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How to Sanitize Fresh-Water Tanks in Pop-Up Campers

Occasionally water in your pop-up trailer's fresh water tank develops a bad taste or odor. This is caused by one of three situations: bacteria build-up, frequent hookup to a city water supply or infrequent use. When this happens it is important to sanitize the fresh water tank in order to remove potentially harmful bacteria.

Things You'll Need

  • 2-gallon pitcher or container
  • Unscented household bleach
  • Baking soda
  • Fresh water drain kit
  • Fresh water hose
  • ¼ cup measuring cup
  • ½ cup measuring cup
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Instructions

    • 1

      Drain the camper's fresh water tanks.

    • 2

      Add 1 ½ gallons of water to the two-gallon pitcher. Measure ¼ cup of bleach for each 15 gallons of fresh water tank capacity and add this to the water in the pitcher. If you have a 30-gallon fresh water tank, add ½ cup of bleach.

    • 3

      Pour the bleach and water mixture into the pop-up camper's fresh water tank. Add fresh water until the tank is full. Hook up the camper to a tow vehicle and tow the camper for 15 minutes in order to mix the water in the tank.

    • 4

      Park the camper. Open one cold water faucet and allow a quart of water to drain out. Close the faucet and repeat this procedure with every faucet in the pop-up camper.

    • 5

      Determine the size of your pop-up camper's hot water tank by checking the label on the hot water tank. Six gallons is the most common size. Open the hot water faucets and allow at least 6 gallons of water to run out. This will replace the old hot water with sanitized water from the fresh water tank. If your tank is larger than 6 gallons, run the hot water until the tank's capacity is emptied.

    • 6

      Allow the water system to sit for several hours or overnight. Drain the fresh water tank.

    • 7

      Remove the bleach taste from the water by dissolving ½ cup of baking soda in a gallon of water and pouring this mixture into the fresh water tank. Fill the fresh water tank completely. Tow the trailer to thoroughly mix the baking soda.

    • 8

      Park the camper and run the faucets to fill the system with the baking soda and water mixture. Allow the water system to stand for a few days.

    • 9

      Drain the entire water system. Refill the system with clean fresh water.

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