Traveling with fresh water tank full

[Kevan Gibbings]

We have a Compass 185 which has a 100L fresh water tank. The advice in the manual is to travel with it empty (or near empty) which we do, althogh we do want to do some wild camping up in Scotland later this year.

Has anyone got any experience of Compass/Elddis motorhomes and traveling with the water tanks full/partially full?

I understand about the weight issue 100L = 100KG but the calculations I have done we should be within the weight limit. But I am worried about the strength of the tank/brackets.

Are they specified for traveling full?

Thanks in advance

 

[WESTY66]

If setting off over the water, always full (170 Ltrs over two tanks) and top up where I can. If going away for the weekend (100 Ltrs tank 1) I like to shower in the van
Over 3160mls in a trip to Croatia and back I averaged 27.4mpg 3.0L auto at between 4.6-5.0tons doing a LOT of days driving over passes in the alps

 

[Rick Axon]

We always travel with a full 100ltr tank. We have 2003 Swift Sundance, never had any problems.

 

[sgl5gjr]

Depending on where we are heading.... always a third in for tea and loo stops ...
If heading to a CL or over the channel then full....but tomorrow we are heading to Hillhead CAMC with the granddaughter ( too expect for me but Mrs Sg says we must as the young 'un is with us plus pool there etc for her ) I'll travel 1/3 then fill up when I get there
Safe Travels....

 

[Stealaway]

Always fill my fuel tank even if I'm not going anywhere. It is in storage at the moment, with a full tank.
I try to refill when it hits 1/4 full on a trip. Can be sure if you get low there will not be a petrol station for 100miles.

I'm told fuel will go off if its left for a while.
100 miles in my van is less than a quarter tank

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[lorger]

Is your tank not inside under a bench seat, if so there will be no issues with brackets as it will be sitting on floor. Our Elddis 140 certainly had its tank inside.

 

[WESTY66]

Is your tank not inside under a bench seat, if so there will be no issues with brackets as it will be sitting on floor. Our Elddis 140 certainly had its tank inside.

Our Elddis 255 was also inside under bed Gerry, but I think they’re all under slung now to make space for storage

 

[555 FRY]

Full water tank

Full every time!

 

[Spriddler]

Has anyone got any experience of Compass/Elddis motorhomes and traveling with the water tanks full/partially full?

Mine's a Compass and I've travelled in it for 11 years at least 3/4 full. I don't think the make of m/h is particularly relevant as the spec'n may vary year to year.

But I am worried about the strength of the tank/brackets.

My tank is exposed underneath and retained with adequate steel straps.
Why not slide underneath and have a look? I've checked mine for rusted straps and fittings.
My MOT tester is happy for me to have a quick look around underneath when it's up on the ramp.

 

[Wyvern]

We have 200L fresh and 140L grey. if we are going to do a longish drive (say, over 100 miles we make sure the grey is empty and the fresh a quarterish full. With the best part of 300kg out of the van I can’t see how mpg and driving is not affected. We tend to go off grid so as we get to a point of no return we will then fill up….never had a problem finding water right across Europe.

why cart extra weight around when you don’t need to?

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[tonyysue]

We always travel with a full water tank in our Hymer especially when in France using Aires because you never know where you’re going to get it.

Same here - in the same van for the last 22 years!

 

[Spriddler]

why cart extra weight around when you don’t need to?

I don't need to, but I prefer to and I don't throw my m/h around like a rally car.

 

[Gaston aires]

Do you lot also totally brim your fuel tanks?
Even when there's a fuel station ever twenty miles or so through out Europe?

How do you know there’s a water supply within 20 miles ? 120 ltr tank always fill up when and where we can.
Phil

 

[Stealaway]

How do you know there’s a water supply within 20 miles ? 120 ltr tank always fill up when and where we can.
Phil

No I said filling fuel tank to the brim.


Although I've found that water points are never that much further.
Download Park4Night it tells you where they all are.

 

[Chockswahay]

We have always travelled with full water, but in the previous 2 vans that was 100 litres……..

Now we still do ……. But only 30 litres!

