Capacity of holding tanks???

[Magnafique]

I am trying to figure out what the capacity of my 1997 Southwind 32V might be. The only data I have found is 45 gallon black and 58 gallons gray on the Workhorse chassis. Might be the same for my Ford F53 Chassis I dunno. Nothing in my owners manual that I can find.

Thanks,

[BFlinn181]

The owner's manual doesn't specify the capacities of your tanks. You could fill the tanks and then drain them into a 5-gallon pail repeatedly until empty if you are really curious.

I tend not to be too concerned, I can visually see the level in my fresh water tank and the black and grey tanks get emptied when I get access to a dump station or campsite with sewer hook up. My levels panel gives me a rough estimate, but I've learned not to depend on them for accuracy.

[olcarguy]

On average your freshwater tank will a bit less then the sum of the other tanks.

[saddlesore]

On our former coach ('99Thor Infinity 34H-GM chassis) We had 60 gal fresh and black & gray were 30 gal each.
SeeLevel system works great for tank monitoring..

[Old-Biscuit]

1999 is last year a brochure is available
SW 32V
Fresh Water Tank------------60 gallons
Black Waste Tank...............42 gallons
Grey Waste Tank............... 58 gallons
LP Tank ------------------ 25 gallons WC so 20 gallons Propane at 80% Liquid Level

[BFlinn181]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

1999 is last year a brochure is available
SW 32V
Fresh Water Tank------------60 gallons
Black Waste Tank...............42 gallons
Grey Waste Tank............... 58 gallons
LP Tank ------------------ 25 gallons WC so 20 gallons Propane at 80% Liquid Level

I found the same info but didn't report it because it was from two years later than his.

"On average your freshwater tank will a bit less than the sum of the other tanks." This info doesn't support that 'average' theory.

If it's that important, I'd fill and dump in a pail of a known capacity. I personally don't care exact capacities, I empty and fill as needed. I almost never travel with full fresh water, it's heavy and I figure I can get more when I get where I'm going.

[Magnafique]

Thanks all. This will be our first long distance trip from Seaside Oregon to Mesa Arizona and I have been thinking about managing my liquids. It appears that the holding tanks will hold more that a full tank of fresh water. With frequent dumping and keeping my 60 gallon fresh water tank about 1/3 full I should do just fine. Again thanks to all of you. We expect to spend a few nights at rest stops/Walmart's along the way and I will replenish my water at the Good Sam fueling places

Best Regards

[BFlinn181]

Good plan, some folks suggest traveling with full water tank, but since water weighs almost 8.4 lbs. per gallon, I think it's needless weight as long as you can find water down the road.

[olcarguy]

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

I found the same info but didn't report it because it was from two years later than his.

"On average your freshwater tank will a bit less than the sum of the other tanks." This info doesn't support that 'average' theory. .

Let's look at averages shall we. It normally meens that some will be more and some will be less and in between is the average. Seems to support my theory just fine.

[BFlinn181]

Originally Posted by olcarguy

Let's look at averages shall we. It normally meens that some will be more and some will be less and in between is the average. Seems to support my theory just fine.

42 + 58 = 100 holding, 60 fresh.

"On average your freshwater tank will a bit less than the sum of the other tanks."

40 gallons is way more than a bit.

As I said I tend not to worry about specifics, I add fresh water as needed and empty waste tanks when possible. I don't worry about exact numbers since most level sensors are not a very precise measure of actual fluid levels.

[Old-Biscuit]

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

Good plan, some folks suggest traveling with full water tank, but since water weighs almost 8.4 lbs. per gallon, I think it's needless weight as long as you can find water down the road.

Weight of a full fresh water tank isn't going to affect MPG or in the case of a MH ---handling.

WIND (resistance) is a bigger factor


As for that 'get water when you get there'
HA....I use to (use to) think the same and only traveled with 1/3 or less.

Then one day we arrived to our destination with very low tank level.
Hooked up to city water and figured I would add some to fresh water tank next day.
Main water line to CG broke during the night.....out in the sticks area.
NO water available for over a week.
We had to BUY 5 gallon water bottles

LAST time I didn't have a FULL fresh water tank.

[BFlinn181]

Originally Posted by Old-Biscuit

Weight of a full fresh water tank isn't going to affect MPG or in the case of a MH ---handling.

WIND (resistance) is a bigger factor


As for that 'get water when you get there'
HA....I use to (use to) think the same and only traveled with 1/3 or less.

Then one day we arrived to our destination with very low tank level.
Hooked up to city water and figured I would add some to fresh water tank next day.
Main water line to CG broke during the night.....out in the sticks area.
NO water available for over a week.
We had to BUY 5 gallon water bottles

LAST time I didn't have a FULL fresh water tank.

I hate to disagree because I respect your knowledge and opinion, BUT. My RV and Toad both have wheels. If I arrived at a campground and the water system failed or wasn't potable, i'd drive down the road to a place I could fill my water tank and return to the campground.

[ALLOY]

The poly tanks are flexible. If the top sags the capacity will be affected.

We use one of these flow meter to determine tank capacity.
https://www.amazon.com/Rainwave-RW-9...rds=flow+meter

To check capacity we fill the black tank up through the toilet and the grey through the shower.

FYI. We have a 2nd flow meter with a different color to put 4-5 gal in the black tank after dumping.

[Old-Biscuit]

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

Good plan, some folks suggest traveling with full water tank, but since water weighs almost 8.4 lbs. per gallon, I think it's needless weight as long as you can find water down the road.

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

I hate to disagree because I respect your knowledge and opinion, BUT. My RV and Toad both have wheels. If I arrived at a campground and the water system failed or wasn't potable, i'd drive down the road to a place I could fill my water tank and return to the campground.

Places we go you might as well go back home.
Water contrary to beliefs is NOT always readily available

So much easier to fill it up and then travel