pulling camper with full fresh water tank?

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by BlakeB

You should be fine towing w/tanks full as long as your not overweight on the truck

I agree, but we need to keep in mind, the limits mfgs put on the trucks are mainly to CTA from law suits. There is always a safety margin built in and I don't think a couple of hundred pounds will make any difference. Now, if you were talking 900-1000 lbs, that's another matter.

[Glenn5995]

The quality of supports for the water tanks may vary within the various lines which Forest River manufactures. I have had the underbelly open on our Rockwood and the supports seem sufficient for the weight, but there was nothing to prevent the tank from shifting from side to side within the supporting frame work. I would think it would stay in place better with the weight of water. I have made ours more secure.

For 6 years now, I have regularly traveled with a full fresh water tank. Most of our camping is "boondocking" and the only water we have is what we bring with us. Have not had a problem yet.

[BlakeB]

Originally Posted by pchrcane65

Blake I have a forest river patriot edition 29bh and pull it with a 2008 chevy 1/2 ton crew cab has the tow package.And mtnguy yes the barley is recommended

The details on the truck are important. Like engine size, bed size, etc.. Your TT looks like it has a GVWR of almost 7800lbs. Add all your accessories, clothes, etc. and your going to be very close to the limits of that truck. Thats a big TT.

[hjmiberry]

For those that fill up at home, do you use the RV hose or do you use the garden hose?

Our facuet is about 100'+ away.

[trudinator]

Originally Posted by Glenn5995

The quality of supports for the water tanks may vary within the various lines which Forest River manufactures. I have had the underbelly open on our Rockwood and the supports seem sufficient for the weight, but there was nothing to prevent the tank from shifting from side to side within the supporting frame work. I would think it would stay in place better with the weight of water. I have made ours more secure.

For 6 years now, I have regularly traveled with a full fresh water tank. Most of our camping is "boondocking" and the only water we have is what we bring with us. Have not had a problem yet.

Your photos could be used for an RV brochure - they're beautiful! Where do you find these primo sites? We don't have anything remotely close to that in our part of the country.

[bob213]

Originally Posted by hjmiberry

For those that fill up at home, do you use the RV hose or do you use the garden hose?

Our facuet is about 100'+ away.

I always use my white water hose to fill the fresh water tank. I always use an inline filter before it goes in to keep sand or sediment out of the tank.

[BlakeB]

Originally Posted by bob213

I always use my white water hose to fill the fresh water tank. I always use an inline filter before it goes in to keep sand or sediment out of the tank.

I second that... Never know what kind of bacteria can be lurking around in your garden hose. Could be in the nozzle too I guess. I dont drink the water normally...bottled water usually.

[Glenn5995]

Originally Posted by trudinator

Your photos could be used for an RV brochure - they're beautiful! Where do you find these primo sites? We don't have anything remotely close to that in our part of the country.

Thank you for the compliment. It is appreciated.

Here in Arizona (and the West in general) we are blessed with abundant National Forest and BLM land which permits "dispersed camping", aka outside of designated campgrounds. We have located all of our favorite spots by exploration. We are constantly looking for new spots. About every camping trip, we take at least one day to look around for potential new locations.

[Glenn5995]

Originally Posted by hjmiberry

For those that fill up at home, do you use the RV hose or do you use the garden hose?

Our facuet is about 100'+ away.

I will be the odd man out on this one (not at all uncommon ). When we are at a campground with a water hookup, I will use the white RV hose for the water supply. When filling our fresh water tank at home, I use the garden hose. Everyone has valid concerns about doing so, but in my case we don't use water in the fresh water tank for drinking. We bring bottled water for drinking and use the fresh water tank water for hygiene. There are several reasons for this:

1) Foremost - this increasing my water capacity, which is important for our longer "boondocking" trips.

2) Second - we don't drink tap water at home. I will spare you the reasons, but I won't take water with me which I would not drink at home to drink while camping.

3) Finally - I don't know if they are all the same, but the outlet for the drain on my fesh water tank is not on the bottom of the tank, it is on the side. As a result I can never completely drain the tank. It probably always has at least 5 gallons (probably more) and may sit for months that way. I am not convinced that I can keep it sanitary. I flush it as best I can periodically by adding water and draining and I have a water filter, but I just don't know.

[sundawg]

Originally Posted by hjmiberry

For those that fill up at home, do you use the RV hose or do you use the garden hose?

Our facuet is about 100'+ away.

I, too, bring along bottled water, juice, and beer for refreshments so have no problem using the garden hose. I also pour a little bleach in the end before I hook it to the spigot, and let that wash out before filling the tank.

[rkswyo]

Mine gets filled to the brim before I leave the house. I boondock 95% of the time and have no other option. I have yet to experience a problem. I use the regular garden hose to fill mine. I use bottled water for drinking. Water conservation is a must for my style of camping.

[buccello]

I travel up and down the east coast. My water tank is in the front compartment. I always leave with it full, My gas mileage doesn't change, and if it did it wouldn't be that much. Whats the difference if your towing 6k or 6.5K. It was designed for it. I stay at walmart, cracker barrel. Take shower when I get up and hit the road, you have your own bathroom to use. Makes life a lot easier. Thats why I bought it.

[cootr68]

My fw tank is under the bed in the rear on solid floor not hanging by straps. It is also clear so I just lift bed to see how much is left, don't have to rely on the indicator lights. Pretty handy!!

[caper]

You are pushing the limit of your TV already. The extra weight of the water could put you way over. If I was only going 50 miles to a CG I would not carry any extra water. Once at the CG you could fill the tank to have water on hand if there is a power failure and the CG well is not operational. The just before you leave empty the fresh water tank.

[BlakeB]

i know the Grey Wolf line is not held up by straps.. it sits on top of frame rails

[rkswyo]

Originally Posted by BlakeB

i know the Grey Wolf line is not held up by straps.. it sits on top of frame rails

Mine sits on the angle iron crossmembers and has several straps running perpendicular to them. All in all it is fairly substantial.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by caper

You are pushing the limit of your TV already. The extra weight of the water could put you way over. If I was only going 50 miles to a CG I would not carry any extra water. Once at the CG you could fill the tank to have water on hand if there is a power failure and the CG well is not operational. The just before you leave empty the fresh water tank.

Don't think 332# (40 x 8.3)of water will make any difference to the tow vehicle as it is mostly carried by the trailer and only 15% max. is on the truck. 15% is only 49.8# on the truck.
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[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by dunnnc

Don't think 332# (40 x 8.3)of water will make any difference to the tow vehicle as it is mostly carried by the trailer and only 15% max. is on the truck. 15% is only 49.8# on the truck.
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A full water tank in my trailer actually takes 20 lbs. off of my tongue weight.

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by mtnguy

A full water tank in my trailer actually takes 20 lbs. off of my tongue weight.

I wouldn't think that would affect towing by any noticable amount. My point is that traveling with a full tank of fresh water doesn't affect anything that would be detrimental to the way the rig tows or have much affect on mileage one way or the other. Everyone needs to keep in mind that everything put in the trailer is not automatically add the full wt to the load ON the tow vehicle. If it is a tongue trailer, 15% max and a 5er, 20-25%.

[bob213]

It doesn't matter where the weight "goes", it still has to be towed by the tow vehicle.
Boondocking...full. Campground with water...1/4 tank to get me there.