Fresh Water Tank Drain

Pax

Fresh Water Tank Drain

« on: December 31, 2013, 10:11:53 am »

I recall Tom mentioning that PC's once came with external fresh water tank drain valves mounted somewhere on the side of the rig. I was thinking of installing something similar, for a few reasons: 1) It seems fairly easy to do, 2) Instead of dumping the tank straight down under the rig I could easily hook up a hose and dump it where I need to, 3) It would provide an easily accessible source of fresh water outside for filling dog bowls, cooking, etc.

The short piece of pipe coming out of the tank and under the rig is Pex piping and with the Sharkbite quick connect fittings available, it seems like a breeze to install. I was wondering about a couple of things though. What were the issues people had that prompted Kermit to stop installing this? If it were installed, where would it be routed to? The easiest place is unfortunately too close to the exhaust pipe for my taste. The closest cabinet is the slide-out 'cooler' in the right rear corner.

- Mike

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Sparky

334
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: Used
PurchDate: 12/12
Model: 2350 Ford
ModelYear: 2008
Slide: No
Location: Houston, Texas

Re: Fresh Water Tank Drain

« Reply #1 on: December 31, 2013, 11:58:06 am »

Mike
there was a lot messages regarding this issue,,( a whole lot during the summer),, I for one just monitor and estimate how much water I'm going to need to in regards to filling the tank,,,I normally try to keep the tank as low as possible just so I do not carry the weight around. If you look at some of the pics of the rear tanks not an easy place to access,,, also as far setting up a drain don't forget it's going to have to be lower than the tank to drain,, I drain mind at home with a bucket so as not to waste the water,,,, personally a lot of work for a project,,, if how ever you do do it,,, take pics I could change my mind and do the same haha
sparky

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TomHanlon

Re: Fresh Water Tank Drain

« Reply #2 on: December 31, 2013, 05:20:06 pm »

What used to be installed was a plastic spitter mounted on the passenger side just forward of the sliding drawer. There where two problems, one was kids would open it and let your water drain out. I don't know how often this really happened. The second problem was they would get knocked and break off, again letting your water run out. The other complaint was looks of that thing sticking out the side.

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lmichael

260
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: New
PurchDate: May 15, 2012
Model: 2552
ModelYear: 2012
Slide: Yes
IntColor: Sterling
ExtColor: Sterling
Location: Arizona

Re: Fresh Water Tank Drain

« Reply #3 on: December 31, 2013, 09:03:28 pm »

Our first pc was a 2007 2700, and it had the fresh water valve on the passenger side outside wall. The main reason they removed it from the outside was it being knocked off or damaged. I had to replace mine because of sun damage to the plastic. I prefer the bottom drain. You can use the outside shower to fill the dog's dish. I cut the end off an old garden hose that slides on the drain valve to drain the tank away from the pc.

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GoPhoenix

285
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: New
PurchDate: 12/2010
Model: 3100
ModelYear: 2011
Slide: Yes
IntColor: Slate grey/Cherry
ExtColor: Full body grey
Location: Ohio

Re: Fresh Water Tank Drain

« Reply #4 on: December 31, 2013, 09:33:04 pm »

Uhh…so…where is the fresh water drain valve on the newer PCs?

Mine’s on the outside, a 2011 model.

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I remember very few of the things that I’ve spent money to buy, but I remember all of the places that I’ve spent money to see.

Shipper

128
Cadillac Mountain
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: New
PurchDate: 04/2013
Model: 3100
ModelYear: 2013
Slide: Yes
IntColor: Maple and Grey
ExtColor: Dusk
Location: Lower Alabama

Re: Fresh Water Tank Drain

« Reply #5 on: December 31, 2013, 09:48:43 pm »

Quote from: GoPhoenix on December 31, 2013, 09:33:04 pm

Uhh…so…where is the fresh water drain valve on the newer PCs? Mine’s on the outside, a 2011 model.

My valve is under the passenger bed toward the rear from the water tank. The drain is just a piece of pipe below the body of the RV.

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It's not that I'm insensitive, it's probably that I just don't care.

