Fresh water fill up

[Macman83]

I have always believed that there are no stupid questions, but this might be close.

We have always camped in campgrounds and RV resorts, but with the purchase of our new toyhauler, we are wanting to do some dry camping. Being that this rig holds 160 gallons of water, I have read that most don't fill up the water until they get close to their camping spot because of the weight. This tank would be over 1000lbs of water.

My question is where do some of you fill your water tanks? Do you stop in nearby full hookup campgrounds, truck stops, or gas stations? I assume that you might have to pay to fill up, but I have never thought about it until recently. We normally carry 10-20 gallons of water to flush the toilet while traveling.

Thanks for the help, and you are more than welcome to wonder "where has this guy been"

[tomman58]

I notice many have said that they carry full tanks then use bottles water ???? Out West the water mostly sucks and a lot is very hard so we would use bottled for coffee. Most of the east has good water to drink and bathe so why tote it.

[dieseltruckdriv]

2500 Grunt wrote:
Besides, towing an extra 1500# of water burns more fuel and wear and tear on components. Unless you have to??

You will never notice the weight difference by checking your mileage.

[Macs_Dad]

Flying J Truck Stops are nation wide and have water. We fill up at locations that are close to or on the way to our destination with a water filetr attached to the hose. We use the water for showers, dishes, toilet and both sinks. We take bottled water to drink and cook with.

[2500_Grunt]

I have 185 gal. of fresh water and will never travel with that much extra weight. Do the research ahead of time and find a fill spot and just travel with 1/4 tank. After pulling the belly pan off and seeing how the 2 water tank with their supports are situated I'm satisfied that it would not be healthy long term to pulling with full tanks. My tanks sagged between the 2 or 3 supports about 3". Besides, towing an extra 1500# of water burns more fuel and wear and tear on components. Unless you have to??

[jareddustin]

I always leave with it full, one less stop you have to make, but come home empty or a little bit for the toilet. I don't know from experience but I have read on here guys talking about tanks not being full and the sloshing of the water in the tanks affecting the way the trailer goes down the road especially in turns. that much weight going from one side to the other cant be that good. better to leave with water than rely on fill up spot that you have no control over it being accessible or not.

[Macman83]

I appreciate the responses. I don't know how far most of you go to camp, but we usually have a least 10 hour drive. Some are shorter, but we still travel a distance. We don't drink the water out of the tank, just showers and dishes and toilet. I didn't realize that "there is an app for that" so I will check it out. I guess my first thing to try is to fill it up and see how it does on fuel and handling. That will help my decision to stop and fill or carry a full tank. Thanks again.

[dedmiston]

Macman83 wrote:
I have always believed that there are no stupid questions, but this might be close.

We have always camped in campgrounds and RV resorts, but with the purchase of our new toyhauler, we are wanting to do some dry camping. Being that this rig holds 160 gallons of water, I have read that most don't fill up the water until they get close to their camping spot because of the weight. This tank would be over 1000lbs of water.

My question is where do some of you fill your water tanks? Do you stop in nearby full hookup campgrounds, truck stops, or gas stations? I assume that you might have to pay to fill up, but I have never thought about it until recently. We normally carry 10-20 gallons of water to flush the toilet while traveling.

Thanks for the help, and you are more than welcome to wonder "where has this guy been"

When you're planning to stay in a campground, just fill your tank with enough in case you need to use the toilet before you get to camp.

When you're boondocking, figure out how much water you'll need for this trip (how many people x how many days) and then fill the tank with that much water before you leave home. It's not worth the hassle to try to fill the tank close to camp: it takes too much time and effort to find someplace to fill and to stand there holding the hose while you fill. It's so much easier to just do it at home while you're packing.

[Bumpyroad]

the first night in the general area where you are going, stay at a campground and fill your tank at your convenience. then move on.
bumpy

[Rockerrider]

I also have a 160 gallon tank....always leave the house with it full.

[thebudman]

I compromise: I tow with beer coolers full, water tanks empty.

[nayther]

River&Sand wrote:
Living in SoCal earthquake country, we keep water in ours all the time just in case.

ditto, and I tow full too.

[2oldman]

Where to fill fresh water
Where water II 2010

[River_Sand]

Living in SoCal earthquake country, we keep water in ours all the time just in case.

[huron52]

I carry about 25 gallons maybe 30. I am not as much concerned about the total weight of the tank on the total weight of the trailer but as that much weight on the straps that hold the tank on the trailer.

[tomman58]

I never put in more than 5 gals at home and that is just for toilet. In many trailers the fresh water tanks (and others too) can cause towing problems especially with "light" trucks hauling max units. But even the smaller ones like to porpoise when full of water. Just saying.
We have filled at Flying J near sites at times.