Towing with full fresh water tank

[Jagiven]

We have done it from time to time. I would prefer not to tow multiple hundreds of miles with a full tank, as the same time, a partial tank sloshes a lot, and can cause handling issues. With our current setup, our TT tows just fine with a full tank. Our old Aerolite, was horrible, the water tank was near the rear bumper of the TT, and messed up the tongue weight.

We typically we carry a 5 gallon jug full of water, just in case we need it. Otherwise, I try to find a spot to fill up as we are getting close to our destination.

Just an FYI, there has been a few posts over the years, of water tanks failing. The last one I heard was cracked at the hanger. A few that just fell.out. In reality, they should stay put.

[Atlee]

With the extra large water capacity on my JF 23RB, 80+ gallons, I would normally only carry between 1/3 and 2/3 fresh water tank, depending on where and how long we would be without water hook ups.

Unfortunately, right now, every couple of trips (dry camping), I have to top off the fresh water tanks. Why, you ask? Because the fresh water gauge is broken. It just says 0 gallons in the fresh water tank. I know there is water there, but don't know how much.

Because of that every couple of trips, I do have to fill the fresh water tanks just so I know I have enough.

That's a warranty item to be fixed in January or February.

[33 RLDS]

I frequently carry my 80 gallons with me when staying local. I like my well water and my 496 cubic inch monster is not fazed by the extra 700 lbs or so. Long trips I only carry enough for flushing to try to save some fuel

[usafdaddy]

You should have no problems - 1 gal. H2O = 8.35 lbs. x 42 = 350 lbs.

[71skyhawk]

I frequently fill my water tank at home and travel to unserviced sites in the Canadian Rockies. That way I have a source of secure clean water when I arrive without having to worry about any taste or smell or even availability. I DON'T normally run with full grey or black water tanks other than to a nearby dumping station.

To be sure, early on such trips I frequently run my truck and trailer over a public scale and weigh it by each axle so that I know I am not exceeding and of the individual axle limits or the combined gross towing weight of the truck.

[Philski]

We have the Jayco 248RBSW Rocky Mountain and Baja edition. Has 80 gallon fresh water tank. If we are dry camping we load fully. I don't notice any issues when towing.

[Route 66 Traveler]

We always fill up to max before a trip; 65 gallons of SOFT water from the house because my wife says her hair is easier to manage with soft water. We use it until it's gone, then use the RV parks water for the remainder of the trip. I always fill the tank at least 1/2 way for the trip home as a precaution against being caught in a breakdown, weather delay or any other emergency without water. In my opinion water is as important as fuel when out on the open road.

[CampNow]

Originally Posted by Route 66 Traveler

We always fill up to max before a trip; 65 gallons of SOFT water from the house because my wife says her hair is easier to manage with soft water. We use it until it's gone, then use the RV parks water for the remainder of the trip . . .

Given any thought about taking a portable 8k-16k grain water softener on the road? Through the years we've gotten very spoiled with our house's very soft water. We purchased an 8k portable water softener about 6 months ago for about $175. So, so nice having soft water 24/7 while we're on the road. We can typically go a week before we need to recharge it. It only takes a container of salt and about 15-20 minutes to recharge.

[Route 66 Traveler]

Originally Posted by CampNow

Given any thought about taking a portable 8k-16k grain water softener on the road?

Great suggestion....I'll check it out. What do you have and where did you buy it? What is the approximate weight? Might make my wife a nice Christmas present......

[Gary_Miller]

Originally Posted by DSchmidt

Rendrag. Don't trust that Jayco attached the tank. Ours wasn't on our 2017 Jay Flight SLX 195RB. See photo. Strap was not attached to anything...

From the looks of it, it looks as if the strap is not needed.

[Gary_Miller]

Originally Posted by Atlee

Unfortunately, right now, every couple of trips (dry camping), I have to top off the fresh water tanks. Why, you ask? Because the fresh water gauge is broken. It just says 0 gallons in the fresh water tank. I know there is water there, but don't know how much.

Because of that every couple of trips, I do have to fill the fresh water tanks just so I know I have enough.

You mean you leave water in your tank between trips and just top it off? I don't understand why you would do that. I want fresh water, not old stale water.

[Gary_Miller]

I always make sure the water tank is full for emergency purposes. You never know when you might need water for something. Overheated vehicle yours or someone else's. And you never know you might break down and have to sit for a length of time. Not having any water could get very uncomfortable.

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by Route 66 Traveler

We always fill up to max before a trip; 65 gallons of SOFT water from the house because my wife says her hair is easier to manage with soft water. We use it until it's gone, then use the RV parks water for the remainder of the trip. I always fill the tank at least 1/2 way for the trip home as a precaution against being caught in a breakdown, weather delay or any other emergency without water. In my opinion water is as important as fuel when out on the open road.

