Low point drains question?

[Kurt]

How often does everyone empty their low point drains and water heater. I am a newbie and last season was our first. I did get in the habit last year of draining everything after very trip. Is that necessary or am I being too proactive on this? I was erring on the safe side as we have two young children camping with us and the last thing I want is to have "stale" water in the system. we do not drink the water but we do wash our hands in it and the kids bathe in it also.

[cdevill]

I don't drain the low point drains until I winterize. As far as the water heater I do drain it every time we come home. I'll also drain the fresh water tank after every trip as well since there is usually a couple weeks between trips.

[campingcpl]

I'll drain the fresh water tank, but I don't open the low points till I winterize my unit and I don't usually drain the water heater unless I am winterizing it either. I've never had a problem with the water smelling funny. If the trailer was going to sit for a couple of months between trips then I might consider draining the water lines and water heater.

[Kurt]

Looks like I am making more work for myself when we return home each time!! Does anyone know if the water that would remain in the low point drains ever gets recirculated back into the system or does it remain there thoughout the season. I would figure that any water in the heater would get mixed in with the new and be used when asking for hot water.

[Bob Landry]

Since we only camp where there are hookups, I only travel with a few gallons of water to flush and wash with while we're in-route. I open the low point drains on the last leg of the home trip. Even clorinated water, if left in the tanks long enough, will grow nasties. I think my Jayco manual even recommended sanitizing the tanks twice a year.

[SLIMSHADIE]

Found valves like the freshwater valve. Replaced my low point couplers with them. I drain everything when we get home, freshwater, water heater, low piont drains while faucets open-not a big deal. Just dont want the nasties in the water. Safety for family first.:)

And my dealer told me too.

[The Sod Father]

I had a situation last season where we would get a rotten egg smell whenever we showered. It only lasted a few seconds and then everything was fine. From what I was told, it was because we left water in the water heater all season.