How to drain freshwater tank on 178
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=9107
Printed Date: 26 May 2024 at 10:15am
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Topic: How to drain freshwater tank on 178
Posted By: Hollygold
Subject: How to drain freshwater tank on 178
Date Posted: 07 Dec 2016 at 6:57pm
| I have been reading the forums and still can't figure out how. We have a R-Pod 178 and don't know how to empty the freshwater tank. At least I think it has water in it, it sloshes when we back it up. We bought the pod second-hand and probably got too much info at once. Do we have to have the water pump on to drain the FW tank? We have camped once but used a hookup so we didn't use the FW. My husband remembers the seller telling us to be careful running the water pump because we could burn it out. So we are not sure how to use it. I can't seem to find the answer that answers the question. I've watched videos and read lots online, but am confused at best. Since we live in south TX we won't be winterizing so there is no need for the pink stuff I keep reading about. I feel really silly asking how to drain it, but I need to figure it out. Thanks in advance. |
Replies:
Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 07 Dec 2016 at 7:43pm
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Look under the pod and you'll see the white plastic fresh water tank. It's white and it's the only tank that has a little nipple on the bottom with a screw on cap. Unscrew the cap and stand back. It may take a pair of of pliers to turn the cap, but long term, you should be able to screw it back on by hand and loosen it by hand next time. You'll have reach a bit. You never need to put antifreeze in the tank, but you should drain it from time to time and sanitize it with a bleach solution. And drain it if temps are going to hit the teens. It's really easy. TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: Hollygold
Date Posted: 07 Dec 2016 at 7:59pm
| Thanks TT, I had looked under and seen that tank and that's what I thought was the FW tank. I unscrewed the cap but only a couple drops came out. But that sounds like where the sloshing noise came from. Before we left the campground we drained the black and grey water tanks and once home we hooked up to our house water trying to work out a water pressure problem (it was the filter). Then I dumped the grey water again and unscrewed one of the low water drains. I couldn't unscrew the other one though. Where else could water be in the pod if not the FW tank? |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 07 Dec 2016 at 8:01pm
The water pump is designed to run dry. It will not be damaged. It may take a bit to recover it's prime again, but it will run dry without damage. ------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: Hollygold
Date Posted: 07 Dec 2016 at 9:11pm
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Perhaps the drain is clogged. I guess I could add some water to the FW tank (just to be sure it had some in it) and then turn on the water pump. I'm guessing the pump doesn't need to be on then to drain it?
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Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 07 Dec 2016 at 9:41pm
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No, gravity will drain the water with the drain cap off. You can poke a chopstick or something similar up the drain if you think it might be clogged. Adding water may help flush out the tank too. The sloshing you hear could be the water in the hot water heater. It should be drained too. It takes a 1 1/16th socket to take the anode rod out to drain the tank (and inspect the anode rod). If you do decide to use antifreeze for the plumbing, make sure the bypass valves for the water heater are adjusted correctly so you don't get antifreeze in the tank. And, be sure to use RV antifreeze, that's non-toxic, NOT the stuff you put in your car's radiator! TT ------------- 2010 176 FJ Cruiser |
Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 07 Dec 2016 at 9:46pm
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If and when you drain your hot water heater, make sure your water pump is off and as Tars mentioned above, make sure the bypass valves (3 of them) are adjusted so that water will not enter the hot water tank. Be certain to open the pressure valve at the top of the tank to relieve any pressure before using your 1 1/16" socket to drain the tank.
------------- God's pod '11 model 177 '17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake "...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free." |
Posted By: Hollygold
Date Posted: 07 Dec 2016 at 9:55pm
Thanks all, it sounds like I have more forum entries to read and videos to watch! 
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Posted By: PodWa
Date Posted: 07 Dec 2016 at 10:15pm
| When I winterized our RP-179, I noticed that a considerable amount of water remained in the fresh water tank after I removed the plug and all the water seemed to have drained out. I just ran the pump until water stopped coming out of the faucet and let it go at that. I did also drain the hot water heater, open the low point drains and ran the pink stuff through all the lines. |
Posted By: Hollygold
Date Posted: 07 Dec 2016 at 10:36pm
| Thanks PodWa, I wondered about running the pump. I guess I have my work cut out for me. |
Posted By: hogone
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2016 at 5:50am
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one other possible suggestion. my fresh water tank was about half full one time this summer, unscrewed the cap and water BARELY trickled out. there is a rubber washer like thing that fits in the cap that stayed in the nipple of the tank. i pulled that out and walla. just a thought. hogone ------------- Jon & Pam 2013 RP177 2010 F150 2017 HD Streetglide 2009 HD Lowrider CHEESEHEAD |
Posted By: Shelpod
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2016 at 10:41am
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Also we have found that the low point of the tank is not be where the drain is. We usually open our fresh tank before heading home and just leave the cap off. The movement of the camper down the road helps to get more of the water out of the tank. We had the same thin happen as Hogone with the rubber gasket staying in the throat of the drain as well. If you leave the cap off, don't forget to put it back on when you get home. Found mine in my pants pocket several days after getting back from one trip. ------------- Pod: 2013 178 TV: 2014 Explorer Limited with tow package |
Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 08 Dec 2016 at 11:39am
| Just don't drive thru Oregon with the cap off of the water tank. If noticed, you will get a stiff ticket for unlawful discharge. My friend is a sheriff 's deputy in the Blue Mtns. Some folks will let their gray and Blackwater tanks drip on the way home, and truckers toss water bottles full of ***** out the window. |
Posted By: Hollygold
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2016 at 6:59pm
| Thanks to everyone for all the advice. I got the freshwater emptied - I think it must have been almost full. Then after watching a few videos over and over, I got the Pod winterized except for pulling out the anode rod. I still need to get a large enough socket. I thought I wouldn't have to winterize but on Sun night we're supposed to get into the high 20s for at least 12 hours. So much for living in South TX! |
Posted By: MARCHION
Date Posted: 17 Dec 2016 at 8:42pm
| I use compressed air to blow out pipes after fresh water tank is drained. Air injected into one of the exposed pipe drain down low points. |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2016 at 7:30am
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Ditto seems to work well.
------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2016 at 9:08am
You can buy an adapter for about $4 that allows you to hook the compressor right to the city water port... ------------- |
Posted By: john in idaho
Date Posted: 18 Dec 2016 at 11:25am
| If you use the compressor, set the pressure on 40lbs. Make sure the system is non pressurized when you take any of the plugs out. Years ago - I took the drain plug out of the hW heater on my pickup camper while there was still pressure in the system. It is still somewhere in the weeds down by the barn. |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 20 Dec 2016 at 9:13am
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Make sure to check out the winterization checklist at the link in my signature. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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