Haha, count yourself lucky guys

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[Suenliam]

Usually travel with at least enough water to fill the hot water tank to save having to prime it on arrival. However the guage in our new pvc is so unreliable we "half" filled up on site last week and when we got to our pitch it was full - both times the van was level Luckily we knew about the guage unreliability and will invest in a funnel for on site fill ups if necessary.
Sue

 

[James-Alex]

Never go with full tanks. Don’t use much and fill up a big bottle for coffee. Most sites we go has showers and washing up facilities. Gave up putting water in tanks, never used it

 

[Zigisla]

Most of the divide between travelling full or partial is how you use the van. If you use sites a lot whether that be be moving every few days or staying put, then travelling empty is the logical way. If you are an Aire user or a wilder, then travelling full would be the way. I’ve never travelled to a site full and I always travel full when abroad using Aires etc or britstopping in the UK. As for fuel, always top up when you can with the cheap deals as the next station only 20 miles away might be much higher in price.

 

[Chockswahay]

Most of the divide between travelling full or partial is how you use the van. If you use sites a lot whether that be be moving every few days or staying put, then travelling empty is the logical way. If you are an Aire user or a wilder, then travelling full would be the way. I’ve never travelled to a site full and I always travel full when abroad using Aires etc or britstopping in the UK. As for fuel, always top up when you can with the cheap deals as the next station only 20 miles away might be much higher in price.

A bit off topic…… I remember a few years ago filling up in Glasgow then stretching out the fuel to fill up time ……….

In LUXEMBOURG it was nearly half price!

 

[Zigisla]

A bit off topic…… I remember a few years ago filling up in Glasgow then stretching out the fuel to fill up time ……….

In LUXEMBOURG it was nearly half price!

That’s some going. If I filled in Glasgow I may make to Manchester. I’m as aerodynamic as a brick.

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[Chockswahay]

That’s some going. If I filled in Glasgow I may make to Manchester. I’m as aerodynamic as a brick.

Haha, well it was in a Globecar with the long range fuel tank and driven in a most parsimonious fashion

 

[DPM111R]

There’s a hose pipe ban in Hampshire - I’m thinking of bringing a full tank of water back with me from the Midlands

 

[Lenny HB]

How do you know there’s a water supply within 20 miles ? 120 ltr tank always fill up when and where we can.
Phil

Year before last in France most Aires had the water turn off to discourage traveling during Covid we went for 7 days before finding water. Found some in the end at a village tap.
Traveling with a full tank makes sense.

 

[Shrimp]

But true happiness is full fresh and empty grey and black tanks

Agree with above but will add ‘a full fridge’.

 

[Mixyblob]

Well, contrary to popular opinion, we never travel with more than a quarter tank of water unless we're going to a festival. We do, however, always travel with 10 ltrs of drinking water. Never yet gone thirsty or smelly.

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[Lenny HB]

Well, contrary to popular opinion, we never travel with more than a quarter tank of water unless we're going to a festival. We do, however, always travel with 10 ltrs of drinking water. Never yet gone thirsty or smelly.

Hopeless unless you use sites which we don't.

 

[63720]

Used to travel with a full tank but not any more, we take a chance on half tank and even buy it if I need to.

 

[Spriddler]

On R4 today a spokesman for South East Water said that due to the drought they were requesting that people cut down from the average domestic consumption of 140 litres per household per day to 100 litres. That sounds a lot of water even if using a washing machine and dishwasher at home, although according to a report I read issued by another water authority a dishwasher uses less less water than when washing up by hand.

 

[Reallyretired]

I'm told fuel will go off if its left for a while.
100 miles in my van is less than a quarter tank

Petrol goes off, diesel is best kept full, less air and moisture.

 

[DuxDeluxe]

Petrol goes off, diesel is best kept full, less air and moisture.

Spot on there. Gasoline oxidises over time, despite antioxidant additives being added during the blending process. Diesel oil is fine provided no moisture can get in (store with full tank) to greatly reduce the chances of anaerobic bacteria growth.

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[Reallyretired]

No I said filling fuel tank to the brim.


Although I've found that water points are never that much further.
Download Park4Night it tells you where they all are.

Try it in the winter when they're nearly all turned off.