who tows with the water tank full

[slowmover]

Assuming the water tank is where it’s supposed to be (on; barely-ahead of axle pair) it should always be full so as to keep COG at the best condition.

Gettin’ panties all twisted about an ascent at 48-mph is funny. Wouldn’t matter if you’d been at 38-mph.

Coming down the grade is what matters. Low COG height is big in helping keep inadvertent trailer movements at their lowest. Natural and man-made sudden wind gusts are treacherous on downgrades.

 

[SSage]

I would usually fill my 100 gallon plastic tank full when camping or traveling. I didn't want a slack tank beating itself to death. Its not baffled as far as I can tell. My tank was just in front of the axles, didn't make much difference when it was full. The weight was mostly on the three trailer axles.

I always kept the water tank full even at a CG, you never know when there will be a freeze, power outage or bad water. I used the water onboard a few times in NC and FL when the campgrounds had issues. About every two weeks I would refill it with an inline filter on the white hose and some chlorine to keep it "fresh" as a full timer. I could use the water up fairly quick with the clothes washing, so I would just use the water in the tank for a couple days and then refill before it went really stale. My parents didn't do the same and got caught for a few days when the well pump at a monthly CG site went out. They had to bring in water. Same with the generator, I always travel with a good size "quiet" type power source. I've used my generator for a week at a time while at full hook up campgrounds due to bad power outages from storms.

 

[DHayden]

I thought my fresh tank was 100 gallons but I just looked up the specs and its 160 gallons! Never filled it up though so I wouldnt have noticed.

 

[SSage]

My tank was bigger too, but "officially" 100 gallons. I can't remember exactly, but the tank held a lot more than the build sheet stated.

When my power converter died I looked everywhere for it and uncovered the actual water tank while following the wires. The converter ended up just above the tank inside a fully enclosed compartment under the bathroom sink. Zero ventilation, amazing choice of location! Had to take a cabinet apart to get in there and cut through the floor.

 

[rikbakke]

I will run with the tank full all day if I’ll be on tank water for the next stay. My freshwater tank is abount 50 gallons, sitting over the axles. I don’t notice much towing difference with it full.

 

[AH64ID]

I watched two guys use the fresh water connection for black water flushing last night. I mentioned it to them and they were clueless there was a difference, despite the signs.

Yet another reason to travel with water from a known clean source.

 

[slowmover]

I watched two guys use the fresh water connection for black water flushing last night. I mentioned it to them and they were clueless there was a difference, despite the signs.

Yet another reason to travel with water from a known clean source.

Any water hose can get dirty. Potable = potable. Treat the tank, DON’T turn down water when available.

Water and propane are the definition of a self-contained RV. They are THE limiting factors.

Electric is a desire. Water is a need.

Try & understand the difference.

Dumb RV’er = empty freshwater tank.

Come across what you think is a better source, drain & refill (that wasn’t hard, was it?)

.

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

Since my original posts here, I've changed RVs to a super C motorhome. I now travel with fresh water tank full so on overnight stays, don't bother to connect freshwater or drain hose, just power. I have a dedicated 6ft hose permanently connected to the blackwater flush connection with an anti backflow valve I stalled on the hose. I have an anti backflow valve on my water pump that occasionally gets stuck and inadvertently over fills the fresh water tank when connected to city water. On my list to replace.

We may dry camp with the MH as opportunities present themselves, but most of the time, use it as basecamp and take the Jeep out on excursions.

Cheers, Ron

 

[SSage]

I stopped leaving the city water on all the time after seeing more than one water fall coming out of RV's with no one around! Even as a full timer I could go a few days without needing the city water on with a 100 gallon tank. I really only needed the hose on for the laundry days.

With the small 29' trailer I haven't had it hooked up to the city connection. So far my 63 gallons is fine for three days with two people. I'm really liking the non-electric dry sites in the National Forests. My next trip will be Mt Pisgah in a few days.

 

[Tuesdak]

I watched two guys use the fresh water connection for black water flushing last night. I mentioned it to them and they were clueless there was a difference, despite the signs.

Yet another reason to travel with water from a known clean source.

Sometimes a little education goes a long way. Many new people to the RV lifestyle. Thanks for pointing it out to them as it can help us all esp. if they do it properly from now on.

 

[GAmes]

I watched two guys use the fresh water connection for black water flushing last night. I mentioned it to them and they were clueless there was a difference, despite the signs.

Signs? Were you at a dump site or a campground? At a campground there is only one water faucet which means you have to use fresh water to flush the black tank. I fail to see a problem.

 

[AH64ID]

Signs? Were you at a dump site or a campground? At a campground there is only one water faucet which means you have to use fresh water to flush the black tank. I fail to see a problem.

Multiple signs and it was a dump site.

While I try to avoid campgrounds Ive never seen one without separate hose bibs for black flush and fresh fill.

 

[GAmes]

I only boondock in Canada. I never use hoses that do not belong to me either. You'll never see both a black flush faucet and a fresh fill faucet in a campsite.

 

[JR]

I watched two guys use the fresh water connection for black water flushing last night. I mentioned it to them and they were clueless there was a difference, despite the signs.

Yet another reason to travel with water from a known clean source.

I ran into a similar situation in Hocking Hills last year. A couple that had just pulled in next to us came over and asked where they were supposed to connect the hose to. They did not know what the fresh water tank, fresh water hook up (city hook up), grey and black water flush connections were for. Didn't know any of it among other basics. They rented the unit and drove from Michigan and popped their cherry for the first time right next to us

Now for the funny part. I talked with the guy for probably a half hour and the wife struck up a conversation with the woman. Later at dinner we noticed some "discrepancies" in their stories. We found out through out the week that she was a Dr and he was a lawyer. We had a good laugh over who was telling the truth and who was fibbing

 

[GAmes]

I was at a campground in east TX a few years ago. The manager came over and asked me to help a couple who didn't know how to unhook their 5th wheel from their truck.

 

[slowmover]

I was at a campground in east TX a few years ago. The manager came over and asked me to help a couple who didn't know how to unhook their 5th wheel from their truck.

Bet there was a day you didn’t know something that man had known for decades already. So?

.

 

[JR]

Somethings you learn before you leave the homestead. Hitching and unhitching your rig is one of them in my book. I'd mark that one as a safety critical.

 

[Wiredawg]

A friend of mine purchased a gasser Class A a few years ago, but didn't read any books or ask any questions about how to use it. They used the toilet dry, filled with solids, and ended up having to replace the tank as I recall. Very important to learn critical items before using it.

 

[crispyboy]

My neighbor (rv newbie) just bought an older class c motorhome. He was asking me why the lights and other items were not functioning properly. My hunch was correct when I looked at the coach battery water level which revealed a solid chunk of lead - dry as an old bone...... Start here with a new battery!
I spent the better part of an hour slowly reviewing many, many items pertaining to campers with him. I really didn't mind as he a good neighbor and I enjoy talking about rv/trailer/truck stuff anyway.
Best way to make friends in a campground is to open the hood of the truck and check the oil. Guys seem to flock around and just want to talk.

 

[AnonEd]

I did that with a Columbia-chassis motorhome once. Lost my voice before dark...