Traveling with a full water tank

[TomHoward]

I have a 2017 Miro Lite 21fbrs. My wife and I plan on boonddocking next month in Colorado. I have heard there are issues traveling with a full water tank due to strapping issues. The tank falls out the bottom.
Is that an issue for only certain years? We plan on bringing collapsible water jugs but we are open to other ideas.

[gbaldwin]

This topic gets quite a stir or differences of opinion. Yes there have been many incidents of tank falling out. Many others travel with water for years. Others put additional support under tanks.

I personally choose to not travel with water whenever possible. I fill when I arrive. Might have to do some investigating ahead to make sure there is a source. have always been able to find one and fill close to site.

some are going to say you need water while traveling for emergencies... I call BS. another is gonna say water might not be working at CG. Never happend to me. Others are gonna argue effects on gas mileage and effect on overall weight; or lack of effect. Others "wouldnt own a TT if they couldnt carry water".

For me its a simple issue of that sloshing water/weight can create a lot of stress/hydraulic pressure and tanks have been known to fall and a weak link, so why risk it if you dont have to.

It boils down to your preference. I just choose to take the safe rout vs risking (likely low risk) being sorry.... others will differ in opinion.... "The whole purpose in having a TT is to be able to haul all your stuff....lncluding water"!

No, Not certain years.

[DES-1]

If your trailer is designed to hold and carry the water within the trailer's and TV's limitations, why not carry? If your trailer has a manufacturing defect related to water storage, get it addressed. If you suspect such, by all means inspect it well in advance and address the issue head-on.



You could extend this use/don't use question to many things on a trailer. Don't let the hypothetical hold you back.

[5picker]

You are going to have to look and decide for yourself. We can't say with certainty.

Many of the 'lite' 'micro' trailers had issues.
Some have indicated they were corrected, others say not.

Fill your tank and look at the brackets.

I would not own a R/V where I couldn't haul with ALL tanks full. Doing otherwise defeats the whole premise of R/Ving.

[cfo111]

only thinking why would you travel with all that load? that's putting a lot of load on your brakes and could make it a unsafe trip. The fuel will cost you more getting there why not fill just before you get there. Just saying and thinking common sense I guess. Just because you maybe a safe driver have you been watching around you of how many that are not?

[HangDiver]

I reinforced the FW tank supports on my micro lite 19fd as I used the camper to boondock in Colorado' back country. Travelling along a smooth highway is one thing; bouncing along wilderness BLM/USFS dirt roads adds instantaneous loads to the water tank supports and cause problems that you don't want to mess with in the middle of nowhere.

[babock]

Originally Posted by gbaldwin

Might have to do some investigating ahead to make sure there is a source. have always been able to find one and fill close to site.

Almost every site I camped at this year would have been a PITA to fill near the site. I always fill ahead of time. No need to waste time investigating. Reinforced my tank support and no need to worry.

[rockfordroo]

The units with issues seem to be the ones with slots on both faces of the angle iron they use as a cross member support. The issue is that the unused slots on the vertical face of the angle iron creates a weak spot, and the angle iron buckles at the slot. See the 1st pic in post #15 here:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...-120272-2.html

Post #15 also shows how a fix can be done. There are other fixes in the thread. Some people have used the angle iron from an old bed frame (Goodwill often has them.)

My 2016 Mini Lite doesn't have the unused slots. You may or may not be so lucky. If your underbelly is covered, you'll have to drop it or cut it open to see the supports.

[rracer5]

We travel with about 1/4 - 1/3 tank of FW for "pit stops", unexpected breakdown emergencies or unexpected boondocking stops or if the CG's water system breaks down (believe me it does & has happened). But, we've never traveled with a full tank and have had no issues.

[gbaldwin]

As stated.... Many opinions and user preference. I find it no more trouble filling at the site vs at home. I always drain any excess on the way out of the CG.

[Mad Cow]

I guess depending on what one is using to tow the trailer, they could carry water in the tow vehicle, say in a water approved tank and just transfer it ot the trailer as needed. It really is not that difficult for most 1/2 tons to carry a 55 gallon blue plastic water barrel in the bed and use a small water transfer pump to put water in the fresh water tank of the trailer as needed. Later, if you need more, use the pickup to go get some more in the barrel. May not be some folk's style, but it is an alternative solution.

[UT_Grandpa]

We have a Mini 2509S and have always travelled with full tanks. Our hunting spot is over 30 miles of washboard dirt road with no way to fill there. The closest fill site is 25 miles away. I have a covered bottom so I can't see what is going on.

Do not over pressure your tank when filling. If you jam a 3/4" hose down the filler throat and turn it on at 50 gallons per minute you will fill the tank, start to build pressure (bulge) long before the vent tries to catch up. The vent hose is small compared to the filler hose and you can actually build pressure long before the tank is full. These tanks were designed for zero pressure.

That said, I will probably put a stretch of angle iron from frame to frame.

[gfarmcafe]

We travel with enough water in the tank for potty breaks. Plus, a lot of Colorado mountain towns have public water sources that you can use to fill the tanks once you get out there. On the square in Kremmling is one that Fall hunters use before going into base camps. Just call ahead and inquire.

[McCormickJim]

Where will you be camping in Colorado?

[JimMorrell]

If I am traveling to a CG with hook ups, I only carry enough water to flush the toilet and wash hands. At times, in dry camping, there is no water readily available and then I travel with a full tank. in well over 20 years, I have had no problems.

[breezyhillfarm]

We travel with a quarter tank and fill up onsite as necessary.

[kawac14]

The cargo carrying capacity of our micro lite 19fbs is less than 200 pounds when the fresh water tanks are full. Therefore, we never travel with more than a few gallons as we travel to our destination. we've never had trouble finding fresh water to fill up at the campgrounds that we stay at.

[Camp2Canoe]

Arguments against are two fold: 1) It is easier on any camper to travel with (mostly) empty tanks. You don't have the extra weight and dynamic load of a full tank and you're not putting as much stress on brakes, tires, etc. 2) It is a safety issue - less weight is easier and faster to stop. Like rracer 5, we travel with just enough water for head flushing and hand washing.

[NMWildcat]

If 400lbs of water causes you to have handling and safety concerns, you have much bigger problems with your rig........

[moose074]

Some campgrounds have nasty tasting water so I definitely fill my tanks. Other times the water is better than mine. Other times I just put about 20 gallons in for restroom because my truck route might be a little desolate.