The freshwater tank: travel full? Or empty?

Rocket448 · 07-17-2021, 04:45 AM

Big controversy at home today about the potable water tank. The manual says to travel with it empty. No explanation, just DO NOT FILL AND TRAVEL. The better half says that's nonsense, "just look at how it's secured in there and what if we somehow NEED water?" (I'd emptied the tank to store the coach for a week and now we're getting set for a week at the coast when she answered a call of nature while making the bed and there was NO WATER. Uh-oh.) I added a quarter tank of fresh water right away to meet the need but she's hot under the collar that I would DARE to follow the manual when you can plainly SEE that it MAKES NO SENSE and why do I always....well, anyways, what's the verdict? Travel full, empty, or somewhere in between?

halfprice · 07-17-2021, 05:46 AM

I always travel with it full. Yes for bathroom breaks while traveling. I was also at a cg that got a broken water pipe. Cg had the water off for 2 days while fixing the break. We were good because the tank was full. Other were not so lucky.

Jerry

HarryTh · 07-17-2021, 05:53 AM

We have been motor homing for over 40 years. Have always started with nearly a full fresh water tank. Never had a problem and I don't think it makes a noticeable difference in fuel mileage.
Harry

**16ACE27** · 07-17-2021, 06:01 AM

In a Travel Trailer or a Class C MH - Just enough for the toilet on the road - less weight.

In your ACE you're probably OK with weight but I see no need to fill it to travel unless where I'm going it needs to be full and there's no facility (or good water) to fill it.

There's no right answer - do what works for you guys.

Judge · 07-17-2021, 09:43 AM

Depending in the length of the trip I travel with the fresh water tank anywhere from half to completely full in my Super C.

Yes.... it adds weight but there are good reasons such as not having to use restrooms while traveling, having a meal during a rest stop, or water quality or other problems at the campground.

Last weekend it paid off having my own water. Right a dinner time a severe storm hit and knocked out the electric. The camp water was on well so there was no water for over 5 hours. Just turned on my pump and ran off my tank.

Bob Nodine · 07-17-2021, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocket448

Big controversy at home today about the potable water tank. The manual says to travel with it empty. No explanation, just DO NOT FILL AND TRAVEL. The better half says that's nonsense, "just look at how it's secured in there and what if we somehow NEED water?" (I'd emptied the tank to store the coach for a week and now we're getting set for a week at the coast when she answered a call of nature while making the bed and there was NO WATER. Uh-oh.) I added a quarter tank of fresh water right away to meet the need but she's hot under the collar that I would DARE to follow the manual when you can plainly SEE that it MAKES NO SENSE and why do I always....well, anyways, what's the verdict? Travel full, empty, or somewhere in between?

Have owned 8 RV's and always travel with at least half a tank of water. If you can't use the RV on the road and in a rest stop why have it. Half the fun is being able to pull into a rest stop and make lunch, take a nap, walk the dog, etc. More than once we have been in a back up on the interstate that lasted hours and were glad we had a bathroom along. We traveled over 8000 miles to Alaska and back and sometimes went for days in the wilderness with almost no civilization and you bet we made sure to always fill that water tank when we had the chance.

coachray · 07-17-2021, 10:44 AM

Travel with 1/3 to 1/2 full, depending on length of trip.

04fxsts · 07-17-2021, 11:19 AM

Always start with a full tank. When traveling we mostly overnight at rest stops, etc. and have been at campgrounds with foul tasting water. I am sure the water was "safe" to drink but not a good taste. We also have been caught in traffic behind a wreck and not able to move for hours. Jim.

Bob Denman · 07-17-2021, 11:31 AM

Empty: saving weight!

Pete'sMH · 07-17-2021, 01:06 PM

Depends on the trip for us. I “never” travel with it empty but I’ll have it under 1/2 if we’re planning to be at a park with known city water. If I don’t know or I know that it’s going to be well water I’ll fill up before traveling. Well water doesn’t bother me much except that it doesn’t “keep” as well and I don’t like dealing with “bad” water smells. Do what makes you happy.

paulwadley · 07-17-2021, 01:23 PM

I usually travel with 1/3 of a tank of water for the restroom on the road unless I know we may have an issue ahead and then I fill it up. It has always worked for me.

Paul

waynetaylor55 · 07-17-2021, 01:29 PM

Consensus seems to be 1/3-1/2 if going someplace with hookups, full tank if boondocking.

atreis · 07-17-2021, 02:09 PM

Depends on your OCCC and how close to the limit you are.

I could travel full - plenty of OCCC - but usually travel 1/3-1/2.

Campnjoe · 07-17-2021, 03:26 PM

Depends on the length of trip, but if long we fill it a third. Otherwise it's empty and you fill when you get there or near. Water is really heavy and it just isn't worth hauling it.

The manual tells you not to cause I doubt it was load tested to see if the straps can hold the weight at a turn, but to each his own.

lwmcguire · 07-17-2021, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judge

Depending in the length of the trip I travel with the fresh water tank anywhere from half to completely full in my Super C.

Yes.... it adds weight but there are good reasons such as not having to use restrooms while traveling, having a meal during a rest stop, or water quality or other problems at the campground.

Last weekend it paid off having my own water. Right a dinner time a severe storm hit and knocked out the electric. The camp water was on well so there was no water for over 5 hours. Just turned on my pump and ran off my tank.

I have done the same for the past 60 years and many times very happy to have water, just makes sense

PictureTheSouth · 07-17-2021, 06:24 PM

As a general rule, I travel with a full (or close to full) tank for many of the reasons others have mentioned; and keep a full tank when parked at home. We use it on the road, in case there's bad or no water at destination, have it ready for power outages during summer storms and hurricane season.... on and on.

For those who worry about the weight and corresponding loss of gas mileage - I'd suggest to keep it completely or nearly completely empty. I'm no engineering or physics major, but I can see that a half-tank of water sloshing around on curvy roads or stop/go traffic would be the absolute worst kind of stress you could put on the tank support mechanisms.

My 2 cents only - your mileage will almost assuredly vary.

lwmcguire · 07-18-2021, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PictureTheSouth

As a general rule, I travel with a full (or close to full) tank for many of the reasons others have mentioned; and keep a full tank when parked at home. We use it on the road, in case there's bad or no water at destination, have it ready for power outages during summer storms and hurricane season.... on and on.

For those who worry about the weight and corresponding loss of gas mileage - I'd suggest to keep it completely or nearly completely empty. I'm no engineering or physics major, but I can see that a half-tank of water sloshing around on curvy roads or stop/go traffic would be the absolute worst kind of stress you could put on the tank support mechanisms.

My 2 cents only - your mileage will almost assuredly vary.

Traveling without water in a fresh water is like owning a gun and no bullets