Elsinore 4 stroker
Lake Elsinore
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Joined: 12/20/2007
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We're getting ready to make a fairly long trip. Do you fill your water tanks up all of the way for the long trips or do you only do a partial fill and wait until you get there? I'm thinking gas mileage would be less with full tanks.
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rvten
Crossville,TN
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Joined: 11/30/2000
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Usually no more than half a tank of fresh water.
Tom & Bonnie
Crossville, TN.
Aspect 29H 2008
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JFG
TN
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Joined: 07/01/2007
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50 gal of water equals about 350 lbs. I don't think you will notice a difference in gas mileage with that amount of weight diff.
Fred
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ronfisherman
SE Michigan
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Joined: 06/05/2006
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Our fresh water tank hold 100 gallons. When traveling we keep about 20 gallons in it. That's enough to use bathroom and wash up during the trip. If we are going to stay someplace that does not have water hookup. then we fill tanks as needed. Always empty tank down to the 20 gallons before getting back on road.
2004 Gulf Stream Endura 6340 D/A
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Polishnurse
Schodack, NY
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Joined: 03/13/2007
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The weight and it's effect on gas mileage is almost a none issue. What would be more important to me would be:
1. Will water be available to me when I get there.
2. Will the water be of fair to good quality, not the sulfur or tinted variety.
3. Will my tank fair the drive, i.e. straps and supports.
4. Distance I will be going. If a few days more water, if a few hours less water.
You have to be your own gage. But I do keep a few gallons on board for toilet and hand washing, as a minim. And remember that water will eventually end up in hold tank. JMHO Bill
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Westronics
Redmond, WA
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Joined: 08/07/2002
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Gas mileage may indeed be less with full tanks, but it won't be a noticeable difference. With vehicle weighing up to about 14,000 lbs, 400 pounds of water (48 gallons) is under 3% of the total weight, so will make little difference in gas mileage.
Of more concern is gross weight vs. GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) and your two GAWRs (Gross Axle Weight Rating). So long as you stay under those, the weight of the water is not too big a deal.
We routinely travel with full water, but we are also about 2,000 lbs under GVWR with full water, so it's not a big issue for us.
2002 Jayco Greyhawk 24SS, Cameras (RVCams), ScanGauge II/Blendmount, 300W Inverter, Airtabs,12' Portabote w/sail, Be kind to septic systems.
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rockhillmanor
On the Road
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Joined: 12/06/2003
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If leaving from home I take that opportunity to have nice clean fresh softened water for the first go around! Between CG's I only carry a small amount of that water for pit stops etc while traveling.
31 ft Four Winds
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Cool Mike
Mendocino. Calif.
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Our MH is self contained, and that's how we use it. We dont plan every CG stay out, so we always want our water full and holding tanks empty so we can stay any place we want. And vary seldom have reservations, or even solid plans.
We make every day an adventure.
There are lots of places to stay in a self contained RV besides a KOA, be adventurous, and take water, it wont make much difference to your mileage.
2001 27' Four Winds Class-C E-450 V-10.
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Texas TC
Corinth,Texas
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Joined: 05/28/2007
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The 85 gallon fresh water tank on my SuperNova is at the very back behind the axle. I fill it to capacity before a long trip because it helps balance the coach and makes it ride smoother. My coach completely full only weighs 20700# off the GVWR of 25999# so I do not have a weight issue. I have tried driving with full and empty tanks and I prefer full. On the way home, we use the water in our tank the last couple of stops rather than hooking up to the RV park water so I get home with little left over water.
2008 Gulf Stream SuperNova (6331)
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Earl E
Klamath Falls, Oregon
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Joined: 04/16/2007
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What are you driving or pulling? Our Springdale has the tank under the floor all the way to the front of trailer. When we fill it because we will be dry camping and want to get to the site with a full 60 gallons, it totally throws off the Equal-i-zer. So we usually just run with about 1/3 full. But haven't yet figured out how to deal with a full tank so we just go down the road with the TV sagging in the rear. No way will I re-adjust the hitch for a one day pull.
WOOPS! Just noticed this was under Class C. My comments won't be relevant. Sorry for the post.
2008 Keystone Springdale 252
2004 Chevy Silverado, 5.3 L V8
Prodigy brake control and Equal-i-zer
Retired and traveling all we can!
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