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Old 08-27-2017, 11:37 AM   #1
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Frustrated Again-Sanitizing

I was planning on sanitizing my fresh water tank today so I went to the book that came with my 21' and read that I should start by opening the low point drain first. I could not locate any information in this book about where it is so I searched on this forum for some information. I have read in one thread that there is actually no low point drain on the new 21'. If that is true why is it in the book that came with my trailer? And how do I drain everything both now and when it comes time to winterize? GEEZ I wish this trailer come with more/better/accurate instructions!
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Old 08-27-2017, 11:49 AM   #2
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Even though the manual needs to be correct it is all quite simple. Yes, there is no low point drain on the new trailers, but the freshwater tank has its own drain -just open that drain. Opening up all the faucets and turning on your pump, will push almost all the remaining water out of the system. The types of pumps ETI uses are not damaged by running dry. You do want to close off the hot water heater diverter valve as described in the manual.

I then recommend a good beer to lower frustration levels.
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Old 08-27-2017, 11:57 AM   #3
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If you got the E-Z winterizing option all you have to do is bypass the water heater, insert the winterizing hose inside your solution and have the pump pull your solution thru the on board lines. Add some to your tank and you are done.
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Old 08-27-2017, 01:27 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by laurah View Post
I was planning on sanitizing my fresh water tank today so I went to the book that came with my 21' and read that I should start by opening the low point drain first. I could not locate any information in this book about where it is so I searched on this forum for some information. I have read in one thread that there is actually no low point drain on the new 21'. If that is true why is it in the book that came with my trailer? And how do I drain everything both now and when it comes time to winterize? GEEZ I wish this trailer come with more/better/accurate instructions!
Laura, Look underneath your trailer, driver's side, just behind the rear wheel (pardon our spray foam insulation). It's almost directly under the freshwater fill ports.
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Old 08-27-2017, 01:34 PM   #5
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The types of pumps ETI uses are not damaged by running dry.
I did not know that.


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I then recommend a good beer to lower frustration levels.
I did know that.
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Old 08-27-2017, 01:39 PM   #6
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I did not know that.
I did know that.
When Reace was here doing our 21 repair, I was giving him a hard time about not allowing my asking for a low point drain. He said just use the pump and then told me that running dry does no harm to them. Told me the story of someone who drove all day with their fresh tank empty,a faucet open and the pump switched on, so that the pump was running dry all day. Still worked just fine.
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Old 08-27-2017, 06:51 PM   #7
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Don't forget (as I did) that there are 8 gallons of water in the hot water tank. When the bleach is added to the main tank I now run the hot water until I have about 8 gallons out. That pulls the bleach/water into the hot water tank. I then top up the main tank with more water and let it sit to sterilize. When the system is drained, I run fresh water throughout, including through the hot water tank.
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Old 08-28-2017, 05:05 PM   #8
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Sanitizing hot water tank

I just sanitized my fresh water tank. I decided to bypass the hot water tank and not sanitize it. One reason for this is that we never drink the water from the hot water tank.

What is the prevailing opinion on sanitizing the hot water tank?
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Old 08-28-2017, 05:34 PM   #9
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Thank you everyone. I did find the outlet for the tank and mixed the bleach/water and got everything ready. I put the bleach in the tank and then started to fill it with the hose. When I had the tank almost full I realized I was using the GARDEN hose! I could not bear to do anything else with that trailer that day so I drained the tank and closed everything up. I'll try again this weekend when I'm thinking straight (hopefully).
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Old 08-28-2017, 05:41 PM   #10
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...I realized I was using the GARDEN hose!
Golly, I use the garden hose to fill the tank all the time and even drink from it sometimes.
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Old 08-28-2017, 05:43 PM   #11
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I just sanitized my fresh water tank. I decided to bypass the hot water tank and not sanitize it. One reason for this is that we never drink the water from the hot water tank.

What is the prevailing opinion on sanitizing the hot water tank?
Don't know the prevailing opinion, but I sanitize everything, including the HW tank. What's it amount to, an extra 60 seconds to R&R the anode?
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Old 08-28-2017, 05:59 PM   #12
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The instructions say to make sure the HW tank is not in bypass so I guess we are meant to sanitize it also.

Karen, I don't think it's a good idea to use the garden hose for drinking or filling the tank!
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Old 08-28-2017, 06:19 PM   #13
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Karen, I don't think it's a good idea to use the garden hose for drinking or filling the tank!
I know everyone has different comfort levels with regard to sanitation, food issues, safety, security, etc. I guess my standards are not very high. But I'm still standing!
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Old 08-28-2017, 06:26 PM   #14
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Yeppers, a garden hose was like an oasis on a hot day for a city kid.
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Old 08-28-2017, 06:29 PM   #15
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laurah,
Why are you sanitizing a 2017 model anyway, seems too new to need such.
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Old 08-28-2017, 06:52 PM   #16
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I know everyone has different comfort levels with regard to sanitation, food issues, safety, security, etc. I guess my standards are not very high. But I'm still standing!
This sounds a lot like my grandkids .They refuse to drink water from the kitchen faucet , they will only drink water from the bathroom faucet . They contend that kitchen water tastes icky.
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Old 08-28-2017, 07:54 PM   #17
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Kitchen vs bathroom, as long as they do not drink out of the toilet like some dogs have been known to do, then you are good.
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Old 08-28-2017, 08:43 PM   #18
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You need bacteria in the fresh water tank to keep it fresh . The tank is like a lake or river .
Bleach kills the good bacteria . Then you have to start all over again. We had a well on the farm that had snakes and frogs living in it. And it was the best water ever. The worst is a hose that has a rubber or vinyl smell or taste . I got one at crapy tire . Every thing taste and smelled crapy. Coffee -tea yuck . Even the dog wouldn't drink it. Got a new hose , all good now . But I do use a charcoal filter to refill for screening out parasites and such . The trots at 2am must be avoided . Especially if chilli dogs and beer where for dinner . Oh Ya !
We've all been there done that . Right ...
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Old 08-28-2017, 09:24 PM   #19
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laurah,
Why are you sanitizing a 2017 model anyway, seems too new to need such.
I read somewhere to sanitize the fresh water system before using it. Unfortunately I don't remember where I read it.
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Old 08-28-2017, 09:28 PM   #20
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I read somewhere to sanitize the fresh water system before using it. Unfortunately I don't remember where I read it.
I don't think it would necessarily sanitize as I doubt it is contaminated. Some do it to remove that new plastic flavour. After about 30 nights using our trailer new, I did finally completely drain it and refilled as there was a hint of this plastic taste. I never did sanitize, but I will next spring.
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