We carry a bit more, but fill with SOFT water before we leave. BUT, we begin adding campground water to our soft water along the way. It gradually becomes hard water, of course, but it's not an abrupt change that way.

Originally Posted by CampNow

Given any thought about taking a portable 8k-16k grain water softener on the road? Through the years we've gotten very spoiled with our house's very soft water. We purchased an 8k portable water softener about 6 months ago for about $175. So, so nice having soft water 24/7 while we're on the road. We can typically go a week before we need to recharge it. It only takes a container of salt and about 15-20 minutes to recharge.

We've kicked the idea around about buying an RV water softener, but hadn't decided. There are water softening filters available and we tried one once, but it didn't work out too well for us.

It seems you're happy with the one you bought. Please let us know which one.

[bdreinv]

Always tow full camper seems to ride better!

[Dave A]

We usually travel with about 1/3 tank of water to keep the weight down but still have enough to get by if we have to dry camp for a night. If we are going some place where we know there is no water nearby and we are staying for a few nights, then we fill her up.

A full tank for us is about 600 lbs. No use dragging that around if we don't need too.

[qs271a]

As mentioned in an earlier post, most fresh water holding tanks are mounted on crossmembers of the frame. Most manufacturers went away from using straps to hold their tanks in place quite a few years ago. So other than the GVW of a loaded rig with the added water weight, it is very normal for people to haul with full tanks. Most data shows that towing with or without the tanks full makes little difference in the towing performance of your setup. I tow with 75 gal. of water all the time, as I dry camp a lot. No sweat. Happy Camping!

[CampNow]

Originally Posted by oldmanAZ

We've kicked the idea around about buying an RV water softener, but hadn't decided. There are water softening filters available and we tried one once, but it didn't work out too well for us.

It seems you're happy with the one you bought. Please let us know which one.

This unit on Amazon is nearly identical to the 8k unit we use. It has the newer head unit (with the larger, grey removable cap) which makes it much easier to pour salt inside the unit for recharges.

Although the 16k units will go twice as long between recharges, and don't cost a whole lot more than the 8k units, we went with the 8k because it only weighs 20-25 lbs. The 16k units weigh approx. 40-50 lbs. and are much more cumbersome to handle on the road. We (two adults) typically get at least a week of constant use out of our 8k unit before it needs a recharge. A recharge only requires a 1 lb. 10 oz. container of salt and access to 15-20 minutes of slow (~gallon a minute) running water.

IMO, most portable water softeners use parts that are sourced from the same manufacturers, so there's very little difference in quality or capability from one "manufacturer" to another. The grain rating (8k, 16k, 32k, etc.) determines a unit's softening capability.

If you and your family are a big fan of soft water (especially when you're taking a nice, hot shower), these units are worth every penny. An added plus is they will dramatically reduce the mineral buildup in your hot water heater.

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by CampNow

This unit on Amazon is nearly identical to the 8k unit we use. It has the newer head unit (with the larger, grey removable cap) which makes it much easier to pour salt inside the unit for recharges.

Although the 16k units will go twice as long between recharges, and don't cost a whole lot more than the 8k units, we went with the 8k because it only weights 20-25 lbs. The 16k units weigh approx. 40-50 lbs. and are much more cumbersome to handle on the road. We (two adults) typically get at least a week of constant use out of our 8k unit before it needs a recharge. A recharge only requires a 1 lb. 10 oz. container of salt and access to 15-20 minutes of slow (~gallon a minute) running water.

IMO, most portable water softeners use parts that are sourced from the same manufacturers, so there's very little difference in quality or capability from one "manufacturer" to another. The grain rating (8k, 16k, 32k, etc.) determines a unit's softening capability.

If you and your family are a big fan of soft water (especially when you're taking a nice, hot shower), these units are worth every penny. An added plus is they will dramatically reduce the mineral buildup in your hot water heater.

Thank you. I have much higher confidence in fellow JOF user's comments than anonymous online users.

I agree wholeheartedly with your softener size and weight comments and the reduced water heater mineral buildup. I'd add, too, that with soft water we use a lot less detergent when washing dishes and hands.

[Seann45]

My friends and I are all avid boondockers so we always travel with full fresh water tanks.. you never know if where your going will have water or if it is water you can use.

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by Seann45

My friends and I are all avid boondockers so we always travel with full fresh water tanks.. you never know if where your going will have water or if it is water you can use.

That and even in a full hookup site there could be problems: This spring the RV park we were in lost its water supply due to a crash that took out one the city's pumps. It took a bit less than 24hrs to restore the city water supply.

Really, I'm not really sure how long it took to restore the city water. We just turned on our water pump and continued as usual.