Towing with full fresh water tank?

[partsman01]

So am trying to plan a trip up to Fairbanks Alaska, going from Port Coquitlam BC up to Dawson City, then top of the world Hwy.
My question is how many run with full water tank, I normally only keep a bit in just in case, but I am thinking on those roads in the Yukon and Alaska it will shake the tank out of it if full.
As when I fill right up the tank expands and the bottom rests on a cross-member, which I would imagine will rub a hole in it, not to mention possibly break the supports and fall to the road, so I think maybe keep it almost empty until arriving then fill up in the nearest town before heading into the rough stuff.
As this will be our first time dry camping because of where we will be.
Thanks
Bill

[tomman58]

Denny & Jami wrote:

tomman58 wrote:
Last time i checked Alaska has water...................... You shouldn't need to bring your own IMHO

One thing you learn when traveling in and to Alaska, dump whenever you can and fill the tank whenever you can.

I would install a piece of 3/4 plywood under the tank, that way you will never have to worry about it agian.

Denny

We were in redding California and sitting around a campfire with a group of campers. They asked where I was going , I said to the redwoods then up the coast to maybe Alaska. The consensus was i would be wrong to take my new truck and TT there unless I wanted to make them old in a hurry.....never went and when we do shortly we will fly in do the glaciers then the ship down the coast.

[Denny___Jami]

tomman58 wrote:
Last time i checked Alaska has water...................... You shouldn't need to bring your own IMHO

One thing you learn when traveling in and to Alaska, dump whenever you can and fill the tank whenever you can.

I would install a piece of 3/4 plywood under the tank, that way you will never have to worry about it agian.

Denny

[voodoo101]

Put in what you think you need, not the maximum. I haven't done the whole route since we went from San Antonio to Fairbanks in 2003. Did San Antonio to upper BC/Yukon border in ~2007. I have regularly towed over worse roads in the lower 48. I was amazed at how over hyped the trip was. The only rock damage was on an interstate in AZ enroute home. Just take your time and enjoy a great vacation. Bill

[Johno02]

Go with little, and just melt snow for all the water you need. Be sure not to use the yellow snow.

[bpounds]

Coach-man wrote:
?? I don't know about the rest of you, but I only put enough water for flushing and washing hands! And I have never even thought about dropping the tank. Adding an additional 600 to 800 pounds to haul water, that I can get at my destination is to me absurd! I would rather haul something important, like Beer?

Sounds like someone who has little experience outside of full service campgrounds. There is a whole other world out there, just waiting for you.

My truck doesn't feel an extra 800#. Might be a problem with a Dodge, I won't ever know.

[xtech]

Going up Alcan highway no worse than other highways, some frost heaves maybe, but we hit lots of railway crossings, bridges etc here in Canada and the lower 48 that nearly launch one into space. Been up there twice to Whitehorse, road is good. Enjoy the trip, the Cassiar highway is also very nice and makes nice alternative if making round trip.

[Padlin]

My brother has the sagging tank on the axle too, he travels with minimal water for that reason. I have no such issue and travel often with full tanks. I would also suggest the 7 gallon jugs if you are worried about putting the water in the tank.

[Slownsy]

I don't understand why you bye units for a purpose and then are afraid of using it, Florida to Alaska and back and always full water tank that is what it was instaled for.
Frank.

[Learjet]

Coach-man wrote:
?? I don't know about the rest of you, but I only put enough water for flushing and washing hands! And I have never even thought about dropping the tank. Adding an additional 600 to 800 pounds to haul water, that I can get at my destination is to me absurd! I would rather haul something important, like Beer?

"Absurd"....I don't think so, I've gotten to my campsite and had no water before...campground issue. I've also been stuck on the interstate for hours. I like at least 1/2 tank for comfort 🙂

[tomman58]

Last time i checked Alaska has water...................... You shouldn't need to bring your own IMHO

[Coach-man]

?? I don't know about the rest of you, but I only put enough water for flushing and washing hands! And I have never even thought about dropping the tank. Adding an additional 600 to 800 pounds to haul water, that I can get at my destination is to me absurd! I would rather haul something important, like Beer?

[IdaD]

I never leave home without a full fresh tank, whether my destination has hookups or not. I like to be prepared.

[Blazing_Zippers]

Having a full water tank would be the same as having full waste tanks. Probably we all haul full tanks great distances with no problem--having said that, we had to replace our fresh tank on a '07 Cougar because it cracked at the drain valve area.
This is another thing that now, I will worry about. Shucks!

[azrving]

.

[SanMarMor]

Most of our camping is electric only, and I always go full tanks. The venting is so bad on our tank, it takes a long time to fill completely. If I'm going to a campground I'm going to have full hookup, I will travel with about a 1/4 tank, in case I want water on the way.

Mark