Elite package water capacity problem

[dangerdave]

Is there any possible way the 83 gallon tanks could not be holding the 83 gallons? I understand losing some to overflow esp when towing up/down hills.

Plus my fresh water lights show I'm dropping level WAYYY too fast for what I KNOW I am using.

I did a test filling the fresh water tank from completely (best I could determine) empty with a hose who's pressure I knew (gal/minute) and it should have take 9 minutes to fill the tank 83 gallons. It took 6.5 minutes. This is better than the 4.5 minutes it would have taken if one of the 2 x 40 gallon tanks was not filling but still.

How does that water level indicator actually work in the tank?

Thank you!

[tnchuck100]

The connection between the two tanks is a small hose. The fresh water fill hose will fill the first tank faster than they can equalize.

The level is detected by 4 metal studs in the tank. When water touches a stud it reduces the resistance to the monitor panel and cause another LED to light up.

[dangerdave]

So are you saying that when I fill with the hose and start to see the overflow water, I should wait (how long?) for the tanks to equalize? Then I should be able to add more water without seeing immediate over flow?

[tnchuck100]

My experience has been about 10-15 minutes. The closer they get to equal the slower it goes.

[dangerdave]

THANK YOU. We just picked this bird up new and I really thought I had a serious problem with the tanks. You would think the salesman would say something about this.


I really appreciate this board and the helpful people. Seriously.

[tnchuck100]

From my experience I have found salesmen know surprisingly little about what they are selling and how they work. Some I have dealt with I would classify as downright ignorant when it comes to RV's.

[BigJohnD]

What stinks about the way they set up the tanks, is the fill goes to the rear tank, and the sensors are on the forward tank. I think that's what I saw when I looked at them. I had planned on isolating the front tank completely since we have no need for, and never have or never will carry 80 gallons of water. Too much weight. Thought about just installing a seelevel system on the rear tank. Hadn't done anything yet, but will at least isolate the front tank.

[tnchuck100]

I have the SeeLevel system. But, alas, I installed it on the front tank. Never crossed my mind to isolate them. I wish I had considered that.

[33 RLDS]

I try to go with some water in the tanks when I camp at no-hook up places so I can top off quicker. Its rude to sit around for 15 minutes waiting for your tanks to equalize with others waiting to fill up behind you. Most state parks around me usually only have one place to fill.

[need-a-vacation]

I have considered isolating the 2 fresh water tanks as well. We don't have the thermal package, so access will be easier. Just not sure how much of a pain it will be to isolate. Please post a thread if and when you do the mod. TY!

We just picked up our 32 BHDS (first Jayco!!!) also and I wasn't aware of the tanks filling issue either. Makes sense, just didn't think about it.

[Northern Jay]

The fresh water tanks on our 2015 28BHBE equalize through a 1.25" line at the bottom and 2 .5" lines at the top. The tanks also can float around a bit in their mount system. I stabilized my tanks with high density foam so they wont shift. Also, if you put shutoff valves on the overflow lines, and open them when filling, but close them when travelling, you retain all the water you put in your tanks. ( i lost 1/3rd of my capacity in 200 miles).
Happy Camping

[BigJohnD]

Northern Jay, You didn't by any chance take any pictures of all that while you were in there did you? All I've done is pull the access to the slide motor, and took a few pictures of what I could see from there before I dig in deeper.

[dewey02]

Also remember that Jayco counts the 8 gallons in your water heater as part of your fresh water capacity, even though that amount is NEVER available for your use. You have to have water in your FW tank to push the water in your water heater out to your faucets and when your FW tank is empty there are still 8 gallons of water in your water heater.

As others have said, Jayco trailers (especially the two FW tank set ups) have a problem with overflow leakage/siphoning. Put a shut off valve on the overflows and solve that problem. Just remember to open it when filling, close it when full and travelling, and re-open at the campsite when using water (this last part is important, because the 2nd tank uses the overflows as a vent to let air in as water is drawn out. I forgot to do this one time, and when I remembered to open it, the tank made a several second gurgle and gasp as air got sucked up into the tank.

[Jayco_ontario]

May be creating an air lock, try reducing the flow speed?

[Roy W.]

On my 33RLDS the filler hose fills the front 40 gallon tank and the sensors are in the second tank.