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who tows with the water tank full

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5th wheel/truck capability questions

ReTrax Bed Cover Parts 2500 RAM 6' 4" (SB)

I have a new Rage'n 30 ft 5th wheel.

4 dirt bikes and a load of firewood is standard equipment.

The last time I made it over our local mountain pass I thought I would fill the tank full.

150 gallons at 8 # per gallon was too much.

I had the truck and trailer going as slow as 48 mph.

When empty of water it will pull the same hill at 60 or better.

From now on When I get to California City I will fill it there.

Am I the only one who tows with an empty water tank ? :{
 
If I know there is water where I'm going to be, I just run enough to flush on the way. Otherwise, I do tow full if I know that I am going to be dry camping.
 
We most often RV in spots where water availability is poor, or of questionable quality, so we usually top off the tank on trips - it's a 40 gallon tank.
 
I did with my previous 5er. I don't do it with my current one, in my old one the tank was under the bedroom floor current one is just behind the rear axle. I am afraid of the extra weight pulling it loose and falling out with all the bouncing around in the rear.
 
No way I do, our fresh water tank is 100 gls, only put in 1/3 when on the road. Water 8. 3 ppg. = 830 pounds of towing weight, carry 1/3 say 35 gls

at 290 pounds,,, saves over 500 lbs of weight. :D



Bill
 
My weekend warrior has a 150gal fresh tank. Since we only dry camp we always haul it full going. I usually dump it as we are pulling out. If need be I leave a little to flush the black and gray tanks out and have a little to use the toilet on the way home
 
I normally pull with an empty tank, as I use my RV mostly to go to Brainerd Intl Raceway, and the gas station outside the gates lets me fill from the spigot they have (good well water). Once I got up there and started filling, almost right away I started blowing water from the overfill drains. Turns out the rv dealer left the tanks almost full (installed new water pump). did not notice any real difference in driveability or mileage. I have a 110 gallon fresh water tank.

So now I am unsure if it matters much. This truck, stock, has plenty of power. .
 
If I'm going to a NASCAR race I pull full of water, if just going camping I fill up when I get there or hook up to the water system if available. I only have a 40 gallon tank and can't tell a difference empty or not.
 
bajabill said:
No way I do, our fresh water tank is 100 gls, only put in 1/3 when on the road. Water 8. 3 ppg. = 830 pounds of towing weight, carry 1/3 say 35 gls

at 290 pounds,,, saves over 500 lbs of weight. :D



Bill

Me too.

Just fill till the 1/3 light comes on. We are already too heavy :( , the 5th wheel that is Oo. Oo. .
 
I keep mine 1/3rd full. This way we can use a clean bathroom when we have to stop. If we are to stay in a park with no hookups I will try to fill it first if we are to be there for several days.
 
Jerky said:
I always tow full. You never know when you might need water. You never know when someone else might need water as well. - Dean



I think along the same lines as Dean - I like to be prepared, but currently I only have a 40 gallon fresh water tank. I plan on adding another 50 gallon tank next to it in the basement ('96 33' HitchHiker Premier).



If you ever do any boondocking you will appreciate having all the water you can carry. I also keep some Reliance 7 gallon water jugs handy in case I need to adjust the loading with ballast.
 
We run full often. Like to dry camp and boondock, so we're full when we leave the house, and refill whenever we move.

Due to logistics of finding dump stations, sometimes we're on the go with the fresh water and gray water tanks all full, or nearly so.

No problemo for the Cummins. :cool:



Gary
 
We start off with it full and top it off daily. Never know when you might need water. Have never been able to tell a but of difference in power or MPG.



6000 gross, +40 gals @ 8#'s = 6320 #'s

6000 + empty water tank = 6000 #'s

320 #'s out of 6000, not much difference
 
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