Here are some tips on sanitizing your RV water system from Mark Polk at RVTrader.com:
Drain the RV water heater
Go to the outside compartment of your travel trailer or fifth wheel where the water heater is located. The drain plug, or petcock is usually located in the bottom left hand corner. Remove the plug and open the pressure relief valve on top of the water heater to assist in draining. CAUTION: Never drain the water heater of your RV when it's hot or under pressure.
Locate and drain the low point of the RV's water line
It may take a while to find the drains on your travel trailer or fifth wheel, but I assure you they are there. There will be one for the hot and one for the cold water lines. This is the lowest point in the RV water system. Open these and let the water drain out.
Locate and drain the fresh water holding tank of the RV
At this point you can turn the water pump of your travel trailer or fifth wheel on for a moment to force any remaining water out. Do not let the pump continue to run once the water stops draining.
Close all of the drains on the RV
What we have accomplished so far was to evacuate the majority of water from the system of your travel trailer or fifth wheel.
Sanitize the RV water system
To sanitize the water system of your travel trailer or fifth wheel, use a quarter cup of household bleach for every fifteen gallons of water your fresh water tank holds. Mix the bleach, with water, into a one-gallon container and pour it into the RV fresh water holding tank. Fill the fresh water tank almost completely full of potable water. Turn the RV water pump on, open all hot and cold faucets and run the water until you smell the bleach at each faucet. Close the faucets on your travel trailer or fifth wheel. If it's possible, drive the RV or pull the trailer so the water can move around to assist in cleaning the entire tank. Let it sit in the RV for at least 12 hours.
Drain the entire system of the RV and re-fill the fresh water tank with potable water
Open all of the faucets of your travel trailer of fifth wheel and run the water until you no longer smell any bleach. It may be necessary to repeat this process again to eliminate all signs of bleach from the water system. Once this is complete, it is safe to use your RV's water system.
Remember that EverGreen RV fifth wheels and travel trailers come equipped with a black water tank flush system and digital probes to help you get the most accurate readings and eliminate odors when storing your RV.
Packing and storing gear in your EverGreen travel trailer or fifth wheel is easier if you follow some simple tips:
- Store rice and pasta in airtight containers inside your RV's cupboards.
- The microwave in your RV can be used for additional storage when not in use.
- Short tension rods work great for keeping slim items standing upright in your cupboard, leaving space for dishes in your RV cabinets. EverGreen's travel trailer and fifth wheel cabinets are built to last with lumber core and are screwed and glued, not stapled, making them more durable and won't buckle under the pressure of tension rods.
- Layering bubble wrap or non-skid liner between your dishes will reduce breakage during RV travel.
- Can koozies keep your drinks cool and can be also used to protect your favorite glasses while your travel trailer or fifth wheel is in motion.
- Use self-stick magnet strips to secure and show off photos inside your travel trailer or fifth wheel. Lightweight plastic photo sleeves can also be Velcroed to the wall to display photos in your RV.
- Use extra large air-tight or vacuum-packed bags to store linens like sheets and blankets in your RV storage areas. Store sheet sets inside the matching pillow case. EverGreen travel trailers have under bed storage with gas struts for easy access to these items. They also come with roomy, lighted, finished exterior baggage compartments.
- Easy-to-remove hooks from 3M won’t leave residue on your travel trailer or fifth wheel walls and come in handy for your bathrobe, kitchen tools, cables, and other hangable items.
- Recycle old plastic jars to hold beans, rice, flour, and sugar that you keep inside your EverGreen RV.
- Old laundry detergent bottles work great for safely storing used cooking oil while RV camping.
- Free up RV drawer space by putting silverware upright in recycled cans. The cans can be secured to the travel trailer or fifth wheel’s shelf or counter with strong Velcro tape. This also makes for easy transport to the picnic table outside. EverGreen RVs are built with ball bearing drawer guides that can hold a lot of weight, which helps with storing heavier items.
- Keep baby wipes on-hand for easy clean ups and re-purpose the plastic container for storing small items in your RV.
- Leave the iron at home and de-wrinkle your clothing while RV traveling with a solution of 50/50 fabric softener and water. Lightly spritz over your clothes and press the wrinkles out by hand, then let air dry. Keep the solution on-hand in a spray bottle to use for freshening up your RV cushions and carpet
- Clean your cast iron camping pots and pans with coarse salt and a soft sponge. The salt is a natural abrasive and will lift away grease and food residue, and will preserve the pan’s seasoning.
- Fruits and veggies will last longer in your travel trailer or fifth wheel fridge if you rinse and store in an airtight bag with a folded paper towel. The paper towel will limit rotting.
- Use a pop-up laundry hamper or laundry bag that can be folded flat and stored easily in your RV when not in use.
