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10-22-2017, 12:16 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 194
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Windjammer Tank Capacities
So far, we've been on several trips with our new 2018 3008W and for the most part have been very pleased with our unit.
One thing we noticed compare to our old trailer was that some of the tanks seemed to fill up faster than we expected given the published specs.
For example, in our old trailer, which only had one 40Gal Grey and 40G Black tank, we used to fill a 1/2 gallon container with shower water to get to the hot water and then pour that down the toilet since 40gal was a lot of capacity for a black tank. We could easily go for 10+ days straight of dry camping without any issue with the black tank.
On our first 10 day trip, we did the same trick and found our black tank was full (backing up the downpipe) after about 7/8 days. Seemed strange for a quoted spec of 45Gallons, larger than our previous unit.
Same seemed true with the grey tanks. The specs indicated 75 Gallons combined between the galley and bathroom grey tanks.
The fresh tank seemed someone quick to empty given the 43 gallon capacity.
So, today while doing some cleaning, I decided to test the capacity of the tanks with a flow meter.
With an empty fresh tank (pump sucking air), I was able to only put in about 33 gallons. Considering that the water meter usually still indicates 1/4 level remaining when it starts to suck air in the pump, I figured this was due to the pickup being mounted in the side of the tank and above the bottom of the tank. Same was true in the previous trailer.
The biggest surprise came with the waste tanks. Filling the black tank yielded about 28 gallons as the water started coming up the downpipe from the toilet to the tank. Given that there was about 2 gallons that I put in there after the last dump with some chemicals, I put the black tank at 30 Gallons, only 2/3rds of the quoted 45 gallons.
The grey tanks measured at 32 gallons for the Bathroom grey tank and 36 gallons for the galley tank for a combined 68 gallons (short of the quoted 75 gallons).
Looks like the trick of using the black tank for heating water disposal will stop and FR doesn't publish honest numbers. Just be aware if you like to dry camp.
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08-28-2018, 01:18 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 194
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Windjammingnc
So far, we've been on several trips with our new 2018 3008W and for the most part have been very pleased with our unit.
One thing we noticed compare to our old trailer was that some of the tanks seemed to fill up faster than we expected given the published specs.
For example, in our old trailer, which only had one 40Gal Grey and 40G Black tank, we used to fill a 1/2 gallon container with shower water to get to the hot water and then pour that down the toilet since 40gal was a lot of capacity for a black tank. We could easily go for 10+ days straight of dry camping without any issue with the black tank.
On our first 10 day trip, we did the same trick and found our black tank was full (backing up the downpipe) after about 7/8 days. Seemed strange for a quoted spec of 45Gallons, larger than our previous unit.
Same seemed true with the grey tanks. The specs indicated 75 Gallons combined between the galley and bathroom grey tanks.
The fresh tank seemed someone quick to empty given the 43 gallon capacity.
So, today while doing some cleaning, I decided to test the capacity of the tanks with a flow meter.
With an empty fresh tank (pump sucking air), I was able to only put in about 33 gallons. Considering that the water meter usually still indicates 1/4 level remaining when it starts to suck air in the pump, I figured this was due to the pickup being mounted in the side of the tank and above the bottom of the tank. Same was true in the previous trailer.
The biggest surprise came with the waste tanks. Filling the black tank yielded about 28 gallons as the water started coming up the downpipe from the toilet to the tank. Given that there was about 2 gallons that I put in there after the last dump with some chemicals, I put the black tank at 30 Gallons, only 2/3rds of the quoted 45 gallons.
The grey tanks measured at 32 gallons for the Bathroom grey tank and 36 gallons for the galley tank for a combined 68 gallons (short of the quoted 75 gallons).
Looks like the trick of using the black tank for heating water disposal will stop and FR doesn't publish honest numbers. Just be aware if you like to dry camp.
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Update: Took the trailer to the dealer and they looked at the tank. They were able to pull the model number and called the tank manufacturer. It appears that it's a 35 gallon tank.
This is disappointing for two reasons. First, we aren't able to get more than 30 gallons in there and second, it's much less than the advertised 45 gallons.
Hoping that the factory will provide a positive response to the dealer regarding resolution.
__________________
Paul and Angela
Raleigh, NC
2018 Windjammer 3008w
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08-28-2018, 01:25 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Posts: 577
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At Forest River website my camper is advertised to have 43 gallon water tank but I measured this week and it starts to overflow at 37 gal so probably it is the same 35 gal tank you have....
At 25 gal it already shows full on the control panel...
I used the rainwave water meter to measure that...
https://www.amazon.com/Rainwave-RW-9...ve+water+meter
__________________
2018 F150 XLT V8 HDPP
2018 Rockwood 2909WS
" Life is simpler when you plow around the stump..."
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08-28-2018, 01:32 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 194
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RACarvalho
At Forest River website my camper is advertised to have 43 gallon water tank but I measured this week and it starts to overflow at 37 gal so probably it is the same 35 gal tank you have....
At 25 gal it already shows full on the control panel...
I used the rainwave water meter to measure that...
https://www.amazon.com/Rainwave-RW-9...ve+water+meter
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I was referring to our black tank but our fresh tank results are the same as yours. We usually get to about 38 gallons on the rainwave and it's flowing out.
Our gray tanks came within a few gallons of the advertised capacity. Just really disappointed in the black tank discrepancy.
__________________
Paul and Angela
Raleigh, NC
2018 Windjammer 3008w
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08-28-2018, 01:36 PM
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#5
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Georgia Rally Coordinator
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: GA
Posts: 24,293
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Hate to hear that the tank is only 35. My V-Lite was advertised as 38. We also add about 1 to 2 gals after dump and add the chemical. My tanks seem to be pretty close as advertised. Remember the brochures have a disclaimer they can make changes at any time. I doubt if FR will replace the tank as long as there is nothing really wrong. Later RJD
__________________
2020 Shasta Phoenix SPF 27RKSS (sold)
2018 Dodge Ram 2500 6.4 3:73 gearing. Traded 2015 Chevy 2500 6.0, 4:10
Traded 2015 30WRLIKS V-Lite
Days camped 2019 62
Days camped 2020 49 days camped 2021-74 2022-40 days 2023 5 days
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08-28-2018, 01:41 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 194
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Quote:
Originally Posted by aceinspp
Hate to hear that the tank is only 35 but that is what I have in a V-Lite and usually go 5 days before dumping. We also add about 1 to 2 gals after dump and add the chemical. My tanks seem to be pretty close as advertised. Remember the brochures have a disclaimer they can make changes at any time. I doubt if FR will replace the tank as long as there is nothing really wrong. Later RJD
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One of the reasons we bought this trailer besides the floorplan was due to the tank capacities. We boondock/dry camp a lot and although we have a blue tote we use for grey water, we prefer not having to deal with black until we leave.
Our previous trailer had 40 gallons of black and we were able to make 2 weeks without having to dump
__________________
Paul and Angela
Raleigh, NC
2018 Windjammer 3008w
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08-28-2018, 01:47 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Kalamazoo
Posts: 2,139
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I believe to inflate fresh water capacities they include the hot water heater capacity as if you were filling the camper from a winterized point.
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