Towing With Fresh Water

**OshawaDave** · 05-15-2023, 07:18 AM

I typically tow with about 1/3 of a tank of fresh water and then fill up the tank at the fill station at our destination. I have a boondocking trip this summer for 4 nights and fresh water is not available, at least not convenient.
My question is: pros/cons on travellling from home with full fresh water tank. Those that do it - how has it been working for you? My trip is about 4 hours from home, all highway.

**Ynot4me2** · 05-15-2023, 07:26 AM

We regularly travel with 1/3 also but have done a full tank on occasion. Our fw tank is located in front of our tt axles, so it will also add to your tongue weight. Just be sure your tt and TV can take on that extra weight. You might want to add a valve to your overflow to overcome the siphoning effect. Some have lost a good portion of their water while traveling due to it.

**llr2800** · 05-15-2023, 07:34 AM

We like our home water better so always travel with a full tank. I just added a valve to the overflow which is a good idea, just be sure it is open all the time except heading to the destination.

**Soundsailor** · 05-15-2023, 09:36 AM

We've traveled with a full tank when we wouldn't be able to get water at our destination. I drive slower with that extra weight.

**Conner58** · 05-15-2023, 09:39 AM

Have towed full 4 hrs a few times no problems 1/3 full for multiple day trips . With the vent tube open it won't be full when you arrive more like 3/4 full .

**Matt&Dana** · 05-15-2023, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by OshawaDave

I typically tow with about 1/3 of a tank of fresh water and then fill up the tank at the fill station at our destination. I have a boondocking trip this summer for 4 nights and fresh water is not available, at least not convenient.
My question is: pros/cons on travellling from home with full fresh water tank. Those that do it - how has it been working for you? My trip is about 4 hours from home, all highway.

We travel with a full tank most of the time. Last year we did a 12,000 mile trip around the country and at least 80% of the time was with a full tank. No issues at all.

**ajg617** · 05-15-2023, 12:34 PM

Our home water is soft well water which we are used to and like. On first long trip last year started with over 2/3 tank - our fw tank is behind the axles (just) so it lightened the pin weight a little but my concern was more the weight on the straps that hold the tank up over rough I-90 in Mass and NY. I don't know why, but had read a couple of older posts on this forum about straps stretching/breaking at some point so I drained to 1/3 tank first night. Turned out to be a bad move because at the next campground the water pipes were flaking rust and water was so hard I had to add a second filter in line and replace the installed one. No amount of soap would lather.

Second trip started with 1/3 tank and filled as needed along the way at different sites but researched the sites we were staying at along the way for water quality. Between 2/3-full at GarryOwen, MT -that had to be the sweetest well water ever and we were going to be dry camping for a few days after.

This year not so sure since first 4 nights are at HH locations - probably 2/3 to full and see what happens since it's over 60 day trip.

**OshawaDave** · 05-15-2023, 01:15 PM

Thanks for the responses.
I think I'll travel with a full tank for that trip. If I don't like the way it tows I can pull the valve and drain off some water.

**morphrider** · 05-15-2023, 05:48 PM

I do like the idea of adding the shut off valve to the overflow. We travel full of water a lot of the time, never a full tank when we get there due to mountain winding roads, lol. That will be my next mod…

**Brad777** · 05-28-2023, 08:33 PM

I always traveled with water until I attended a Grand Design Rally. We were told that due to the weight of the water, we should avoid traveling with a full tank since it could cause the brackets that hold the tank to fail. This makes sense, but shouldn't Grand Design make the brackets stronger so that the weight can be supported? Has anyone else heard of this?