The Caravan Owners Club

[Doc]

This is the first winter in which I have not been able to keep the 'van on mains, with a thermostatic heater running. (it's now on a storage site)

Sooo, I've had to 'lay-up' my Hobby for the freezing weather, just around the corner, even though I hope to use it over the New Year.

So this is what I've done (with reservations!);

1) 'Nearly' drained the on-board water tank. There doesn't appear to be a 'drain' facility, so I've removed what I can with the pump, unscrewed the pump/water level housing and lifted the pump etc. clear of any un-drained water.

2) Removed the most right hand 12V fuse (7.5A) to inactivate the water pump (there isn't a switch ) and opened the taps (no pump operating) so that water can drain from the water pipes.

3) Opened (and left open) the 'drain' tap on the Ultrastore water heater so that it is drained.

4) Drained the toilet flush tank by removing the transparent 'level' tube from its upright position and lowering it, to drain off the water. Also made sure no water is in the holding tank.

5) All 'perishable' food removed, with the frig. door left open.

Have I missed anything? (BTW I'm fitting a Solar panel to charge the batteries whilst off mains.)

[Chubbs]

Hi Doc,
you say

" 'Nearly' drained the on-board water tank. There doesn't appear to be a 'drain' facility, so I've removed what I can with the pump, unscrewed the pump/water level housing and lifted the pump etc. clear of any un-drained water. "

...but on my on-board water tank I can unscrew the overflow pipe. It's the one that sticks straight up from the bottom towards the top of the tank, and it comes out beautifully, allowing all water to drain out cleanly. I can also get my hand into the tank through the large top opening (about 4" diameter) and dry out the inside of the tank with Kitchen tissue.

Is this a recent development for in board tanks??

Keith McC (alias chubbs)

[Doc]

Thanks Keith,

I did wonder about that; the light was fading and even with the 'van lights on I couldn't quite see how the over flow pipe unscrewed.

Do you have to put your hands in the remaining water and unscrew it from the bottom, or do you just grab the pipe and unscrew that? I'll pop over tomorrow and have a look.

[Chubbs]

Doc,
It unscrews very easily just by gripping the top end and turning (normally) anticlockwise. No straining required.

Good luck.

[skudulike]

What's to stop the water escaping between the bottom of the tank and the floor when you remove the pipe?
Jim

[Doc]

Jim, there is a theaded pipe from the tank through a cut-out in the floor, so water goes down this pipe to outside and not onto the floor of the 'van, inside.

I've, today, done as Keith suggested; unscrewed the internal overflow pipe and watched all the remaining water drain out . Cleaned the inside of the tank with paper towel, put back pump/level indicator assembly, screwed back overflow pipe and access cap, & Bob's your mother's brother!

[skudulike]

Excellent, I shall do it today, thanks Doc.