The Missus asked me a question that I hadn't even thought about. When storing the van, do you leave the water tank full or do you empty it?
I was a bit miffed and the old male pride was a little shattered when I had to answer that I was stuffed if I knew. So that I regain some face with my Missus, can anyone tell me, do you store the van with water in the tank and how long should you leave the water in the tank? I know the water can go sour, but once again, I must say that when we bought the van, I did not even consider it as a question to ask.
Probably just shows how dumb I really am, but please don't tell the Missus!
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Never growing old, just getting dusty around the edges.
We have stored our van on and off for the past 4 yrs and have never had a prolem leaving the tank empty as long as you have all the taps in and outside turned off
I'm gunna be different - I store mine full - reason being that if you empty it and then turn all taps off, the tank will still have maybe a cup of water left inside. The water will then go through successive cycles of evaporation and condensation on the walls of the tank as the tank warms/cools diurnally and also feeding all those nasties that we know grow in the dark in moist places. A bit like a ginger beer plant. Also with an empty tank which is sealed on a cold morning...say 10C, and then in the next few weeks the ambient temperature reaches say 30C, the air inside the tank will expand and possible expand the tank. Think about it.
I agree with hako. I opened up a Bonaire portable evap cooler and found the tank encrusted with salt crystals. I put a soft drink bottle of tap water in the fridge and it collapsed when cold, the same happens with my plastic jerry cans, they also blow up like balloons on a hot day.
Therefore I would store the plastic water tanks partly filled, then flush and refill before travelling.
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Cheers, Chris...
"The problem with doing nothing is not knowing when you're finished" - Benjamin Franklin
I also agree with Hako. I have left the tank with water in it (not full) and not had any problems in 5 years.
It is a bit like having your domestic fridge turned off for an extended period but the door closed. When you open it, all this mould will be in side. Perhaps this is not the best analogy but you get my drift!
