Do you drive with Full Water Tanks?

[gpat]

As I posted previously it has a 2 stage knob on the tank which releases all but either 25 liters or empties totally. It as Li has a frost safety dump gizmo.

Yep. Our Carado has the same knob and the operating instructions (including those given by the dealer at handover) was empty to 25% before travelling

 

[Robster100]

Reading some of the comments above had me a little worried so checked manual of my Burstner.

When they weigh vehicle, it states vehicle weight in Mass in Ready to Drive includes gas bottle at 90% and water tank filled to 90%, they fully expect the vehicle to be driven with a full (almost) water tank!

Put my mind at rest though.

 

[Jim]

Reading some of the comments above had me a little worried so checked manual of my Burstner.

When they weigh vehicle, it states vehicle weight in Mass in Ready to Drive includes gas bottle at 90% and water tank filled to 90%, they fully expect the vehicle to be driven with a full (almost) water tank!

Put my mind at rest though.

Most said that a few short years ago...

then they were allowed to remove water from the payload calculations. Suddenly it's now frowned upon by makers. Is that because they know that most tanks when full makes a mockery of their petite payloads.

 

[Northernraider]

I guess it depends on whether you use the motorhome as a motorhome unshackled from services or if like a caravan moving from one site to the next.

Maybe modern hymers are designed only to carry 20litres but mine certainly copes carrying it's full 130l

 

[Northernraider]

Most said that a few short years ago...

then they were allowed to remove water from the payload calculations. Suddenly it's now frowned upon by makers. Is that because they know that most tanks when full makes a mockery of their petite payloads.

In the UK it's probably because they know a large majority are tethered to sites

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[Armytwowheels]

We are grateful to have our 120ltr tank full, when we left Canterbury aire, it has enabling us to transit a very wet and blustery France and arrive in Spain (we should go through the Somport tunnel later this afternoon) without needing to fill up. We have been able to keep to rural out of the way overnight stops (2) only one of which had water.

That's what I mean about it being subjective, your opinion on whether you should carry all that water or not, is directly related to the capacity of your van. Where you are travelling, when you want to get there etc etc, there is no right or wrong.

 

[Jim]

That's what I mean about it being subjective, your opinion on whether you should carry all that water or not, is directly related to the capacity of your van. Where you are travelling, when you want to get there etc

Thats why I said "More often than not" There are times I travel empty, say heading home from a show, but more often than not, I fill my water tank so much that with the overflow tap closed the sides bulge out to resemble a ball rather than a box

 

[bigtwin]

Our Hymer (B585 Starline) also has a 170 ltr capacity water tank (waste 135 ltr) We've never needed to travel with it full and neither would we want to, most times we take the advice given by Hymer and travel with 20 ltrs using the 2 stage knobby valve.

Pete

Please take note all those doubters and those that know better.

Hmm, 150Kg (170 - 20) added to a 4,350Kg (to arrive at a MGVW of 4,500Kg) van represents an increase of 3.5%. Detectable, significant, unsafe?

Draw your own conclusions.

Ian

 

[Coolcats]

Is this what

Most said that a few short years ago...

then they were allowed to remove water from the payload calculations. Suddenly it's now frowned upon by makers. Is that because they know that most tanks when full makes a mockery of their petite payloads.

Its an interesting one Jim as each build can be different for any given Model. The Hymer Book I have gives an example of Basic equipment including Water 100l, Gas Bottle 10kg gas + 14kg bottle 24 kg Boiler with 12l 240 v power cable 4kg installation kit for aux battery 20k so that is 160 kg

They then describe payload, Conventional load, additional equipment and personal equipment

Then go onto say about the minimum weight formula manufactures must use M (kg) = 10 X N (maximum people +10 x Length of vehicle

Than calculating the Payload

Maximum permissible gross weight 3500 kg
Actual weight including basic equipment
according to vehicle docs -3070 kg
Permissible payload 430 kg
Conventional payload eg 3 people
each weighing 75 kg -225 kg
Additional equipment -40 kg
For personal equipment 165 kg

So it looks like the onus is on the owner not the manufacturer to work out the payload,

Hymer and every other manufacturer can only give guidance. Many owners add more to the basic equipment such as a solar panel, Two gas bottles, panels rooms and tents for the sun shade the list goes on its not just the water.

We fully loaded ours with all our kit, food water and fuel and still came in under the payload but it does help to check as we always travel fairly light anyway even for two weeks.

The Hymer handbook goes in to some three pages on payload

 

[tick59]

Allways take a full tank of Geordie water with us, The stuff you southerners call Watter is only fit for washing dishes.

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[M-J]

Having been underneath my van I’m not sure the supports are really strong enough to support a full tank whilst driving at motorway speeds. Thinking emergency stops and the like.

Ours states 90% fresh water included (90L) in factory payload so would assume it’s up to the job of travelling 90% full.

 

[pandas]

Hmm, 150Kg (170 - 20) added to a 4,350Kg (to arrive at a MGVW of 4,500Kg) van represents an increase of 3.5%. Detectable, significant, unsafe?

Draw your own conclusions.

Ian

Who said it was unsafe? They don’t call you bigwig for nothing!