Bruce

Re: Fresh Water Tank Drain

« Reply #6 on: December 31, 2013, 11:19:06 pm »

On our new 2552 the fresh water drain valve is below the passenger side bed. I lift the rear half of the mattress, locate and pull out a small square (about 6") of wood that has been cut into the bed, then reach down to the valve that is located near the rear end of the tank.
--Bruce

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Pax

Re: Fresh Water Tank Drain

« Reply #7 on: December 31, 2013, 11:55:38 pm »

Thanks, all! The reasons make a lot of sense. I'm going to have to think this thru a bit to ensure it's durable and aesthetically pleasing. Otherwise, for me it is just too easy a project not to attempt.

- Mike

Oh, and Happy New Year!

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GoPhoenix

285
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: New
PurchDate: 12/2010
Model: 3100
ModelYear: 2011
Slide: Yes
IntColor: Slate grey/Cherry
ExtColor: Full body grey
Location: Ohio

Re: Fresh Water Tank Drain

« Reply #8 on: January 02, 2014, 08:47:13 am »

My only beef with the fresh water drain is how long it takes to actually drain the tank.

Why is the drain so small?? I hope the new inside access design makes draining the tank a lot quicker.

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I remember very few of the things that I’ve spent money to buy, but I remember all of the places that I’ve spent money to see.

Ron Dittmer

5647
Ron and Irene
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: New
PurchDate: June 2007
Model: 2350 Ford
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Slide: No
IntColor: Cherry Green&Gray
ExtColor: Full Body Gray
Location: N/E Illinois

Re: Fresh Water Tank Drain

« Reply #9 on: January 02, 2014, 12:57:09 pm »

Quote from: lmichael on December 31, 2013, 09:03:28 pm

Our first pc was a 2007-2700, and it had the fresh water valve on the passenger side outside wall.

Our 2007-2350 does not have an outside water spicket of either kind. Not for the fresh water tank and not for shore water. We have the tank drain tube under the rig as all PCs have. As mentioned by others, the next best thing we have is the outside shower on the left side of the rig.

Adding anything short of a frost-proof sillcock would not be appropriate considering freezing temperatures.

Here is a typical sillcock for residential use. The actual seal is far inside the warm house. I suppose it is possible to utilize one of these for an RV.

« Last Edit: January 02, 2014, 01:00:26 pm by ron.dittmer »

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Ron (& Irene) Dittmer

richardisr

2
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PurchDate: 3/21/2018
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ModelYear: 2003
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ExtColor: United States
Location: NORTH CAROLINA

Re: Fresh Water Tank Drain

« Reply #10 on: April 17, 2018, 01:07:06 pm »

Looking for the fresh water tank drain on a 2003 PC M2301. It appears that there is a plug in the tank that I'd need to use an allen wrench to remove. Anyone?

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Ron Dittmer

5647
Ron and Irene
OwnPC: Yes
NewUsed: New
PurchDate: June 2007
Model: 2350 Ford
ModelYear: 2007
Slide: No
IntColor: Cherry Green&Gray
ExtColor: Full Body Gray
Location: N/E Illinois

Re: Fresh Water Tank Drain

« Reply #11 on: April 17, 2018, 01:54:16 pm »

Hi Richard,

It sounds like you found it. How does the water get to the street? Is the plug inside or outside your rig?

4 years later, Phoenix was installing a cheap water jug valve with a clear tube clamped to it and passing through the floor to drain out on the street. It works fine with never an issue.

« Last Edit: April 17, 2018, 01:58:47 pm by ron.dittmer »

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Ron (& Irene) Dittmer

No

72
OwnPC: No
NewUsed: New
Model: None
Slide: Yes

Re: Fresh Water Tank Drain

« Reply #12 on: April 19, 2018, 09:56:08 am »

Our 2018 has the fresh water drain accessed through a hatch under the passenger bed. The hatch is just a piece cut out of the plywood. I leave this hatch cover on top of the mattress when the drain is open as a reminder. I drained a full tank while doing other chores so not sure how long it took, hence the visual reminder of "Hey Dummy, the valve is open!"

Steve

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