|
|
09-27-2020, 05:37 AM
|
#1
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: CA
Posts: 16
|
Towing Full Or Empty
Forgive me if it’s been asked before but just curious how others travel. I just took our new trailer on our first trip and pulled it full to the site and didn’t dump until almost home. Just curious if on long distance pulls if everyone puts some water in for the bathroom use or fully loaded for the longer hauls.
|
|
|
09-27-2020, 05:44 AM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Willamette Valley Oregon
Posts: 330
|
As we are not boon dockers, I travel nearly empty. Keep about 5 gals of FW only just in case we need the toilet/sink while on our way to the destination. I always dump when leaving the CG if at all possible leaving a small amount of water in the grey and black tanks to slosh around.
__________________
2020 Keystone 291RLS
2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel 4x4 Crew 3.92
EAZ-Lift Recurve R3 #1200
|
|
|
09-27-2020, 07:01 AM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Sequim
Posts: 261
|
We rarely boondock so I usually carry about a 1/3 full of water in fresh tank in case I need it while traveling. I alway empty my grey tanks before I leave RV park so I don’t have to carry that extra weight.
__________________
2016 Montana 3720RL
2015 Chevy Silverado 3500 HD Duromax :
previous
2012 Montana High Country 313RE
2012 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD Duromax
2010 Palimino Bronco
2005 Chevy Silverado CC 1500
|
|
|
09-27-2020, 07:13 AM
|
#4
|
Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,319
|
Water is "dead weight" and you should'nt haul it if you don't need it. Like others I dont dry camp so I keep the waste tanks empty and the fresh tank at about 1/3.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
|
|
|
09-27-2020, 07:51 AM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Fruitland
Posts: 3,357
|
I mostly travel with full water and at times full holding tanks. I have compared towing empty and full on some trips and have not noticed any difference in fuel use or the way the trailer handles. I have tested that with a in bed truck camper and TTs. I also have used 3/4 and mostly 1 ton tow vehicles when tested that out and had a lot of reserve capacity on the TVs.
Since I do pull on logging roads, I drive slow but it's still rough. I want to drop the corplast bottom and some point and add strapping across the tanks as a extra precaution to not have a tank shift out of it's mounts.
I do agree with Chuck that if not needed why carry all that extra weight.
__________________
2013 24RKSWE (27ft TT) Cougar 1/2 ton series SOLD 10-2021
2013 Ford F350 4x4 CC 6.7 engine, 8 ft bed, 3.55 rear end, lariat package
Retired from Oregon State Police in 2011 than worked another 9.5 years as a small town traffic cop:
As of 05-2020, I am all done with 39 years total police work. No more uniforms for me.
|
|
|
09-27-2020, 09:03 AM
|
#6
|
Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,671
|
I think everyone develops a process that works for them over time. We don't boondock so initially I carried 1/3 tank fresh water and empty holding tanks. I dumped when leaving every site. The last trailer and the awkward placement of the pull handles for the holding tanks led us to stop dumping at every overnight stop and holding up to 3 days of waste water if traveling cross country then dump. Made it much less of a hassle. I also went from 1/2 tank fresh to maybe 5-10 gallons because we never used it. My concern was (is) the weight in the tanks driving across some of the terrible highways we have. I've read numerous stories and seen pics of the tanks breaking free of their mounts and don't want that headache. Just something to think about.
__________________
Danny and Susan, wife of 56 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
|
|
|
09-27-2020, 09:24 AM
|
#7
|
Site Team
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Joppa, MD
Posts: 11,741
|
You will need to tailor your fresh & wastewater carrying with your travel habits. "Typically", we travel to our destination in one day and stay there for several days. On those trips, 5 or so gallons for toilet and washing hands is plenty. Empty black and gray before leaving.
We usually don't hopscotch across the country. On longer trips we may overnight in a cg before moving on to the next destination where we'll typically spend a few days. On that one night stop I may or may not connect to sewer, depends on use. If we both take showers then I'll hook up and dump. Otherwise I'll wait until our next stop.
I will always travel with a few gallons in black and gray tanks to keep valves lubed and bottom of tank covered.
