Sanitize Tanks if just using City Water Connection?

[ebell619]

Hey All!

We just purchased our first travel trailer -- a new Rockwood Mini Lite 2509S. We are going on our first trip this weekend so a full hookup campsite.

I am reading in the book that we need to "sanitize the tanks" before first use, or after extended use with bleach.

This seems a bit overwhelming to get done before our trip Saturday.....

It this something that I definitely need to do before this trip if we definitely plan to use the city water connection instead of filling and using our fresh water tanks?

I guess my further question is whether or not the city water connection bypasses the tanks all together--hence not needing to sanitize the system??

Thanks in advance,

Erica

[raytwntrvlr]

Some may not agree, but if you don't plan to use the water tank, there's no need to sanitize at this point. I do mine from time to time just to keep funny things from growing in the tank.
I usually fill the tank to over half full and add the recommended dose of bleach then add more water to get it mixed in. Just as a sanitizing operation, I will pump this bleached water through my water lines a couple times a year.
We do not drink water from our tank. It's just our preference to use gallon jugs of water from Walmart for cooking and drinking.

I hope you enjoy your first outing. There is lots for you to learn. Have fun while you are at it.

[Bama Rambler]

I'm of the opinion that you should sanitize it. It's relatively to do, and then if for some reason you want or need to use it, it's already sanitized and all you have to do is add a little water to it and you're good to go.

[formerFR]

we've full timed for over 2 1/2 years and have never 'sanitized' our fresh water tank. It always has water, though it's not always used since we are many times on city water, which bypasses the tank, of course. If the water in the fresh water tank is not used for a long time, over a month, I will sometimes drain the water and refill before a trip where we know we will be off grid and using the tank and water pump.
We shower, cook, and drink from the fresh water tank - I can assure you that it is just as drinkable as any purchased water from a bottle.

I think that sanitizing the tank makes sense if the unit has sat for many months, or even years, without use, and with little movement, though generally just emptying the tank and refilling does the trick.

Don't fret it on your first trip, you'll be on city water anyway.

[5picker]

It's certainly not necessary to sanitize for your first trip if you are going to have city water hook-ups.

With that said... On every new unit we have purchased, I always use the fresh tank fill and sanitize procedure as an opportunity to not only sanitize the entire plumbing system but to also flush out the system of any debris or antifreeze (if it was winterized on the dealer's lot) BEFORE our first trip.

When sanitizing a first time unit, I'll often remove all the faucet strainers and shower heads when flushing. Suck in some bleach water, let it sit and then flush. Cleans the system of any debris in the plumbing, sanitizes the tank (and the plumbing) and gives you an opportunity to be sure your water pump works.

I like to know when I get to the campground on my first trip that things are likely to work without problems.

YMMV.

[timfromma]

If you never use it, then you really don't have to sanitize but like others have said, it's a really simple procedure that you only have to do once per year at the beginning of the season so your tank will be ready just in case.

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by ebell619

Hey All!

We just purchased our first travel trailer -- a new Rockwood Mini Lite 2509S. We are going on our first trip this weekend so a full hookup campsite.

I am reading in the book that we need to "sanitize the tanks" before first use, or after extended use with bleach.

This seems a bit overwhelming to get done before our trip Saturday.....

It this something that I definitely need to do before this trip if we definitely plan to use the city water connection instead of filling and using our fresh water tanks?

I guess my further question is whether or not the city water connection bypasses the tanks all together--hence not needing to sanitize the system??

Thanks in advance,

Erica

No one answered your last question. The answer is YES, at least on your TT (see below).

I've attached a plumbing pic with options that covers most RV's.

I think some of the larger/newer 5th wheels and MH's may have a valve between the city water and FW tank that allows filling the tank from the city water connection, but I haven't shown it in the diagram because I'm not sure what it looks like.

