Depending on our destination we sometimes need at least 1/2 tank of fresh water when traveling. Is it better to fill the tank completely to avoid the water sloshing around as much, at the expense of the extra weight?

I can't speak to the sloshing effect, but I always fill my tank prior to traveling. I'm just one of those who likes to be prepared, and who knows when even a new MH will break down in the middle of nowhere. As far as expense goes, water weighs something like 8.24 or 8.34 lbs per gallon (not home and don't have the exact number at work), so you can always do the math to see the possible budget impact.

We never, ever leave home or any other place where water is available without a full tank of water. The weight of the water is not an issue for us, as we have enough CCC to handle it. Any potential impact upon fuel mileage is not something we care about.I do think you have a point about the sloshing effect. 200 or 300 pounds or more of water moving from side to side can't be good.

do this a lot full tank half tank quarter tank my tank is in middle of coach have never felt a difference

I find the rig rides smoother with a full tank of water. Takes some harshness out of the suspension.

Fresh water tank full when traveling? | Good Sam Community

33 Replies

Daveinet
Explorer
May 14, 2014
Always travel with a full tank and yes I have filled the radiator from the bathroom sink after a heater hose blew.

The biggest reason I carry a full tank is to me, that is just part of packing. I really don't want to be messing around trying to top off the water before I find my camp site. Usually we get in late and fooling around with filling the water tank would just be one more thing delaying my camping experience. When I arrive, my goal is to get into relaxation mode as quickly as possible.
wa8yxm
Explorer III
May 14, 2014
I usually fill it full if its my long hike or if there are water issues at the destination park, or 10 to 25 gallons if it is just a local commute. Tank holds 70 I have one place I park where I fill the tank the 5 gallon jug, the 6 gallon jug and quite possibly one or more gallon jugs before heading there. Water supply issues.
Effy
Explorer II
May 14, 2014
Always carry a full tank. My motto: better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Weight is nominal, I can easily empty it if I want and the added weight actually helps compress the springs and it rides nicer.
traveylin
Explorer
May 14, 2014
The wife thinks we travel with a full tank...but actually its only a third to a half unless serious boondocking.
path1
Explorer
May 14, 2014
Don't know if this ever happened to anybody else but we pulled into a park last fall (with no reservations) and their water was shut off because somebody backed into their well house and broke something, they said we could stay for free until water was fixed. Glad we had our own.
down_home
Explorer II
May 14, 2014
Always travel with a full tank, of water except final leg home, usually. Less they have to empty.
Traveling, out west, we may decide to stop prior to original destination. Without water it wouldn't be possible, in many many areas. like Big Bend.
Wish we had a fresh water and gray tanks twice as large.
2gypsies1
Explorer III
May 14, 2014
full-timer wrote:
I always carry a full tank of water. I also never make reservations and have no idea where I will be spending the night.

Same here.
camper19709
Explorer
May 14, 2014
Always full.
AllegroD
Nomad
May 14, 2014
1/4 to 1/2 unless we know we will need more.
MRUSA
Explorer
May 14, 2014
I usually travel with 1/3 to 1/2 tank, unless we expect to be boondocking in which case it is full. 1/3 tank will last us three days if we don't waste water. Never noticed any sloshing, and why haul extra weight?