driving with full water tanks?

[vanravd]

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We have a 2004 Fleetwood Bayside PU.  Love it!!  BUT, we are curious about driving with full water tanks.  The manual says not to, but I've never seen anyone filling their tanks in a park.  My parents always filled at home and traveled everywhere with it full.  We camp mostly in national and state parks without electricity or water, so having water in the tanks is a definite plus.  

Love to hear your ideas or opinions--

[Buzz]

Everyones situation is different. I never travel with water in my tank. I'm afraid the sloshing back and forth could cause sway or herky jerky when braking....and the added weight is something I don't want...but what do I know? I carry a water supply hose 25' long and fill my tank when I pull into a camp ground. I replaced the cap on the drain with a ball valve. When I leave I open the valve so she drains on the way home....
If water is not available to you, you have no choice

[ForestCreature]

If your TV can handle the additional weight of the water and it causes no sway issues , why not.  We travel with full water tank often for the same reason you mention. Many places we camp there is nothing more than a hand pump well.
 Pumping 20 some gallons is not our favorite past time while camping.
 
 Our water tanks are behind the axle, so we take extra blue jugs filled with water and placed up front to balance the load. We drain the partial tank for the ride home.

[oldmoose]

Most of the time we fill our tank when dry camping. I also take an empty 5 gallon container with a hose in the cap to refill the tank. I drain it while taking down the trailer and shut the drain before leaving. Forgot to do that once and had an empty tank at the campground.
Moose

[TheViking]

I traveled with the water tank full once when I had my Pop-Up.  I was going out in the middle of nowhere for 4 days so I had no choice. That was a 16 gallon tank.  Now with the travel trailer that holds 37 gallons I will probably travel with it empty until I get close to my camping area and then fill it up at a gas station or c-store, that way the travel distance with a full tank is short.  If you ask, they will usually let you.

[vanravd]

Thanks for your ideas and insights.  It sounds as though no one has had structural damage to the camper when travelling with the tanks full.  Just the extra weight and sway potential are reasons not too.

More commentsadvise welcome.

Happy Camping!!

[4campinfoxes]

As you can see by my signature, we have a 2000 Bayside.  We have had sway issues in the past, generally when traveling at speeds above 70 or when passed by a big truck or with wind.  We have a more than adequate tow vehicle so that hasn't been an issue.  We pretty much never tow with water in the tanks.  We always fill up at the campgrounds or if we need to bring water we have a 5 or 10 gallon container that we fill up & put in the van.  I personally think the added weight & potential for sway is a good reason not to fill the tank ahead of time.

Sharon

[tlhdoc]

I don't tow with water in the tank or water heater, unless I am camping close to home or the water is bad where we are going.  If you are going to tow with water in the tank, fill the tank.  You have more chance of sway with a half filled tank where the water has room to slosh around.