Holding Tank Location

[Hans627]

This post is relative to a 2015 FC 25FB TB.

I know the holding tanks are positioned for a low center of gravity. Are they all located between the axles? Is the fresh water tank toward the front, center or back?

In other words, will having a 39 gallon fresh water tank full (adding about 300 lbs to the weight) have a major impact on the TW?

Thanks!

[Landrum]

The fresh water tank is centered between the axles. The black and grey tanks are in front of the axles.


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[AnnArborBob]

It's a safe bet that the location of your holding tanks vis-a-vis the axles can be determined by the placement of the dump valve. If the dump valve is in front of your axles, the the tanks are also in front of the axles. If the dump valve is in behind the axles then your holding tanks are behind the axles.

BTW, this applies to travel trailer models. If you have an Interstate or old Class A motor-home, I have no idea.

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by AnnArborBob

It's a safe bet that the location of your holding tanks vis-a-vis the axles can be determined by the placement of the dump valve. If the dump valve is in front of your axles, the the tanks are also in front of the axles. If the dump valve is in behind the axles then your holding tanks are behind the axles.

BTW, this applies to travel trailer models. If you have an Interstate or old Class A motor-home, I have no idea.

I haven't purchased an AS as of yet but am gathering information. I am seriously considering the FC 25FB but I'm a little tight on payload with my TV. As mentioned I was curious about the fresh water weight and it's impact on the payload issue.

Thanks!


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[AnnArborBob]

Originally Posted by Hans627

I haven't purchased an AS as of yet but am gathering information. I am seriously considering the FC 25FB but I'm a little tight on payload with my TV. As mentioned I was curious about the fresh water weight and it's impact on the payload issue.

Thanks!


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On the larger AS' (25 included) the fresh water tank is generally centered above the axles so that should not impact the tongue weight of the trailer. The holding tanks are located ahead of the axle so they would impact the tongue weight although not to the full extent of their apparent weight as they are set fairly close to the axles and thus most of their weight will fall on the trailer's axles.

[paiceman]

With proper tow vehicle weight is of limited consequence. The big factor in towing is shape ie wind resistance, which is why AS tow so well. Weight has impact on the payload of your TV and in and of itself on fuel usage, but adding a couple of hundreds pounds has never changed our fuel consumption.

Used to live in Hanover - McSherrystown. Love the area.

Bud

[Ohiobrits]

As noted above for the FB's the fresh water tank is between the axles and adds very little to tongue weight even when full. The grey water tank is next and in front of the fresh tank and then the black water. Both these tanks when loaded with some water will add a bit to your tongue weight if you will be traveling without draining them. Note that the 25 RB has the (somewhat smaller) black and grey tanks behind the axle so these would reduce tongue weight a little when full - fresh is between the axles. First photo is a 27FB, second a 25 RB.

[Ohiobrits]

The hitch is to the left on both photos.

[Ohiobrits]

By the way, what's your TV? I'm towing a 27FB with a Cayenne diesel which is payload challenged also. Note that the 27FBs are generally a little lighter on the tongue than the 25s, the International lighter again than the Flying Cloud. It's counter intuitive to go for a bigger Airstream if you are worried about payload but check out the "catalog" tongue weights on the website. I was looking at a 23FB initially, then a 25 and ended up with a 27 😄

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by paiceman

With proper tow vehicle weight is of limited consequence. The big factor in towing is shape ie wind resistance, which is why AS tow so well. Weight has impact on the payload of your TV and in and of itself on fuel usage, but adding a couple of hundreds pounds has never changed our fuel consumption.

Used to live in Hanover - McSherrystown. Love the area.

Bud

Thanks for your input.

Just curious, what brought you to the Hanover area?

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by Ohiobrits

By the way, what's your TV? I'm towing a 27FB with a Cayenne diesel which is payload challenged also. Note that the 27FBs are generally a little lighter on the tongue than the 25s, the International lighter again than the Flying Cloud. It's counter intuitive to go for a bigger Airstream if you are worried about payload but check out the "catalog" tongue weights on the website. I was looking at a 23FB initially, then a 25 and ended up with a 27 😄

My TV is a RAM 1500 crew, 5.7 hemi, 8 sp. tranny, 3.55. Thanks for your suggestion relative tongue weight (TW) and payload. With a TW of approx. 800# and 2 passengers I have about 150 pounds of available payload left, according to the RAM specs. I've asked for advice on other threads regarding this issue and received much excellent feedback. Basically I've come to the conclusion that if I'm 200-300# overweight on payload I'm not going to be too concerned. But I want to keep it as low as possible. That was the reason for my OP.

I've looked at the TW on all the models and did notice that the 27' FC and the International do have a lower TW. But we would like twin beds and they are not available in the International series and we really don't need the extra length (storage) that the 27' FB would give us over the 25' FB. But I certainly understand your logic in going from 23' to 25' and ending up with 27'.

I'm still gathering information before making a final decision and all the input from people like you helps greatly! Thanks!

[Ohiobrits]

As a cautionary note, it appears that all Airstreams have a higher tongue weight than catalogue. This is based on my own experience (only one data point) and comments from many posters on this forum. In my case, my 2015 27FB International with second AC was dealer estimated at 825 lbs (catalog is 770lbs). I got the "actual" as weighed from the factory for that VIN and it was 844lbs (specifically stated as including 2 full propane tanks and batteries). I have since weighed it at home with a Sherline scale and it's 900lbs. Significant difference from 844lbs.....