towing with water in tank

[MommaMia]

I did a search and couldn't find an answer so I'm throwing it out there for someone.

I seem to remember recommendations about towing with water in the holding tank.  The campground we are going to has no hookups so we would have to lug the water to the camper to fill the tank.  I'd rather fill it at home first.  It's a short trip, just 45 mins, to the cg.


Is it generally thought to be better to tow with the tank either empty or full but not part filled due to sloshing?

[Tim5055]

Is it generally thought to be better to tow with the tank either empty or full but not part filled due to sloshing?

That is my understanding also.  I generally try to find somewhere close to the campgroundto fill up.

When we dry camp, I usually just set up camp and whiel we are exploring I fill up a couple of 7 gallon bottles.  Each time we go out I do this agian, so there is usually plenty of water around.

[ForestCreature]

We tow with a full water tank often. You are right , tow with it full.
 Our water tank is behind the axle, so I put a few 7 gallon jugs of water up front to balance the load off.(plus it eliminates having to either pump or beg for water if you need more) Otherwise our tongue weight drops to light .
 Weather you would do this or not would depend on where your water tank is.
 
 Going so close to home it shouldn't be that bad on the gas mileage, long
 as your TV is up to handling the extra weight you should be fine.

[MommaMia]

Weather you would do this or not would depend on where your water tank is.
 
 Going so close to home it shouldn't be that bad on the gas mileage, long
 as your TV is up to handling the extra weight you should be fine.

Like yours, our water tank is behind the axle.  I don't think I'll need to do too much repacking.  The front bunk is a king, the battery and stove and 2 full bench storage compartments are up front and the space under the dinette is full of ther stuff.  There are also 2 full propane tanks on the tongue.  We aren't driving on any major highways and it's a flat short drive.

It seems to be a 20 gal tank so that adds roughly 180 lbs to the load... The tv should handle it just fine.  Oh I can't wait!

[tlhdoc]

Cindy don't forget to fill the water heater too.  Otherwise you will loose 6 gallons of water from your tank as soon as the pump fills the water heater.  I usually tow the PU with no water in the system and fill the water tank at the campground (I am assuming that there are places to get water in the campground) before I go to my site.

[wiininkwe]

I think that the disadvantage to towing with water in the tank would only apply if the tank were not completely full. Any space left in the tank would give the water room to slosh back and forth, and make your camper slightly unstable. Since it's low profile, it wouldn't be terrible, but still not completely safe.

T
 

[MommaMia]

Cindy don't forget to fill the water heater too.  Otherwise you will loose 6 gallons of water from your tank as soon as the pump fills the water heater.  I usually tow the PU with no water in the system and fill the water tank at the campground (I am assuming that there are places to get water in the campground) before I go to my site.

Thanks Tracy.  I already did that.  Had to when i was getting ready to light the water heater to prevent burning out the element.

Tell me if I did ok.

Fist thing I did was to remember to remove sink drain cap and make sure stopper was out of sink drain!

With both faucets open to aid in releasing trapped air, I added water to the holding tank... about 10 gallons

Turned on pump with both faucets open. water started to sputter out.

after a minute, I shut cold water faucet and left hot one open, letting water pump until it ran smooth without sputtering.

Closed hot water faucet.

Turned pump switch to off position.

I think the hot water heater should be full now, no?


Then i filled holding tank the rest of the way.


If I knew there was a faucet to get water at, I'd wait until I got there to fill tank, but this place has no hook-ups and you never know when the only water source is a old fashioned pump!  I don't want to lug all that water myself.  Since it's such a short trip, I'll fill at home.

[MommaMia]

I think that the disadvantage to towing with water in the tank would only apply if the tank were not completely full.   Any space left in the tank would give the water room to slosh back and forth, and make your camper slightly unstable.   Since it's low profile, it wouldn't be terrible, but still not completely safe
T

I am getting used to finding your posts!  

Thanks T~
I think I'll be ok.  I filled the tank to the top and only going a short distance from home.

[labontefan]

I usually tow with it empty. The campgrounds at the racetracks don't have hookups, but most have water available. If I can, I stop by the water station on the way in and fill up.

On our last racing trip (Martinsville), we left after I got off work. I knew we'd be arriving around midnight, and the water and dump station at Martinsville are not as convenient as at some of the tracks. To save the hassle of trying to fill up after we got there, I filled it up before we left. That's the first time I've towed with the water tank full. Martinsville is about a 4-5 hour trip. The first couple of hours are mostly 4-lane and Interstate, while the last hour or so is a lot of winding 2-lane over a mountain.

I can honestly say I did not notice any difference in towing with the tank full, than I did with it empty. (Of course, the previous time I drove to Martinsville, I was towing with the Jeep Cherokee and not with the new Durango. The trip down the mountain was one reason I decided to get a new TV!) However, the first 2-3 hours of the trip are the same route as going to Charlotte, and I had towed it to Charlotte just the week before with the tank empty. I was expecting maybe some additional sway or something with the extra weight, but I really couldn't tell any difference.

