Towing with or without water

Sahiri · 07-06-2018, 11:44 AM

Hello!
We have a brand new FSX 197. Any advice on towing with or without water? Any issues with the added weight? Sloshing?

Thanks everyone!

JohnD10 · 07-06-2018, 12:00 PM

I typically like to travel with no more than 1/2 a tank of fresh water, unless I know there either is no water or the water is bad at the campground I'm going to.

Also, a full tank of water can turn into a half tank by the time you arrive at your destination as the sloshing can create a siphon in the over flow vent tubes and slowly drain your water out while rolling.

By the by...

A full tank of water can weigh upwards of 800 pounds...I'd rather carry that in beer!

Kimber45 · 07-06-2018, 12:07 PM

I always carry a full tank of water, never had an issue. if you cant use your rv whats the point of having it. lots of threads about broken/bent supports and lost water tanks. Make your own choice and enjoy your rig.

BillK · 07-06-2018, 12:12 PM

I carry a full tank of water every time we go unless we are camping full hook up... And i learned to even then carry a little

RACarvalho · 07-06-2018, 12:14 PM

It seems that some brands/models one in a while have problems carrying water during transit.
That being said, its unacceptable that you cant use your unit on transit.
I always carry at least 3/4 of the tank and never had a problem.

Sahiri · 07-06-2018, 12:15 PM

Thanks for the input. I think we’re gonna go with the 41 cases of beer option for now

lacamastraveler · 07-06-2018, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sahiri

Thanks for the input. I think we’re gonna go with the 41 cases of beer option for now

Always good to have enough to flush toilet and wash up as necessary. Save the rest of the weight for beer.

elchilero53 · 07-06-2018, 12:56 PM

We generally carry 1/3 of a tank of fresh water. Helps reduce the tongue weight to more reasonable levels and DW can use the toilet if we aren't anywhere near a public facility.

Hersbird · 07-06-2018, 01:14 PM

Everywhere we go there is no, or difficult to use as a fill, water so we fill up at home.

**bikendan** · 07-06-2018, 01:29 PM

Since we dry camp a lot, we always travel with a full FW tank.

wahoonc · 07-06-2018, 01:40 PM

1/3 of a tank, unless headed for a dry campground. Carry the difference in beer and booze.

Depending on your CCC (Cargo Carrying Capacity) a full tank might be all you can carry. Not all units are made the same, and I have looked at plenty that if you fill the water tank all the way up you aren't going to have a enough CCC left for much more than a 6 pack!

Aaron

Ejs4029 · 07-06-2018, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lacamastraveler

Always good to have enough to flush toilet and wash up as necessary. Save the rest of the weight for beer.

X2..........I usually put in 5 gallons just in case we have to stop for a bathroom break while travelling for the day

MilCop4523 · 07-06-2018, 01:45 PM

question - is there water where you are camping? is so why haul hundreds of pounds of water around for hundreds of miles. we transport enough to flush the toilet on the road if need be. that's about 1 or 2 gallons in water bottles.

JohnD10 · 07-06-2018, 01:54 PM

I've found that if I don't carry at least 1/3 of a tank of water that the pump has a hard time with low levels and has to be re-primed.

These water tanks are mostly very flat and not very tall, so when the water level is low, air starts getting sucked into the water pump.

I can tell when it is about to do that as the pump starts 'thumping' instead of a smooth, constant pumping sound.

Comanchecreek · 07-06-2018, 01:56 PM

I never haul water in the trailer. Hard on the tanks and mounts with the sloshing and why waste the gas money. At 8 pounds per gallon the weight adds up quickly. Only way would be if I knew there was no water access, (which is rare) at our destination. We dry camp all summer and have never had an issue with getting water in any of the state parks, or NFS campgrounds. Sometimes the NFS campgrounds make it a pain in the a-- to fill with their stupid rules about hooking hoses up to the spigots, but I have lots of filling contingency plans. Water bladders, water pumps, beer bong funnels for pouring it in. Way better to haul beer than water and much more important.

**bikendan** · 07-06-2018, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MilCop4523

question - is there water where you are camping? is so why haul hundreds of pounds of water around for hundreds of miles. we transport enough to flush the toilet on the road if need be. that's about 1 or 2 gallons in water bottles.

In California, 99% of their state parks campsites don't have hookups of any kind.
And my home water is always better than theirs.

B and B · 07-06-2018, 02:13 PM

Full tanks all 85 gallons of it. If we go o a service site just enough for on the road needs.

rlocicero · 07-06-2018, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sahiri

Hello!
We have a brand new FSX 197. Any advice on towing with or without water? Any issues with the added weight? Sloshing?

Thanks everyone!

We never tell with water. We never go anywhere that doesn’t have water hook ups.

jtesta1 · 07-06-2018, 02:39 PM

If you're vehicle broke down and you were stuck a few days, would you want water or not. It will happen sooner or later.

JohnD10 · 07-06-2018, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtesta1

If you're vehicle broke down and you were stuck a few days, would you want water or not. It will happen sooner or later.

Ironically, where I live the water is out at the moment...

Luckily, my 5'ver is still parked out front, and since yesterday and today the temps have been 120+ (right now my digital thermometer is reading 122.7 degrees on my screen porch in the shade)...

I took my shower out in the RV and didn't even have to run the water heater!

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