Whatās the best situation for traveling with the caravan water tanks full or empty?
mezza56 said
06:57 PM Jul 19, 2018
Generally I have one tank half full if driving a long distance ,we can use the loo or make a cuppa . If your staying in parks you can fill up a bit each stop , when we're free camping on the way between parks they're full just in case we want a bit of a stop over where theres no water . Otherwise your towing with a lot more weight and chewing a little bit more fuel . Really its all personal preference .
Desert Dweller said
07:03 PM Jul 19, 2018
Every lltr weighs a kilo, watch out for police weight checks.
Dougwe said
07:05 PM Jul 19, 2018
Welcome to the gang Dano, enjoy here and out in the playground.
Due to a weight issue with my aluminium teepee I have to travel with my 2x95lt tanks empty. The chassis plate reckons I can easily but the teepee compliance plate disagrees. I carry fresh water in containers in the Collie until I can fill tanks.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Desert Dweller said
07:49 PM Jul 19, 2018
We carry 2x20ltr drinking water bottles in the tub of our Nissan Ute just to keep on the right side of the law.
Many big rigs traveling with weights to the maximum plus water tanks fully filled are illegal.
Radar said
08:32 PM Jul 19, 2018
Dano wrote:
Whatās the best situation for traveling with the caravan water tanks full or empty?
Not knowing you tow vehicle and caravan weights and physical placement of axles very hard to make a fair comment.
With our set up en suited caravan filling only the back 2 tanks is real good bring our weights in around 5.4 tonnes, we have a combinatiin gross 6 tonnes and generally that is enough water to last 4 plus days but I need to I will fill the front one, the problem with that is will bring the towball weight up to point where it tends to make a slight difference to the ride handling of the car and caravan set up.
So in general before leaving home I ask myself when will I need more water and defines how much water I take, mostly just the back 2 tanks.
Front tank capacity 80 litres sits in front of the first axle and is seperated from the other 2 by a valve.
Middle tank capacity 60 litres and sits between the dual axles and joined to the back tank capacity 80 litres behind the second axle.
All this weight in theory should be ideally placed to be carried on the dual suspension of the caravan between the spring hangers.
My rule is I run as light as I am comfortable but heavy enough to keep my lady happy. All good.
Hope this is of some help.
Cupie said
10:21 PM Jul 19, 2018
If you are not intending to free camp then as DD & D suggested, tanks empty & 1 or 2 containers of drinking water.
Perhaps a bit in the tanks for showering if you 'may' overnight in a free camp. I don't bother.
I have another 2L beside the loo for 'flushing'.
-- Edited by Cupie on Thursday 19th of July 2018 10:24:03 PM
Meredith said
02:51 AM Jul 20, 2018
We always leave home with our tanks full. We have plenty of load allowance, the water at home is very good, and we often free camp so to us it makes sense. We haven't noticed any real difference in fuel consumption if they are full or empty. Its really just personal preference.
rockylizard said
08:06 AM Jul 20, 2018
Meredith wrote:
We always leave home with our tanks full. We have plenty of load allowance, the water at home is very good, and we often free camp so to us it makes sense. We haven't noticed any real difference in fuel consumption if they are full or empty. Its really just personal preference.
Gday...
Ditto me - full or empty also has no impact on van's/rigs handling.
Cheers - John
outlaw40 said
10:46 AM Jul 20, 2018
Also tanks full . We are on tank water at home cant beat it for a cup of tea . Wouldnt leave home without it
Aus-Kiwi said
11:16 AM Jul 20, 2018
Depends if we are using RV ( or van with tug) for long distance transport or stopping a few kās down the road ? We keep talk about 1/4 full . Or try to keep Atleast 1/4 full . M/T black and grey water. ., We know the water at home is good . Or have resistance to local bugs .. lol
Tony Bev said
06:42 PM Jul 27, 2018
Welcome to the forum, Dano
As most of my camping is in free camps, I travel with tanks full
If the water had made the vehicle overweight, I would probably just carry enough for a cuppa, and fill up closer to my destination.
If I was mainly using caravan parks, (knowing that they had good water on tap), I would just carry enough water for a cuppa
Generally I have one tank half full if driving a long distance ,we can use the loo or make a cuppa . If your staying in parks you can fill up a bit each stop , when we're free camping on the way between parks they're full just in case we want a bit of a stop over where theres no water . Otherwise your towing with a lot more weight and chewing a little bit more fuel . Really its all personal preference .
Welcome to the gang Dano, enjoy here and out in the playground.
Due to a weight issue with my aluminium teepee I have to travel with my 2x95lt tanks empty. The chassis plate reckons I can easily but the teepee compliance plate disagrees. I carry fresh water in containers in the Collie until I can fill tanks.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Many big rigs traveling with weights to the maximum plus water tanks fully filled are illegal.
Not knowing you tow vehicle and caravan weights and physical placement of axles very hard to make a fair comment.
With our set up en suited caravan filling only the back 2 tanks is real good bring our weights in around 5.4 tonnes, we have a combinatiin gross 6 tonnes and generally that is enough water to last 4 plus days but I need to I will fill the front one, the problem with that is will bring the towball weight up to point where it tends to make a slight difference to the ride handling of the car and caravan set up.
So in general before leaving home I ask myself when will I need more water and defines how much water I take, mostly just the back 2 tanks.
Front tank capacity 80 litres sits in front of the first axle and is seperated from the other 2 by a valve.
Middle tank capacity 60 litres and sits between the dual axles and joined to the back tank capacity 80 litres behind the second axle.
All this weight in theory should be ideally placed to be carried on the dual suspension of the caravan between the spring hangers.
My rule is I run as light as I am comfortable but heavy enough to keep my lady happy. All good.
Hope this is of some help.
If you are not intending to free camp then as DD & D suggested, tanks empty & 1 or 2 containers of drinking water.
Perhaps a bit in the tanks for showering if you 'may' overnight in a free camp. I don't bother.
I have another 2L beside the loo for 'flushing'.
-- Edited by Cupie on Thursday 19th of July 2018 10:24:03 PM
Gday...
Ditto me - full or empty also has no impact on van's/rigs handling.
Cheers - John
As most of my camping is in free camps, I travel with tanks full
If the water had made the vehicle overweight, I would probably just carry enough for a cuppa, and fill up closer to my destination.
If I was mainly using caravan parks, (knowing that they had good water on tap), I would just carry enough water for a cuppa