Glad we had water on board!

[rightyouareken]

On a recent stay down in Oregon at Honeyman State Park a situation developed that made us glad we had fresh water on board. We normally travel with some water so we can use the bathroom or wash up when on the road. In this case it was a longer trip so we brought a bit more even though we would be at full hookup sites the whole time. Glad we did!

On the 3rd day the water was cut off due to a leak in the water main supplying the campground. We shut off the spigot and headed out for the day to see the sights. When we came back they were unloading honeybuckets all around the campground for people to use because the water was still off. I've never been so glad to have water in the tank! The water ended up getting turned back on later that afternoon, but it was probably off for a good 8+ hours.

I'll always be sure we have at least 20 gallons or so from now on!

[wa8yxm]

One of the parks I stay in.. I got there for a short stay with about 1/3-2/3 tank and found out they had serious water issues.. No problem, I used no water.

WHen I show up there now I'm carrying over 90 gallons (I hold 80, yup, couple of bottles inside the rig) Last trip I got out with like 1 QT in the tank.

I Try to keep at least 1/3 tank just in cuss.. We have needed it a few times. Same as you (in fact they had a main break at my winter quarters last winter).

[noe-place]

I just drove home from Florida and didn't realize I had so much fresh water in the tank. Didn't notice until I dumped it in my driveway. Didn't make any difference in mileage best I could tell.

[acker1]

We travel with water because you never know what will happen. We blew a water hose off our diesel in the middle of nowhere. I was able to fix it and refill the radiator from the onboard tank. Other wise I would have been waiting for help.

DICK

[rk911]

rightyouareken wrote:
On a recent stay down in Oregon at Honeyman State Park a situation developed that made us glad we had fresh water on board. We normally travel with some water so we can use the bathroom or wash up when on the road. In this case it was a longer trip so we brought a bit more even though we would be at full hookup sites the whole time. Glad we did!

On the 3rd day the water was cut off due to a leak in the water main supplying the campground. We shut off the spigot and headed out for the day to see the sights. When we came back they were unloading honeybuckets all around the campground for people to use because the water was still off. I've never been so glad to have water in the tank! The water ended up getting turned back on later that afternoon, but it was probably off for a good 8+ hours.

I'll always be sure we have at least 20 gallons or so from now on!

we always travel with a full/nerly full fresh water tank (65-75 gal). had an experience similar to yours out in Carlsbad, nm one year. pulled into a cg late at night only to discover the cg water system was contaminated with e-coli. ever since then we've traveled with a full tank. be prepared.

[wildtoad]

I used to travel virtually empty except for what is necessary for in route use. Two situations have caused a change in plans. One was as the OP indicated when the park water goes out. Happened at our favorite / local state park. Second was we have been to several CG's where the water was just awful in regards to taste and smell. So we now carry a good bit of water and taste and smell the water at unknown sites before hooking up the water.

[ependydad]

Greentow wrote:
Ependydad, I think that you mileage difference over the next 5,000 miles is going to be down .005 MPG. This is just a SWAG, not backed up with any substantial basis:D

Aww dang it. Now I have to go without water. 😄

[skipnchar]

It has always amazed me how many people use only a part of the rv they purchased for one reason or another.

[dakonthemountai]

Homer wrote:
Way to go, but don't haul a full tank around, that cost big $$ in fuel.

I used to feel the same way, but I carry a full tank of water (30 gallons)quite often and have had no change in my fuel costs from when I travel with the tank empty. At 8.34lbs per gallon x 30 gallons it only like having another person (albeit it a large person) in the truck.

But that's just my own experience.

Dak

[Veebyes]

Always travel with at least a few days worth onboard. We rarely make reservations so we need to be prepared for whatever has to be dealt with.

Don't believe that the added weight makes much difference to MPG, at least not on the level. Once the weight is moving it does not take much to keep it going. I'd be more concerned with speed & wind resistance.

[Lantley]

Greentow wrote:
Ependydad, I think that you mileage difference over the next 5,000 miles is going to be down .005 MPG. This is just a SWAG, not backed up with any substantial basis:D

Exactly , I travel with full tanks each and every trip.
The weight has no measurable effect on my MPG's.

I prefer a full tank because a 1/2 tank allows the water to slosh around in the tank putting more stress on the tank and the support brackets. I also believe their is less risk of mold growth in a totally full tank vs. a empty or partially full tank.Honestly my theories have no credible basis but I'm sticking to them. I have has no issues with my fresh water system thus far.

[Greentow]

Ependydad, I think that you mileage difference over the next 5,000 miles is going to be down .005 MPG. This is just a SWAG, not backed up with any substantial basis:D

[Old-Biscuit]

WE always travel with 1/3 tank.
Got caught ONCE and had just enough water on board until water service was restored.
After that I always fill tank upon arrival and then we use most of it up just before travel day.

As for the impact on mileage.......I don't notice any difference between traveling with a full or empty tank.
70 gallons of water vs 13'4" 5'vr @ 14K.....the frontal area has more resistance at speed than the overall weight.

[ependydad]

Homer wrote:
Way to go, but don't haul a full tank around, that cost big $$ in fuel.

I'd be interested in knowing if this is real or not. My camper came in weighing at 14,820 pounds at the last scale stop. I figure I had 1/3 to 1/2 of a tank of water in it (14-21 gallons of water). So, if I topped off the tank, I'd be adding 175 - 234 pounds. Would I really see a noticeable different in fuel economy by going going to 15,054 pounds?

(Edited for typos; no numbers changed.)

[powderman426]

Homer wrote:
Way to go, but don't haul a full tank around, that cost big $$ in fuel.

That may be true depending on the type of rv. On my fiver I see no difference whether full or empty. I believe the frontal area of mine is the biggest fuel eater but nothing I can do about that. JMO

[frankdamp]

We have such good quality water at home (in the top five nationwide) we always leave home with the tank close to full - just enough short of full to avoid any siphoning out of the overflow. I don't see that 600 pounds additional payload on a 22,000 pound GVW rig that isn't close to its max, is going to make a significant difference in gas mileage.

Even if it costs 0.1 mpg, it's worth it to avoid drinking some of the skanky city water we've encountered. We usually fill a Brita jug from the potable tank when we aren't on city water at the CG, or turn the city water off temporarily to get drinking water from the tank.