Carrying fresh water while traveling

[khmiller]

We always fill it up (60 gallons) because we only boondock in remote BLM USFS locations. If we're staying longer than three days I'll take a couple 7 gallon jugs for backup. I filter all of it, even the jugs. We don't take regular showers, only "cup showers" to save water. We also take a case of water for drinking. We've never ran out of water yet and we like to desert camp in the spring and fall.

[MarkS]

I used to fill about 20 gallons for flushing. Then we had a breakdown and spent the night in a dealer’s lot. Was very glad to have the water. Now I carry a little more.

[Ken / Claudia]

These are marketed as self contained RVs. They can carry water while traveling. My is made to be able to and I do. Why? it is OK and I need water if I want to use the toilet or sink while traveling instead of the rest stop or truck stop restrooms. For me it goes along with having food in cabinets and Refer to stop and eat while traveling or at camp.

[boxcar]

My brother recently had to have significant work done on his Outback as a result of traveling with the fresh water full. It was not covered and the factory rep said it was not designed for traveling with the tanks full. I was just over on the Outback forum, however, and the owners there believe that they can fill the tanks safely in spite of the factory position on this. https://www.outbackers.com/forums/in...howtopic=35946

I always travel with enough to run the toilet while traveling but I'm afraid to fill it because of the stress.

I'd love to hear a definitive answer on this from the manufacturer. We have good water at home and I'd rather use it rather than water at my destination.

[CaptnJohn]

Full every trip!

[bfisher003]

Depending on our travel plans we always carry at least half a tank of freshwater and if boondocking is on the agenda we leave with a full tank and fill as needed.

[Dave W]

We carry enough to flush and maybe make a pot of coffee - 10 to 15 gallons. We also carry 3 or four gallon jugs of bottled water JIC the CG water has a lousy taste. If we get stuck at some CG without water, it ain't the end of the world. We CAN go one more day without a shower We did fill up a couple years back in Colorado - and didn't notice any change in the towing characteristics over 2-3000 miles.

So-o-o-o, do what fits your needs - it's your RV

[mfifield01]

Originally Posted by boxcar

My brother recently had to have significant work done on his Outback as a result of traveling with the fresh water full. It was not covered and the factory rep said it was not designed for traveling with the tanks full. I was just over on the Outback forum, however, and the owners there believe that they can fill the tanks safely in spite of the factory position on this. https://www.outbackers.com/forums/in...howtopic=35946

I always travel with enough to run the toilet while traveling but I'm afraid to fill it because of the stress.

I'd love to hear a definitive answer on this from the manufacturer. We have good water at home and I'd rather use it rather than water at my destination.

When I did PDI, the tech told me the same thing. He said the tanks shouldn't be full while traveling. It doesn't make sense.

[jack65]

Originally Posted by sourdough

We carry between 1/3 and 1/2 tank for the reasons stated above.

Sounds like this is the most popular choice and I'm going with 1/3 full tank. We always take enough bottle water for a week and load that in the truck.

[Bobkay]

I have an Outback 240urs where the hauler box is up front. The fresh water tank is in the back. I keep the tank full. It reduces overloading the hitch weight and gives my Hemi Grand Cherokee better handling. Love my Outback, so multipurpose, have traveled coast to coast, now planning several South to North trips.

[Youngston]

No more than 1/4 full. I have a 2016 cougar xlite. I had a leak in the fresh water tank that required me to remove enough of the belly cover to expose the tank. To help me find the leak I filled the fresh water tank. I was shocked to see how much the tank was deformed. It looked like a Zeppelin. The hanger straps looked as if they were cutting into the tank. The leak was coming from the tank fill elbow. I emailed keystone to ask them about how safe it was to run with a full tank. They recommended no more than 1/4 full.

[KJJ]

When I dump the waste tanks I fill the fresh tank. Splurged on a 3-stage filter cause milady is sensitive to junky or citified water. Don't understand a Keystone rep saying only fill to 1/4, how are you supposed to go anywhere that doesn't have a water hookup and why even put in a tank at all then?

[Youngston]

I have discussed this with other RVers. Most try to get close to their destination and fill fresh tank. That's what I do now.

I understand your (and my) frustration. But I have since discovered that many TTs and 5ers have the same issue. Most manufacturers buy their holding tanks from the same supplier. So if the manufacturer has not designed a cradle for the tanks and use hangers they all will do it.

[rhagfo]

Our 5er rides and tows smother with a full FW tank, we full time as Park Host and in the winter water can be an issue at some winter sites.

[jack65]

Originally Posted by Bobkay

I have an Outback 240urs where the hauler box is up front. The fresh water tank is in the back. I keep the tank full. It reduces overloading the hitch weight and gives my Hemi Grand Cherokee better handling. Love my Outback, so multipurpose, have traveled coast to coast, now planning several South to North trips.

I'm going to check my 18RS Outback to see where it's water tank is. Does having water in the rear really help handling?

[gailtodd]

I fill up my fresh water tank prior to my trips to Mexico. It has lasted for my stay up to 9 days.

[mfifield01]

Originally Posted by jack65

I'm going to check my 18RS Outback to see where it's water tank is. Does having water in the rear really help handling?

Usually it is better to have water in the front, not the rear. Having a heavy hitch weight can help with sway as long as your TV can handle the weight. Mine is in the front. I have driven mine full and empty, it didn't seem to change the handling much. In my case, it put about half of the weight onto the hitch when full (~140lbs).

[arch113]

Dealer recommended to me that I do not travel with full tank when I traveled ~800 miles, he said he wouldn't trust the straps holding the tank through that much bumpy roads.

[jsmith948]

Originally Posted by arch113

Dealer recommended to me that I do not travel with full tank when I traveled ~800 miles, he said he wouldn't trust the straps holding the tank through that much bumpy roads.

Filled the 60 gal tank in the rear of our Cougar 5er. Drove from central CA to Northern N.J.- then to Jekyll Island, GA - then west on I-40 back to CA. No issues. Yes, we could see where the bottom of the tank appeared to be bulging around the carrier straps. Nice to have potable water from our own well if and when we run into any less-than-sparkling campground water. To each his own.

[Hodgy]

Originally Posted by KJJ

Don't understand a Keystone rep saying only fill to 1/4, how are you supposed to go anywhere that doesn't have a water hookup and why even put in a tank at all then?

Agree !

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