Travato Fresh Water Tank Clean — Fixing Rotten Egg / Sulfur Smell
I turned on the hot water in my Travato and got that classic sulfur / rotten egg smell.
That’s my cue: it’s time for a yearly fresh water tank cleanup.
This post is my personal process on my van — not a sponsored guide and not a substitute for your Travato or water-heater manual. Tank sizes and bleach guidance vary. When in doubt, follow the manufacturer.
Why I did it
Stale or contaminated fresh-water systems can smell bad. A sulfur smell especially on hot water can also involve the water heater (anode + bacteria). Sanitizing the fresh tank and lines is still smart yearly maintenance — and it was the job I needed to do when the smell showed up.
What I used / did
1. Dilute the bleach
I used about 1/3 cup of bleach, diluted with water first (don’t pour straight concentrate into the tank).
2. Pour via the internal inlet
I added the diluted mix into the fresh water tank through the internal inlet.
3. Fill the tank full
I filled the fresh water tank completely so the solution could contact the whole tank.
4. Drive to mix
I drove around so the water could slosh and mix the bleach solution.
5. Run the pump — hot and cold
Parked, turned the water pump on, and ran both hot and cold so the diluted bleach moved through the lines and fixtures.
⚠️ Do NOT turn on the water heater while the bleach solution is in the system — leave it OFF until you’ve flushed and refilled with fresh water.
6. Wait about a day
I left the solution in the system for roughly a day.
7. Flush and refill
I flushed the tank completely, then refilled with fresh water. Keep flushing until you’re comfortable there’s no strong chlorine smell before you drink or cook with it.
Safety notes
- Dilute bleach · ventilate · keep bleach away from kids/pets while working
- This is maintenance sanitation — flush thoroughly before using water for drinking
- Confirm bleach amount vs your tank capacity / manual
- If smell persists on hot only, look at water-heater service / anode next
Would I do it again?
Yes — once a year, or sooner if the water smells off. Not glamorous van life, but it’s the kind of chore that keeps the Travato livable.
More Travato how-tos: https://trailnado.com
Disclaimer
This article shares my personal experience sanitizing the fresh water system on my Winnebago Travato. It is not professional plumbing advice, medical advice, or official Winnebago guidance. Bleach is hazardous if misused — follow product labels and your RV manuals. Product links, if added later, may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.