![Reply](/forums/images/irv2/buttons/reply.gif) |
|
12-09-2012, 07:07 PM
|
#1
|
Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 15,749
|
filled the fresh water tank - noticeable difference in handling
I filled the fresh water tank the other week before a six hour trip - no other changes to the coach, tires, or loading. Before was running with about 1/4 tank. Noticeable difference in handling. No tendancy to wander in the lane. Can drive 5-10 mph faster on the highway with better confidence.
Others experience same/similar?
__________________
Vince and Susan
2011 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH (Cummins ISC/Freightliner)
Flat towing a modified 2005 Jeep (Rubicon Wrangler)
Previously a 2002 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 37A and a 1995 Safari Trek 2830.
|
|
|
![](https://www.irv2.com/images/irv2members.jpg) |
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!
iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!
|
12-09-2012, 08:09 PM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Fulltime, USA
Posts: 16,706
|
A balanced load can effect ride and handling.
|
|
|
12-09-2012, 10:25 PM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,126
|
very common situation with front engined gas RVs
__________________
96 Dynasty 36' that does NOT wander, thanks to RuppParts.com and their superior "poly" suspension bushings
|
|
|
12-10-2012, 02:14 AM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Clovis, CA, USA
Posts: 13,149
|
One time I had to make a three hour trip across an area where I knew there was going to be high wind that day.
I filled my fresh water tank and my four black/grey tanks and it helped keep me pretty stable in the wind.
So I'd agree it helps to some extent.
__________________
2004 Monaco La Palma 36DBD, W22, 8.1, 7.1 MPG
2000 LEXUS RX300 FWD 22MPG 4020 LBS
Criticism is easier than Craftsmanship
|
|
|
12-10-2012, 05:14 AM
|
#5
|
Member
Winnebago Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Sandusky, Ohio
Posts: 67
|
Could it be that with full tanks the water can not slosh around. These tanks don't have baffles in tank. Have you tried with the tanks completely empty?
__________________
Jack Haas
2007 WINNEBAGO VECTRA
JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED
|
|
|
12-10-2012, 05:30 AM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,569
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jfhaas
Could it be that with full tanks the water can not slosh around. These tanks don't have baffles in tank. Have you tried with the tanks completely empty?
|
Good point. I can defiantly feel the difference when 150gal fuel tank is full, it's in between the frame directly behind front axle.
__________________
American Tradition 42R-Cadillac SRX Blue Ox Koni 5050XL MCD Scangauge D Samsung rf197
Fulltime since 2012
|
|
|
12-11-2012, 05:44 AM
|
#7
|
Member
Winnebago Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Sandusky, Ohio
Posts: 67
|
Yes but fuel tanks have baffles. So you are being helped by pure weight. As I said, water, grey and black tanks do not have baffles. Partly full water tank is going to slosh around as you go down the highway.
__________________
Jack Haas
2007 WINNEBAGO VECTRA
JEEP WRANGLER UNLIMITED
|
|
|
12-11-2012, 06:24 AM
|
#8
|
Registered User
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,603
|
I notice a difference however it is difficult to determine if the ride has improved due to the full tank as apposed to a decrease in wind direction/speed. It is not easy to produce the exact same conditions twice is what I mean.
|
|
|
12-11-2012, 09:15 AM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Clovis, CA, USA
Posts: 13,149
|
The theory about this is that the tanks are low to the ground and being low is better than weight added up high.
Or so the theory goes.
__________________
2004 Monaco La Palma 36DBD, W22, 8.1, 7.1 MPG
2000 LEXUS RX300 FWD 22MPG 4020 LBS
Criticism is easier than Craftsmanship
|
|
|
12-11-2012, 09:21 AM
|
#10
|
Registered User
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Greer, SC
Posts: 670
|
Well think about it - 100 gallons of water is about 800 lbs of added weight.
Of course it can make a difference, but at a cost in fuel economy.
On my DP, the water tank was up front, center, behind the front axle. On windy days, it made all the difference having that tank full.
|
|
|
12-15-2012, 05:45 AM
|
#11
|
Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: South Lyon, Michigan
Posts: 68
|
Water weighs about 8.34 lb. per gallon, so if you add 75 gallons of water you are adding about 625 lb to your coach weight. This will have some effect on your center of gravity and may result in a noticeable improvement in handling - especially in the wind.
__________________
Eric & Karen, South Lyon, MI, 2018 Winnebago Sightseer 36Z with Chevy Equinox AWD Towed.
|
|
|
12-15-2012, 05:56 AM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,526
|
You are correct. Lower c of g = more stability.
|
|
|
12-15-2012, 07:07 AM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: SoCal
Posts: 15,749
|
Thanks all!
__________________
Vince and Susan
2011 Tiffin Phaeton 40QTH (Cummins ISC/Freightliner)
Flat towing a modified 2005 Jeep (Rubicon Wrangler)
Previously a 2002 Fleetwood Pace Arrow 37A and a 1995 Safari Trek 2830.
|
|
|
12-15-2012, 07:30 AM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Snowbird - Waterford Mi and Citrus Springs Fl.
Posts: 3,609
|
A little late, but thought I'd add that I started filling my water tank if I know I'm going to be dealing with a side wind for any length of time - or on a particular leg of a trip? Our tank is directly behind the front axle, runs from one side to the other. I figure it handles better when full because of the weight distribution as well. Loaded normally (1/4 tank water, 1/2 tank of fuel), we have only about 35% of the coaches weight on the front axle. Filling that tank increases that percentage enough where our cross wind stability is increased noticeably. As we don't do a lot of dry camping, I'm not a big believer in running around with a full water tank, but under these circumstances, you might want to give it a try? -Al
__________________
1997 37' HR Endeavor, 275hp Cat, Freightliner
03 CR-V Blue Ox, Ready Brake
|
|
|
![Reply](/forums/images/irv2/buttons/reply.gif) |
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|