Community Forums

Raining Star · 03-15-2013, 04:53 AM

It seems like carrying 90 gallons of fresh water for the drive home is just a waste of fuel. Would dumping that 750lbs of weight make any real difference on the 250 mile home?
Our Phoenix home water is terrible quality and we just filled with a good quality water.

**CLIFFTALL** · 03-15-2013, 04:57 AM

It will certainly cost you a little . It may be worth it if as you say , your water at home is not good. I always carry 1/2 tank for a few reasons. One of which is that I find it gives the MH a little more stability.
Cliff

dabrooks · 03-15-2013, 06:02 AM

I agree that carrying some water makes my motorhome ride and handle much better. The propane tank and generator are one the right side and the water tank is on the left. When the tank is empty it handles much different. I always carry at least a half a tank.

Gary RVRoamer · 03-15-2013, 07:08 AM

A little extra weight has practically zero effect when the roads are flat. The only extra fuel cost is from an infinitesimal increase in the rolling resistance of the tires. Climbing hills, though, makes a bit more difference since that extra weight is actually carried to the top (and you have to brake it going down again). Even so, on a modest 30,000 lb coach + toad, we are talking a 2.5% increase in weight. You probably still would not notice it.

Tony Lee · 03-15-2013, 10:16 AM

If you want to quantify the effect, download a document titled Understanding Coach/RV Performance - published by Cat.

Should be mandatory reading for all RV drivers.

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My water tanks are kept full and waste tanks empty as far as practical merely because you never know when you might be stuck on a roadside and have to live in the MH. In Australia where winterising isn't a factor, the vehicles are always stored with full water tanks