25
Keep your tanks well flushed out when the
vehicle is not in use. One way to help flush
them out is to drain them at the campground,
then fill each tank half full of water for the trip
home. The constant agitation while driving
home usually does a good job of cleaning the
tanks. Then before you arrive at home, stop at
a local approved dumping station and drain the
tanks completely.
When camping there are a few things you can
do to help facilitate the cleaning process later.
First, you should always use some type of
chemical additive in your holding tanks
specifically designed for RV use. These types of
chemicals will break down the contents of the
tanks and help ensure good drainage. In
addition, try using tissue designed for
recreational vehicles. It will break down more
than residential style tissue, and usually never
clogs your drain valve.
DO’S AND DON’T’S OF HOLDING TANK USE
DO
Clean the holding tank with an
approved cleaner.
DO
Add a special chemical additive to
sanitize and improve tank action.
DO
Guard the tank against freeze-up.
DO
Keep the dump valve closed to allow
the tanks to get as full as possible to
facilitate drainage.
DO
Keep the dump valve closed and the
drain cap in place to allow the use of
the system when not parked at a
campsite.
DON’T
Put facial tissues, paper, automotive
type antifreeze, sanitary napkins,
diapers or household toilet cleaners in
your holding tank.
DON’T
Put foreign objects in the system that
could clog or damage it in any way.
WATER SYSTEM WINTERIZING
NOTE: READ THIS BEFORE WINTERIZING YOUR
WATER SYSTEM.
If your RV is going to be stored unheated, in
temperatures that COULD GO BELOW
FREEZING, the fresh water and waste systems
must be winterized.
Follow this procedure:
1.
Drain the fresh water tank.
2.
Drain pipes by turning the water pump
ON and opening a cold water faucet.
Wait for the water flow to stop. Turn
pump OFF. Leave faucets OPEN.
3.
Turn ON all faucets and OPEN the HOT
and COLD WATER PIPE DRAIN VALVES.
Leave these valves in the OPEN
position. These valves are located
either under the galley sink or in an
exterior compartment, and permit the
water to drain onto the ground below
the RV.
4.
OPEN the WATER HEATER drain valve
located at the bottom of the heater (or
remove plug). Let the water drain out.
OPEN the heater SAFETY VALVE.
5.
Flush the toilet.
6.
After each faucet has been opened,
drained and closed, CLOSE the WATER
LINE DRAIN VALVE.
7.
Drain the WASTE WATER HOLDING
TANK.
8.
Double check that ALL WATER has been
drained.
9.
Secure all protective caps including the
water tank filler, city water inlet and
waste drain outlet.
CAUTION: DRAINING THE WATER SYSTEM
ALONE MAY NOT BE ENOUGH TO PROVIDE
COMPLETE COLD WEATHER PROTECTION FOR
AN UNHEATED ENVIRONMENT WHERE
TEMPERATURES DROP BELOW FREEZING.
CONSULT YOUR DEALER FOR MORE
INFORMATION ON THE BEST METHOD OF
WINTERIZING YOUR VEHICLE.
Some people may choose to remove water from
the plumbing system by using air pressure. If
