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interstateflyer · 05-28-2015, 02:52 PM

I was told recently by a travel trailer restorer that I should avoid towing with the tanks full on my 2014 23D. He said that I could damage my axles and that Airstream warns owners about the potential.

I find the need to travel with a full water tank when dry camping and a partially filled water and full waste tanks until we reach a dump station.

Is there any truth to this concern? What have you experienced?

dznf0g · 05-28-2015, 02:54 PM

Not really, imo. Assuming a healthy frame and healthy properly rated axles.

John&Vicki · 05-28-2015, 02:59 PM

Many (myself included) believe that they tow better with full tanks.

Cheers,
John

AWCHIEF · 05-28-2015, 03:00 PM

Absolutely not. I would find another source of information.

idroba · 05-28-2015, 03:01 PM

It should not be any problem to ever be concerned about.

Lily&Me · 05-28-2015, 03:11 PM

I have never heard that from anyone, nor read it here.

If it were a legitimate issue, it surely would have shown up.

Maggie

HeadWest · 05-28-2015, 03:14 PM

If you can't use the tanks what the heck is the point? Might as well buy a park model trailer.

We always try to travel with a full tank of water since we never know where we might end up or having questionable water sources.

I hope this is not someone at an Airstream dealer.

interstateflyer · 05-28-2015, 03:27 PM

Thanks everyone. I suspected that it was not the case but wanted to make sure.

He is a local vintage travel trailer restorer, not a dealer's service guy.

Minno · 05-28-2015, 04:52 PM

According to Inland RV Andy, older ASs are designed to be more stable with a full fresh water tank. I can't imagine Airstream (or anyone else)designing trailers that can't be towed with full tanks. The axles should be plenty strong enough to deal with the weight of the tanks. Your owners manual should tell you what is recommended.

Kay

interstateflyer · 05-28-2015, 05:05 PM

I Googled "traveling with full tanks in Airstream" and got this old Airforums thread.

Note Inland RV Andy's response about a full tanks effect on the center of gravity....will corner better.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f443...-ok-95733.html

**moosetags** · 05-28-2015, 05:29 PM

I have always pulled with at least a full fresh water tank, and on occasion with full gray and black tanks.

Brian

slowmover · 05-28-2015, 05:34 PM

The concern is the waste tanks. Not good for handling, braking when full. And that it stresses the frame.

The fresh water tank is not at all a concern. The trailer is designed to be pulled this way. Better, in fact, than without (with some model and year exceptions from years back).

m.hony · 05-29-2015, 11:34 AM

Short answer: No.
Longer answer: A full fresh water tank is a good thing. You can use the bathroom or fix a meal while traveling/not in a campground and the rig rides smoother. You won't have to travel with full gray or black tanks very often, as they are usually emptied at a campground or dump station. I have come home with full gray and black tanks and dumped at the house.

featherbedder · 05-29-2015, 11:42 AM

I always leave with full fresh water tank and dump gray and black at home unless extended trip, as stated pulls much better w/full fresh and rides better. Never have had trouble in over 50 yrs. towing AS.

JCWDCW · 05-29-2015, 12:10 PM

The main thing I would be checking is weather you have a ton of 'stuff' in the trailer all the time. Then an extra 500 lbs of water might be taking you to the limit. If you start out with full water and empty holding tanks then the same weight will be distributed from water to holding tanks, so net zero effect other than where the weight is now located (in front of the axles?). If however you refill with water then you could theoretically have 1000 lbs of water weight! That I think is obviously a problem.
JCW

NavyCorpsman · 05-29-2015, 12:14 PM

Full water tank, Empty Main and Aux tank, and don't worry about it.

The Cralls · 05-29-2015, 05:54 PM

I almost always pull with the fresh water tank full. Some say you get better fuel economy with an empty tank. Well the math is a 28' International weighs about 8000 lbs fully loaded. The fresh water tank is 39 gal at 8.7 lbs per gal, that means a difference of 340 lbs between full and empty. It wont make a difference full or empty. As for weight, it rides better with a full fresh tank and you have water when you need it. The axels are rated for much more than what the trailer weighs.

**jcanavera** · 05-29-2015, 06:01 PM

He's a restorer and probably is aware of the older Airstreams that had issues with the frame near the rear bath of those trailers. Those models when carrying water could develop cracks in the frame. Airstream has a fix for that specific problem which is also called tail end droop.

The new trailers are engineered to carry a specific amount of weight on the axles and your tanks most likely sit over the axles which is perfect for weight distribution. Full tanks alone will not stress your axles. They are engineered for that weight.

Jack

AtomicNo13 · 05-29-2015, 06:01 PM

Quack! Airstream builds our ships to be towed with full tanks! They tow better, and are engineered to do so!
You'd better look for a more sound source of info and leave that "restorer" alone!

featherbedder · 05-29-2015, 06:27 PM

On my 1976 31 AS water tank sits spanning both axles so no prob. of weight. In my opinion floor rot is caused by fiberglass insulation between frame and sides. One cause is lower belt line covers bannana wrap and sides joint. Sides go under wrap huge area to funnel water into insulation gets wet floor rots. My water heater drains on to floor then into wraps. floor rotted small portion in closet, insulation was wet many mos. after draining heater. Any leaks fiberglass gets wet will not dry. In my opinion insulation is not needed in this portion of floor