Towing with fresh water or not?

[Dashunde]

Do you notice much difference in how the 2108 tows with a full fresh water tank vs empty? Does a full tank down in the belly dampen sway and offset wind gusts, or make sway worse?

I'm surrounded by BLM and national forests here in Idaho, off-grid will be common for us and I'd like to bring water from home. I don't think my Tundra will notice pulling the extra 250 pounds of water - wind is a much greater nemesis than weight - so if the trailer pulls straighter with a full tank that'd be great.

[jvdb]

I camp almost exclusively in BLM/USFS and have to bring my water. No discernible difference in handling, power or fuel economy between towing with full / empty tanks. I am towing with a Tacoma, so it would be more noticeable from my tow vehicle.

[Marine359]

There’s no effect on towing characteristics except for maybe adding a bit of weight to the tongue because the tank is slightly forward of the center of axle axis. However, If you’re going off-pavement, I highly recommend that you reinforce your underbelly tank supports. A full tank of water weighs 300# which is great deal more inertial moment than a 1/2 tank. The tank braces are prone to failure caused by off-pavement bouncing. Mine failed after excursions on BLM/FS roads/non-roads. Making a field repair is a bit of a PITA. There are several threads on this along with suggestions on reinforcement depending on your model year.