When to drain Water Heater?

[CarolinaBlue]

We just returned from a trip to Smith Mountain Lake and Fairystone SP in VA. Our next trip will be a month or two from now to northern VT and Prince Edward Island.

We typically drain the black and gray water tanks after each trip but was wondering if it would be best to also drain the hot water heater and potable water tank as well.

Could anybody offer their opinion. Thank you.

[Kimber45]

I always drain my fresh tank and hot water heater between trips.

[lesptr]

Originally Posted by Kimber45

I always drain my fresh tank and hot water heater between trips.

Why?

[ernest917]

I drain my water heater once a year before freezing weather moves in....

[Flybob]

I also always drain my HW and FW tank between trips. Simple 2 min process ( I have a drain valve added to HW tank). If you want to know why, fill a small jar with water from your system, cover and let it sit in the RV until your next trip, then decide if you want to use it. Many campgrounds have wells and the water although safe to drink contain dissolved minerals and salts that will settle out over time while sitting in tanks.

[CarolinaBlue]

I’ve heard people drain their hot water tank between outings but i wonder if it makes sense since water remains in the plumbing lines and house filter regardless.

[Kaadk]

Like Ernest, I only drain it once a year in the winter, but we also use it at least every other weekend, so it gets high turn over in water. If I had a long period between trips, I'd consider draining it.

Just make sure that you turn the HW electric element off before you drain it or else you'll burn out the element.

[jeff64]

Originally Posted by Kimber45

I always drain my fresh tank and hot water heater between trips.

X3

I have the Camco anode with the petcock in the WH , 1/4 turn ball valves on the LP drains. I drain the tank and the whole shebang if I'm not going out for a few weeks. Bet it doesn't take more than a minute to open everything

[debit]

I drain the HW and fresh water tank each fall. But Flybob does have a good practice if one knows the water may not be clean.
............
Ram2500 diesel / FR Surveyor 251rks

[bikendan]

We drain ours at the ending of camping season.

[SlowrideHD]

The only time I drain my water heater is every couple years when I change the anode. Have never drained my fresh water tank, but I do keep some "water fresh" stuff from Camco in the tank. We filter all drinking water through a good brita filter or use bottled water for drinking.

[Oaklevel]

I drain our water heater once at the end of the year before winter. 5 campers and 35 years............

[BandJCarm]

I don't drain my water heater or my immune system. I'm old, water fine, so I guess it works.

Disclaimer: Truth is I'm either A) too lazy or B) forget or C) both.

[Kimber45]

Originally Posted by lesptr

Why?

Why on earth would I want stale stagnant water sitting in my camper?

[BandJCarm]

Originally Posted by Kimber45

Why on earth would I want stale stagnant water sitting in my camper?

Same reason you would have it in the water heater in your house.

[lesptr]

Originally Posted by BandJCarm

Same reason you would have it in the water heater in your house.

Exactly

[joeuncool]

Originally Posted by CarolinaBlue

I’ve heard people drain their hot water tank between outings but i wonder if it makes sense since water remains in the plumbing lines and house filter regardless.

We never know when our next trip might be. It could be several weeks. For me it takes only a short period of time to pull the anode rode on the water heater, pull the caps off the low point drains, and open the drain on the fresh water tank.

Then when I prepare for the next trip, I make sure everything is closed up. Fill the tank, run quite a bit of water through the plumbing to flush things out a bit, fill the tank again and leave.

If we went out every week or every other week I probably wouldn't do this. Who am I kidding, I probably still would since it takes less than 5 minutes to pop everything open and drain it out.

[russhd1997]

I had an Atwood WH with an aluminum tank in my old TT and if I didn't drain it between trips the hot water smelled terrible. I put a short hose and drain valve in where the drain plug was. All I had to do was open the valve to drain the tank. My new TT has a Suburban WH with a steel tank and anode rod. I remove the anode rod and drain the tank after every trip.

[rjshiflet]

Originally Posted by ernest917

I drain my water heater once a year before freezing weather moves in....

Me too. Except since we use our fifth wheel every month (year round) - some winters I have to drain it and winterize three or four times here in North Texas.

[tinkerreknit]

Originally Posted by ernest917

I drain my water heater once a year before freezing weather moves in....

+1. Been doing it this way for many, many years.