Where to fill up with water?

wharfrat48 · 05-19-2015, 10:32 AM

We are travelling to about 8 hours through the VA mountains to do some dry camping this weekend. I'd rather not tow with a full water tank. Does anyone know if truck stops or rest areas have water I could use to fill up my tank once we get close to our destination? Any other suggestions?

Thanks

Ford Idaho · 05-19-2015, 10:41 AM

Ranger station?
Last town/city you will go thru, check with the water department.?
Will you be going by a RV park or private camp ground?

**ependydad** · 05-19-2015, 10:44 AM

Are you staying at an organized campground? Or boondocking somewhere public? (and if so- where?

)

howie70 · 05-19-2015, 10:47 AM

Where abouts in VA? You get close me you can swing by and fill it up at our house.

syogerst · 05-19-2015, 10:55 AM

Is there a state park along the way. Usually a private campground will let you fill or dump for just a few dollars.

jfawcett999 · 05-19-2015, 11:36 AM

My wife and I used to own a little grocery in a small Colorado town and very often campers and hunters would ask to fill up with water. Absolutely was the standard answer. Its good for the customer and good for business. We have also stopped and asked homeowners if we could use there outside spigot to fill up and never been turned down.
Park of the allure of camping is meeting new people anyway and locals will often point you in the direction of activities and events you didn't know about. Planning ahead is best but in a pinch, stop and ask. You'll be glad you did.

wharfrat48 · 05-19-2015, 11:39 AM

Good ideas. We will be travelling up 81 past Harrisonburg. I was hoping the Loves or Flying J's had water since they have dump stations, but I have not seen a potable spigot when I have stopped there in the past.

howie70 · 05-19-2015, 12:08 PM

I work in Harrisonburg. If you're coming through Friday before 4:00 you could swing into our office parking lot and I could hook you up with water.

oxcamper · 05-19-2015, 12:15 PM

call the flying J or or Loves in the areas and ask. They might have spigots. I've seen them at a few, but not many.

tom50mg · 05-19-2015, 12:26 PM

The Flying J,s are not as camper friendly as they were a few years ago imo...better to call ahead!

oxcamper · 05-19-2015, 01:07 PM

Go to the Flying J website, select the RV menu and go to ammenities. You can look at the locations which offer services, or call and ask.

**bikendan** · 05-19-2015, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wharfrat48

We are travelling to about 8 hours through the VA mountains to do some dry camping this weekend. I'd rather not tow with a full water tank. Does anyone know if truck stops or rest areas have water I could use to fill up my tank once we get close to our destination? Any other suggestions?

Thanks

You do know that carrying a full tank of water will hardly affect your gas mileage?

We dry camp nearly all the time and we always travel with a full tank of water from home because we know that it's good water and we don't have to worry about finding some enroute.

wicked1 · 05-19-2015, 02:29 PM

Use an inline Camco or other brand named filter before the water goes in your RV never trust a water source.

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Still Kickin · 05-19-2015, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wharfrat48

We are travelling to about 8 hours through the VA mountains to do some dry camping this weekend. I'd rather not tow with a full water tank. Does anyone know if truck stops or rest areas have water I could use to fill up my tank once we get close to our destination? Any other suggestions?

Thanks

Check the interstate rest areas. You best bet is the first one entering the state, they have the best facilities. You might need to string a cpl hoses, but it works!

awellis3 · 05-19-2015, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wharfrat48

We are travelling to about 8 hours through the VA mountains to do some dry camping this weekend.

I'll ask again. Where, specifically, are you dry camping??? There's a lot of local knowledge out there but "... up 81 past Harrisonburg..." won't git 'er done.

BusyRetirees · 05-20-2015, 07:55 AM

I have stopped at Flying Js and Pilots. Everyone that I have ever stopped at had a sign that said the water was not potable. It is used for washing out your tank hoses.

wharfrat48 · 05-20-2015, 08:24 AM

[QUOTE=bikendan;868188]You do know that carrying a full tank of water will hardly affect your gas mileage?

Not too concerned with gas mileage, although I'd rather not go up and down the Appalachians with extra weight. My main concern is sway--- it seems like having the extra weight at the back of the trailer tends to increase sway.

We will be staying in Cumberland MD, so I was hoping to get the tank filled within an hour or so of there.

Thanks

howie70 · 05-20-2015, 08:48 AM

I have tossed out 2 offers to help. My work place and house is within 5 minutes of interstate 81. Although we are heading out with the camper after work at 5:00.
There is a Flying J in Winchester which is about an hour north of Harrisonburg on 81. They are listed as having an RV dump station. Not sure if that means they will have potable water or not. 540-678-3651
There is a Liberty gas station / 7-11 at the Mauzy exit (about 7 miles north of Harrisonburg). They are a truck stop and a locally owned business. If you give them a call they may allow you to use their water. 540-896-7902
There is also a KOA and Endless Caverns RV Resort within 5 minutes of that same exit. Might want to try them.
Good luck in your search.

awellis3 · 05-20-2015, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wharfrat48

We will be staying in Cumberland MD, so I was hoping to get the tank filled within an hour or so of there.

There is a state park, Wills Mtn., in Cumberland. I bet there is water available there (no personal experience to offer).
In my travels, I've found that most Ma-and-Pa markets have a hose bib outside and will let you fill up a tank. I always offer to pay but rarely do they accept. You just have to leave the interstate and use a federal highway the last miles of the trip to find a likely suspect.

wharfrat48 · 05-20-2015, 08:56 AM

Thanks for all your help. Howie- we will probably not get on the road until 5, but thanks anyway. If we can make it to Winchester, I may give CampingWorld a call and see if we can fill up there. Otherwise I'm sure a Ma&Pa place or one of the truck stops would let us fill up. Thanks again and I happy camping.

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