How to sanitize fresh water tank

[RV4me21]

Happy to be camping in our new 2019 Sunseeker 2860DS but have some questions while on the road... hoping to fix this one before we head home tomorrow...

I have the filter for the water system but have not yet filled the fresh water tank. I would like to fill/sanitize today so it can sit overnight and then tomorrow I need to fill fresh before we make the 8 hour drive home.

Question: do I need to install the filter before putting in bleach and filling tank or do I wait to install after I sanitize? The dealer showed me how to winterize and said to toss the filter at the end of each year when I winterize.

When I sanitize, do I need to do anything to the water heater? I have a dometic water heater, yet he said Atwood during my PDI and afrees with me when I said, "Oh, Atwood? No anode then." Now I realize I have a Dometic, not and Atwood so not feeling super confident about some of the tips he offered.

Much thanks in advance for any assistance.

[007matman]

So, the truth is that you'll never get all the water out of your freshwater tank again. However, what you can't get out will be so minute that it won't matter much.

I would not run bleach water through it, so if it's built-in and you can bypass that might be the best. Install it afterwards.

As for your question about the water heater.. I've done it both ways.. bypassed it as well as left it in service. Personally, to be on the safe side I would sanitize it and not bypass. The little bit of bleach water in there isn't going to hurt the annode rod. I usually replace mine every other year whether it needs it or not. Just remember to drain it and flush it thoroughly.

I usually fill and drain the tank a couple times after the sanitation process, then run the pump and clear out all the lines (including your low point drain) and then dump and fill the water heater a few times followed by a couple of runs through all faucets until you don't smell bleach anymore.

[youroo]

I use a bottle of "Peroxide" instead of bleach,the rest of the drill is the same! Youroo!!