water pump

Does anyone have issues getting water running through the lines? I seem to have some trouble when we go camping with getting the water running through properly, especially the hot water.
To clarify, I empty the tanks completely after camping including the low point drains. I do not pull the anode.
When we get set up, I turn on the pump and the kitchen faucet. The cold comes out fine with a few air spurts. The hot doesn't until I run the hot and cold together. Even then, if I turn of the cold, no water comes out.
Eventually, it does work fine. It takes about five minutes though and I know I'm just wasting water on this.

Is this something everyone experiences? Am I having this issue because I emptied the tanks and the hot water tank needs to fill first? Is there a better way to fill the hot water tank so I'm not just running water?

Any suggestions are welcome! Thanks

You have to blow 6 gallons of air out of the Hot Water tank and fill it with 6 gallons of water. I don't remember the flow rate of the pumps but it takes time.

We don't drain our system after use, only at winterization time.  We sanitize our system at the beginning of the season and call it good.  I usually do drain our fresh water tank each time, depending on where we picked it up and when we are using it again.   Iif it's been a while since we have used the Pod sometimes I will hook the hose up to the city water inlet and flush the Hot Water tank.
Something else we often do is put put a small amount of bleach in the water a when we fill the tank. (about and oz and a half) When we bought our Pod about two years ago I found some "fresh water" stuff which turns out to be bleach. I have it so I use it but any good clear bleach should work. (no aroma additives or such).
We use bottled water for drinking and coffee. (I'm a little fussy about the taste of water) The small amount of bleach in the water is undetectable. If my wife can't smell it................ No problem.  

Ditto !

If you don't mind carrying water, fill the tanks at home.  Get everything working right in the driveway then shut it off for the trip.  should work again.

Is the hot water heater filled simple by connecting to city water, or do I need to do something else? How can I tell if it's full before turning it on, so I don't burn it out?