Water spilling from vent around turns

NotyetMHCowner · 02-11-2016, 12:04 PM

We have only traveled with our fresh water tank 1/3 full or less, yet while going around turns, some of the water is spilling out of the vent on the left rear side. We are going to do some dry camping this year, for the first time, and are concerned how much water we will have left by the time we get to the site? Is there something wrong with out unit, or is this normal?

**JRTJH** · 02-11-2016, 12:22 PM

If you can imagine sitting a bucket of water (completely full) on the floor of your truck and turning corners, you'll find that the forces of gravity will cause the water to "slosh" out of the bucket during turns. Essentially the same thing happens when you make a turn that forces the water in your fresh water tank against the side where the "low pressure fill" is located. It's just water "forcing its way" back up the hose from the forces of gravity pushing it into the hose and subsequently out the fill port.

Usually it's water that's in the hose or, at most, a gallon or so that will be "lost". It looks like a lot of water when viewed in the TV mirror, but it's not as much as it seems.

You could, I suppose, fabricate some kind of "stopper" to insert into the fill port, but you'd still have the smaller "vent port" which would probably still "pour water" out of the opening.

Almost everyone who has a trailer with a "low pressure fill" also called a "gravity fill" either has noticed the same situation or, just hasn't seen it happen yet..... I say that with the understanding that there may be "one or two" trailers that don't have the problem. It's pretty much a "normal situation" and nothing to be overly concerned with. You probably won't lose much water during turns and should find that you arrive with pretty much a "full fresh water tank" almost all of the time.

Ken / Claudia · 02-11-2016, 01:40 PM

John pretty much said it all. My experience is that I rv with a full tank if dry camping or not. Years ago after needing to buy a gal of water to flush a toilet while traveling convinced me to have tap water available at much less cost and hassle. I fill the water tank as I am getting the rest of the trailer ready and it over fills at times and some not but, normally I see water leaking out as you seen. It ends after a gal? or so.

NotyetMHCowner · 02-12-2016, 04:16 AM

I would not have noticed, but my DW was driving behind and told me it did it the whole way to the beach (400+ miles) around big turns. And this was 1/3 full or less. I don't have gravity fill, it is the fresh tank vent that the water is spilling out of. She said she had to back off from me because it was hitting the road and splashing up a mist on her windshield. I was just wondering how bad it would be will a full tank since we have not traveled with a full tank yet.

I always keep about 1/3 full for times to pull over and use the toilet, but have never traveled with a full tank because it was unnecessary for the weight.

Nagrompj · 02-12-2016, 04:31 PM

My Dad has a KZ Spree. When it was new it would siphon the tank dry. 40 gallons gone. It only took one right turn and he could stop and watch it drain the tank.
It took three trips to the dealer and a lot of gripeing to factory to have it repaired. KZ had to replace the tank and rerouted the piping to correct the problem.

Ken / Claudia · 02-13-2016, 09:55 AM

Another thought, I read you said she could see where the water was coming from but, that does not sound right, unsure how it could continue leaking the whole trip. Just thinking maybe the water was coming from some where else like a connection at the tank or between the fill and tank? I see water coming from the roof of RVs including my own at times and from under them when the road is dry. The roof being left over water from rain or wash. The under from a leak or trapped water on the under bottom cover.

NotyetMHCowner · 02-14-2016, 06:23 AM

It was coming from the left rear where the fresh water tank vent is when going around turns to the right. I'm 99% sure it is only the vent that is spilling. I'm just wondering how bad it may be when traveling with the tank full?

jsmith948 · 02-14-2016, 09:40 AM

When filling our FW tank, we always let the water run until it starts to run out of the vent port. Then we run the pump to fill the water heater. We've never noticed any water running out onto the road as I am sure that drawing 6 gal out of the tank to fill the WH drains any water that might have been in the vent hose. I think I would start by examining the integrity of the vent hose. If it is split or has come loose where it connects to the tank, it could be leaking into the underbelly. If the road was extremely rough and/or you were taking the corners fast, you might get the tank sloshing around enough to spit out of the vent - don't know.

Ken / Claudia · 02-14-2016, 12:28 PM

In my world we have several sayings. Eye witnesses are the worst witness. 2 people will see the same thing and report different facts. So, trust but, verify. Something is not right with what you describe. If you can fill the tank and see if water leaks out anywhere in the next day or so just as it sits in the driveway. Easy to do that. Make sure your checking the underside also for water dips or signs or water. . If nothing leaks take a drive, stop and check the vent and tank area.

NotyetMHCowner · 02-14-2016, 12:33 PM

I had part of the rear under belly loose for a different reason last season and everything was bone dry. I will look further into the situation. I just assumed that some of the water would escape through the vent around turns unless it has some kind of check valve or loop to prevent this.

Nagrompj · 02-14-2016, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NotyetMHCowner

I had part of the rear under belly loose for a different reason last season and everything was bone dry. I will look further into the situation. I just assumed that some of the water would escape through the vent around turns unless it has some kind of check valve or loop to prevent this.

The next time you have the underbelly down take a look at the water tank. If it's like mine the vent line is on the left side of the tank, close to the top but not on the top. With no baffles in the tank every time you make a right turn the water shifts to the left and some continues out the vent.
It's not to hard to imagine.

