Larger 58 Galllon Freshwater Tank on 2019 Mini Lites?

johnmurr · 09-03-2018, 02:00 PM

In researching the updates to the 2019 Mini Lites I came across a dealer video that claimed that the entire Mini Lite lineup had been upgraded to 58 gallon freshwater holding tanks (from the previous generation's 43 gallon capacity).

Can anyone confirm this and clarify which models are getting the larger tanks?

Also, does anyone have any insights on whether Rockwood resolved the water tank buckling issues of previous generations prior to upgrading the tanks? It would be a shame to get a bigger tank, only to have it warp and bow under the trailer.

rockfordroo · 09-03-2018, 05:14 PM

If they did that, I hope they increased the gray/black tanks to match!

Camp4two · 09-04-2018, 09:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnmurr

In researching the updates to the 2019 Mini Lites I came across a dealer video that claimed that the entire Mini Lite lineup had been upgraded to 58 gallon freshwater holding tanks (from the previous generation's 43 gallon capacity).

Can anyone confirm this and clarify which models are getting the larger tanks?

Also, does anyone have any insights on whether Rockwood resolved the water tank buckling issues of previous generations prior to upgrading the tanks? It would be a shame to get a bigger tank, only to have it warp and bow under the trailer.

I confirmed today with the Rockwood Sales Rep. in Indiana, that ALL new Mini Lites now have a 52 gallon fresh water tank making the total fresh capacity 58 gallons (adding the 6 gallon water heater tank). He said nothing was changed with the gray/black tanks.

I did not ask the question, but Rockwood must have put in stronger tank supports for the larger 52 gal. fresh water tank.

johnmurr · 09-04-2018, 09:12 AM

That's awesome! Thanks for confirming with them.

I'm so glad that I didn't pick up an early-2019 model. These mid-2019 improvements are exceptional.

Atrrider · 09-04-2018, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camp4two

I confirmed today with the Rockwood Sales Rep. in Indiana, that ALL new Mini Lites now have a 52 gallon fresh water tank making the total fresh capacity 58 gallons (adding the 6 gallon water heater tank). He said nothing was changed with the gray/black tanks.

I did not ask the question, but Rockwood must have put in stronger tank supports for the larger 52 gal. fresh water tank.

I have a 2019.5, when I got the full light on the grey tank I did a dump run, my tote is 15gal. I know it’s small but I have a bad back and the new campco one is great to deal with and it stows on the ladder. Very manageable to get from the trailer hookups to the truck hitch ball. Anyway, the tank said full (I know they are not the most accurate thing but anyhow I fill the first trip all the way up and the second one I was 95% full. So I am going to go out on a limb and say they are 30 gal

rockfordroo · 09-04-2018, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camp4two

I confirmed today with the Rockwood Sales Rep. in Indiana, that ALL new Mini Lites now have a 52 gallon fresh water tank making the total fresh capacity 58 gallons (adding the 6 gallon water heater tank). He said nothing was changed with the gray/black tanks.

I did not ask the question, but Rockwood must have put in stronger tank supports for the larger 52 gal. fresh water tank.

I guess I've been on this forum too long - That's not a bet I would take.

Camp4two · 09-04-2018, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atrrider

I have a 2019.5, when I got the full light on the grey tank I did a dump run, my tote is 15gal. I know it’s small but I have a bad back and the new campco one is great to deal with and it stows on the ladder. Very manageable to get from the trailer hookups to the truck hitch ball. Anyway, the tank said full (I know they are not the most accurate thing but anyhow I fill the first trip all the way up and the second one I was 95% full. So I am going to go out on a limb and say they are 30 gal

The Mini Lites gray and black tanks did not change. The gray tank is 30 gal. unless your Mini Lite has two gray tanks (30x2=60 gal.). The black tank is 30 gal.

Camp4two · 09-04-2018, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

I guess I've been on this forum too long - That's not a bet I would take.

I guess when my fresh water tank supports fail, if they do (hopefully while under warranty) I'll get my answer.

aeblank · 09-04-2018, 10:08 AM

Including the water heater volume as "water capacity" is a sham. I defy you to use those last 6 gallons. Shall we count the volume in the pex too?

We did a long weekend, dishes, watering the dogs (so they grow!), 3 adult showers and 2 kid showers and didn't run out... That's on the old tank size.. of course I'd love the additional capacity though...

chriscowles · 09-04-2018, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Camp4two

The Mini Lites gray and black tanks did not change. The gray tank is 30 gal. unless your Mini Lite has two gray tanks (30x2=60 gal.). The black tank is 30 gal.

I just logged in to ask a question about gray tanks on Mini-Lites and found this topic. I am disappointed to learn that I misinterpreted comments from a Rockwood factory rep about trailers having two 30 gallon gray tanks. Only the 2506S and 2511S (rear and front fixed bedrooms, respectively) have two gray tanks.

If they can put two tanks on those models, maybe it's feasible to do that yourself as an add-on? You'd almost certainly suspend it better than they did for the OEM tank.

