Filling fresh water tank through drain hose

Like many others, I have had problems getting my fresh water tank full, before the filler line over flows. Last time I tried to fill up, I could onlt get it about 2/3 full. I was debating using a hose clamp and attaching to the drain line and filling from the bottom up (so to speak) until the fill port over flows.

Anyone ever try this? Think it'll work? I may give it a shot tomorrow.

John

Filling from the bottom up

Let us know if it works.
Anything is worth a try.

Filling a 75 gallon tank from the bottom via a 1/4" opening may take some time. Can't you cut the male fitting off a length of potable water hose and snake it down the fill tube into the tank?

Get one of those rubber hose attachment used for a faucet that is not threaded. They fit perfectly inside the fill port and applies just enough pressure that it blows the water out of the overflow tube which has water in it because of a low point. This things blows the water right out and fills the tank full every time. The water in the breather hose will not let the tank breath and that is why you cannot fill it. Have used this method for two years now without an issue. This link will show you a picture. You can buy them at any RV supply place, most dealers. Before using this I had the dealer try to fix it and it just kept happening until I discovered this.
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Now that I think of it, didn't somebody attach a brass fitting to the fill cap and connect the hose to that. Would do the same thing by pressurizing the fill hose and forcing the water out of the vent hose. I haven't really used my fresh water tank, so I don't know if I have a problem or not trying to completely fill it.

lhetsler said:

Get one of those rubber hose attachment used for a faucet that is not threaded. The fit perfectly inside the fill port and applies just enough pressure the it blows the water out of the overflow tube which has water in it because of a low point. This things blows the water right out and fill the tank full every time. The water in the breather hose will not let the tank breath and that is why you cannot fill it. Have used this method for two years now without an issue. This link will show you a picture. You can buy them at any RV supply place, most dealers. Before using this I had the dealer try to fix it and it just kept happening until I discovered this.
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Click to expand...

Can you explain exactly how you are hooking up and using the water thief? I don't have my unit yet, but since we dry camp for long periods, a full fresh water tank is essential.
Thanks!

Sounds to me like the air tube is kinked. I had this one time and shortened the air tube and all is well. Jack

Newbie
I had two years of not being able to fill me tank properly. Dealer and myself did all sorts of things still air problems would not fill or drain properly. After last years rally my trailer stayed at the factory. They drilled and put an air valve on two sides at the top of the tank and it seems to have solved my problems. I have a spreadsheet of all things tried if you are interested in seeing it.
Regards
Wayne

Fresh water fill

Just push the rubber inside of the fill opening, then attach your hose. This will build up a little pressure as you are filling it and suddenly the water in the vent line will spurt out and you will continue filling without a problem. The rubber is just the right size that it allows a little pressure to push the water out of the vent line. When there is water in the vent line air in the tank cannot be displaced to allow proper filling. Someone mentioned hooking up a brass fitting, I would NOT do that. Too much pressure may burst your tank. This tank is not build for pressurization, infact the manual warns against that. I should also say, I stay at the fill station while it is filling. It fills fast and you can hear when it is getting full. If you do happen to forget it and pressure builds up it will push out the rubber water thief and no problem.

lhetsler said:

Get one of those rubber hose attachment used for a faucet that is not threaded. The fit perfectly inside the fill port and applies just enough pressure the it blows the water out of the overflow tube which has water in it because of a low point. This things blows the water right out and fill the tank full every time. The water in the breather hose will not let the tank breath and that is why you cannot fill it. Have used this method for two years now without an issue. This link will show you a picture. You can buy them at any RV supply place, most dealers. Before using this I had the dealer try to fix it and it just kept happening until I discovered this.
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Click to expand...

Just a friendly reminder....Don't forget the "Gender-Bender" adapter. With the water thief rubber side in the fill port, you'll end up with two male hose ends.

Hate to see you waste the time and fuel running back to the plumbing/hardware store after you're holding the water thief in one hand and the fill hose end in the other and the neighborhood hears, "D O H!"

Ask ME how I know...better yet don't!

Good point

Good point, you can easily make a hose with two female ends, just using a piece of scrap hose (or buy a couple feet) and buy two female ends and a couple of hose clamps.

Somewhere else on the forum I read a post buy a guy that bought about 9 or 10 feet for 1/2" hose and inserted it down the filler pipe with a hose calmp and female GHT fitting at the end.. He said he could fill his tank 100% every time. I decided to give that a try last night and it worked awesome. That was the first time I got my tank 100% full.

We dry camping this weekend and need every drop!

John

Don't have any problem filling our tank full as long as I use hose with end cut off and put the end of the hose about 2 ft into the hole. It keeps the water from poping back.

I tied into the suction hose used to winterize the unit and made a hard connection with a valve and a quick conn..works great.Art