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05-24-2012, 01:08 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 11
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pulling camper with full fresh water tank?
Hello I am new to the camping world I bought my 1st travel trailer and was just wondering if it is a good idea to fill the fresh water tank @ home then pulling the trailer to my camping destination.We will be camping for 1st time with it @ a campground 45 miles away.Thanks
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05-24-2012, 01:45 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Ohio
Posts: 600
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There have been some mixed reviews from both sides. 1 being the added weight your towing around @ 8.3lb/gallon of water. 2 being some trailers have very wimpy straps that hold the fresh water tanks to the TT. Some people fill it and go. I've hauled with full fresh water tanks before but normally I use full hook ups and drink from bottled beverages mostly containing water and barley mixture of some sort.
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I used to have a really nice motorhome
2016 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
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05-24-2012, 01:47 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 412
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pchrcane65
Hello I am new to the camping world I bought my 1st travel trailer and was just wondering if it is a good idea to fill the fresh water tank @ home then pulling the trailer to my camping destination.We will be camping for 1st time with it @ a campground 45 miles away.Thanks
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Welcome! That is fine to do although most campgrounds will have fresh water on site. If they dont have it on the actual site there will probably be a filling area by the park entrance.
Most sites will have the following:
1. Electric Only (you need 30amp im assuming)
2. Water & Electric (usually 30amp but can be 30 or 50amp, water)
3. Full Hookup (usually 30amp, 50amp, water and sewer)
What trailer do you have? And what is your tow vehicle? Water can add quite a bit of weight to your trailer. Thats why I usually fill up when I get there.
Good luck and have a great time!
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TT = 2021 ROO 233S
(Previous)TT = 2014 Palomino Solaire Eclipse 318TSBHK
TV = 2016 F-150 5.0L SCREW
Pit Crew: DW (Robin)
Kids: 9yo DD (Riley), 5yo DD (Kennedy)
Security: Boxer (Harley), yorkie (Willow)
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05-24-2012, 01:49 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 412
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JeffK
There have been some mixed reviews from both sides. 1 being the added weight your towing around @ 8.3lb/gallon of water. 2 being some trailers have very wimpy straps that hold the fresh water tanks to the TT. Some people fill it and go. I've hauled with full fresh water tanks before but normally I use full hook ups and drink from bottled beverages mostly containing water and barley mixture of some sort.
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Sooooo f'n funny! I second this!
__________________
TT = 2021 ROO 233S
(Previous)TT = 2014 Palomino Solaire Eclipse 318TSBHK
TV = 2016 F-150 5.0L SCREW
Pit Crew: DW (Robin)
Kids: 9yo DD (Riley), 5yo DD (Kennedy)
Security: Boxer (Harley), yorkie (Willow)
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05-24-2012, 01:57 PM
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#5
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Shenandoah Valley of Virginia
Posts: 9,280
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If water hookups are available in the campground, I just travel with about 1/4 tank of water....enough to flush the toilet and wash my hands while on the road.
If I am heading to a campground that doesn't have on site hookups, I fill up before I leave home......even if the campground has a potable water hydrant somewhere. My water at home tastes good, and many campgrounds have "skunky" water. I am OK with hooking up to a city water connection and filling my lines, but they are easily flushed out. But I want good stuff in my fresh water tank.....that is not as easily flushed out.
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2017 F350 Lariat CCSB, SRW, 4x4, 6.7 PS
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05-24-2012, 03:43 PM
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#6
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 11
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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
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05-24-2012, 03:56 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 1,337
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I'm in the "no" column. The guy that did our PDI said the straps that hold the tanks on aren't really designed to hold this much weight. I'd rather err on the side of caution. Guess we're really spoiled in our area; we have great water wherever we've gone. Not afraid to drink it, brush our teeth with it, or cook with it.
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Days camped: 2011: 61; 2012: 66 Days; 2013: 69;2014: 68 2015: 90 Days camped 2016: 34
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05-24-2012, 04:43 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 140
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I would say no as well. As stated earlier the CG should have some way of filling your tank if not available at your site. The wimpy straps the factory installed around our water tanks is only designed to hold water in a static state. If you only partially fill your tank the free surface effect (back and forth slouching of the water) will put added stress on the straps. I'm probably over cautious but better to not chance dropping my water tank on the highway.
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United States Coast Guard Active Duty
2011 Salem 28BHSS / 2004 Dodge 2500 Cummins
2012 reserved/ camped ( 17/ 4)
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05-24-2012, 05:28 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Vancouver Island
Posts: 267
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No for me as my 100 gallons water tank = 834 pounds.
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Never enough camping!!
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05-24-2012, 05:30 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ
Posts: 167
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When boondocking, I'll top off the fresh water tank...all 100 gals. of it.
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Ed & Laureen
2005 F-250 4X4 SD 6.0 Powerstroke
2009 Cherokee Wolf Pack 285wp (the side door ramp toy hauler)
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05-24-2012, 06:00 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Upstate (Albany Area) NY
Posts: 832
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I normally carry about 5 gallons of water in the tank. Enough for a few flushes and hand-washes, and enough to refill a radiator, if needed.
