Community Forums

d.young102 · 08-08-2016, 06:46 PM

First motorhome, I am confused about the fresh water tank, no matter how much water I used, the level in the tank should have dropped, it never did, and should I be driving around with all this water. All I see is a filler hole, and a tiny drain hole???.

F76Marion · 08-08-2016, 06:58 PM

D.Young,

What makes you so sure it has not dropped?
How big a tank is it ?
Are you connected to city water?

Frank

Lv2Roam2 · 08-08-2016, 06:59 PM

You've joined a new group of friends - you can ask any question, share any experience - we're all in it together!

In our experience with 4 RVs the tank gauges are inaccurate (no matter the price range). So ... if you can see the fresh water tank from one of the compartments figure out a way to visualize the side of the tank (we cut a vertical slot in a covering panel so we could see ours) ... that makes it possible to compare the gauge reading to 'what you see' and has really helped us manage our water supply.

When we know we're headed for a boondocking or dry camping site we fill the tank all the way - if just cruising between campgrounds with a water supply we carry about a 1/4 of a tank.

Last - if you've got a rig under warranty, don't be bashful about asking for a fix. Believe me - the dealers get this request all the time.

As a new MH owner you are going to have questions / problems - take them in stride, ask lots of questions from the other owners in the campground and on IRV2 - and before you know it you'll be sharing your experience with other new owners. We all started in the same place - safe travels!

MtnTrek · 08-08-2016, 07:05 PM

Welcome,

You'll find the more information you can offer in your post about your equipment the more detailed replies can be.
If you don't require water in-between your stops no need in lugging it around. At 8# a gal. x 100+ gal or more is a load.
We typically travel with about 10% just for rest breaks or quick meals. We tend to frequent CG's.
You can empty your tank(s) quicker in addition to the small drain valve by cracking a couple cold faucets and pumping some out. I wouldn't advise running your pump dry though so be mindful as it gets near low.
Some level indicators are notoriously inaccurate so often it's a guessing game as to what your true level is.

Best of luck.

sdennislee · 08-08-2016, 08:44 PM

Assume tiny drain hole is you low point drains. Keep looking should find something on the order of 2" diameter drain line.

Dint worry about hauling 800 lbs of water, its less than 3% of the vehicle's weight. Empty or full it will not change mpg my any measurable amount.

The only valid reason for not carrying the water weight is if you are pushing up against max CCC.

It's nice to have the water when you need, stuck on the side of the road, CG water main breaks etc...

Visually check your FW tank level, no single item on an RV has a longer track record of being wrong than level sensors on tanks.

MSHappyCampers · 08-09-2016, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by d.young102

First motorhome, I am confused about the fresh water tank, no matter how much water I used, the level in the tank should have dropped, it never did, and should I be driving around with all this water. All I see is a filler hole, and a tiny drain hole???.

Hi !

Welcome to IRV2! We're sure glad you joined the gang!

Congrats on the new rig! Keep her between the ditches!

As others have said, there's no huge disadvantage to hauling a full tank of freshwater, there there ARE advantages! Many MH's have a transfer valve that allows you to fill the freshwater tank from your freshwater hose connected to the campground spigot. I've read on here that sometimes these valves allow water to go into the tank when it's not supposed to.

Good luck, happy trails, and God bless!

MtnTrek · 08-09-2016, 04:01 PM

Correct, that would be an "Anderson" brass selector valve in your wet bay if equipped. But he describes the external hose fill port.
Another issue could be the water pump discharge check valve could have debris in it which allows city water to back feed into the tank. Perhaps he's seeing water coming from the overflow tube, ("small drain hole").
At any rate with no further input, perhaps they have a handle on the issue.

Be Well.