__________________
Marshall
2012 Laredo 303 TG
2010 F250 LT Super Cab, long bed, 4X4, 6.4 Turbo Diesel
|
|
|
09-27-2020, 09:38 AM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Mico, TX
Posts: 7,447
|
Pretty much the same as Marshall but I have never traveled with a drop of water in the fresh water tank. Probably not a bad idea since I seem to need to stop more frequently than when I was a few years younger and sometimes my wife gets irritated if I can't find a tree.
__________________
wiredgeorge Mico TX
2006 F350 CC 4WD 6.0L
2002 Keystone Cougar 278
2006 GL1800 Roadsmith Trike
|
|
|
09-27-2020, 10:04 AM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Anchorage
Posts: 610
|
Outbound I travel with fresh water full, and if there is not a dump station available then I will haul it back to town. I like to go prepared never know where we might end up and need the water. We do boondock at a lot of the federal and state campgrounds here in Alaska since most do not have the infastructure for provide electric, sewer and water. Most of the private campgrounds do have hookups but your are paying for that in fees.
__________________
Mike
2016 Ford F350 CC 6.7 4x4 SRW (Ghost Rider)
2017 Cougar 29 RKSWE (The Tumble Weed)
Connected by a Curt 15K WDH W/Sway Control
|
|
|
09-28-2020, 01:32 PM
|
#10
|
Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,981
|
One "concept" I haven't seen mentioned in this thread is "trailer sway induced by a partially full water tank"...
Years ago, RV holding tanks and FW tanks were baffled to minimize the "sloshing of liquids in the tank". If you can imagine 200 pounds of water "sloshing side to side" at the extreme rear of a 31' travel trailer, you can understand how that "could translate to steering issues at the other end of the rig"...
Many of today's RV tanks are not baffled or are "minimally baffled" and any liquid above that small baffle can affect trailer stability. Depending on the weight distribution of your cargo, the location of your tanks, the type of hitch you use and even the tire pressure in your tow vehicle tires, you might find that your rig is more stable with full or empty tanks than with half full tanks...
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
|
|
|
09-28-2020, 02:32 PM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Southeastern Connectiut
Posts: 1,306
|
We travel to "full hook-up" sites only... One 2,5 gas can full of flush water, just in case. 24 bottles of Spring Water in 'fridge, helps to keep fridge temps down, even if we take half out at destination.
Water = 8 +/- lbs per gallon, clean or dirty, why drag it if you don't need to?
Good Luck,
__________________
Pull Toy
Steve & Jan, Ava & Emma (Mini Schnauzers):
2016 F350 Lariat 4X4 Powerstroke CC/SB "PULLTOY V"
2013 Alpine 3535RE "MAGIC CARPET IV"
Proud Navy Vet!
|
|
|
09-28-2020, 04:12 PM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Germantown, TN
Posts: 6,327
|
Like George, we have never had water in any of our fresh water tanks on any RV. We travel with three milk jugs full next to the toilet to 'flush' while on the road. It just didn't seem like we needed to bring it because we don't boondock.
__________________
Jim in Memphis, Wife of 51 years is Brenda
2019 F450 6.7 Powerstroke
2018 Mobile Suites 40RSSA
2021 40' Jayco Eagle
2001 Road king w/matching Harley sidecar
2021 Yamaha X2 Wolverine 1000
|
|
|
09-28-2020, 04:21 PM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Henniker
Posts: 2,141
|
We travel with 6-8 gallons of water in the fresh water tank for use of the sink and toilet while on the road, especially under current conditions with Covid. When we get to where we are going, we would fill the tank at check-in if we were at a place with no hook-ups, or just connect the hose at a full hook-up campground. When we leave, we dump the black and grey tanks before we hit the road.