 

[gpat]

Spot on, any weight makes a difference to the dynamics

And I definitely tell when the water tank is full

 

[Tykatem]

Hmm, 150Kg (170 - 20) added to a 4,350Kg (to arrive at a MGVW of 4,500Kg) van represents an increase of 3.5%. Detectable, significant, unsafe?

Draw your own conclusions.

Ian

What about and what are you accusing me of! did you actually read my post?

Pete

 

[bigtwin]

Who said it was unsafe? They don’t call you bigwig for nothing!

I was simply pointing out that, in the grand scheme of things, whether you do, or don’t, travel with a full tank, it matters not a lot.

No need for the insults though.

What about and what are you accusing me of! did you actually read my post?

Pete

I wasn’t accusing you of anything; I posted your text only to maintain the context for pandas’ response.

Ian

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[Duck Truck]

Another way to carry liquid without it sloshing about is
to carry it in 75cl bottles or in 3 litre boxes
Mind you the bottles do need a thing called a corkscrew unless
they are slightly cheapo

 

[DuxDeluxe]

And I definitely tell when the water tank is full

Good for you. I cannot tell the difference, but then again as a duck, water is mostly for swimming in

 

[Jim]

Detectable,

85kg detectable....Not a chance

 

[DuxDeluxe]

Mind you the bottles do need a thing called a corkscrew

Excuse me..... what is this "corkscrew" of which you speak?

 

[Clipgate]

Carry a high flow12v pump, if really stuck carbon filter and a river bank with Lithium battery. Only use the onboard for washing and toilet so not a healthy issue.
Rarely had to use it, however it's worth its weight in gold when I have required it's aid

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[Cheshirecat57]

I guess it depends on whether you use the motorhome as a motorhome unshackled from services or if like a caravan moving from one site to the next.

Maybe modern hymers are designed only to carry 20litres but mine certainly copes carrying it's full 130l

Come on, wind the neck in.....are you saying that ‘not your way‘ is the wrong way......unless I misheard you

If i DID mishear you, can you turn around, bend over and drop your trousers so I can hear you better

 

[Northernraider]

Come on, wind the neck in.....are you saying that ‘not your way‘ is the wrong way......unless I misheard you

If i DID mishear you, can you turn around, bend over and drop your trousers so I can hear you better

No I said not all motorhomes or indeed motorhomers are created equal and many would be more suited to caravans .

Didn't think it was that hard to understand

 

[Cheshirecat57]

No I said not all motorhomes or indeed motorhomers are created equal and many would be more suited to caravans .

Didn't think it was that hard to understand

We all heard you, you can pull ‘em up now

 

[Jonno1103]

I cannot find my copy, but, I am pretty sure that the DOT official report, does state that the vessel had cleared the mole and was commencing a turn to Port, which of course she would have to do for Dover. The rest was just a simplistic version of what happened. Most people do not understand "free Surface effect" Nor how much it can effect stability. When I have been asked, I have just said to try walking with a tea tray part full of water without spilling any, you can actually see and feel the effect. As you say, many other factors are involved, including the fact that to access the Quay ramp, one she had not used before, she had been ballasted by the bow, and this had not been corrected by the time the disaster occurred. As well as the speed she was travelling being a factor, causing the vessel to "Squat".

Hi Pete, you're right, the speed and the squat plus she and her sisters were designed to be twin loaders at Dover & Calais and not for the single linkspan used at Zeebrugge. Hence the need for the ballast.

She suddenly turned to starboard 4 mins after passing the mole, this wasn't a controlled manoeuvre.

Her deep ballast tank began filling about half way to Zeebrugge as it took two hours to fill it, prior to departure from berth 12 they were already being emptied. They usually waited until the tanks were empty before increasing speed as seawater would be carried over the bow spade otherwise. Plus there was the effect of being overweight for her lightship payload.

I'm shutting up now, I could talk to you about this and many other things maritime for hours!

 

[Northernraider]

We all heard you, you can pull ‘em up now

You're sounding more than a little gay to be honest ... But you're not my type. Sorry to disappoint you.

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[bigtwin]

85kg detectable....Not a chance

I couldn’t agree more.

Perhaps I should have said: Detectable? Significant? Safe?

Ian

 

[two]

I used to travel with full tanks when I was ignorant about payload. Then I upgraded and continued because I had the payload to do so. Since downgrading to 3.5t, I carry as little fuel and water as I can because it’s “dead weight”. I take enough fuel for the journey but little or no water (have even emptied the boiler on occasions). Payload is less than 500g, so every kilo matters (must lose some of the weight we’ve put on during lockdown). I have not been unable to get what I need en route, if not at my destination, so never feel uneasy about the lack of water while travelling. I would probably view things differently if I was crossing the desert, however…

 

[Cheshirecat57]

Anyway,payload not an issue for us, so travel full for our convenience

 

[Sid52]

Always full to the brim.
It means we don't have to look for water for three or four days. But we rarely use sites, a mix of Britstops, car parks that allow overnighting, sports clubs, wild etc, all chosen to be within walking or cycling distance from the area we want to visit. Nothing against sites, we stayed on a basic one near Cardigan for two nights, but it was in a fabulous position right on the coast path and a small beach.

 

[Snoopy]

We always, take half a tank when you going away.

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