Community Forums

unw1red · 09-28-2015, 04:20 PM

This is probably a naive question, but here goes.

When heading to a location where you know you won't have water, and not wanting to drive your coach with a 100 gallons of fresh water the entire way, where do you stop to get water?

Thanks.

vettenuts · 09-28-2015, 04:36 PM

I always fill mine at home because I know the water quality. Yes, carrying extra weight but to me it's worth it because I have a known water supply. Just my opinion though.

palehorse89 · 09-28-2015, 04:42 PM

All RV's were built/designed to carry the the water tank full.............if you do not want to travel with it full, suggest over nighting in a campground to replenish what you want to carry. Our tank is always full or close to it, might just need it if the power goes out at the house. We are heading to the Keys soon, our 110 gallons of water will be more than enough for the trip,showers, kitchen use, bathroom, etc. My water tank is full all winter long in our garage, never know when you might just have problems at the house.

Gordon Dewald · 09-28-2015, 04:42 PM

Really open ended question. Where are going and how far? Here is what I would consider.

Is there a town between you and the place you are boondocking? Most towns will have a reasonable water supply and many will have a tourist information site that may have a dump station and a fresh water fill.

If not then you will have to take water from home.

Vacay Wheels · 09-28-2015, 04:51 PM

I was going to post this exact same question. Getting water is probably my #1 most vexing RV problem right now. If anyone has ideas on where generally to get water, it would be interesting to hear.

For us, I can't actually get the rig to our house. Too hilly/twisting/windy plus weight restrictions. The storage place doesn't have water.

So far I've solved it by storing it with 20 gallons of water in the tank which is plenty to get anywhere the first night, and then always start trips at a place with water. But this strategy is about to fall apart when the coach gets drained for the winter.

Rockwood27 · 09-28-2015, 04:54 PM

Flying J's with RV pumps have potable water at the islands. You can use your Pilot app on your smartphone to search for RV lanes.

unw1red · 09-28-2015, 05:01 PM

I have seen the spigots at Flying J but no signs. Is blue potable and red not?

ChasA · 09-28-2015, 07:24 PM

I keep my fresh water tank full. An added benefit is that the ride is better with the additional weight.

unw1red · 09-28-2015, 07:41 PM

100 gallons of water = 800 lbs

I will have to determine my game plan. Thanks for all of the responses and perspectives.

Rocky Larson · 09-29-2015, 03:50 AM

I take my chances with city water. May have to get bold and look for not so obvious places such as:garden centers, restaurants (Dennys), gas stations, churches, laundramats, rest stops, anyplace with an outside spigot(I always ask first). Even stopped at a charity car wash once and paid the kids to wash and fill it up.
Good Luck.

R2Home · 09-29-2015, 07:29 AM

Like others here, the water tank in our MH is always full once it comes out of winter storage. The roads that we travel, one never knows what will happen. With a full tank of water we can stay any place and not have an issue.

J Birder · 09-29-2015, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unw1red

100 gallons of water = 800 lbs

I will have to determine my game plan. Thanks for all of the responses and perspectives.

That's true, but also mostly irrelevant. Unless you are doing a lot of mountain driving, the extra weight has very little effect on your mpg. Frontal area is far more significant.

Joel

alpha99 · 09-29-2015, 08:28 AM

I always travel with about 1/2 to 2/3 full of water, mainly for unplanned contingencies. Around 500lbs, at a coach weight of 33,000 lbs. it is negligible.

If I felt I would need the full tank, I wouldn't hesitate to travel with it.

Cheers!

HD4Mark · 09-29-2015, 08:39 AM

Could ask at RV dealerships. They might want some money for it. Or even a church or charitable organization. Offer a reasonable donation.

One other thought. Call the chamber of commerce in the city you are at or headed to. They may have an idea like where their municipal water supply is.

All that said we also travel about full of fresh water but do have the luxury of being parked next to the sticks and bricks house to fill up.