Trailer Life Directory Open Roads Forum: Bigfoot 24DB -- How do I drain the fresh water tank?


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chadnelson

Northwest US

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Posted: 11/15/09 10:54am

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Two months ago I bought 2000 Bigfoot 24DB. So far the family is loving it like crazy. I'm trying to winterize and I've realized I have no idea how to drain the fresh water tank.

Under the rear dinette seat there is access to the hot water heater bypass valves. And below the floor level (under the dinette seat) there is the water pump with a valve and hose to suck antifreeze into the system. I also see a hose that drops down and passes through the insulated floor of the tank area. Is it through that hose that I drain the tank?

Thanks!

Chad Nelson
2000 Bigfoot 24DB

skipnchar

Google Kansas USA

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Posted: 11/15/09 11:01am

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That hose COULD be the way the water pump accesses water in the tank if it actually connects to the pump. MOST of the time water tanks are located below the floor level and the drain is accessed from UNDER the RV. there should be three drains under the RV. Two of them are the "low point drains" one for the hot water lines and one for cold. the fresh water tank drain is almost always located directly under the water tank so I'd begin the search by looking near the pressure water hook up or the gravity fill opening. Some have a cap similar to an over-sized valve stem camp on a tire while others have a valve with a handle you simply turn. YOu would need to open all three of these valves or caps to get water from the tank and the lines.
IMPORTANT: Don't forget to relieve all pressure on the water lines before removing the drain plug on the water heater. This will prevent you taking the drain plug between the eyes (not so bad if it's a nylon plug)

Good luck / Skip

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chadnelson

Northwest US

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Posted: 11/15/09 12:48pm

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Thanks a bunch! I'm going to do some more scouting around and take some pictures. It looks like there are two valves between the fresh tank and the pump. The first one either connects the fresh tank to the hose going through the floor or on to the next valve. The next valve connects the pump either to the previous hose from valve (1) or the suck hose for the antifreeze.

* This post was edited 11/15/09 01:13pm by chadnelson *

cochalet

Colorado

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Posted: 11/15/09 04:07pm

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My fresh water tank drain is located in the driver's side front storage compartment. Easy to see if you have the right one - if you turn the valve and the water starts dripping out, you've got it.

K.T.
2005 Bigfoot Class C
2008 Jayco Tent Trailer

chadnelson

Northwest US

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Posted: 11/15/09 05:11pm

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Thanks! For some reason I didn't think of looking in that storage compartment. It is right up against where the tank should be. I do remember a small door on the rear side of that compartment I'll check it out.

flaps

British Columbia

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Posted: 11/19/09 02:07pm

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One of those 2 valves is the by-pass to the water tank when your sucking anti freeze.
The other valve is the fresh water drain. Open it and look under the motorhome for water draining. If it's like my 24DB, it drains really slow.

Pete

Horse Doctor

Cedar Creek, TX

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Posted: 11/19/09 06:10pm

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Mine is under the rear dinette seat. It is positioned under the floor between the tank and the water pump. The valve points at the pump to get water from the tank and 90 deg to the left to drain the tank.

Michael and Mona Greenlee + TJ the wonder dog
2003 Bigfoot 29G with all the goodies
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Pell

Middlebury, CT

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Posted: 11/20/09 08:51pm

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I have drained my fresh water tank. It also took along time and didn't start draining until I turned on the pump for a few seconds. My tank is located at the rear of the unit it has an access panel under the mattress. The one problem I have is getting the hose from the tank to the pump to drain.It is only 2 feet of hose but will not drain with the tank and is bypassed while pumping the antifreeze through the rest of the unit. Short of disconnecting it does anyone have any suggestions. I don't want to put antifreeze into the fresh water tank, that doesn't seem like a good idea.