garmp
St Louis, MO
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Joined: 02/16/2008
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What's the effect of driving with a full versus empty water tank on your mileage? I realize vehicle size, engine, etc all have an effect on this, but on your RV does a full water supply really make a difference?
thanks
Our 2351D Phoenix Cruiser, Jack, has turned us from campers into RVers and loving it!
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gbopp
The Keystone State
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Joined: 08/03/2008
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It will make a small difference in fuel mileage.
But, it's not enough to make me travel with an empty water tank.
Try it both ways and see for yourself.
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DutchmenSport
Indiana
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Joined: 10/10/2006
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I think it depends upon how large the tanks is and how "full" (Full) really is.
A 10 gallon water tank will make virtually no difference. A 100 gallon tank could make a difference.
I tow a travel trailer, not drive a motor home. But I do know when my fresh water tank is full (and it's 45 gallons), I can feel that driving the truck. When it's empty the trailer handles different. There's a certain amount of movement that occurs with the trailer. I can't explain it, but every time I've pull out of port and hit the high seas, I can tell within the first mile if I forgot to open the drain on the fresh water tank. I'll stop first chance I get and let it drain on the road. Within a few miles, the to experience is different as the tank empties out.
About fuel mileage, I really don't know. As far as weight, if you have a 50 gallon tank (and 1 gallon of water weighs approximately 8 pounds), that's 400 pounds of water.
If you carried two passengers with you that weighed 200 pounds each... how much would that affect your fuel mileage? Probably not enough to mess with. So is the case with a full tank of water.
The difference (in my opinion) is how the trailer handles when towing. With a motor home, it depends upon how solid the suspension is, how heavy the motor home is, and how resilient it is to movement inside the coach. If the MH is a behemoth, even 100 gallons of water may be nothing compared to the over all weight of the coach.
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Dick_B
Palos Heights, IL USA
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Like he said. We don't worry about the mileage and keep the tank full when traveling. Don't have to worry about finding a place to fill up or a campground whose pumps have stopped working (only happened once) AND the tank can be used when stopping at Rest Areas.
Dick_B
2003 SunnyBrook 27FKS
2011 3/4 T Chevrolet Suburban
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One wife, two electric bikes (both Currie Tech Path+ models)
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path1
Varies with weather
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Joined: 04/19/2012
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Mine RV actually rides a better about 1/2 full. Another thing is...we had reservations at a place and when we got there they had the water shut off. Someone pulled out with their hose still attached. Broke the water pipe and a 4x4 stuck in ground next to it. They were in process of fixing, but we were glad we had our own water. Must of been weak from getting pulled on before, I wouldn't think a hose would be strong enough, but it was. Also good in case you want to flush toilet on the road.
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The Logans
West Virginia
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Virtually no difference at all, UNLESS, you are close to you're to your max weight. It's the front end wind loading on your rig that has the most effect on mileage... think about your engine having to push/pull a brick through the air.
Once the weight of your rig is moving, the engine isn't going to notice the extra few hundred pounds of water. Speed has the most detrimental impact on mileage.
I look at a full tank of fresh water the same way I look at seat belts, you might never need it, but if you do, it's great to have it.
Several times we've arrived at campgrounds where they've had a power failure, and the water system boost pumps were out. It was great to have our own water then.
Me, My wonderful Wife, 2 Bluetick Hounds, a Newfie, a Cairn Terrier & a Black Lab / Newfie Mix.
2018 Jayco Alante 31v
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Old-Biscuit
Verde Valley
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Joined: 06/20/2009
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Wind resistance has MORE affect on mileage then weight.
Got caught ONCE w/o water being available (CG water line broke) and my fresh water
tank was empty.
ONCE!
Is it time for your medication or mine?
2007 DODGE 3500 QC SRW 5.9L CTD In-Bed 'quiet gen'
2007 HitchHiker II 32.5 UKTG 2000W Xantex Inverter
US NAVY------USS Decatur DDG31
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Lantley
Ellicott City, Maryland
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I travel with full tank at all times. Full tank has no measurable effect on fuel mileage.
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pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
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Cummins has an analysis of weight vs mileage. For the number of pounds you are adding even with a 100 gallon tank you may not be able to see any difference.
Far more important is having a head wind--or a tail wind (may you always have tail winds!).
Regards, Don
My ride is a 28 foot Class C, 256 watts solar, 556 amp-hours of Telcom jars, 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, Sola Basic Autoformer, Microair Easy Start.
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lj2654
Weeki Wachee, Florida
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No issues traveling full. My DP seems to ride better with a 1/2 tank or more.
2001 Beaver Contessa Naples 40
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retired AirForce 1979-1992
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