Water tank full or empty

Submitted: Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 19:11

Whirlwinder

Water Tank
Water storage is a critical issue for all four wheel drivers. Not only do you need to carry ...

Hi All.
We have bought a Kimberley Kamper and are not sure whether to drain the water tank when home or leave it full. Any opinions welcome but I am not saying if I tow with a Nissan or Toyota, on Coopers or BFG or cooling the beer with Engel or Waeco.
Ian

Experience is something you get just after you needed it.

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ThreadID: 95694	Replies: 10
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AnswerID: 486329 Submitted: Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 19:25

Member - DW Lennox Head(NSW) replied:

Hi Ian

I have a Kimberley Karavan and my choice is to empty the tanks when I am home and actually remember to do so. The tanks are similar I believe.

My tanks have a small ball valve in each tank to make it easier to empty. Yours may have a plug that requires a spanner to undo, as mine used to.

Enjoy the Kimberley.

DW

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AnswerID: 486331 Submitted: Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 19:44

Macca44 replied:

G day Whirlwinder. We have water tank under tow vehicle and the jayco outback , we leave tanks full of water at home then before we go away we drain the tanks and refill fresh water, that seems to work ok for us. ( ( we drive a Toyota LC on Cooper tyres and cool the beer with an Engel )) Regards Macca.

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AnswerID: 486332 Submitted: Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 19:46

Member - DickyBeach replied:

Although you are being politically correct by avoiding the dreaded Toyota/Nissan issue etc, can I be provocative and suggest that you drain the water and fill the tank with Coopers?

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FollowupID: 761570 Submitted: Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 20:55

Member - Richard L (VIC) posted:

lol!!

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FollowupID: 761574 Submitted: Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 21:21

Member - Arsenal Phill posted:

Like it Dicky............LOL

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AnswerID: 486333 Submitted: Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 19:50

Gronk replied:

I've had 2 KK's and never drained the tanks......only ever topped them up...so some water could have been in there for 5 yrs !!!!!

Wife has very good taste buds and never complained about the taste of the water ??

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AnswerID: 486334 Submitted: Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 19:57

Member - Myles F (QLD) replied:

I think a lot depends on how often you use the trailer. If like me, you try to go away once a month or so leave the tanks full. I fill mine to the brim when I get home. No air equals no mould. I’ve been doing this for years and water quality has always been good.

Tow an "Imperial" Modcon off road camper.
The chances of winning lotto are only marginally improved by buying a ticket.

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AnswerID: 486337 Submitted: Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 20:29

Whirlwinder replied:

Thanks for the replies but they are about even.
I can see value in full (no air) but also in emptying them for fresh water next time so I'll try full and see.
Thanks again.
Ian

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FollowupID: 761576 Submitted: Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 21:23

Member - Mark (Tamworth NSW) posted:

Unfortunately we only get to go away in ours 2-3 times per year. We have never had any problems in the past 5 years leaving ours full. If your tanks are inert, there is no light getting to the tanks and minimal to no air, I can't see why you need to drain them.
Sometimes seals are better off being kept moist than being allowed to dry out.

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AnswerID: 486350 Submitted: Sunday, May 20, 2012 at 23:01

lancie49 replied:

If you have any clear hosing on the setup. perhaps replace it with opaque to lessen the chance of any nasty growths in the system

We always leave our tanks full.

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AnswerID: 486358 Submitted: Monday, May 21, 2012 at 05:10

Member - Tony (ACT) replied:

We only use rain water in our tank and drain it when we get home from a trip.

When I get it out of the shed ready for the next time away I put enough water in the tank just for that trip. As it holds 250 lts I dont fill it right up unless we are away for a couple of months. I have a tap on the draw bar with a anti-vandle T piece and undo that to let the water out.

Tony

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AnswerID: 486383 Submitted: Monday, May 21, 2012 at 12:03

Member - David Will (VIC) replied:

Hi Whirlwinder,

Good luck on your new purchase.

If it was me, I would drain all water out of the tank and rinse it out and the fill it back up with your own water.
Then you know what water is in your tank, as you have just purchased it, it could be filled with anything.
Once you have done that then you can monitor how it goes by taste and make up your own mind on what you do.
Just one thing get out and enjoy your new camper and make the most of it.

David

Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.

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AnswerID: 486394 Submitted: Monday, May 21, 2012 at 15:22

Caravan & RV World replied:

Depends what your tanks are made of Ian. Stainless steel needs cleaning out less frequently then PVC.

This will look after your water quality + tanks no matter what tank you have!

http://www.caravanandrvworld.com.au/plumbing-and-bathroom/water-purifying/Taste-Pure-Water-Freshener

C&RVW