So am trying to plan a trip up to Fairbanks Alaska, going from Port Coquitlam BC up to Dawson City, then top of the world Hwy.My question is how many run with full water tank, I normally only keep a bit in just in case, but I am thinking on those roads in the Yukon and Alaska it will shake the tank out of it if full. As when I fill right up the tank expands and the bottom rests on a cross-member, which I would imagine will rub a hole in it, not to mention possibly break the supports and fall to the road, so I think maybe keep it almost empty until arriving then fill up in the nearest town before heading into the rough stuff.As this will be our first time dry camping because of where we will be.ThanksBill

I usually tow with a full FW tank, if we will be boondocking. Typically only a few hundred miles. But in your case, I would carry just enough for use along the road. That's a long rough haul.

Sure others may recommend against, but I always have towed with full or nearly full fresh water tank as we boondock a lot. Have done it with all my travel trailers and both of my 5th wheels which are Cougars. Have done it for over 35 years and never had a problem. We tow a lot now as retired so that means towing all over Alberta and BC and then down to Arizona and California the last 3 years.

I often tow with a full 60 gal fresh water tank, but on fairly smooth roads. It does worry me a little, as I've no idea how it is supported. I sure would not tow with any of the 4 tanks full on rough roads, again not knowing how well they are supported.Hope you have a great, trouble free trip!!Jerry

If you have any doubts about the integrity of the mounting hardware for your freshwater tank, I'd recommend filling it with only a minimal amount of water for a trip of this magnitude. The inconvenience of a missed shower pales in comparison to a 500-800 lb. tank dropping down on top of the axles, or worse, down to the ground at 60 mph on a bumpy road in the middle of nowhere.If a "minimal amount" of water won't cut it, you could fill-up some 7 gal. Reliance Aqua-Tainers and store 3 or 4 of them inside your trailer or in the bed of your truck for later use.Good luck!

otrfun wrote:If you have any doubts about the integrity of the mounting hardware for your freshwater tank, I'd recommend filling it with only a minimal amount of water for a trip of this magnitude. The inconvenience of a missed shower pales in comparison to a 500-800 lb. tank dropping down on top of the axles, or worse, down to the ground at 60 mph on a bumpy road in the middle of nowhere.If a "minimal amount" of water won't cut it, you could fill-up some 7 gal. Reliance Aqua-Tainers and store 3 or 4 of them inside your trailer or in the bed of your truck for later use.Good luck!I agree, and this is what I would do.

Towing with full fresh water tank? | Good Sam Community

51 Replies

partsman01
Explorer
Sep 30, 2016
Thanks again for all the feedback, will see about adding more support as it has support across both edges side to side, and one across middle that does not touch tank until tank is filled and tank bottom bulges.
bpounds
Nomad
Sep 27, 2016
Just remember that jugs in the bed will add weight to your TV rear axle, pretty much on a 1:1 basis. Could be important if you are already near the RAWR.

Our FW tank is behind the axles, so water there reduces weight on the TV. I don't really feel any difference in handling, but it would show up on the scale. It would have to.
laknox
Nomad
Sep 27, 2016
Another reason to tow with a full tank, or =tanks=, would be if traveling into known strong cross-winds, if you simply don't have the option to wait them out. Just sayin'...

Lyle
time2roll
Nomad
Sep 27, 2016
partsman01 wrote:
I think I will carry water in my water jugs as suggested, as I will be carrying extra gas in two 20 litre containers, so no reason not to carry water in the box, and I have a spare shur flo pump I have rigged up with alligator clips so I can hook to the battery if I need to pump water into fifth wheel.
Thanks
I would use the tank as designed. Fill it and roll if you need water at the destination. If you have concerns then get it fixed or adjusted. When you have a fresh water holding tank and carry the water in separate jugs seems like an unnecessary burden to me.
otrfun
Explorer II
Sep 27, 2016
I believe most would agree it's a matter of personal preference whether or not to travel with a full freshwater tank. You can easily make a valid argument either way.

However, the OP qualified his question about whether or not to fill his freshwater tank by stating he had doubts about the integrity of the mounting hardware holding his freshwater tank. I think common sense says he should limit the amount of freshwater in this tank until such time he's able to reinforce his freshwater tank hardware to his own satisfaction.

The OP concurred with this common sense approach . . . about an hour after he started this thread . . . 2 days ago :h
bpounds
Nomad
Sep 27, 2016
dedmiston wrote:

Same here. I leave water in the tank in case we have The Big One again and our utilities are down (or in case my wife ever kicks me out). Water in the tanks and fuel in the genny means that my close neighbors who aren't exactly thrilled when I bring my rig home to pack will actually have someplace to relieve themselves and maybe even shower if and when we have another major disaster.

I also consider the RV as our emergency supply. Or earthquake kit. Whatever you want to call it. I suspect many of us in CA think that way.
dedmiston
Moderator
Sep 27, 2016
Same here. I leave water in the tank in case we have The Big One again and our utilities are down (or in case my wife ever kicks me out). Water in the tanks and fuel in the genny means that my close neighbors who aren't exactly thrilled when I bring my rig home to pack will actually have someplace to relieve themselves and maybe even shower if and when we have another major disaster.
time2roll
Nomad
Sep 27, 2016
I prefer to store my tank full also. Then I just roll. Not a big deal.

I have no obsession to have it full or empty if there is a known water source at the destination. But at the same time I see no reason to dump water to travel light.

Reno to AZ, TX or NY would not be a big deal.

That is my sense of it common or not.
jamway
Explorer
Sep 27, 2016
We did the route you will use with about a full tank and we had no problems. We carried a full or almost full tank of water the whole Alaska trip because we never knew when we would stop and spend the night or maybe two along the side of the road.

That road is not the best but you don't have to drive like you are in a race so you can take care of your rig by driving slow and careful.

Enjoy
avvidclif1
Explorer
Sep 27, 2016
Not everyone has a 60g tank. I think if you look most of the rv'ers traveling with full tanks have the 50-60g tanks. I boondock twice a year and put 80-90g in the water tank before leaving. That's plenty for a 3-4 day trip. Otherwise I carry abt 15 gal, just in case. I'm not hauling around 110g of water, just in case. That's 924 lbs in front of the trailer axles on an already nose heavy toy hauler.