farmer's daughter
WA
New Member
Joined: 08/02/2016
View Profile
 Offline
|
I took my new trailer on the road, and it felt "funny" like a back-and-forth motion; I didn't like how it was handling. When I got to the campground, my daughter pushed the fresh water tank sensor and it was full! Apparently the dealership had filled it to check that everything worked, and didn't empty the tank. I emptied it, and on the way home towing was a breeze. I don't want to haul an extra 400 pounds of sloshing water.
|
DrewE
Vermont
Senior Member
Joined: 08/23/2014
View Profile
Offline
|
farmer's daughter wrote:I took my new trailer on the road, and it felt "funny" like a back-and-forth motion; I didn't like how it was handling. When I got to the campground, my daughter pushed the fresh water tank sensor and it was full! Apparently the dealership had filled it to check that everything worked, and didn't empty the tank. I emptied it, and on the way home towing was a breeze. I don't want to haul an extra 400 pounds of sloshing water.
If the tank is full, the water isn't sloshing. ![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/biggrin.gif "biggrin")
If I had to guess, the biggest difference you saw was from the changed weight balance of the trailer, especially if the water tank is behind the axle (and so causing the tongue weight to be lowered).
|
derh20
Vancouver-Not BC, WA-Not DC
Senior Member
Joined: 04/27/2013
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
A consideration might also be the weight. We have a 29' B+ with 3 slides and are at our max rear axle weight. Adding a full tank of fresh water then becomes an issue.
|
Horizon170
GA
Senior Member
Joined: 02/25/2005
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
I would never think of traveling with an empty tank.
Marvin
2010 Coachman Freelander 22TB on a
2008 Sprinter/Freightliner chassis
1995 Geo Tracker (Toad)
|
DaCrema
Va
Senior Member
Joined: 06/19/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
You will use more gas to go up hill, to speed up and slow down with a full water tank. It has little or no effect once up to speed and staying at a constant speed. I usually travel with one quarter and more often a half tank. Several times a year I go somewhere that I can not fill up and run a full tank of water. (on one such trip I weighed the RV front/rear axels, using that weight to determine tire pressures).
I grew up hiking and camping in the desert. I can't imagine traveling with no water in the tank though people I respect very much do just that.
|
|
|
tatest
Oklahoma Green Country
Senior Member
Joined: 05/14/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
I need to fill at least one of my two (forward mounted) fresh water tanks to keep enough weight on the front axle for decent handling. Adding an extra 200-300 pounds of water to a 12,000 pound motorhome doesn't make that much difference in miles per gallon, even climbing mountain grades. It makes a lot of difference in the camping experience when I have to overnight where there are no fresh water hookups.
I know, camp with, people who have never filled their fresh water tanks. They will not go anywhere that does not have a water hookup. Some of them don't use their toilets or showers either.
Tom Test
Itasca Spirit 29B
|
tenbear
Northern Vermont, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 08/11/2004
View Profile
|
I usually keep my tank between a quarter and a third full. If I am headed for a destination with no hookups, such as a bluegrass concert, I will fill the tank. I can't say I notice any difference in the handling or gas mileage, but most of these full tank trips are short.
My fresh water tank is 35 gallons.
* This post was
edited 10/09/16 06:38am by tenbear *
Class C, 2004/5 Four Winds Dutchman Express 28A, Chevy chassis
2010 Subaru Impreza Sedan
Camped in 45 states, 7 Provinces and 1 Territory
|
Sully2
Cincinnati
Senior Member
Joined: 01/20/2003
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
In MPG...it dont make doodlie squat difference...in comfort when stopped somewhere ( especially overnight) and no "city water" hook-up.....well you'll never run on empty ever again!
presently.....Coachless!...
2002 Jeep Liberty
2016 Ford Escape
|
Horizon170
GA
Senior Member
Joined: 02/25/2005
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
If you drive a $100K RV and worry about minuscule changes in MPG, then you have other problems. Trade your RV on a VW and stay home.
Marvin
|
j-d
Sunny Florida USA
Senior Member
Joined: 09/04/2003
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
Agree with the others who say the issue won't usually be Weight or MPG. Rather, weight distribution and handling, whether Coach or Trailer.
Our Fresh Water Level Gauge joined Black and Gray in NOT working, so I fill Fresh till it gushes and go with it. In our case it's right over the rear axle of the E450 and I can't say it's ever mattered in how it feels, rides, drives. If that much weight was way out in our rear overhang, like Gray is, and to an extent Black, then I'm sure it'd matter.
If God's Your Co-Pilot Move Over, jd
2003 Jayco Escapade 31A on 2002 Ford E450 V10 4R100 218" WB
|
|
|
