Forum Discussion

Coelacanth's avatar
Coelacanth
Explorer
May 26, 2021

Dry as a bone,…again

Folks,
My recently acquired Holiday Rambler, Augusta, B+, 29’ has a fresh water issue.
When dry camping I can only get about two days from the single 29 gallon fresh water holding tank. It’s only the two of us and we don’t shower in the RV. There is no leak.

Our previous rig, a 34’ Itasca Suncruiser, had two large water tanks. Never an issue.
But, this week we ran dry again and decided to come home, rather than refill for one more day.

My question is, is this normal? And, if so, is it feasible to add an auxiliary water tank?
The actual doing of it is not an issue. But, is it advisable, and has anyone else done so.
I’d prefer not to lug a big container of water in our tow vehicle.

Thanks.
  • Have you checked the water level when you first arrive at your camping spot? We don’t have a TT but I’d fill the tank in our mh at home and depending on the length of the trip determined how much water was in the tank upon arrival. Seems due to a poor design a good bit of water will exit the tank via the overflow tube.
  • Also put water flow restrictors on all inside faucets - a galley faucet and a bathroom sink faucet are what's most commonly available in RVs.

    We installed 0.5 gallons per minute restrictors on our faucets and notice no difference in useabiliy. The only difference is that at the end of each day we've used less water out of the fresh water tank than we used to.
  • The holding tank is under/behind the bed. There is a wood panel next to the bed that I unscrewed and slid back so I can access the water pump, plumbing and actually watch the tank fill. We’re on our first summer with this rig, so I’m getting to know it. We bought it last fall and yes, the first time I filled the tank water spurted back out and I thought it was full. Nope. Trapped air. This time I had my wife watch it. She said she was sure it was filled, but I’ll double check next time.
    We rarely dry camp, but there’s a really nice state campground on a lake nearby. Trouble is, it only has electric. It will be a pain to add more water storage. But, what else do I have to do. LOL
  • I would verify it too,mine says on the specs 30 gallons but it holds only 26.

    With 2 of us,we can go 4 days or more with a shower or 2.

    I do what others have suggested,but I also subscribe to what we out West, because of our long standing drought do. Something that was ingrained in us long ago," If its Yellow let it mellow,if it is Brown flush it down":B:B:B
  • Or use a cheap RV water meter on your hose.

    And fill up slowly. Sometimes you would think it's already full with the overflow but it's just flooding the small intake pipe (happened to me).
  • I would verify you are getting 29 gallons out of the tank. Fill at home and connect a hose to something to pump water into a 5 gallon bucket. Should fill almost six times. Post the results.
  • bukhrn's avatar
    bukhrn
    Explorer III
    Before I added the excess weight and space of another tank, I'd figure out what's wrong with the current one, you say you don't shower in the rv, but do you leave the water running while doing dishes or washing your hands? Are you sure the outside shower is turned on slightly.
    Can you see your tank, to verify that is actually full or empty?