Hot water heater drain

[alpha]

This past weekend we went out camping with several of our RV camping friends and, since we all take trips throughout the Winter, we were discussing what a "pain" it is every time we return and have to winterize between trips to warmer climes.

At any rate, in an effort to reduce tool requirements we agreed that a drain valve on the hot water heater would certainly help. I have seen similar mods somewhere but couldn't find them, so though not unique, it's cheap and useful!

A four inch length of 1/4" copper tubing flared on one end and soldered to the $6 Camco #11703 1/2" water heater drain valve relieves the water from the heater box with no mess. Everything can be easily removed occasionally to clean residue from the tank.

[snakebitten]

Nicely done!

[hddecker]

Alpha,

I just use air to get the water out in the winter, a small emergency compresser will give you all the pressure you need to get the lines purged.

Regardless of method used, be sure to drain your water system before you hit the road. Not that I would know anything about it, the drive home can freeze stuff you never would have thought could freeze.

Things like the dump valves get a little cranky when they have go from 35F to 20F on the three hour trip home.

Note to self: spend the 20 mins driving out of the way to get to the nearest dump station. Remember, heater, heat gun, bucket and the whole day dumping the tanks 5 gallons at a time really stinks, but someones gotta do it.

[ewarnerusa]

You can drain the hot water tank without utilizing the tank plug by opening your low point drains beneath the trailer. Then pop open the pressure relief valve on the hot water tank, the water will drain from the tank out of its fresh water inlet and ultimately out of your low point drains. This is also a good way to access the water in your hot water tank if your fresh water is completely emptied while boondocking.