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

 

[Lenny HB]

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.

140 Lt is naff all for a house 300 - 400 Lt is more normal.

 

[Spriddler]

140 Lt is naff all for a house 300 - 400 Lt is more normal.

Good Lord, that's 66 to 88 gallons a day. I really am surprised but glad I don't have to fetch it in a watering can.

 

[Reallyretired]

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.

I would imagine this could be a particular problem for plug in hybrids. Some people may only buy petrol about once a year if they do mainly short trips.

 

[DuxDeluxe]

I would imagine this could be a particular problem for plug in hybrids. Some people may only buy petrol about once a year if they do mainly short trips.

That is a very good point. Also LPG powered petrol vehicles

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[Stealaway]

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

I am a bit of a wuss and park the van up from November to April so its have never been a problem.

 

[Beemobile]

I go off with a full or near full tank of water, if you travel with a hose and prefer to wait for a trickling tap to fill your tank then it's fine, even a good tap takes a long time and you could end up in a queue, why would anyone want to start their fun time this way, I've been known to run out of water and resort to a watering can (heaven forbid) but not often, has anyone calculated the cost of carrying a full tank ?

 

[Spriddler]

........ has anyone calculated the cost of carrying a full tank ?

I wouldn't know as life's too short to keep a record of mpg or fuel purchased.
There'd be so many variables (headwinds, speeds, type of roads, traffic, other onboard stuff) on sufficiently long trips with and without a full tank that I doubt the results would be very meaningful.

 

[dunnah01]

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

of beer

 

[DuxDeluxe]

of beer

* other beverages are available including grape based ones

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[Minxy]

* other beverages are available including grape based ones

 

[gpat]

I wouldn't know as life's too short to keep a record of mpg or fuel purchased.
There'd be so many variables (headwinds, speeds, type of roads, traffic, other onboard stuff) on sufficiently long trips with and without a full tank that I doubt the results would be very meaningful.

I think it's enough to know that, there will be a cost. It will be quite small.

 

[Folkranger]

We'vealways travelled full on this and previous three motorhomes.

 

[pete'n'julie]

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

we always travel a quarter full if going on sites and almost full if wild camping unless we know where there's a water supply near our planned route.

 

[ghiaguy]

When away we always without exception drink bottled water, not keen on the idea of drinking from a tank stored under the seat so we travel with little water and saving on weight result lower fuel consumption.

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[DuxDeluxe]

View attachment 650298

Always thought that you were more of a Lambrini girl……..

 

[DuxDeluxe]

I think it's enough to know that, there will be a cost. It will be quite small.

Yes, 100 litres on a 3500 kg van is 2.8%. Insignificant, really.

 

[Klondike Ed]

well all those comments has sorted it for me, I was thinking about the travel empty idea what with the sudden weight movement when breaking etc. but now will travel full or nearly full with a few large water bottles for drinking, thanks for all the info

 

[Minxy]

Always thought that you were more of a Lambrini girl……..

Nah I'm a Tetley girl ...








As in a mug of tea!

 

[Beemobile]

I'm not a keen water drinker, although this weather has pushed me towa rd the tap a few times, surely if you boil the water for tea or coffee then when cold it's good enough to drink from the kettle, which leads me to ask, ' is there a filter of some sort in the fresh water tank'

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[Reallyretired]

When away we always without exception drink bottled water, not keen on the idea of drinking from a tank stored under the seat so we travel with little water and saving on weight result lower fuel consumption.

You don't wash then?

 

[gpat]

Yes, 100 litres on a 3500 kg van is 2.8%. Insignificant, really.

That's true. But a typical new 3500kg van will have 500kg payload (if you are lucky). Now your 2.8% has become 20%

Normally wouldn't be an issue. But I definitely would never ever have a full tank of water on board unless there was a good chance I was going to need it.

 

[Blackadder]

With a full tank we're too close to max weight for comfort and we've got better uses for any spare payload anyway- and I don't care what anyone says, an extra 80Kg makes a significant difference to braking distances. Actually I've enjoyed many friendly conversations at the water tap so a couple of trips with the watering can is part of the fun rather than a chore.
If there's a chance the van will be sat for a week or three I'll try to make sure the fuel tank is nearly full. Over winter we make sure to fill to the brim during late October/November so it sits with "winter" diesel in it and as little fresh air as possible to avoid diesel bug and water contamination.

 

[Bessy765]

Been motorhoming for over 40 years always travelled with tank full and used it for all requirements. The only thing is I am very careful where I replenish the tank. Don’t leave the water in for long periods if van not in use. You are more likely to contaminate the pipe if you dont keep the hose you use to fill it with clean.

 

[MattR]

We rarely travel with a full tank; we've rarely had any problems filling when needed and have saved fuel and water by not transporting water far or having much to empty at the end of a season.

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[gpat]

Been motorhoming for over 40 years always travelled with tank full and used it for all requirements. The only thing is I am very careful where I replenish the tank. Don’t leave the water in for long periods if van not in use. You are more likely to contaminate the pipe if you dont keep the hose you use to fill it with clean.

Yes. Always keep your hose clean

 

[cyberyacht]

Back in May/June this year I had three aires in a row where the water was unavailable due to the borne being out of action. I was using my grey waste to rinse the cassette.

 

[Kevan Gibbings]

This is what Compass/Hymer have to say on the subject of travelling with the tanks full

"The tank and brackets are designed to hold a full tank of water whilst the vehicle is static.

The components have not been dynamically tested with the water tanks full, Therefore we strongly advise to comply with the information as stated in the hand book and travel with empty tanks."

Just thought people might be interested.

 

[Skez]

Empty grey, empty black, Full water, full diesel.

That's perfect for us, and we very rarely use campsites so I'm happy to accept any imperceptible increase in fuel consumption as the price for convenience.

 

[Chockswahay]

This is what Compass/Hymer have to say on the subject of travelling with the tanks full

"The tank and brackets are designed to hold a full tank of water whilst the vehicle is static.

The components have not been dynamically tested with the water tanks full, Therefore we strongly advise to comply with the information as stated in the hand book and travel with empty tanks."

Just thought people might be interested.

It is a thought indeed, however we did 50000 miles in our last two (Globecar and Hymer) and always travelled with full fresh water…… all I can say is that we didn’t have any problems

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[Skez]

The components have not been dynamically tested with the water tanks full, Therefore we strongly advise to comply with the information as stated in the hand book and travel with empty tanks."

In my mind that makes them 'not fit for purpose'. You might as well either book into a hotel/Air BnB, or tow a caravan to a campsite.

Perhaps I should say 'not fit for my purpose' though. Complying with that handbook advice would completely negate the purpose for buying and running a campervan / motorhome IMV.