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Canuks · 03-30-2006, 05:47 PM

We have a 22ft CCD. I am wondering if its safe to travel with a full fresh water tank? I dont mind the taste and safety of the water from home. By driving with a full tank cause undo strain on the chassis?
Is anyone for or against carring water for a 3 or 4 day camping trip from home. I was only told drive empty or full, but never half full.

wkerfoot · 03-30-2006, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Canuks

We have a 22ft CCD. I am wondering if its safe to travel with a full fresh water tank? I dont mind the taste and safety of the water from home. By driving with a full tank cause undo strain on the chassis?
Is anyone for or against carring water for a 3 or 4 day camping trip from home. I was only told drive empty or full, but never half full.

I travel with a full 50 gallon water tank in my Safari. I feel that the trailer was made to travel from place to place and you can't exist without water. The reason for 1/2 full is to prevent sloshing and weight moving from side to side, the same reasons that ocean going vessels are more stable with full or empty fuel tanks.

Bill

bill benton · 03-30-2006, 06:02 PM

When we plan on using on board water we travel with ours full also.

nickcrowhurst · 03-30-2006, 06:05 PM

I entirely agree with Bill Kerfoot. For peace of mind you should take the tow vehicle and trailer to a weigh station, loaded with full equipment, food, water and passengers as if for a camping trip, and have each axle weighed. You will then know if you are within the permitted axle loads, total maximum load etc of the trailer and tow vehicle.These will be stamped on each vehicle.
Nick

Silvertwinkie · 03-30-2006, 06:24 PM

I travel with the fresh tank full (39 gallons=335.4 lbs). The Safari actually seems to tow better with the water in the tank. If your tow vehicle has not exceeded it's tow capacity, I'd say fill 'er up and go.

Coloradobus · 03-30-2006, 06:47 PM

Canuks, Absolutely, carry full water. Earlier this month, we were faced with a road closure. We had just stopped for fuel. A few miles down the road in a rest area, we stopped to walk the dogs, a trucker told us the interstate was closed due to snow and accidents. He recommended we stay right where we were, the rest area. Sure enough, on the CB, the highway patrol was making announcements. And so we spent the night in the rest area. We had full fuel, water, food on board, and empty holding tanks. NO sweat! We were set!!! Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!!!!

Inland RV Center, In · 03-30-2006, 06:47 PM

Towing with a "full" water tank has several advantages.

The biggest advantage is that the center of gravity of the trailer, becomes lower, when the water tank is full. Result equals better handling.

The next advantage, is if you need water, you have it. Never know when you might blow a heater hose.

The next advantage, is that you are independent for a source of water.

The smallest disadvantage is that your fuel mileage "might" ever so slightly drop, but only if your in the mountains.

Bottom line, fill the water tanks, especially if you located some well tasting water.

Andy

Silvertwinkie · 03-30-2006, 06:54 PM

..... and fill the tanks slowly (seriously)!

flyfisher · 03-30-2006, 07:32 PM

Ok, next question.

There's a 50 gallon oak barrel of Maker's Mark burbon down in a Kentucky warehouse with my name on it. When it finishes aging, I was wondering how to get it home. Now, I know - if you find something that tastes good, fill you tank, slowly, and travel with it.

Any problems with doing that?

I know it wouldn't freeze if we had to stay over at a rest stop in the winter due to a road closure. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

John

norbert · 03-30-2006, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyfisher

There's a 50 gallon oak barrel of Maker's Mark burbon down in a Kentucky warehouse with my name on it. When it finishes aging, I was wondering how to get it home. Now, I know - if you find something that tastes good, fill you tank, slowly, and travel with it.

Any problems with doing that?

sure would hate to flush the turlet.......

flyfisher · 03-30-2006, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norbert

sure would hate to flush the turlet.......

Hadn't thought of that.

But we wouldn't need to use the filtering faucet in the kitchen sink, 'cause it's already been charcoal filtered.

John

wkerfoot · 03-30-2006, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyfisher

Hadn't thought of that.

