freedom Express". My fresh water tank holds 49 gallons however it always seems to have around 5 gallons left after the pump runs "dry". Is this normal?
It is likely a design feature that the pump does not pump from the very bottom. You don’t want the pump sucking up sediment. Five gallons seems like a bit much, though. One gallon should be more than enough.
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Old 07-29-2020, 01:06 PM   #6
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I knew there was quite a bit left in the tank so when I drained the tank from the drainhole underneath, I saved the water into a container so I could measure it. I know there will always be some water left but 10% seemed like a little too much.
Fresh water capacity listed on brochures typically includes the 6-gallons in the water heater. So your FW tank may actually be a 43-gallon tank.
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Old 07-29-2020, 01:41 PM   #7
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Is there a problem withe having a little water left?
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Old 07-29-2020, 01:46 PM   #8
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Fresh water capacity listed on brochures typically includes the 6-gallons in the water heater. So your FW tank may actually be a 43-gallon tank.
Interesting point. I hadn't thought of that; not that it really affects me practically but it would be interesting to check the volumes.
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Old 07-29-2020, 01:53 PM   #9
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Install a tee/shut off valve to the drain, move the supply line to the tee you'll be able to use all the water in the tank that way.
Thanks for the idea. I think that I would be very nervous about putting a tee valve on the drain though. Because of the location of the drain underneath the trailer, it could leave the tee valve and supply line very susceptible to damage.
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Old 07-29-2020, 01:58 PM   #10
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It is likely a design feature that the pump does not pump from the very bottom. You don’t want the pump sucking up sediment. Five gallons seems like a bit much, though. One gallon should be more than enough.
I definitely agree there should be some water left but it just seemed like a lot. I drain and rinse the tank fairly regularly throughout the season and of course when I winterize it so I'm not too worried about sediment.
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Old 07-29-2020, 02:15 PM   #11
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Fresh water capacity listed on brochures typically includes the 6-gallons in the water heater. So your FW tank may actually be a 43-gallon tank.

Do you have any proof of this? Doesn't really make sense to me.
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