Fresh Water Tank - Travel Full or Partially Full?

[Larry A]

Thanks to everyone for all of your inputs. Much appreciated!

[rprochnow]

We've had our 21VD since last June, with 16K miles already.

We've always filled the fresh water tank before leaving on a long trip.

At least so far, we run off our fresh water tank and only connect to water to refill the tank.

So when we get to around 1/3 of a tank or lower, we will connect to water, top off the fresh water tank and disconnect.

Since we don't bring an extra vehicle, we avoid having the water connected because it increases the time required to connect and disconnect. If all we have to connect is power and then do the leveling system and slideouts - it typically takes about 5 minutes for us to park or leave. So when we do fill the tanks, it's always to full.

The extra weight of the water probably won't have much impact on fuel economy, range or handling.

However, one negative of having a nearly full tank is sloshing of the tank while moving.

[Garyfuse]

We always travel with full clean water, fuel, LP tanks and empty gray and black.
There is minimal difference in weight. You never know when you will need the extra water. ALWAYS filter the water before filling the tanks. Be cautious where you get water from. We never fill from a location where someone may have used that spigot to flush a black water tank.

[rprochnow]

In full hookup sites with sewer, it's impossible to avoid having a water spigot that hasn't also been used for black water flush.

So we spray disinfectant on the spigot, run some water, and then connect our filter - and we also flush water through the filter and hose, before connecting to the fresh water tank.

At sewer dump stations, we won't fill fresh water.

[rprochnow]

One other note - we now only connect our hose when the water fill knob is set in the "fill" position.

We had multiple water line fittings leak - and are going to avoid connecting outside water directly to the inside plumbing - which relies on the pressure regulator on the hose to ensure the pressure isn't too high to damage the inside plumbing.

By connecting the hose only while in "fill" position, the water line is connected only to the fresh water tank - which has an overflow, in case there's too much water - and should also avoid any issues if the outside water pressure is too high.

We don't know what caused the water leaks - it could have been a failed pressure regulator on our fresh water hose, or it could have been loose fittings from the factory. But after having one trip sidelined for two days - plus an extra trip back to the RV service to fix another leak, we're going to run with only the onboard water for now - and use outside water only for filling the tank.

[jcurtisis]

If headed to a campground with water hookup, I usually only take 1/3 also (when filling the tank reads “E” until there is 1/3 {10 gal} in the tank- go figure). We only use it for flushing on the road. Actually never use it for drinking (bottled water for that). CAUTION: call the campground you are headed to just before heading out. One time there was a water main break at the camp and we showed up with our usual less than 10 gal on hand. Only if boondocking do we take a full tank.

[Marine359]

We are partial to the taste of our well water, so we fill our small 25 gal tank and two 5gal jugs before leaving home. We carry body size wet wipes so we don’t have to shower daily when boondocking. We filter any water we put in the tank, and use a zero water for coffee and drinking water. The weight of a full tank doesn’t make any difference.

[Cooperhawk]

We have hit many places where the water either didn't taste good or was rusty. I fill the tank whenever we have good water, that way I have choices. My neighbor up the road has a really good well and I go up there and fill up prior to each trip.

Course in a DP the weight is hardly noticeable.

[jmo01830]

Everyone has their reasons fo what they do. We travel with the grey and black water tanks empty and the potable water full. (50 Galllons) If I get tired we find a place to park for the night and sometimes use the generator. I like the idea of being COPLETELY SELF CONTAINED as we travel and have been doing it that way for over many years (35+). We carry spring water in gallon jugs for cooking and drinking and the tank is for washing and flushing. Don't worry about gas mileage. Worry about being on the road and dry!!!

[sundog964]

We did a trip to Colorado in October. One campground we stayed at in the mountains had shut off the water and sewers because of the temperature dropping to 20F overnight. So no water or dumping. We had a full fresh, and empty grey and black tanks, because that is how I like to arrive at a campsite.

Prepare for the worst, don't worry about a fraction of a MPG.