[Tom48]

Originally Posted by raytwntrvlr

Some may not agree, but if you don't plan to use the water tank, there's no need to sanitize at this point. I do mine from time to time just to keep funny things from growing in the tank.
I usually fill the tank to over half full and add the recommended dose of bleach then add more water to get it mixed in. Just as a sanitizing operation, I will pump this bleached water through my water lines a couple times a year.
We do not drink water from our tank. It's just ourpreference to use gallon jugs of water from Walmart for cooking and drinking.

I hope you enjoy your first outing. There is lots for you to learn. Have fun while you are at it.

I RESPECTFULLY but strongly disagree. Sanitize that whole system before you use it.

You have no idea how long that pex pipe layed in spools in a warehouse with bugs and mice and vermin living in the pipes, raised children in there and did their business in there.

SANITIZE IT ALL.

[325BH]

You don't need to sanitize the tanks if you are using city water... from the standpoint of the city water does not include the tanks in the circuit.

However, it is a good policy to have a routine down to sanitize your tanks on a schedule so they remain clean. When the time comes that you want to use them, you will want them to be clean. Waiting to sanitize your tank at the time you want to use them , may prove insufficient if they have sat for a long period of time.

I add bleach to mine and fill with fresh water every time I head out. This does the following:
Ensures a consistent tongue weight from tow to tow (I have a TT, so this is an important factor for me).
Ensures I always have water (unexpected water surprises at the campground do not affect me).
Ensures my tanks are sanitized often.

Due to the periodicity of my sanitation, little bleach is required. Due to the amount of bleach used, it does not affect smell or taste if the water.

Adding a little bleach to the hose takes very little time or effort. Keeps the hoses clean too!

[lugoismad]

Originally Posted by ebell619

This seems a bit overwhelming to get done before our trip Saturday.....

Erica - I don't mean to be rude, but this is a pretty simple task, and if you can't properly prepare your new camper before use, you may be in over your head a bit with your new purchase.

This is really nothing complex at all.

Dump a gallon of bleach in the fresh water tank, add another 5 gallons or so of water with your garden hose, and then go inside, turn the pump on, and let it run through all of the faucets, toilet, outdoor shower, anything else that uses water.

This is perhaps a 10 minute job, at most.

You have no idea what is in that pex tubing in the camper, how long it sat, and what sort of nasties formed in a wet environment in there. Do you want your kids drinking and brushing their teeth with that? That'd be like going to India and drinking the tap water.

I would also suggest, before you leave for your trip, add another gallon of bleach and a few gallons of water to the fresh water tank.

Then, stop half way to your destination, and under the trailer, open the valve or plug in the bottom of the fresh water tank, and let it drain out. You can just let the bleach water drain on the road, it won't harm anything. Doing this will allow bleach water to splash around in the fresh water tank as you go down the road, making sure all surfaces are sanitized.

[DKRITTER]

For us it's not relevant since we don't drink or cook with the RV water. We use bottled water, I know it's anal but we hooked up one time and got a good amount of rust from the system and with not really knowing where the water comes from we feel it's safer.

[txredfish]

I don't understand how some have said that it only takes minutes (10 or so) to sanitize the fresh water tank. I mix proper amount of bleach and water and pour into fresh water tank and fill fresh water tank with water from hose. Then I run the mix through each faucet. I also pour the mix into each fresh water hose. I let sit for about 4 hours. Then I drain the sanitized bleach water from tank and water hoses. Then I will fill tank with water from house hose. Run water through faucets to rinse the bleach/water mix. I may do this 2 or 3 times until bleach taste is gone. Not counting the 4 hour sit time, it takes me about an hour to fill and rinse. During the 4 hour sit time, I do other tasks. So, I sit aside about a 5 hour slot of my day.

[D W]

Originally Posted by Tom48

I RESPECTFULLY but strongly disagree. Sanitize that whole system before you use it.

You have no idea how long that pex pipe layed in spools in a warehouse with bugs and mice and vermin living in the pipes, raised children in there and did their business in there.

