Towing With Fresh Water

[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.

 

[Ynot4me2]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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?

 

[LincolnGuy]

We had an issue with the Fresh Water tank dropping with about 1/2 to 1/3 fill on a trip with our 2018 295RL a couple years ago in Louisiana. The support rail running lengthwise supporting the tank sheared the two cap screws on the right side of the RV frame. The bracket on each end had 4 holes but only two cap screws each. Needless to say I reinstalled the rail with 3 stainless bolts on each bracket. I could not install the 4th on each end due to the rail's installation. Grand Design asked if the Fresh Water tank had water. They did not recommend water to be carried. They did supply the replacement tank and coroplast. Check your support rail and make sure the brackets are tight and have the correct number of cap screws or bolts.

 

[LincolnGuy]

See my reply. The issue was dealing with Grand Design and locating an RV Center for repairs. The earliest was 4 months wait. I ended up doing the repair myself. After some commo, Grand Design did provide the parts as part of their Goodwill. The 5th Wheel was purchased as used from an RV Sales in Texas.

 

[440scout]

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?

I also read Jayco, Forest River and Keystone forums only because some neighbors and friends own those brands. I have read several complaints about the fresh water tank or the black tank support brackets failing on those and most recently someone showed pics of their fresh water tank deforming when full. It was so bad, it was flopped over each side rail. The owner elected not to replace that factory tank with an OEM tank and instead installed a Recpro brand tank. No issues. since installation.

 

[440scout]

I also read Jayco, Forest River and Keystone forums only because some neighbors and friends own those brands. I have read several complaints about the fresh water tank or the black tank support brackets failing on those and most recently someone showed pics of their fresh water tank deforming when full. It was so bad, it was flopped over each side rail. The owner elected not to replace that factory tank with an OEM tank and instead installed a Recpro brand tank. No issues. since installation.

I should have added that holding tank support failures happen once in a while on those other brands but rarely on Grand Design campers.

 

[llr2800]

I should have added that holding tank support failures happen once in a while on those other brands but rarely on Grand Design campers.

At least on the Forest river I have only heard of tank issues on the smaller / lower end units.

One bad thing about the enclosed bellies is any inspection is almost impossible.

I will continue to travel with a full tank.

I do wonder if a partial tank may be worse then a full tank, yes it saves weight but a partial tank would have a lot more sloshing and no idea what the dynamic loads that would be.

 

[cougharris]

Will water leak from overflow while driving? We are new owners, had full water tank, then long drive - 4 different passes in Wa/Or including slow hairpin turns and after arriving and minimal use in evening, I believe tank gauge was at 1/3 next morning. Valve avoid this?

 

[jjbbrewer]

Valve avoid this?

On most models, if you just put a valve on the overflow for travelling & forget to crawl under & open it when you park & start pumping, you'll collapse your tank.

I did the mod posted here .. it works perfectly to prevent siphoning.

https://www.mygrandrv.com/forum/sho...ent-connection?p=181317&viewfull=1#post181317

 

[cougharris]

Thanks for the advice & the link to the fix. Crazy that manufacturers don't do something to avoid this issue

 

[440scout]

At least on the Forest river I have only heard of tank issues on the smaller / lower end units.

One bad thing about the enclosed bellies is any inspection is almost impossible.

I will continue to travel with a full tank.

I do wonder if a partial tank may be worse then a full tank, yes it saves weight but a partial tank would have a lot more sloshing and no idea what the dynamic loads that would be.

Weather you've got a high end or low end ultra light, holding tank support brackets should not be failing. The point I was making is that those tank support brackets rarely fail on Grand Design campers but its more common on those other brands I mentioned.
There have been many ideas posted on here about how to close up the underbelly and so far my favorite is putting a 1"x4" across the underbelly to the lip on the frame rail each side then use fender washers and wood screws to refasten the coroplast to the 1"x4" along each side. That way if you need to access for other repairs later, its much easier to refasten the coroplast.

 

[lorend]

I purchased one of the inexpensive water meters that hook to your hose to let you know how much water has been used. I had read of people having a siphon issue when they fill their tanks full and wanted to avoid that issue. I filled my fresh water tank and found that my 60 gal tank only holds 49 gals before coming out the overflow. Knowing this, if I fill at home I only put in 47 gals. Gives me almost a full tank and no siphon action. I have never had an issue with water leakage. I also paid attention to how much water in the tank would trigger the lights on the panel. Found that the 2/3 full light comes on at 34 gallons. So if I am on the road and need to fill full I only put in 13 gals after the 2/3 light comes on.