Fresh water tank not full on arrival

[1jessicastafford]

Hi everyone, it's our first time out with our 2018 Cardinal. We are boondocking for 10 days. We filled the fresh water tank at home before we left, until it was coming out of the overflow hose under the back of the unit, about an hour drive from home and there was water splashing out of the hose under the back end of the unit every time we hit a bump or turned a corner. When we got to camp and looked at the control panel it says there is only 1/3 of a tank of fresh water. Additionally, when we checked the other tank levels at home they said empty but when we got here the black and galley grey both said 1/3 full. Any suggestions?

[A32Deuce]

FW tanks have a problem with vents. They will self drain. You will have to find the line and either put a loop in it or mount higher so it can't drain. Some have put a shut off valve on that line to stop water loss, you just have to remember to open before using water. My vent is where you fill the tank so a piece of duct tape blocks the vent till I get where I'm going and have a full tank. Usually only haul a quarter to a third of water because of the added weight.

[NMWildcat]

Yep, put a valve on overflow tube if possible. Problem solved. Common problem and fix.

As far as the other tanks showing 1/3, if there was any water in them at all ( as there should be), the cheesy sensors will register something even when empty after travelling. If it gets to be a real concern you can search all the methods of cleaning those sensors. But they will never be real accurate.

Enjoy your new rig!!!

[1jessicastafford]

The picture here shows what I've got. I'm not sure how I'd attach a valve to those.

[1jessicastafford]

Thanks for the suggestion, see my pic below in the thread.

[5picker]

There are many ways to connect to those plumbing lines.
PEX fittings or SharkBite fittings are the most common.

[RVBikers]

Originally Posted by 1jessicastafford

The picture here shows what I've got. I'm not sure how I'd attach a valve to those.

Those two lines might be your low point drains but one is usually red. The blue line in the background is probably the drain for the fresh water.

[Flybob]

Once you get water coming out a FW tank vent that hangs out the bottom of the camper, you have created a siphon that wil continue to siphon out water until the end i-of the hose in the FW tank is out of the water. (in your case about 1/3 full). You need to break the siphon. One way to do this is to blow air back in the overflow line to get rid of the water. A valve will also work, but you need to be very careful not to fill the tank with the valve closed.

[1jessicastafford]

We did put valves in, but didn't think about needing them open as we fill. Thanks for the reminder!

[HangDiver]

If the dog in the photo spends enough time under the camper he/she can probably tell you which drain the water is coming out.

[Iwannacamp]

Originally Posted by HangDiver

If the dog in the photo spends enough time under the camper he/she can probably tell you which drain the water is coming out.

LOL(laugh out loud). That's a healer...they is smart.

[RVBikers]

Originally Posted by Iwannacamp

LOL(laugh out loud). That's a healer...they is smart.

Our lab loves it under there too.

[1jessicastafford]

Haha!! Yep, her favorite shady spot, but she is no help at all!

[pmsherman]

I took a different approach to the overflow problem. In my 2011 Georgetown, the overflow hose is accessible where it's attached to the tank. I removed it and drilled a small hole in the top of the hose where it's covered by a zip tie holding it to the roof of the compartment. The hole provides an air intake, breaking the siphon. I can now fill the tank before a trip that includes boondocking and not worry about loosing most of the water before stopping.

Phil