Just wondering what the thoughts are on towing with full or empty water tanks when going to a destination with water supplied? Our 20.64-1 has 3 x 85 litre tanks, so that's about 255kg. The limited tows I've done with this van have been with all empty, all full and last time front two tanks full, back empty. Didn't notice enough difference to comment on, but my BIL reckons they tow better with tanks full. What's the general consensus? I'm thinking if you don't need the water why lug the weight. Or maybe just fill the front 85 litres for some more ball weight?
20' Series towing with full or empty water tanks?
- Thread starter dugite57
- Start date
I have found that our van, if pack full inside, is OK with the tanks empty. If it is empty inside, then it tows better with the tanks full. (With our swan it always towed better empty.) don't like traveling with tanks half full, as I just think of all that water sloshing about and trying to move the van with it.
Would be interested in others thoughts as well. All I would say is keep most weight over the axles. With three tanks if the tanks start to move to far from the axels I would leave the furthest tanks away from axles empty until you arrive.
Can look it up but seen a YouTube clip showing a model towing a caravan and the effect of the same amount of weight when the weight is moved further away from the axles it gets more and more unstable.
Watch this,
Can look it up but seen a YouTube clip showing a model towing a caravan and the effect of the same amount of weight when the weight is moved further away from the axles it gets more and more unstable.
Watch this,
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We always go with full tanks and keep them full when at home.
No issues with green stuff surprises and our weights are sorted for full tanks.
Just wish we went up hills a bit better!
No issues with green stuff surprises and our weights are sorted for full tanks.
Just wish we went up hills a bit better!
I dont use my tank at the moment, so it is empty
I cannot justify carrying the extra weight for no reason
I cannot justify carrying the extra weight for no reason
We always travel full ... we like to guarantee we always have good water. Fuel economy might suffer, but i doubt by enough to worry about, and my car has ample power so thats no issue.
We're do regular o/n road side stops, and lunch stops at parks etc. They o/n road stops can be a bit random to. We're currently at whats listed as c/park, but turned out theres no taps near where we are sited.
The onboard water is just nice to have there.
Even had the odd shower whilst sitting parked in a carpark.
We're do regular o/n road side stops, and lunch stops at parks etc. They o/n road stops can be a bit random to. We're currently at whats listed as c/park, but turned out theres no taps near where we are sited.
The onboard water is just nice to have there.
Even had the odd shower whilst sitting parked in a carpark.
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Yeah. I love using the shower after a packup, particularly after we've been camped for some time.
I'm sure others appreciate it as well.
I'm sure others appreciate it as well.
I have always been told to run full to make sure the van rides low with the weight. We now have three tanks two in front of the axles and one behind.. With the crap in the front boot not sure I need both the front tanks filled.
I do know people who do not fill the tanks as they are getting close to their weights with their tow vehicle.
Also know those who do not fill as always go caravan parks and do not want the extra fuel costs.
I do know people who do not fill the tanks as they are getting close to their weights with their tow vehicle.
Also know those who do not fill as always go caravan parks and do not want the extra fuel costs.
We mainly tow our panda with full water tanks as we mainly free camp and it always pay to have as much water as we can carry. Also find that pand tows better with full tanks too. We also have 3 water tanks and always empty the rear one first as I find it seems to be better balanced when travelling.
I travel empty but if i was doing a trip like @Crusty181 i would be full
your right @Bluey, if I was doing a trip of more than 1 week touring, the water tank would be full
but I did that once, dragged a full tank of water all the way to Exmouth, and home again
never used a drop
With the Swan, we only went to caravan parks and it towed well so never bothered to fill the tank.
With the Basestation, we free camp the occasional night so like at least 1 tank full. Depends on loading in the back of the BS whether we fill both, front, or rear tank as ballast.
With the Basestation, we free camp the occasional night so like at least 1 tank full. Depends on loading in the back of the BS whether we fill both, front, or rear tank as ballast.
@dugite57 I find our 17.56.2 tows better with both tanks full.
Plus Mrs Dagree doesn't like chancing the quality of park water for drinking. Obviously when free camping they are always full
Plus Mrs Dagree doesn't like chancing the quality of park water for drinking. Obviously when free camping they are always full
Basestation tows alot better with all 3 tanks tanks full. Just have to watch the weight as all that water adds almost 300kgs
That is amazing to see what you have always known put into a simple test rig. I'm a little scared about my next packing up mission
I used to have at least one full for just in case also for side of road smoko or breakdowns except for long tours then both always full. Handy if there is pile up and your stuck for hours, set up camp and sell coffee, bake some scones, make a fortune.
Full, whether travelling or at home. We had a water outage at home yesterday (7.5 hours) so very useful having full tanks