But we wouldn't need to use the filtering faucet in the kitchen sink, 'cause it's already been charcoal filtered.

John

Actually Suh, Makers Mark is Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey, which is not charcoal filtered, Jack Daniels, which is Tennessee Sipping Whiskey, is charcoal filtered.

Bill

Silvertwinkie · 03-30-2006, 10:05 PM

If yer talkin' about putting that in the fresh tank, I would not do that. There is alcohol in it (obviously) and that can be harmful to some of the rubbers and plastics (tank, hoses, pipes, etc). These items may or may not be alcohol rated, and may do damage, let alone residual taste that will most likely take a lot to get out.

I'd put the keg in the F-250 bed and secure it. If you put it in the Airstream, I'd try to put it over the axles or closer toward the front (never the back, or rear of the axles), but the pickup bed of your F250 would be the best place to put that barrel.

clancy_boy · 03-30-2006, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wkerfoot

"the same reasons that ocean going vessels are more stable with full or empty fuel tanks."

Bill

I traveled with the Caravel full of water for 700 miles no problem. BUT, ships if at all possible displace fuel usage with seawater ballast to offset the used fuel. For some of the same reasons as the trailer - lowers the center of gravity, increases fuel efficiency (in ships) and ride ALOT BETTER.

mandolindave · 03-31-2006, 05:30 AM

A guy tried to use moonshine to winterize his plumbing. He figured that booze was cheap and water soluable and better for the environment than antifreeze. The result was in a real nasty science project in his tanks.

Pick · 03-31-2006, 07:02 AM

My 31 pulls MUCH better with a full water tank. After I put new axles and tires on a couple of years ago, we took off for Equine Affaire in Columbus, Ohio. The water tank was empty. The trailer swayed. Bad. I did not have a sway bar on at the time. We stopped at the first truck stop we saw, and filled up the water tank. Wow! What a difference! I always keep it full when towing.

Chuck · 03-31-2006, 08:20 AM

I wouldn't worry too much about driving around "half full", either. the amount of weight we're talking about here is miniscule, compared to an ocean-going vessel. having driven large tank trucks for a living, I do know what that sloshing around is like, but its only noticeable when you're talking in terms of hundreds, or thousands of gallons. not "tens" of gallons.

the tank (at least in the 70's models) already has a sort of built-in baffle, and even if it didn't the distance from one end of the tank to the other is just not worth mentioning.

but sure...an extra 400lbs down low will make a difference in ride. Its not noticeable in my trailer, probably because it already has a fairly stout tongue weight. (more than some much larger trailers of its era, due to the short rear overhang). but 200lbs worth of "slosh"? bah. don't worry about it. I drive around with varying amounts of water in my tank. honestly can't tell the difference, and certainly can't feel the movement of "half a tank".

Saddletramp · 03-31-2006, 08:35 AM

Most of the camp grounds I have been in have hard water. My Airstream garage has soft water handy. I fill my tank full of it. It sure is nice not to have soap scum. My dishes and I all come out cleaner.

Saddletramp

Silvertwinkie · 03-31-2006, 08:44 AM

I also filter the water that goes into the tank with one of those in line filters that takes out sediment, lead, etc. Growing up camping with my fam, we would run low in the UP of MI, and put some well water from a boondocking campground pump. It had high iron content, and it made the tank rust colored, so I am careful what I put into the tank. From that tank, to the Airstream pipes to mine.

Over59 · 03-31-2006, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flyfisher

Ok, next question.

There's a 50 gallon oak barrel of Maker's Mark burbon down in a Kentucky warehouse with my name on it. When it finishes aging, I was wondering how to get it home. Now, I know - if you find something that tastes good, fill you tank, slowly, and travel with it.

Any problems with doing that?

I know it wouldn't freeze if we had to stay over at a rest stop in the winter due to a road closure. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

John

Do I hear a Rally call in the future for the PA Dutch Country? Talk about roll out the barrel.... BTW.. Do you get to keep the barrel for BBQ Wood, I'll bring the brisket...