Posted 2010-11-09 9:15 PM (#126878) Subject: Getting a LQ water tank ready?
Veteran
Posts: 136
Location: Alabama
I have a basic weekender package in my horse trailer. It was put in this time last year (2009) and I camped in it one time in November of last year and then never camped in it again. I used the trailer for day rides during the winter but never camped again just because we started building a house and got really busy. All last winter I kept a small electric heater in it with the storage tops off the seats so the water tank wouldn't freeze and to the best of my knowledge it did not freeze although I have not used it to find out. I am planning on camping in it this weekend for a trial run without horses at our local campground just to make sure everything still works before I go out of town with horses.
As far as the water part of the trailer goes, all I have is a 40 gallon water tank with a water pump that goes to a sink with cold water only. No shower or toilet. Is there anything I need to do to get it ready to carry water in the tank? The one time I camped in it last year, I did not use the water tank or pump so the only time it has been used was when I picked it up at the conversion company and they had put some water in it to show me how it worked. I never drained that water out of the tank/lines either. Do I need to clean the tank and lines with some chemical stuff or something in order to have safe water to cook/clean/water horses with? I have no idea if any mildew or other yucky stuff has grown in the tank or lines over the hot summer. Also, is there anything I need to do to the water pump before using it? Thanks for any help y'all can give me.
Posted 2010-11-09 10:32 PM (#126880 - in reply to #126878) Subject: RE: Getting a LQ water tank ready?
Expert
Posts: 5870
Location: western PA
If the water has never been changed, it probably is rancid. Drain any remaining water and refil. Add about a cup of bleach, and pump it through the faucets. Let it sit a few hours and drain. Refil and flush the faucets with fresh water again.
If you have no plans for additional usage within a week or two, drain the water. If it will be stored over the winter, purge the system with anti freeze. It's much less expensive than running an electric heater for a substantial amount of time.