Facing a headwind! Ugh!

[geno929]

So this weekend, Deb and I drove the Thor 23U from St.Louis to Floyds Knob, IN. We followed the remains of Harvey on the way out. Some rain and wind and camped at Chelina Lake in Hoosier National Forest! What a beautiful lake and campsite!
What a fantastic weekend! Sunny and warm Sat., Sun. & Monday. We had a wonderful time sight seeing New Albany, Jeffersonville and Floyds Knob!
On the way home we faced gusty headwinds of maybe 25 - 30 miles per hour! Wow!
What I learned is this. Dump the black & grey tanks prior to travel! We drove the first 30 miles into this wind with full tanks. No dump station at my brothers house. Flying J Haubstead, IN has a dump station. Thank you Flying J!
The RV was much easier to handle with empty tanks! Less wind effect and buffeting! It really is a learning process!

[airforceret]

Actually emptying the tanks removed ballast! Imagine 20 or 30 gallons (or more) at about 7 pounds per gallon sloshing from side to side and all around.

[Bob Denman]

This is a good thing to know; thanks for reminding us newbies!

[TyCreek]

Originally Posted by geno929

The RV was much easier to handle with empty tanks! Less wind effect and buffeting! It really is a learning process!

FWIW... Some rigs handle better when full

[Bob Denman]

But if you've got your nose pointed into the wind: wouldn't being lighter make it easier for you to keep pushing forward?

[geno929]

HeeHee!

[Chance]

Originally Posted by TyCreek

FWIW... Some rigs handle better when full

I agree completely, so shouldn't conclude empty tanks are always better in wind.

Like they say the Devil is in the details, and in this case I expect at least one of the tanks is well behind the rear axle. That not only makes front end lighter when tank is full (which normally makes steering worse), but it also makes weight distribution worse in other ways.

Also, short wheelbase with motorhome near 25-feet long isn't ideal when heavy tank(s) are near the rear under bathroom. Just my 2 cents .....

[Wonderdog]

Originally Posted by airforceret

Actually emptying the tanks removed ballast! Imagine 20 or 30 gallons (or more) at about 7 pounds per gallon sloshing from side to side and all around.

H2O = 8.34lbs/gallon. Sorry, couldn't help it. Many years in water reclamation.

I know, I know, almost as bad as a grammar or spelling nazi.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by Wonderdog

H2O = 8.34lbs/gallon. Sorry, couldn't help it. Many years in water reclamation.

I know, I know, almost as bad as a grammar or spelling nazi.

I've got a picture for you...
Thread Police.jpg

Somebody has to do it; right?

[Wonderdog]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

I've got a picture for you...
Thread Police.jpg

Somebody has to do it; right?

[TyCreek]

Originally Posted by Chance

I agree completely, so shouldn't conclude empty tanks are always better in wind.

Like they say the Devil is in the details, and in this case I expect at least one of the tanks is well behind the rear axle. That not only makes front end lighter when tank is full (which normally makes steering worse), but it also makes weight distribution worse in other ways.

Also, short wheelbase with motorhome near 25-feet long isn't ideal when heavy tank(s) are near the rear under bathroom. Just my 2 cents .....

Yep... devil is in the details ... is a good phrase!