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 > Water tank has a drain?

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jornvango

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Posted: 11/14/23 11:32am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

We just filled up our water tank for the first time. A small stream of water is coming out of a small hose underneath however.

I assume this hose is for draining the RV for winterizing.

Picture: Picture link

Does anyone know how to stop this? We're going to use the fifth wheel so don't want the water to drain. For now, I bent the hose so it stops draining the water.

Does this hose need a cap? Perhaps a switch somewhere?

Thanks!

2009 Keystone Cougar fifth wheel

way2roll

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Posted: 11/14/23 12:08pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Can't access the pic but yes your FW tank should have a drain. They are typically controlled with a ball valve or a screw on/off cap if the end of the pipe is threaded. Check to see if a ball valve is open or if it truly is leaking you can easily install one from Lowes. Hopefully you don't have a crack in a pipe or the tank itself. FWIW, your FW tank isn't just drained for winterization. I drain mine each time I come home to keep the water from just sitting stagnant.


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opnspaces

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Posted: 11/14/23 12:40pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Might be normal. Or might have the drain valve open. If I overfill my 2005 trailer the water will flow out from a hose hanging underneath. Once the water stops the gauge still reads full so I don't worry about it.

The tank drain has a plastic valve and a hose for draining the tank. This valve and hose are very close to the overflow hoses.

For yours if the tank empties then I would look for a valve both outside and inside. It might be inside the trailer maybe under a booth seat or in a storage compartment.


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valhalla360

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Posted: 11/14/23 02:04pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

There are typically 2 outlets (not counting the one going to the pump):
- One comes out the bottom of the tank and is used for winterizing. Some of the new RVs use a 1.5" blade valve (similar to gray water tank drain). Older models use a 5/8" hose with a cap or ball valve on the end.
- One is attached at the top of the tank and is used for overflow. If you overfill your tank, the water will go out this hose and drain on the ground. Our last trailer had that and once it started, it would syphon and drain maybe 5-8 gallons before it stopped...on a 40gal tank, not so great but you also need to be careful as the tanks aren't designed to be pressurized, so just capping it off can result in bad things if you aren't careful.


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Roger10378

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Posted: 11/14/23 02:41pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

There should be a cap that screws onto the fitting pictured.


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bukhrn

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Posted: 11/14/23 02:45pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Is there a valve above the floor where that hose attaches, at or near the water tank, if so that would be your tank drain valve, if not then there should be a valve and or a cap on the end of that hose.
Look around, there should also be a couple more hoses hanging down underneath with caps, they would be your low point drains.


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laknox

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Posted: 11/14/23 03:39pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

jornvango wrote:

We just filled up our water tank for the first time. A small stream of water is coming out of a small hose underneath however.

I assume this hose is for draining the RV for winterizing.

Picture: Picture link

Does anyone know how to stop this? We're going to use the fifth wheel so don't want the water to drain. For now, I bent the hose so it stops draining the water.

Does this hose need a cap? Perhaps a switch somewhere?

Thanks!

2009 Keystone Cougar fifth wheel


IMO, that's the main drain for the fresh water tank. Nearly all low point drains are red and blue. I'd take the wire off, cut the hose shorter and add an on/off valve.

Lyle


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wildtoad

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Posted: 11/14/23 05:05pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Did it start draining as soon as you started filling it? Or only after tank became full? If it flowed immediately it may well be a drain tube or ……. On my motorhome if I fill the tank full it will start flowing thru an overflow tube to prevent bursting the tank or connections. My tank has a separate drain tube and valve.

Once the overflow tube starts flowing, it may flow for a while (syphoning) depending on how the tube is plumbed. Water may also slosh out of the tank while in transit. Some people do as you have done and crimp the tube to stop it flowing.

In any case that certainly doesn’t look like a factory job.


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jornvango

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Posted: 11/14/23 05:39pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Thanks. The water fill where I insert the hose does have the usual hole next to it to allow air, and water comes out when it sometimes sputters.

This tube hanging under the tank is different. As you can see in the picture, I bent it to stop the water from draining out. Since it has thread (3/4 inch thickness where the thread is), I assume the cap is missing. I just bought it used and, even though we tested everything, I think the owner winterized it and drained the water, but forgot to put the cap back on ...

RAS43

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Posted: 11/15/23 05:19am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I agree with your assessment that a cap is missing. Should be able to get one at a hardware store.

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