How full is my water tank?

[moose074]

I just wonder if the tank is rated to hold say 30 gallons and you fill up to overflow how many gallons total 30.5 to 31 gallons the bracket is going to break with an extra 8 pounds sounds suspicious to me.

[dfazzini]

Fill the tank then use a 5gal buck and drain and mark the platter after each bucket with a sharpie. Ill usually leave with 1/2 tank and top off at camp or near camp.

https://rvdumpsites.net/ is a good site, also many "full service" stations like you would find in a small town won't mind you just using their water to top off if you fill up at the same time.

I leave with 1/2 tank in case water is not available like it is suppose to be at camp or I have issues finding water for boondocking near town. This takes 70-100# of weight off my TV which is a Wrangler, so every drop counts. On mine, the tank is mostly in front of the axle so it is both trailer weight and hitch weight.

I run the 1970ESB. Fully loaded with full tanks and a generator is about 2800#. With the Jeep JKU's limit @ 3500 that is about maxing out. I run stock rims and "airbags" in the rear coils to level the ride out, that helps a lot. With the larger wheels on the trailer have never had an issue with sway with this setup heavy or light. For smaller vehicles with non-truck suspensions, the airbags are the way to go if they will fit your TV.

[kenandterry]

I used to use the Jerry can method.....but I couldn’t stand the taste of gasoline when brushing my teeth.

[Wolverine 1945]

Originally Posted by Jonol

Wy not fixing the real problem?
That stupid blader BRAKET!

Right ON !!! Great Idea !!!
We all know it is damm sad that FR would build a unit with a FR water tank that can't be filled,,, I have wondered for years why the Government has done nothing ???

[2thxtrm]

You could also catch your grey output in a tank or bucket and monitor your usage. I have an 11 gallon portable grey water tank, when I have to empty it, I know I have right around (slightly less than) a half tank of fresh left...

[bareftn]

Brackets are weak but most brackets will bend because people fill the water tanks to fast and the tanks balloon before water comes out the over fill vent line and the air line that comes out of the water tank may have some water in it so its hard for the air to escape pushing the water out and the next thing you have a bent water tank bracket

[Wolverine 1945]

Originally Posted by bareftn

Brackets are weak but most brackets will bend because people fill the water tanks to fast and the tanks balloon before water comes out the over fill vent line and the air line that comes out of the water tank may have some water in it so its hard for the air to escape pushing the water out and the next thing you have a bent water tank bracket

So Brackets & Tanks are too weak !!!
Suprise Suprise !!!

[bareftn]

You got it

[Wolverine 1945]

What good is a 25 gallon tank,,, if it is overloaded @ 10 gallons !!!

FR could save some money by just putting a 10 gallon tank in,,,
But then they could not compete with other builders !!!

[AquaMan]

When filling, don’t run water at full pressure, all the way full. The vent may not be able to equalize the pressure of the incoming water. I run full pressure (figuring at least 5 gal per minute) and stop short of capacity. Then slow the flow until full, making sure the vent can handle the volume.

[Wolverine 1945]

I stick a hose in about 2 foot,,, set the flow as low as possible,,,
and go find something else to do,,,
or set on one of my bucket seats and have a cold one or 2 !!!

[Jonol]

Just an idea!
Add a plywood under the tank and replace de braket with a good heavy one?
That way no body will quet a free car wash down the rode one of these days.
I think that will make sense!!!

[Wolverine 1945]

Originally Posted by Jonol

Just an idea!
Add a plywood under the tank and replace de braket with a good heavy one?
That way no body will quet a free car wash down the rode one of these days.
I think that will make sense!!!

Heave Treated Plywood !!!

[nomad297]

Whatever happened to Mr Havercamp?

Bruce

[Wolverine 1945]

Originally Posted by nomad297

Whatever happened to Mr Havercamp?

Bruce

Good Question ???

[campfire joe]

I also have the 2318g model and i always fill the tank before i leave. I believe it's a 20 gal tank, and there is no gauge to to see how much is in the tank. We have had this camper for 4 years never a problem. Nothing in the owners manual either warning about how much water to put in the tank. Been underneath it a bunch of times greasing the lift system and the water tank brackets show no stress.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by elemoine

Can you not use the monitor panel? Or, don’t trust it

The OP has a popup and posted this in the Tent Camper and Popup section. Some popups don't have a monitor panel.

[Mike91]

I was told by dealer and factory to not fill it all the way, maybe about 2/3rds. Factory said that it could affect the ride or tow quality and dealer said may not be strong enough for repeatedly carrying full water.

I don't know, always carried full tanks in all my past campers.

BTW, tank is 20 gallon, and water heater is 6 gallon.

If you fill the fresh water tank, then fill the water heater tank from the fresh water tank, you'll have just about 2/3rds of your tank left.

[Wolverine 1945]

I have always filled our FWT to the brim, on our Sunseeker, we have sold Sunseeker and bough a small Flagstaff TT, may have to change my plans ???

[pgandw]

Originally Posted by Mike91

I was told by dealer and factory to not fill it all the way, maybe about 2/3rds. Factory said that it could affect the ride or tow quality and dealer said may not be strong enough for repeatedly carrying full water.

I don't know, always carried full tanks in all my past campers.

BTW, tank is 20 gallon, and water heater is 6 gallon.

If you fill the fresh water tank, then fill the water heater tank from the fresh water tank, you'll have just about 2/3rds of your tank left.

On my A-frames, the water tank is directly behind the axle. So a full tank helps reduce the excessive tongue weight, and makes the suspension work better.

To check the water level requires looking underneath at the level in the translucent tank. While I'm there, I check to make sure the tank is still properly supported.

As was pointed out, filling the water heater takes 6 gal - out of 20 gal if the tank is full. Doesn't leave much for use while camping. So now when I fill at home before a trip, I fill the tank, then I crawl in and turn on the water pump, fill the water heater (open the hot water valve on the outside shower until water comes out), then refill the water tank. Then crawl in again and turn off the water pump.

If the water heater is full, it pretty much offsets the effect of the weight of water in the water tank on tongue weight.

just my experiences
Fred W
2019 Flagstaff T21TBHW A-frame
2008 Hyundai Entourage minivan
camping Colorado and adjacent states one weekend at a time