SANITIZE IT ALL.

Totally agree. Why ignore your FW tank, and give bacteria a chance to grow? Once bacteria starts to grow it doesn't stop until there's an intervention. Spending 15-20 minutes and a buck for a gallon of plain chlorox can save you a lot of aggravation in the future. Believe me, at some time or another you're going to use that FW tank. Maybe not for drinking, but for cleaning and showers. In the shower there is water mist that you inhale. (This is how Legionnaire's Disease started). Even though you don't drink it, The water and whatever is in it can enter your body through the lungs. Other folks here will tell you that the CW and FW are two different systems,...yeah, but both systems run through the same water heater and faucets. Do the right thing.

[lugoismad]

Originally Posted by txredfish

I don't understand how some have said that it only takes minutes (10 or so) to sanitize the fresh water tank. I mix proper amount of bleach and water and pour into fresh water tank and fill fresh water tank with water from hose. Then I run the mix through each faucet. I also pour the mix into each fresh water hose. I let sit for about 4 hours. Then I drain the sanitized bleach water from tank and water hoses. Then I will fill tank with water from house hose. Run water through faucets to rinse the bleach/water mix. I may do this 2 or 3 times until bleach taste is gone. Not counting the 4 hour sit time, it takes me about an hour to fill and rinse. During the 4 hour sit time, I do other tasks. So, I sit aside about a 5 hour slot of my day.

You are allowed to reference me by name. I'm the one who said 10 minutes.

Ok, so you go way overboard on the task. Doesn't mean everyone has to. Get the bleach into the lines. General use will get it back out. You just might not want to drink from it right away, but its not going to cause any harm.

[Flybob]

For the minimal effort to sanitize the whole system why not. I would want the plumbing to be clean even if I wasn't going to use the FW tank or drink the water from the system. Please do not let the bleach water drain as you drive down the road. That is very inconsiderate to the drivers ( or motorcycles) behind you.

[DouglasReid]

I do mine every year even though I always camp where there is a water connection..................just because...............What if?

As others have said, it also sanitizes your lines.

All it costs is a bit of water and a cup of bleach

[ProfChuck]

Agree with our other posters, except, you don't dump a whole gallon of bleach into your tank. Thats way too much. Last I heard it was 1/4 to 1/2 cup of bleach put into a gallon of water and added to 15 gallons of water in the tank. For the last 30 years, I have only put about a cup of bleach (use fresh bleach, it deteriorates with age) into the freshwater tank (40 gal tank), run it into the faucets to sanitize the lines and let it stand overnight (or at least a few hours). Then drain the tank on the ground. When you hook up at the campsite the first time, just run the water for about 3-5 minutes and you should be good to go. Once a year should be enough. Yes, spend the time to do it to a new trailer system. Biggest problem is not getting the bleach water on your clothes. I have a sleeve on a shirt that is way lighter than the other when the water splashed on it. Oops!

[pdqparalegal1]

Originally Posted by DKRITTER

For us it's not relevant since we don't drink or cook with the RV water. We use bottled water, I know it's anal but we hooked up one time and got a good amount of rust from the system and with not really knowing where the water comes from we feel it's safer.

X-2, we don't drink the camp ground (city) water either. Drink, cook, mix Bourbon with bottled water. (Hard to find "branch" water on the road)
Most likely, your home water has enough chlorine to kill anything in the tank.

Enjoy!!

[Scrapper]

Originally Posted by Flybob

For the minimal effort to sanitize the whole system why not. I would want the plumbing to be clean even if I wasn't going to use the FW tank or drink the water from the system. Please do not let the bleach water drain as you drive down the road. That is very inconsiderate to the drivers ( or motorcycles) behind you.

On top of this you may get stopped by the po-po. In many areas it is not legal to have fluids poring from you vehicles on purpose.

[jkoenig24]

At least once a year, just do it.