Drive with full water tanks or not

[mxw1]

I usually leave my tanks full in my motorhome when leaving home unless I KNOW there will be water at my destination.
I cannot tell the difference, in handling/ or gas mileage. It has to be better with empty tanks just because of physics, but when you compare 26,000 pounds to 26,400 pounds that's about 1.5% difference.
I don't think you can tell the difference by the seat of your pants...

[Rob_M]

I put a scale in front of the rv door, and if a passenger weighs too much they aren’t allowed on my coach. Fuel isn’t cheap ya know.

^^^My failed attempt to be funny.

Edit: if we’re heading out to a boondocking location, yes we leave with 100 gal of our softened well water.

Otherwise we usually try to keep our 100 gal fresh tank at least half full of water. Also keep the fuel and propane tanks full and fridge/freezer running and partially stocked.
Our RV is our “bug out” vehicle and came in handy a couple years ago when we were snowed in and without electricity for a week.

[twogypsies]

We always traveled with full water because we boondocked on public lands with no water fill. Our mileage on the motorhome wasn't affected.

A full tank doesn't 'slosh around'. Never heard of a tank failing.

[Rob_M]

Originally Posted by twogypsies

We always traveled with full water because we boondocked on public lands with no water fill. Our mileage on the motorhome wasn't affected.



A full tank doesn't 'slosh around'. Never heard of a tank failing.

Travelled as in past tense? Have y’all quit traveling?

[dbircky]

I always keep my 100 gallon tank full. 800 pounds carried low, below frame rails, lowers the COG. Although that 2% additional weight may not make that much difference.
I don't carry a half full tank for the reason the tanks aren't baffled and a 400 pound sudden weight shift might have an effect. Not sure if that actually would be noticed.
Additionally it's nice to have a full supply if the campground I arrive at has a water problem.

[lo-tek]

We were in Terlingua last December and were told to bring our water as the park water was going to be off for a few days due to subfreezing weather. My coach holds 100 gallons of water, so I tend to keep it full for those days when there isn't any or the park's water is poor. As other have said, in my motorhome there's not a lot of difference between full and empty when you get up into the 50k pound weight range.

To contradict myself I used to have a Thor Palazzo and noticed the bottom of my basement with the tank was starting to sag. I drained that bad boy and eventually traded it in on my current rig.

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by darrellr

Note that I am not disagreeing with the sentiment of traveling with full tanks. But not all tanks are supported as well as others and there have been some folks who traveled with full tanks who had the tank(s) fall out of the trailer while traveling. I don't know how common it is (I have never had it happen myself), but it is something to check on. Based on my own experience only, I am comfortable traveling that way, as many others are.

I thought most water tanks were inside the RVs, they may shift around but fall out on the road ?

You may be thinking of waste tanks falling out.

[darrellr]

Originally Posted by twinboat

I thought most water tanks were inside the RVs, they may shift around but fall out on the road ?

You may be thinking of waste tanks falling out.

Nope. Where would they put a 90 gallon tank inside a trailer?

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by darrellr

Nope. Where would they put a 90 gallon tank inside a trailer?

Under the bed ?

[2cyber71]

Whne heading to a site without water like some Army Corp campgrounds or anywhere.
I bring a full fresh water tank of 100 gallons

[Marine359]

Look under your RV to see what is really supporting your fresh water tank before assuming everything is AOK.

[Old-Biscuit]

Originally Posted by twinboat

I thought most water tanks were inside the RVs, they may shift around but fall out on the road ?

You may be thinking of waste tanks falling out.

Many trailers/5vrs have them under the subfloor supported between frame rails
SOME MFGs use tanks with 'wings' on the tanks and/or thin sheet metal supports.
Those fail and fresh water tanks have fallen out




Mine is between frame rails and has 3 thick support straps

[Lantley]

If your tank drops out it's because your RV was not built/designed properly.
With that in mind, it's not a bad idea to check the stability/integrity of your tank if you are unsure.
I always travel with a full 85 GAL. fresh tank. There is no measurable difference in MPG's.

[twogypsies]

Originally Posted by Rob_M

Travelled as in past tense? Have y’all quit traveling?

Unfortunately, yes. Age snuck up on us!