Do you tow with fresh water tank full, half, empty?

**luke79** · 03-03-2019, 10:24 PM

I was wondering if people tow their travel trailers with fresh water tank full or partially filled or simply empty? Besides the fact that water is heavy I was wondering if a half full water tank will contribute to lack of stability of the travel trailer. Basically the motion of the water in the tank causes negative impact on TT handling; does it?. I was thinking of towing with 25 gallons of water, which in my case is about half the capacity of the tank.

**TucsonJim** · 03-03-2019, 10:40 PM

I've towed with anywhere from 10 gallons to completely full and never noticed a stability issue.

Jim

**DaveMatthewsBand** · 03-03-2019, 11:02 PM

We have been dry camping in very remote areas for almost a year full time, so when we move our travel trailer we usually have have both grey tanks and our black tank full, or if we just dumped and are heading back out with our fresh tank full. But I’ve also towed with all tanks dry and I am not able to feel any difference with our 9,000 lb travel trailer.

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**bcdiesel** · 03-03-2019, 11:30 PM

Always half... split the difference between having enough water for the drive (stops for lunch and snacks and bathroom breaks for a family of 4 for an all day drive) and not carrying too much extra weight if the tank were full.

**powerscol** · 03-03-2019, 11:33 PM

I always tow full. First it has save my but more than once when a water pump blew on the tow truck (added water every 20 miles to get out of nowhere). Second my tank is behind the axles so the weight helps balance the trailer. Last - you never know what the water source will be when you get there. Had several camp grounds be out of water from time to time.

**MidwestCamper** · 03-04-2019, 04:32 AM

10 gallons on long trips and a full tank if under 50 miles. No difference in handling.

**Country Campers** · 03-04-2019, 04:43 AM

I generally travel full, I like my water better than campground water, no difference in handling here neither.

Brian

**Clanker24** · 03-04-2019, 05:51 AM

1/3 unless I'm boondocking

**Second Chance** · 03-04-2019, 07:22 AM

Always full. With a diesel truck, the weight isn't an issue. Our fresh tank is over the rear axle, so there's no net gain or loss on pin weight. As a former sailor, I know that the extra 500 lbs. down low adds ballast, too, when towing in high winds like we've been driving in the past few days and are heading into in far west Texas. In addition, I don't have to connect/disconnect utilities (except electric) for an overnight stop when the weather is as uncomfortable as it is in our location right now (18 degrees outside this morning).

Rob