__________________
Rob & Amy
2019 Passport 240BH SL (current)
2024 Cougar 29BHL (on order, due early May)
2022 Ford F250 7.3L Godzilla Crew Cab FX4
|
|
|
09-28-2020, 04:38 PM
|
#14
|
Member
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Shirley
Posts: 36
|
I do carry about a 1/2 tank in fresh water tank ....toilet use and handwashing but what if your tow vehicle overheats pulling a hill or what ever ...embarrassing to sit and wait for a service call if all you need is a gallon of water to top off the radiator ... Hmmmmm.!!
black and gray empty if I can
__________________
2018 Cougar 25RES 5'er
2019 Duramax 2500 CCSB SW
|
|
|
09-28-2020, 04:52 PM
|
#15
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: nm
Posts: 1,833
|
I always have water in my tank and won’t leave home with out it. For Debra and I having water is the most important commodity traveling the country in a rv. That and a 100 gallons of fuel to go where we like .
__________________
2018 1 ton 4x4 c.c standard bed GMC Denali
Anderson ultimate hitch
2015 311 Impact Fusion toy hauler
2018 Milwaukee 8 FLRTU roadglide glide ultra
2018 800 Z force spot BUGGY.
500 watts of solar enough power for boon docking.
|
|
|
09-28-2020, 05:03 PM
|
#16
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Indiana
Posts: 2,705
|
How much water you carry depends upon if you boom dock or not, or how long you plan on traveling before you have access to another water source.
The more empty the tank, the better it is. Same is true with grey and black tanks. How much you carry with you depends upon how close you are to your next dump station. Again, empty is always best.
I think most people travel with at least a few gallons in the fresh water tank for bathroom stops while in transit.
__________________
2019 Montana High Country 375FL
2014 Chevy Duramax HD 6.6 - 3500 Diesel Dully Long bed Crew Cab
|
|
|
09-28-2020, 05:23 PM
|
#17
|
Site Team
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: W. Texas
Posts: 17,671
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Diver
I do carry about a 1/2 tank in fresh water tank ....toilet use and handwashing but what if your tow vehicle overheats pulling a hill or what ever ...embarrassing to sit and wait for a service call if all you need is a gallon of water to top off the radiator ... Hmmmmm.!!
black and gray empty if I can
|
If I have a vehicle overheat (barring a malfunction on my part) I have the wrong vehicle. That service call would be bringing me a new truck.....
__________________
Danny and Susan, wife of 56 years
2019 Ram 3500 Laramie CC SWB SB 6.4 4x4 4.10
2020 Montana High Country 331RL
|
|
|
09-28-2020, 05:52 PM
|
#18
|
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: South Jordan, Utah
Posts: 2,223
|
We do a fair amount of dry/boon-dock camping. I'm with Chuckster, that too much water is just dead weight. 10 gallons or so is enough for us. We plan on filling our FW tank at the last place possible. Usually a fuel stop will have potable water available. Also most forest service, state or national park campgrounds will have potable water and a dump station. This method does take some planning to know where you can fill the fresh tank or dump the others, but so far it has not proved to be any problem. We have overnighted several times with just the water onboard with no inconvenience.
I do not consider the weight of whisky an issue
__________________
2017 Cougar 279RKSWE
2007.5 Dodge Ram 2500 6.7 Cummins
Retirement Training Completed
I think the little voices in my head have started a chat group.
|
|
|
09-28-2020, 09:03 PM
|
#19
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Diver
I do carry about a 1/2 tank in fresh water tank ....toilet use and handwashing but what if your tow vehicle overheats pulling a hill or what ever ...embarrassing to sit and wait for a service call if all you need is a gallon of water to top off the radiator ... Hmmmmm.!!
black and gray empty if I can
|
I carry the appropriate coolant for my vehicle & wouldn't put straight water in my radiator.
We also never had water in the fw tank, had a 1 1/2 gallon jug next to the toilet for potty stops & hand sanitizer near by for hand washing.
__________________
Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
|
|
|
09-29-2020, 06:08 PM
|
#20
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Kamloops, BC
Posts: 379
|
For 30 years and severl campers/trailers/and fith wheels I have allways traveled with the freshwater full. the rv is designed for that weight, your truck should be designed for the weight. even when I dont boondock I find some campground have horrible water and would rather use my own if I can.when I find good water I top the tank back up.
Steve
|
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|