NotyetMHCowner · 02-15-2016, 08:52 AM

That's exactly what I figured. I will take a look at it when I get it back home.

gearhead · 02-17-2016, 03:14 PM

Mine will do it a bit with a full tank, but I rarely travel with a full tank. I would question if you are actually carrying 1/3 a tank. If you are judging the level with the panel lights, there is no telling how much you have in there, it could be full.
Here is what I did, which of course is genius and you should too. (massive sarcasm there) Get the biggest bucket that will fit under the fresh water tank drain. Use a gallon jug and fill it with water. Fill the bucket to whatever level using the gallon jug. Maybe 3-4 gallons. Mark or memorize the level in the bucket. Hook your water hose to the tank fill in the "convenience center". Get your iPhone out and find the timer/stopwatch. Turn the water on to the tank and time it to 2 minutes. Turn off the water. Put the bucket under the tank drain and drain to your memorized level in the bucket. Throw out the water. Keep count of how many buckets (gallons) it takes to empty the tank. Probably about 10 gallons. Now you have a rough guide for how long to fill the tank to whatever level you want.
Whew. LOL
But doing it for 400 miles. I dunno.
Hey, if you can't solve it...put some bubblegum in that mesh screen in the vent.
Is it completely empty when you get to your destination?

NotyetMHCowner · 02-18-2016, 06:04 AM

I've been judging by the panel lights, but when I winterized it last fall, there was not 64 gallons of water in there. Maybe 10 gallons give or take.

I think the vent is probably short without too many curves and goes straight to the side of the camper. If water really rolls up the side around turns, then some will fall right out the vent.

I'm going to take a look at it closely when I get the camper back from warranty work. It may just be the way it is. I just didn't want to lose half my water trying to get to a dry campground. I know some have water filling stations, but some do not, and some are too small for me to get to the filling station close enough.

bsmith0404 · 02-18-2016, 06:19 AM

Keep mind that the tanks are low profile so they can fit into the space between the frame rails. This isn't like a tall 5 gallon jug filled 1/3 full where the water may be 10" from the top. A water tank filled 1/3 full on an RV may only be a few inches from the top of the tank. When you go around a corner, the water doesn't have to climb the tank wall very much to reach the vent line. Yes the water will splash up onto the windshield of a car behind due to the wind as the little bit of water drains out. Think of a car in front of you washing their windshield, not much water being used, but it can sure spray all over your windshield as you follow. I wouldn't worry too much about what you are describing, as already mentioned, it's probably not as bad as you think.

NotyetMHCowner · 06-05-2016, 02:48 PM

We just got back from Cades Cove campground in the Great Smoky Mountains doing some dry camping. I filled the fresh water tank up before leaving and probably lost almost 20 gallons by the time we got there. Even while backing into the site, my DW said it was pouring out like a hose when backing into the site (it was slightly down hill). I think the vent is just barely above the top of the tank and just pours out around turns. Even when I was raising the jacks to connect to the truck in the driveway, it started coming out.

What are my options? I guess the best option is to top it off when I get to the campground, but some don't have fresh water. I have thought about adding a valve just before the vent, but I will have to remember to operate it all the time. I could re-route the vent with a longer hose and put a loop or two in it, so it wont just pour out. Im not sure which way to go.

slow · 06-05-2016, 03:38 PM

I would try a longer hose and a loop if I had the issue.

NotyetMHCowner · 06-05-2016, 03:45 PM

I am thinking that is the best option as well.

Bignewsantafe · 08-28-2016, 03:08 PM

Ok, i have the 2016 Alpine 3100RL and have the same problem! When we bought it the broscher said it has a 66 gallon tank. Speaking with Keystone Coustomer Care center they ask for my Vin# and told me my modal was equiped with a 54gallon tank. Now when I use my water meter when filling the tank, I'm only putting in 44 gallons! Was able to see up where the vent tube is attached to the tank, which is on the side of the tank and when full is about 2 inches below the top of the tank. Oh and there is not much room above the tank to get vent tube located abouve the tank. Now remember I said I can only get 444 gallons in before it starts running out of the vent? Well by the time I get 75 miles, done this twice now out of three trips total with with this rig I only have 20 to 25 gallons, metered, left in the tank! Not much water to go dry camping with wouldn't you say? I talked to Keystone and the dealer about this problem with no answers yet.
And this an't all of it folks!
All answers are welcomed. I’m all ears.

Bignewsantafe
2016 Alpine 3100RL
2015 GMC 2500HD SLT
Z71 4x4 Duramax/Allison

**JRTJH** · 08-28-2016, 04:20 PM

Bignewsantafe,

Having a 54 gallon fresh water tank sounds right. If you read the trailer specs, it says that the 3100RL has a 66 gallon fresh water capacity. While you "can" interpret that as a fresh water tank that holds 66 gallons, you can also interpret it as 54 gallons in the fresh water tank and 12 gallons in the water heater for a "total" of 66 gallons.

Many of us have found that the "trailer specifications" for fresh water capacity includes the water heater capacity as well as the tank capacity.

Now as to "why" the water is splashing out and what you can do to fix that problem.... Hopefully your dealer can assist you.

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