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.

[quingus]

My thought is better to have it than not need it, or need it and not have it. I know old adage. Imho and preference I carry a full. Was at a Flagstaff AZ cg and water pressure was a trickle and a bit brown. I filled the tank in Moab, boy scout in me. We stayed one night up and left for home and used all the water. Again that's why I carry a tank full. Everyone here has preferences. Ride and gas mi didn't change so no harm no foul.

[allen8106]

I prefer to travel with all tanks empty including the hot water tank. No special reason...just my preference. I guess if you pushed me for a real answer I could come up with a few.

1) Afraid of some mysterious pump/switch malfunction and arriving at my next destination with water all over the floor. Could happen right? I've read several posts where this has been the case.
2) The weight of the tank breaking the straps that hold them up due to rough roads. Could happen right? I've read several posts where this has been the case.

I figure if I get to my destination and there's no water...I'll go to Walmart and buy a 6 gallon potable water jug and haul water from some other location. I risk I'm willing to take.

Call me paranoid if you wish but I'll never arrive with a flooded camper and I'll never loose a tank out the bottom on some rough road.

[the_vfox]

Our 5th wheel we would carry about 15 gals, our MH we carry 25 due to the pump pick up location. Just for the bathroom use. We don't boon dock.

[SoundGuy]

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

Just yesterday I was at my local dealer when the service manager showed me a pic of something he thought I'd be interested in - a customer's trailer on which the fresh water tank had totally dropped off the trailer! Completely gone! ... all that was left hanging were the hose attachments. :E Apparently the owner had been camping and before leaving the campground had filled the tank in preparation for his next stop. All I could think at the time was how glad I was to have insisted that the dealer install tank supports on my own trailer as I always travel with water in the tank, sometimes completely full.

[jnharley]

With water in your tank, you only need to hook up to electric for an overnight stop. I find it interesting that people hook up everything just for an overnight stop.

[fj12ryder]

Lantley wrote:

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.

This has always been my thoughts about traveling with less than a full tank. However traveling with a full tank in our toyhauler means hauling 119 gallons of water, about 800 lbs. Consequently we travel with maybe 20 gallons in the tank, enough to flush the toilet a few times.

[quingus]

My thought is better to have it than not need it, or need it and not have it. I know old adage. Imho and preference I carry a full. Was at a Flagstaff AZ cg and water pressure was a trickle and a bit brown. I filled the tank in Moab, boy scout in me. We stayed one night up and left for home and used all the water. Again that's why I carry a tank full. Everyone here has preferences. Ride and gas mi didn't change so no harm no foul.

[goducks10]

dspencer wrote:
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.

There shouldn't be any more stress on the tank with it sloshing around. I've been carrying what ever amount of fresh water I need for that particular trip for years. NO issues with two different trailers.

Last weekend we went to a dry CG. I filled the FW tank at home before I left. Then drove back home with apr 1/4 tank of FW left in it. It's still in there. If the trailer is made properly then it should be able to handle any amount of water any time.

We always travel with at least 10 gals in it.

[johnnyrv]

10 gallons in our mh while on the road. If it is raining when we arrive at the cg we can stay inside and still have water.

[diazr2]

eichacsj wrote:

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.

That's it roughly 200 lbs of water is what is blowing those tires. I never knew.

Wow I never knew that either. Hows about a class action suit. There should be a warning on the trailer and Class C and Class A. "Warning carrying water in your water tank while on the road can cause blowouts" I must admit you live long enough you hear just about everything. LMAO

[eichacsj]

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.

That's it roughly 200 lbs of water is what is blowing those tires. I never knew.

[ncrowley]

Your question is interesting. Has there ever been a study to determine if water sloshing around in the tank while you are driving causes issues with the tank? I would hope not but you never know.

[Community Alumni]

If we are traveling over several days and staying if full hook-up campgrounds, I will carry about a third tank. If we're intending to boondock at all, I'll fill the tank.

[rhagfo]

toedtoes wrote:

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.

I travel with a full fresh water tank, and have traveled home with all tanks full. It doesn't make that much difference!

Our 5er has LT235/80-16E with a capacity of 3,042# ea. total of 12,168#, the 5er has a GVWR of 12,360#. Well if you take the pin weight off of that and about 10,000# in the tires, well with in the tires ratings.