Hauling water

If you have to worry about the water tank falling off because it is full. (And, yes they have occasionally.) You have bigger TT design issue to worry about.

I understand if you camp in spots that subject you TT to extreme environments you might want to be cautious about the TT water loading. But that would be just one of many rough service concerns.

I doubt a few hundred pounds of water makes any measurable difference in fuel economy. I always fill it up. I also bring bottled water and usually a 6 gallon portable tank if we're dry camping which is our norm. One of the big reasons our next camper will be a toy hauler is the 100+ gallons of water capacity.

My concern and that of most folks seems to be the possibility of the tank falling out of the camper with a full load of water. We are here in Alaska, and we have done a fair amount of boondocking. I hate to carry a full load of water, especially over rough roads, so I try to keep the level about half full. This is complicated by the relatively unreliable water gauge. When the tank is filled, it will bulge slightly on the bottom, so I have stretched a ratchet strap across the underside of the tank. It probably won't help, but it makes me feel a bit better.

My Pacific Coachworks has a 60 gallon tank that is shaped like an "H"

Pretty solid design that is also supported with steel straps.

I ALWAYS leave home full....and depending on where I'm going / length

of trip...I'll bring 5 gallon jugs in the truck.

I always assume that I am dry camping....and usually I am. :)

Lantley wrote:

Everyone has their preference. While I always travel with a full tank I understand everyone does not.
Traveling with a full tank uses very little additional fuel and does not impact mileage to a measurable degree. I notice no difference in my MPG's

My response was more to the point of scare tactics in the prior post. Short of extreme situations, there will be water at the destination.

It's not a huge MPG impact but why drag around the extra weight unless you have a reason. If you have a reason to run full, that's fine (and just feeling better about having an onboard supply is a fine excuse) but to imply you will die of thirst is just silly.

Like many folks how much water I haul around depends.
If were staying at several nice RV parking lots maybe/long trip 1/4 (60 gal tank).
If were traveling in the southwest (water quality issues) and don't know where we will spend the next nite maybe 1/2 tank.....or a full tank when in one location for many days.
Short runs to a nearby COE/state campgrounds where we know we getting good water maybe be 1/8 tank.
Back when our tow truck was a gazz guzzlin' carbed gazz engine with a whoppin' 185-250 hp we seldom traveled with a full tank.
Todays new gen high hp gazzers or the diesel no worries about performance issues or how much water.

My fresh water tank holds 40 gallons about 330 lbs. The TT weighs 6200 lbs. loaded for the road.

My F-150 never notices the difference in the amount of water in the tank.

I always travel with a full fresh water tank. We very rarely stay at campgrounds that have water hook ups, so I always fill up at home.

valhalla360 wrote:

Huntindog wrote:
Water is an essential item... You can do without many things. Water is not one of them.

I find it strange that so many people will take a chance on such an item being available...

I guess those with inadequate TVs will do most anything other than buy a properly sized TV.

It's so essential that every city, town, village or stray farm house has it plumbed...not really a huge risk unless you are going into the desert or hurricane destroyed area.

The truck can handle it but why burn the extra fuel dragging 500lbs of weight when they have water at the destination.

We typically travel with maybe 1/4 tank. Enough so we have some for a rest stop and it's not an emergency to fill the tanks when we arrive.

If you know the destination doesn't have water, I wouldn't worry about hauling with full tanks but I would probably check with the destination if there is an easy place to fill up upon arrival.

Everyone has their preference. While I always travel with a full tank I understand everyone does not.
Traveling with a full tank uses very little additional fuel and does not impact mileage to a measurable degree. I notice no difference in my MPG's

Huntindog wrote:
Water is an essential item... You can do without many things. Water is not one of them.

I find it strange that so many people will take a chance on such an item being available...

I guess those with inadequate TVs will do most anything other than buy a properly sized TV.

It's so essential that every city, town, village or stray farm house has it plumbed...not really a huge risk unless you are going into the desert or hurricane destroyed area.

The truck can handle it but why burn the extra fuel dragging 500lbs of weight when they have water at the destination.

We typically travel with maybe 1/4 tank. Enough so we have some for a rest stop and it's not an emergency to fill the tanks when we arrive.

If you know the destination doesn't have water, I wouldn't worry about hauling with full tanks but I would probably check with the destination if there is an easy place to fill up upon arrival.