Tank levels and travelling

[AlmostThere]

Ok, is there a rule of thumb as to how full your water/waste tanks should be when traveling? I'm assuming it's better to not have to have extra weight, but I know some fresh water is needed for toilet flushes etc when stopping for breaks while driving. I think it was advised that after dumping the black water you add back some water so it can slosh around while driving, too.

[VickieP]

You are correct, Lenora, it's good to carry some fresh water for toilets, emergencies, etc. Our TH holds 110 gallons of fresh water, at 8.34lbs a gallon that would be 917 extra pounds to haul around, needless to say, I don't fill the tank. After dumping the black tank put about a gallon of water back in there so that "stuff" don't dry up on the bottom and it helps to rinse things around in there, too.

[Cedar518]

Well it all depends..... as I travel to state campgrounds (no hookups) and dry camping at bluegrass festivals I always need a full tank of water on board. Once again, it's all in how you want to use your camper. If I were "traveling" and always in campgrounds with hookups that wouldn't be necessary. But I don't have all my posessions on board either, so I guess it "balances" out.

[retiredhappy]

I always try to travel with empty grey and black (except for a gallon to flush) tanks and half a fresh tank. The half fresh tank allows for a couple of nights boondocking (no long showers) then hopefully the 3rd nite at a campground with full hookups. Empty black and grey and replenish fresh and off again. If I'm going to be boondocking for a week I try to spend the night before I arrive in a campground to fill up and empty.

[mtngal]

At home in CA, I am often in camps without hook ups, so always take off with fresh water near full and B/G tanks near empty. If I'm in the high country, there is a dump station on the way, so I can dump tanks BEFORE heading back down the steep grades. My tanks are small though, so not as much weight to carry as those with large tanks.

[Bethers]

I usually travel with a full fresh water tank. Start out with empty gray and black tanks. There are occasions when I'll travel with the fresh tank 1/2 full - but don't like it less than that - I never know when I might need that water! And I keep that tank clean and use that water for everything. And of course, as I travel and boondock - water transfers from the fresh tank into the 2 others. When I have hookups, the 2 get dumped, the one filled and I start over again. While in MX I was more often able to dump but not get fresh - so that tank wasn't filled regularly. And there I did carry separate water for drinking - although I treated all the water I put in my tank, so it was drinkable if necessary. Just had a chlorine taste I preferred not to drink.

The only time you'll find my fresh tank empty would be if the rig was being winterized for any reason.

[Cedar518]

I usually travel with a full fresh water tank. Start out with empty gray and black tanks. ........
The only time you'll find my fresh tank empty would be if the rig was being winterized for any reason.

That is what I tried to say but probably was confusing with my answer.

[kelpie]

After i dump I always pour 3 or 4 gallons of water into the toilet and 1 gallon into the gray. I carry 7 or 8 empty milk jugs for that purpose, strung on a small rope and wrapped around the shower bar. I also carry 1 or 2 gallons of water for toilet flushing. For fresh I try to carry some but I don't boondock. Our state parks don't have water at the sites but they always have places where you can sto and fill your tank before heading to your site.I also carry bottled water for drinking and usually another gallon( I buy at Walmart for 79 cents) for Eddie.This is, of course, for non-winterized conditions.