Since alcohol weighs only about 7.5 pounds per gallon, while water weighs 8.3. I find it much more economical to haul alcohol!!!
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2022 Coachmen Leprechaun 319MB
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05-24-2012, 06:03 PM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 15
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we camp at race tracks alot, no source of water when we get there so I fill mine before we leave. We travelled 150 miles last weekend without issues. Last fall I went to Loudon New hampshire which is 500 miles one way and had the tank full on the way down, without issues.
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2011 32ckds Shasta Revere
2009 Dodge Ram 1500slt
Moncton New Brunswick Canada
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05-24-2012, 07:02 PM
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#13
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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If you are worried about it, put about 1/4 tank in at home and when you get to within a few miles of your destination, pull into a gas station and fill there. I would get permission from the attendant. If a gas station is not available a motel, etc. Heck, you could even stop at someone's house, I can't believe anyone would refuse someone water.
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05-24-2012, 07:30 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: In a big child free home - except for me
Posts: 1,682
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now you got me wondering. Going to the NASCAR race in NH in July. No water on site and generator power. Fill or not to fill that is the question. 9 hour drive = a lot of gas used.
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TV 2018 Ford F250, hauling a 2018 KZ 331 TH 12 Sportster 5th wheel, packing a 2015 CF MOTO 800 U-Force SXS
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05-24-2012, 08:25 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: SD
Posts: 441
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When we travelled 10 hours last year we used a gas station water hydrant when we were nearly there. I called the DOT asking about water at rest stops and they acted like they'd heard this before and pointed me to the gas station. I don't like towing with water as it's all in the back and takes weight off the pin.
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2012 Ram 2500 CCSB 6.7CTD
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05-24-2012, 08:45 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Lake Charles, La.
Posts: 1,536
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i ran dry on the fresh water for years. or just enough to flush the toilet and wash my hands while between campgrounds. abt 5 yrs ago, i stayed in a campground that had full hookups. we went to a local restaurant and when we returned, the campground had lost the well. now i travel with abt 1/4 to 1/2.
you will never see the extra weight when towing ie it doesn't degrade mileage or performance. percentage wise, it is an extremely small part of the total weight. at least in my case, i see no difference. (wind load has more effect on me).
as far as the supports, i will leave that up to those above that have first hand knowledge of how strong the tanks are and how well they are supported. that probably varies from trailer to trailer.
i don't see a problem with carrying water.
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05-24-2012, 08:56 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Coquitlam, BC
Posts: 165
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We travel with our fresh water tank filled most of the time heading off from home. Having it full or empty tows better than 1/2 full as it can slosh around. Maybe not a huge issue, but I know some that disslike the feeling.
We also sometimes wait between weekends to dump as the 2 of us don't fill the black or grey tanks after a couple nights.
With that said, I do know 1 person that had their fresh water tank brackets break after going over some serious bumps. The tank fell onto the trailer axle and bent it. The trailer was still towable, but they required a new trailer axle and new tank brackets. The incident which caused the damage was not typical and also caused damage to the rear frame skid plates (those metal triangle things), but I do not know what places you're taking your trailer. This was not a Forest River Product.
The water tank straps may be small, BUT, the idea that the straps are not designed to carry the load while towing is not true. Other than GVWR concerns of the trailer and ratings of the TV, There is nothing in the user manual that I am aware or warranty coverage that suggests that you can not carry water while towing - in the fresh water, grey water, or black water tanks.
YMMV but to me the whole idea and purpose of an RV, whether it's a trailer to a Class A is to get out there and camp. You're not forced to go to campgrounds with water and dump stations. You may need to take your water with you and bring your poo back. Just sayin'
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05-24-2012, 09:11 PM
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#18
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Mod free 5er
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Concord, NC
Posts: 24,702
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I agree with you SCOC, if the trailers and tanks were not designed to be used to their capacity, what good are they? It may increase the total load with all the tanks full, but I doubt if it affects mileage much over 1mpg. Do I do it? NO, but if I were going to a cg with no water available, I would fill it to the inlet and not worry about it. If the tank falls out, FR can fix it under warranty. If it is out of warranty, I'll fix it so it won't happen again and still enjoy camping. Life is too short to have to worry about putting an extra 100-400 pds in the trailer.
Bottom line, do what you feel comfortable with and enjoy your camper, that's why you bought it!
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05-25-2012, 09:28 AM
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#19
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Member
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 92
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As far as the slouching around when the tanks are half full if it was a big problem then you would think the maunf. would put baffled water tanks in.
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2004 F-150 4.6 Liter 4x2 Factory Tow Package
2012 - 21 Nights Camped
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05-25-2012, 09:58 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 412
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Quote:
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
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You should be fine towing w/tanks full as long as your not overweight on the truck
__________________
TT = 2021 ROO 233S
(Previous)TT = 2014 Palomino Solaire Eclipse 318TSBHK
TV = 2016 F-150 5.0L SCREW
Pit Crew: DW (Robin)
Kids: 9yo DD (Riley), 5yo DD (Kennedy)
Security: Boxer (Harley), yorkie (Willow)
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