Traveling with water?

TNsmokybear · 02-08-2018, 04:09 PM

I usually only travel with around 5 gallons of fresh water, but will be going to a site this weekend with no water hookup. I’ve heard some say that traveling with the tank loaded (43 gallons) is not a good idea, and I agree with that, but wondered how much is too much? It’s about 240 Miles one way and weight is not an issue on towing capacity. Thanks for any insight!

stephndudb · 02-08-2018, 04:21 PM

We've traveled with about a third of a tank in our 8289WS without a problem. However, for next season I'm switching to carrying fresh water in two Rhino Pak 5.5 Gallon Water jugs in the truck bed for emergencies. Less weight on the rear trailer axle, easier to drain/refill as needed. You could combine the two - tank and jugs - as a compromise.

Spikedog · 02-08-2018, 04:37 PM

why wouldn't you max out your water capacity? What is the drawback(s) to having too much water?

Lundy · 02-08-2018, 04:39 PM

We dry camp almost exclusively. Always carry a full tank of water and sometimes full gray and black on the way home. Never had an issue in 20 years of camping. The trailer should be built to carry that weight going down the road. If it can't I seriously question the construction of the unit. Now if those weights put you over on CCC or GCVW than I can understand not doing it.

stephndudb · 02-08-2018, 04:40 PM

At 8 lbs./gallon it's a lot of weight on the axles if you're not planning to use it. Some have reported failure of the tank mounting brackets on the road.

SuicideSaints · 02-08-2018, 04:46 PM

Ive always traveled full, put 50 in my TT and go, then I got a 5er and I fill her up with 100 gls and hit the road. I have never heard it wasnt a good idea? What about all the people who camp without hook ups? isnt this what the water tank for? what did I miss?

llr · 02-08-2018, 05:09 PM

I have always traveled with a full water tank, generally our home water is much better then the park water.

TNsmokybear · 02-08-2018, 05:14 PM

As stephndudb said, I’ve just heard about the tank straps enduring a lot of stress with a full load of 350 pounds going down the interstate and hitting bumps in the road. I have also heard one approach to be waiting until you get almost to destination and then fill up somewhere.

Brother Les · 02-08-2018, 05:34 PM

I travel Full.
BUT.... went first bought unit, had an issue of tank 'auto' syphoning out. Make sure your unit does not do that. and learn how to fix the proble.

TNsmokybear · 02-08-2018, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brother Les

I travel Full.
BUT.... went first bought unit, had an issue of tank 'auto' syphoning out. Make sure your unit does not do that. and learn how to fix the proble.

Hmmm...how does that happen?

rockfordroo · 02-08-2018, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TNsmokybear

Hmmm...how does that happen?

The vent line sometimes comes off the side of the tank, not the top. The vent then goes up a bit and then down below the tank. As soon as you slosh the water over towards the vent line such that the level in the vent gets to the top of the curve in the line, it will spill over the top and then start siphoning.

Traveling with a full tank isn't an big deal with most rigs. However, starting around 2010 or so, near as I can tell, Roo/Shamrocks and Mini/Micro-Lites, among a few others, had issues with lousy tank supports. They've suppposedly been improved on the 2017 models. So you may want to inspect yours to see how robust they are before you try it.

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...de-129346.html

You might want to also add a signature (similar to mine below) that includes make/model/year of your rig so that in the future, others with the same rig can provide you more specific information.

**bikendan** · 02-08-2018, 07:33 PM

We traveled with a full FW tank 90% of the time, with our 2007 Rockwood.
We rarely had hookups of any kind.

NEVER had any issues.

Jay2504 · 02-08-2018, 08:03 PM

We have done both. I feel a lot better about carrying a full tank of water after using a bed frame to brace up the tank supports on our 2504s. However I try not to carry a full tank any farther than I have to. Whenever possible we fill up close to our destination. Why carry 350pounds any more than you have to?

HangDiver · 02-08-2018, 08:18 PM

Seems more common on Micro/Mini-Lites.
http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ut-100622.html

TNsmokybear · 02-08-2018, 09:01 PM

Ahh, good call on the signature, rockfordroo. I’m still figuring this forum thing out, but so far, it’s been very helpful. Looks like a tank support upgrade is in my future.

Jmkjr72 · 02-08-2018, 09:09 PM

E have found our 25rb pulls better with a full tank of water then empty

Nurek · 02-08-2018, 09:23 PM

The question is.... just how much water do 2 ppl (just guessing) need for 2 days of camping? At my work, we have a 5 gal bottle on a cooler and it will last 2-3 days in hot summer heat for 12 guys just for drinking.

Perhaps you need to analyze your needs and plan accordingly.

stephndudb · 02-08-2018, 09:26 PM

Here's our reasoning: At first we traveled with a full tank, but we rarely used it. At full hookup campgrounds it's not needed, and at our state parks there's water available within a hose reach. So, we often returned home with the same water we left with and it took forever to drain the tank.

Next we tried traveling dry when heading to full hookup campgrounds, but a couple of times we needed some water in the tank. Either an unexpected roadside stop or a campground water pump problem. After that we always carried 1/3 tank as a compromise.

Now, I can't get my fifth wheel quite level with the truck (whole 'nuther story). She sits very slightly low at the tail, so I'm reluctant to add more weight in the rear water tank. Transferring the water to jugs in the bed accomplishes 3 things: removes weight from the rear axle, lowers the dually truck bed a little bit (both of which help level the trailer), and gives me easily filled and emptied water that can be refilled anywhere if we're away from hookups.

TNsmokybear · 02-09-2018, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nurek

The question is.... just how much water do 2 ppl (just guessing) need for 2 days of camping? At my work, we have a 5 gal bottle on a cooler and it will last 2-3 days in hot summer heat for 12 guys just for drinking.

Perhaps you need to analyze your needs and plan accordingly.

It’s me, my wife, and our two kids for four days. When you think about a 6 gallon water heater for showers, plus bathroom usage, meal prep, COFFEE, cleanup, etc. it adds up.

wahoonc · 02-09-2018, 07:15 AM

Depends on your needs and unit. Some can handle a full tank of water, others it will promptly put them over the CCC and GVW. I have had Airstreams where a full tank of water actually helped the handling, and others where the water tank was forward or rearward of the axle and a full tank would cause handling issues.

My current MO is to travel with enough water for a single night (1/3 of a tank or so). If we have to boondock we are fine, if we end up in a campground with no hookups, there is usually somewhere to top the tank up prior to pulling in.

Aaron

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