The tank probably wouldn't be cheap, though. Rerouting the kitchen PVC wouldn't be too much of a challenge.

If they can't put two gray tanks on the 25' models, a redistribution of tank space would be good. A 15/45 or 20/40 black/gray distribution makes more sense to me. Who can poop enough to fill up a 30 gallon tank? Some owners may prefer that much black capacity, though, to reduce the likelihood of having to offload black sewage to a portable tank. Doing that with a gray tank isn't as bad.

I suspect that different sizes of black and gray tanks may be more impractical than two separate tanks due to tank dimensions and frame members.

Edit: in another reply, the factory rep said they use separate tanks only if required by code.

Camp4two · 09-04-2018, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chriscowles

I just logged in to ask a question about gray tanks on Mini-Lites and found this topic. I am disappointed to learn that I misinterpreted comments from a Rockwood factory rep about trailers having two 30 gallon gray tanks. Only the 2506S and 2511S (rear and front fixed bedrooms, respectively) have two gray tanks.

If they can put two tanks on those models, maybe it's feasible to do that yourself as an add-on? You'd almost certainly suspend it better than they did for the OEM tank.

The tank probably wouldn't be cheap, though. Rerouting the kitchen PVC wouldn't be too much of a challenge.

If they can't put two gray tanks on the 25' models, a redistribution of tank space would be good. A 15/45 or 20/40 black/gray distribution makes more sense to me. Who can poop enough to fill up a 30 gallon tank? Some owners may prefer that much black capacity, though, to reduce the likelihood of having to offload black sewage to a portable tank. Doing that with a gray tank isn't as bad.

I suspect that different sizes of black and gray tanks may be more impractical than two separate tanks due to tank dimensions and frame members.

Edit: in another reply, the factory rep said they use separate tanks only if required by code.

Thank you. Good points and ideas. We recently factory ordered a 2511S which as you pointed out, has two 30 gal. gray tanks. We spend two weeks dry camping at various National Parks/primitive campgrounds every year so having two 30 gal. gray tanks is great. We have never filled up the toilet tank.

Jay2504 · 09-04-2018, 06:42 PM

If I has a 2511s I’d spend a few dollars and connect the 2 grey tanks together. It could even be done through the drain pipes. Then you would have 60 gallons of grey (or close) tank capacity. We always run out of grey first. Couple that with the new fresh water tank and have a lot more days. Jay

TitanMike · 09-04-2018, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chriscowles

Who can poop enough to fill up a 30 gallon tank?

When I read that sentence my first thoughts were "A Dealeship Salesman or Politican" given the fact they are both "full of it".

Camp4two · 09-04-2018, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay2504

If I has a 2511s I’d spend a few dollars and connect the 2 grey tanks together. It could even be done through the drain pipes. Then you would have 60 gallons of grey (or close) tank capacity. We always run out of grey first. Couple that with the new fresh water tank and have a lot more days. Jay

Great idea Jay. I will have to wait for our 2511S warranty to expire first, then will look into it.

rockfordroo · 09-04-2018, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chriscowles

Who can poop enough to fill up a 30 gallon tank?

It's not the poop that uses up the volume, it's the water. Don't want to get the infamous "pile of poop."

chriscowles · 09-04-2018, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

It's not the poop that uses up the volume, it's the water. Don't want to get the infamous "pile of poop."

Even allowing for sufficient liquid to avoid that, 30 gallons is a LOT.

Johnfort · 09-04-2018, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

It's not the poop that uses up the volume, it's the water. Don't want to get the infamous "pile of poop."

I refer to it as a "T**d TeePee".

TitanMike · 09-04-2018, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chriscowles

Even allowing for sufficient liquid to avoid that, 30 gallons is a LOT.

I remember a winter survival "overnight" on Mt Rainier many years ago. About 20 people were taught how to build Igloo's and the instructors built one to be used as an "outhouse". One 5 gallon bucket was all that was needed for the two days (and one night) for the 20 or so "students" and half dozen instructors. The lucky guy who packed it out only had a 3/4 full bucket.

I will say that after that night in an Igloo I never complained about a slight chill in the bedroom.

6CatDaddy · 09-07-2018, 10:58 PM

My wife and I were looking all over for leaks on our 2019 2109S
first time we filled the f/w tank.

I use 4, 5.5gal water jugs, thinking the f/w was 43gals, I kept adding more water after we hit 43 and yeah, about two more jugs went in...

I kept stopping and looking and listening for water running out from somewhere, but it held it.

Bride said maybe the new models have a bigger tank, I said yeah they must...

You would think the dealer would have let us know...

Johnfort · 09-08-2018, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6CatDaddy

My wife and I were looking all over for leaks on our 2019 2109S
first time we filled the f/w tank.

I use 4, 5.5gal water jugs, thinking the f/w was 43gals, I kept adding more water after we hit 43 and yeah, about two more jugs went in...

I kept stopping and looking and listening for water running out from somewhere, but it held it.

Bride said maybe the new models have a bigger tank, I said yeah they must...

You would think the dealer would have let us know...

Wow, an even bigger tank to fall out going down the road!

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