Forum Discussion

SanMarMor's avatar
SanMarMor
Explorer
Aug 30, 2015

Have you measured your tanks?

Have you ever measured your waste tanks. Our trailer only has 42G of fresh water, yet has two 42G grey and a 42G black tank. When we run off tanks only, the 42G of fresh can fill all the other tanks to 2/3 full. That doesn't make sense. I know gauges aren't accurate. But my curiosity got the best of me. So I measured all three holding tanks. I filled them all with a graduated bucket, till they backed up to where I was filling them. They are all about 36 gallons, and actually, that includes the plumbing leading to them. So I have been shorted what I've paid for by about 20G or more. To my thinking, that is false advertising.

I'm going to write them, but I know they won't do anything. Have any others noticed this on your trailer?

Mark
  • coolmom42's avatar
    coolmom42
    Explorer II
    Aug 30, 2015
    Never measured it, but definitely noticed that the black tank on the trailer I used to own filled up (checked visually not by gauge) MUCH faster than it should have. Capacity seemed to be about 1/3 less than stated... about 18 vs 24 stated.

    This become pretty obvious when dry camping and paying attention to how much water you've used.
  • gbopp's avatar
    gbopp
    Explorer
    Aug 30, 2015
    therink wrote:
    If you are going by the gauges as 2/3 full, take into consideration that those level gauges are far from accurate. The only way to truly tell the tank capacity is to fill with measured gallons via buckets down a drain/toilet.

    Did you read the OP? :S
  • gbopp's avatar
    gbopp
    Explorer
    Aug 30, 2015
    What would you want the manufacturer to do?
    I really doubt they will change the tanks.

    Could it be a safety thing, having the actual capacity less than the advertised capacity?
  • therink's avatar
    therink
    Explorer
    Aug 30, 2015
    If you are going by the gauges as 2/3 full, take into consideration that those level gauges are far from accurate. The only way to truly tell the tank capacity is to fill with measured gallons via buckets down a drain/toilet.

    Sorry didn't read it through.

About Fifth Wheel Group

19,007 PostsLatest Activity: Feb 28, 2025