FW Tank Capacity

[TheGriz]

Hey folks,

Just got done with a short four day camping trip to Frances Slocum State Park in NE PA only about 60 miles from my home. The CG site only had electric hookup. I ensured my FW tank was full before leaving home.

My Laredo has 43 gallon FW tank. Unfortunately the tank sensor was dropping more quickly than I expected. We JUST made it through the four days. As my DW was JUST finishing the breakfast dishes, the pump started sucking air...water reserve empty. We conserved water as much as possible and used the CG facilities as was convenient. Just didn't seem like we went through 43 gallons.

So as soon as we got home this afternoon, I did a little experiment. I filled the FW tank until overflowing through the tank vent. Then I measured water capacity by pumping out water via the on-board pump through the TT's outdoor hose hookup and the short coiled TT stock hose. I kept filling a five gallon water tote that I know was pretty accurate.

Bottom line, after going through the experiment twice, I got 36 gallons out of the FW tank the first time, and 34 gallons the second time. But certainly fell short of the advertised 43 gallon capacity.

Any explanation/thoughts on roughly 20% shortfall in advertised FW tank capacity???

Thanks,
Mike

[Steveo57]

Maybe the fw tank capacity number also includes the water in the hot water heater?

[JRTJH]

I've got the same "43 gallon fresh water capacity" in my Cougar. That's 36 gallons in the FW tank, 6 gallons in the water heater and 1 gallon in the plumbing runs. Total: 36+6+1=43. Usable water, about 35 gallons. We always carry 2 WalMart blue 6 gallon jugs (12 gallons extra) that we can fill on a run to town if there's no water available at the campground. With the 27 gallon blue tote, we are "good to stay" until the black tank is full. That's usually 8 days if we use the bathroom "judiciously" (DW has toilet privileges/I use the outside bushes except for "constitutionals")..... We don't use the blue tote to empty the black tank.

[TheGriz]

Thanks Steve and John! Yep...you guys nailed it. The 6 gallon water heater is in the 43 gallon capacity.

I called Keystone and asked the gal that answered what the FW capacity is for the 288RL. And sure enough she answered without hesitation 37.5 gallons. I then asked why it is advertised at 43 gal FW capacity? I could see the deer in the headlight stare through the phone during the long pause. She put me on hold and came back and said it was the water heater that makes up the difference.

I suggested a footnote on "usable" FW capacity being approximately 36 gallons (minus air in tank), as advertising 43 gallons is misleading. She said she will pass my comment on to their tech writers. Yeah right! Excuse my cynicism...

Regards,
Mike

[Canonman]

Don't ya just Love It when the marketing folks help write the "specs" section of the brochure
We also keep a couple of 5 gallon jugs handy just in case.

[Pull Toy]

Ditch the "Hot Water" and sponge bathe" off of the stove, or the Creek? LOL! (or ) Tag along an extra 10 gal. in totes, or do the dishes in the shower.... (Sorry, couldn't resist)

Enjoy,

Good Luck,