If the trip is only about 45 min., then I'd definitely say go for it!

[Campaholics]

We always travel with the tank empty.  If we rember it, and it's not too close to getting dark, we fill on the way to our site.  For refilling, we use an old luggage cart.  With the advent of wheeled suitcases, you may be able to find one at a garage sale.

[Steve-o-bud]

Here's a bit of a different view.

We have a Coleman Bayside, towed by an Acura SLX/aka Isuza Trooper. I currently have no sway control, but plan to in the near future. Under most conditions, this set up is quite stable. We pack with a weight bias towards the front.

We went to a campground where I thought filling up the tank would be a hassle. So, thinking I'd be a smart guy, at home, I filled the tank, full. Away we go, headed up our infamous Cajon pass, leading a caravan of our fellow Indian Princess group. It didn't feel very stable, so I took it pretty easy. I got to the top of the grade, and not paying too much attention, my speed got away from me on the downhill side. And before you can say "HOLY COW!", we started swaying, big time. We were swaying about a lane and a half. Most of the freeway behind us came to a grinding halt, and my freinds following us thought we were history.

Attempting to regain control, I eased off the throttle and attempted to hold us on a straight course. At this point, my DW, said to me in a rather concerned tone of voice: "Steve, we are out of control!"  :eek:   To which I replyed,"I know!"  :mad: Actually that somewhat softens my actual reply, which shouldn't be repeated here. Gently easing on the trailer brakes helped a bit, a few long momments latter, things were back to normal. Needless to say, the knuckles were white, and I took it REAL easy the remainder of the trip.

On the return trip, I emptied the tank.

So, my advice would be, with a rear mounted water tank, don't do it. Especially if you have a Coleman.

[MommaMia]

Here's a bit of a different view.

We have a Coleman Bayside, towed by an Acura SLX/aka Isuza Trooper. I currently have no sway control, but plan to in the near future. Under most conditions, this set up is quite stable. We pack with a weight bias towards the front.

We went to a campground where I thought filling up the tank would be a hassle. So, thinking I'd be a smart guy, at home, I filled the tank, full. Away we go, headed up our infamous Cajon pass, leading a caravan of our fellow Indian Princess group. It didn't feel very stable, so I took it pretty easy. I got to the top of the grade, and not paying too much attention, my speed got away from me on the downhill side. And before you can say "HOLY COW!", we started swaying, big time. We were swaying about a lane and a half. Most of the freeway behind us came to a grinding halt, and my freinds following us thought we were history.

Attempting to regain control, I eased off the throttle and attempted to hold us on a straight course. At this point, my DW, said to me in a rather concerned tone of voice: "Steve, we are out of control!"  :eek:   To which I replyed,"I know!"  :mad: Actually that somewhat softens my actual reply, which shouldn't be repeated here. Gently easing on the trailer brakes helped a bit, a few long momments latter, things were back to normal. Needless to say, the knuckles were white, and I took it REAL easy the remainder of the trip.

On the return trip, I emptied the tank.

So, my advice would be, with a rear mounted water tank, don't do it. Especially if you have a Coleman.

Wow... that must have been scary!  Glad it turned out alright!

Thanks for the warning.  
Our... strike that.... MY camper is an 84 Starcraft constellation 12 foot box and very solid. Not a lightweight boppy thing. By that I mean that when I pull it it hugs the ground.  I have never felt it even wobble back there.

In addition to our stuff, the kids bikes are going into the camper, towards thr front.  There's a little more tongue weight to help counter the added weight in the rear.

Also keep in mind that we live in FL. Flat, flat, flat.  We won't be travelling any highways.  Just secondary roads with max. speed at 45. I plan to keep under that.  We are only going 45 mins away.


So I'm going to give it a shot.  If at ANY TIME during the drive I feel even the slightest hint of sway starting, I'll immediately pull off to the side and open the drain without hesitation.  Convenience isn't worth negating safety.

[MommaMia]

we use an old luggage cart.

Oh wow!  I have a luggage cart that I had tried to sell at a yard sale but nobody bought it.  I couldn't put it out with the trash thinking there must be some use for it.  It's been moving around with me for 6 years and never used!   Now I know why I have been keeping it!!!  To haul that huge, blue gray water tank to the dump station!  (Yes, I'm the one doing the dumping... DH refuses!)
Thank you Campaholics!   You are an angel!

[MommaMia]

America the deaf, white, psycotic cat

Is it an old cat?  I have heard that it's more common for white animals to be deaf.


P.S.   All cats are at least somewhat psychotic!

[SactoCampers]

Mommamia,
 
If you ever want a real easy way to fill up your tank while camping, refer to my freshwater system. I've been using it for about two years now and it's great!
 
http://sactocampers.tripod.com/sactocamperswebpage/id9.html