Tip for the day...always carry some fresh water...

[Elite130]

I learned a good lesson this weekend. Always carry some water in your fresh-water tank. Even when you have FW hookup at the campsite. You may need it.

We went camping at a KOA Campground this weekend. It was quite windy and for some reason the power went out throughout the campground early Saturday morning, probably from 6:30am till about 9:00am. Since the campground water comes from a well and needs to be pumped, there was no water available, anywhere. This meant all bathrooms were closed. Luckily, this didn't affect us because we had battery power and before we left the house I filled out fresh water tank about 1/2 way (I tend to be over-prepared), but all of those tent campers, TT, and motorhomes without any water stored (in FW tanks or jugs) were out of luck. Truthfully, I'm surprised they don't have a backup plan for this (i.e. generator).

This is your random tip for Monday morning. Have a great week!

[Chromag]

I always travel with around 1/3 tank of fresh water. My wife and/or kids always seem to have to pee when we're getting ready to pull out of a campsite after I've already disconnected everything. I also keep my TT in storage so it comes in handy to be able to wash my hands if I have to do any work on it.

[69_Avion]

Lantley wrote:

69 Avion wrote:
Another silly question. How do you boondock if you can't come back with full gray and black tanks? I guess you have to leave your RV in the boonies. LOL
What good is a trailer that you can't use?

Avion I'm glad you asked the question so I don't have to!

I knew that other people had to be thinking the same thing. LOL

I feel for the folks that get sold a TT (RVs) that can't do what they should obviously be able to do.

[Lantley]

69 Avion wrote:
Another silly question. How do you boondock if you can't come back with full gray and black tanks? I guess you have to leave your RV in the boonies. LOL
What good is a trailer that you can't use?

Avion I'm glad you asked the question so I don't have to!

[69_Avion]

Another silly question. How do you boondock if you can't come back with full gray and black tanks? I guess you have to leave your RV in the boonies. LOL
The manual is correct in that the full gray and black tanks can affect your handling characteristics since they are usually toward the back. I like to see them close to the axles so the affect is minimal. If you come back with an empty water tank (in front of the axles) and full G&B tanks behind the axles, your tongue weight may be low. All you have to do is adjust some items to the front so that you have adequate tongue weight. Some trailers (Airstreams) have been known to damage the frames when the owners traveled with full tanks. What good is a trailer that you can't use?

[thomasmnile]

Lantley wrote:

69 Avion wrote:
If I were looking for a TT and I noticed that the manufacturer stated that the trailer is not to be towed with full tanks, I wouldn't buy that trailer. How do you expect to ever boondock without water?

I agree. If Jayco has that disclaimer I won't be buying a Jayco.
I have traveled with all tanks full at times. Not being able to travel with tanks full would be a deal breaker for me.

OK, I'll take this opportunity to wipe the egg off my face and enjoy some fresh crow. Went into the owner's manual for our WhiteHawk and found this:

"Never travel with full black or grey water holding tanks. This not only wastes
your fuel but depending on the location of the tank(s), it can affect your
tow vehicle handling characteristics."

The warning was for gray and black tanks, not the FW tank. My apologies, guess the CRS is getting worse.........:S

But, I did read a post on the Jayco Owners' Forum in the last month where someone reported their FW tank fell out of the belly. I have also seen posts on this Forum with owners of various other brands of towable RV's reporting dropped FW tanks. So, it does make you wonder how substantial the support and bracing for these tanks really is.......:h

[eabc5454]

We just moved up from a TT to a MH, but either way we always carry water, at least enough to flush, wash off faces and hands, etc.

I always thought that 1/4 tank of fresh water was adequate. However, one cold and snowy November evening (yes, we camp in the snow!), I knew the water hoses would freeze and we'd be out of luck in the morning. I got some really weird looks as I used my hose to fill my FW tank. I got more weird (envious) looks the next morning as I showered, flushed, etc. The sealed underbelly with the furnace on kept my water in the preferred, liquid format, rather than the hard, cold water in the hoses.

Also, we've been in CGs twice where someone drove over a spigot and they had to turn the water off to fix it. No, it wasn't me!

Happy camping,
Elizabeth

2014 Thor MC ACE 30.1 (The Mothership)
2013 Honda CR-V (The Pod)

[KFS]

We tend to pull empty thinking we are saving fuel.

This is a great tip. Thanks!

[dclaarjr]

I bought my first TT 2 years ago. First camping trip I was camped near my Dad's permanent site. I showed up with a full tank of water.

My Dad said I was crazy puling the extra weight. Later that day the well pump for the campground went out and was out until the next afternoon.

Guess who came asking for water?

I always fill my fresh water tank when getting ready for the next adventure.

[Lantley]

69 Avion wrote:
If I were looking for a TT and I noticed that the manufacturer stated that the trailer is not to be towed with full tanks, I wouldn't buy that trailer. How do you expect to ever boondock without water?

I agree. If Jayco has that disclaimer I won't be buying a Jayco.
I have traveled with all tanks full at times. Not being able to travel with tanks full would be a deal breaker for me.

[69_Avion]

If I were looking for a TT and I noticed that the manufacturer stated that the trailer is not to be towed with full tanks, I wouldn't buy that trailer. How do you expect to ever boondock without water?

[mustangglp]

thomasmnile wrote:

wilcamp wrote:


I can't imagine the angle-iron braces bolted and welded to the frame, under the water tank, not being capable of supporting the weight of 20 gallons +/- of water, and yeah, I know that's 160-200# of added weight. The peace of mind in having this resource available far out-weighs the risks that are condemned by the "weight police".

Would suggest anyone consult their manufacturer's owners manual before loading the FW tank and traveling. Jayco manual for our new WhiteHawk states not to travel with any tank "loaded". I've done it with our fifth wheel, and I've done it twice with the WhiteHawk (full fresh water tank) and the tank hasn't popped out of the belly.........yet.:W

This would make my trailer useless as where I camp never has water

[mikeflys]

My wife and I have always thought it odd to see folks getting out of there luxury rv in a state rest stop and heading into the vile filthy bathroom! I always carry around 1/2 a tank just for hygiene issues.

[APT]

jamnw wrote:
I always travel with FW full. We have had to use our bathroom several times while traveling with two small boys.

Same here, plus a girl. And it's usually easier to fill at home than at a campground that does not have full hookups.

[jrat]

Not sure why anyone WOULDN'T travel with water full. Its a tank designed for water, this way you are always covered. Even full hook up sites sometimes have water thats not as good as the water at home. Why risk it?