Newb question about fresh water tank

I use to use 2 2 gallon pails and a custom funnel, now I have 4- 6.5 gallon water cans, they are a grey plastic with a carry handle and a handle to hold when pouring, a spout, the whole bit, but no "real" vent, so I drilled a small hole to vent them easier than the inspout garbage.
anyways out prov. parks don't have water hookups so , after a few days we allways have to fetch water, I bought 4 so either we can get 26 gallons with the truck from far away, or fill and carry 2 to put into tank while other 2 are being filled

I tossed around the idea of getting a small square 35 to 40 gallon plastic tank and a 12v transfer pump for the truck, go and fill and then transfer into the rv tank, but have not taken that step yet,

you asked about which surge protector. I have the progressive one that woodglue linked too. I really like the fact that it has lights to check that the power at the pole is wired right and doesn't have some type short/ground issue.

Jeffrey99 wrote:
The RV dealer we bought the TT from (our first one) told us to never travel with water in the fresh water tanks. Talking about how much weight 1 gallon of water adds. Could be wrong I don't know. LOL

Wow, I hate the word "never".

Yeah, a full tank is a big chunk of weight if you are going to have hookups right there, so it's not crazy to avoid traveling with full tanks.

But yeah, most folks carry a little water for use enroute and it's extremely common to go dry camping where you fill up the tanks at the house and take off.

Water weighs about 8 lb / gallon...so 20 gallons of water is roughly one person and I don't think your RV dealer said "never travel with your wife due to the fact she weighs about 8 lb/gallon."

Get a good surge protector! Sure, your insurance may fix/replace your microwave, TV, DVD, interior lights, etc.... but that's weeks or months down the road. In the meantime, your trip is shot to heck. Better to not have your stuff blow up in the first place....

Show me someone who travels with an empty water tank and I'll show you someone who has never had a breakdown in the middle of who-knows-where, with a wife, 3 kids and dog. You can't even wash your face and hands to cool off or clean off, not to mention no toilet to use. Fill the tank half way, at least. You've got five figures invested in your toy, you can afford the extra five bucks hauling that water might cost you.
Cheap insurance!

Ok thanks for all replies guys. One other quick question will this Surge Protector work ok? Surge Guard Surge Protector or this one? Progressive Industries Surge Protector

I'm leaning towards Surge Guard as it's on sale and is lockable. Can't seem to find locking info for the Progressive Industries one. I plan on buying This Onein the future but funds are alittle short right now but definitely want something before we go for our first time over the 4th.

We usually travel with about only 25 gal. in the fresh tank. That lets us use the toilet and anything else we want while travelling. Because it takes so long to fill my 80 gal.tank I try to avoid that when getting to a CG. Last week I travelled with a full tank because I knew there were no water hookups where I was going for a week. I didn't even notice a change in my fuel mileage.

I carry a 10' and a 25' water hose. Usually the 10' is long enough but I can get 35' with the two together.

A water pressure regulator is a good device to have if you are going to screw directly onto the trailer. They are cheap and prevent blown PEX lines inside.

I carry a small bottle with bleach and add 2 tablespoons per 10 gallons of water going into the tank. Kills bugs and keeps water fresh when the RV is not in use for periods of time - prevents the sulphur smell with the hot water tank's water in particular.

Jeffrey99 wrote:
OK thanks guys. I'm pretty sure I'm no were close to towing limit, need to really look at numbers to be sure though. Bought a Water Thief last night. Bet it comes it real handy. LOL

One more question, I need to buy a surge protector right? Even with having RV insurance? And how hard is a hardwired one to install? Prefer it over portable but know nothing about electric and even less about RV's and Camping World wants $200 to install it. So leaning towards portable but wife is wondering why if we are paying for insurance do we need a surge protector.

I'd go with a good Progressive Industries 30AMP Surge Guard. There are more expensive models, but they're basically the same. You want to save your TT basic electrical system.

Progressive Industries 30 amp Surge Guard

There are upsides and downsides to hardwired.

Progressive offers a lifetime warranty.

Your RV insurance may or may not cover end user failure when it comes to RV Electrical systems. I'd re-read your policy to be clear about this aspect. RV insurance is for total loss, comprehensive/collision, things like that. Not for electrical failure, etc.

WoodGlue

OK thanks guys. I'm pretty sure I'm no were close to towing limit, need to really look at numbers to be sure though. Bought a Water Thief last night. Bet it comes it real handy. LOL

One more question, I need to buy a surge protector right? Even with having RV insurance? And how hard is a hardwired one to install? Prefer it over portable but know nothing about electric and even less about RV's and Camping World wants $200 to install it. So leaning towards portable but wife is wondering why if we are paying for insurance do we need a surge protector.

Jeffrey99 wrote:

skipnchar wrote:
Why not fill the FW tank before you leave? Most would want the convenience of using the restroom facilities while traveling and that takes water. Running with a full tank MAY cost you an additional buck or two per tank for fuel use but that's SO worth it for the convenience.

If you don't want to travel with water and you have a source 15 feet away it won't take much hose to reach it and fill your tank when you get there and that's another option for you.

Good luck with the new trailer / Skip

The RV dealer we bought the TT from (our first one) told us to never travel with water in the fresh water tanks. Talking about how much weight 1 gallon of water adds. Could be wrong I don't know. LOL

The dealer was wrong....UNLESS....by filling the tank, it would make your trailer Significantly overweight for the trailer and/or your tow vehicle. Hopefully you are not that close on your weight limits to need to worry about that...