Question regarding water tanks

[dspencer]

I have a 2013 Forest River Gray Wolf 26BH and were preparing a trip to Texas in a few days. Once we arrive at our destination we will have full hookups but the question is for on the road. We will be breaking the trip up over 2 days. My question is we of course want to have some water on board to use just for potty breaks and that one night just for bathroom purposes. Is it better to tow with the tanks full or just partially full? I have a capable TV so weight isn't a problem. Thanks in advance for your help.

[dspencer]

Thanks everyone for your replies, I guess my biggest question was is there any less stress on your tank by carrying less than a full tank. I should have been more clear but I think pretty much everyone agrees that it doesn't make much difference.

[wanderingbob]

Most travel trailers will carry three or four hundred pounds of water , and you should always carry some water , so I calculate the weight savings about equals to taking your big dog or your sons friend . You will NEVER know the difference , fill it up !

[toedtoes]

mabel wrote:
After reading these posts I can see why there are so many trailers with damage from blown tires.
I think the extra weight does make a difference, and that a lot of people are hauling more weight that they are aware of.

I agree that a lot of people are hauling more weight than they are aware of, HOWEVER I don't believe the problem is because they are carrying a full fresh water tank.

[Lantley]

BubbaChris wrote:
I'm biased towards about 1/2 tank of fresh if I'm going to have hook-ups at my CG's.

My reasoning is to eliminate a little of the stress on the TT for supporting the tank itself. I've dug into enough threads about people beefing up their tank support to have me a little worried about traveling with a full load when it isn't necessary.

A 1/2 tank presents just as much stress. That water is sloshing around in the tank banging against the walls of the tank. If the tank is full there is no movement within the tank.
I always travel with a full tank.

[mabel]

After reading these posts I can see why there are so many trailers with damage from blown tires.
I think the extra weight does make a difference, and that a lot of people are hauling more weight that they are aware of.

[RognBon]

We always travel with a full water tank. Twice we have gotten to our destination to find out the water supply to the park was out. Once was just overnight because an rv'er hit the supply pipe at their site when backing in and it took until morning to repair. One other time a pipe supplying the park burst and it took three days to get everything up and running.

[Wishbone51]

I always try to have 1/3 tank of fresh water for potty breaks. Worst case if it runs out, I always have bottled water. One bottle will flush the toilet for a #1.

[derh20]

I have a 29' Class B+, and i am worried about the extra weight as i am almost at the max without loading little outside and a few clothes inside. i am not worried about the MPG, just the weight on the rear axles.

[diazr2]

2oldman wrote:

sh410 wrote:
Towing hundreds of pounds of water will make no measurable difference in MPG.

No, I wouldn't imagine so, given that its weight would be 5% of the total coach weight.

It just seems like it's more sluggish towing with a full tank.

X2

[2oldman]

sh410 wrote:
Towing hundreds of pounds of water will make no measurable difference in MPG.

No, I wouldn't imagine so, given that its weight would be 5% of the total coach weight.

It just seems like it's more sluggish towing with a full tank.

[bikendan]

sh410 wrote:
Towing hundreds of pounds of water will make no measurable difference in MPG.

x2!

[Trackrig]

We always have at least half of a tank of fresh water if not a full tank.

Bill

[korbe]

We normally take about 20 gal for use during a 2-day travel.

[toedtoes]

eichacsj wrote:

K Charles wrote:
I can't think of one reason not to have a full water tank.

X2. We use our water tank to pull from even if we stop or stay at a camp ground. So when it is low we refill it from CG water. Our case is we never have stay'd longer than 2 weeks mostly it is a couple of days and move on, we also mostly travel in winter. Our 2 weeks will be xmas at one of the kid's locations.

X3.

[eichacsj]

K Charles wrote:
I can't think of one reason not to have a full water tank.

X2. We use our water tank to pull from even if we stop or stay at a camp ground. So when it is low we refill it from CG water. Our case is we never have stay'd longer than 2 weeks mostly it is a couple of days and move on, we also mostly travel in winter. Our 2 weeks will be xmas at one of the kid's locations.