Towing with Full Water Tank

[Knotty-TMO]

Is it OK to tow the TM with a full fresh water tank? Seems like that would be necessary when you'll be boondocking? On my 2518 the 20 gallon tank is in the rear storage area.

 

[Kidkraz]

I've towed with an almost full 40 gallon water tank on my 2619. As long as yer still within yer weight limits.

 

[Shrimpburrito]

In the ~18 years I've owned a 2720SL, I have always towed with a full 20 gallon fresh water tank (and a full water heater).

Dave

 

[rickst29]

It is a question of weight and balance, although there might also be an issue with spillage if the tank was filled level and your drive includes steep changes in grade. Filling a 2-gallon tank adds a 20 gallon water tank adds about 166 lbs, my 40 gallon tank adds over 300 lbs.

In most larger TM models, the fresh water tanks is located next to the "street side" of the Trailer, so its state of fill puts more weight on THAT tire (versus the "curb side" tire. Adding other trip luggage closer to the curb makes up for some of that issue, but increases total weight on the axle, tires and hitch. In your 2518, however, that fresh water tank is in the far rear. A filled tank might lower the hitch weight (in a teeter-totter effect), and you might want to move other luggage and "stuff" to be more forward from the axle, to make up for that.

I generally fill at least 2/3 full at home before starting a trip, because the quality of water supplies at many destinations is very questionable. For that reason, I usually carry drinking water (and water for coffee) in jugs, using tank and CG water only for washing dishes and taking showers.

 

[Knotty-TMO]

I should have no problems staying within the weight limits. It's more a question of balance with the tank being behind the axle on the 2518. On the FB page, many others have also commented that they do it when needed but since tank locations vary, so will the results. Guess I'll have to check the tongue weight when empty and full.

I had planned to drink water from the tank or hose connection but my wife wants us to stick with bottled water for that.

Shane posted a clever modification that allows you to use the tank's low point drain to fill it. Many state campgrounds have water sources but not at the individual sites. With his mod you can arrive, fill the tank and then move on to your site.

 

[larsdennert]

The grey tank is even further back. If your tow vehicle can't tolerate small weight shifts then you may want to consider your tow options.

 

[Knotty-TMO]

The grey tank is even further back. If your tow vehicle can't tolerate small weight shifts then you may want to consider your tow options.

The only towing I've done so far was a 4 hour trip from the dealer to my house which is why I asked for other's experiences. Didn't want to do something that everyone (but me) knew you shouldn't do.

 

[Bill]

Guess I'll have to check the tongue weight when empty and full.

And that, of course, is the proper answer. The accepted rule, given on every camper and trailer site, is that the tongue weight should be at least 10% of the trailer's total ready-to-camp total weight. (Some mfrs of heavy trailers conveniently omit the words "at least"). More than 10% is better. This is a sway control measure, and 10% is a deadly serious limit. By design, TrailManors run about 14%, and the result is that TMs don't sway.

So load your camper up with all your anticipated camping stuff and supplies, including food, clothes, tools, furniture, appliances - whatever you envision taking along. Measure the trailer's total weight and tongue weight at a CAT scale or other scale, with and without water. In each case, the desired answer is somewhere around 14%. Not a critical number, a bit more, a bit less, is OK. But under no circumstances should it approach 10%. My guess is that with/without water won't be too different.

Let us now what you find. We all are here to learn.

Bill

 

[rickst29]

Like Bill, I run with a heavy hitch - about 13% works for me. But I travel in big mountains, sometimes with grades reaching (and even exceeding) 20%.

 

[Bill]

Here are some rough numbers to guide your expectations.

A 2518 is spec'ed with Empty (dry) weight of 2600 pounds. When you add the weight of the air conditioner, the awning, and all of your stuff, this will probably become about 3200 pounds ready-to-camp total weight. The ready-to-camp tongue weight will be about 13-14% of 3200, or 400-450 pounds.

Just by eyeball, on a TM 2518, the ratio of distances from rear compartment-to-axle and axle-to-hitch ball is about 1:3. If the tank at the rear has 20 gallons of water (at 8.3 pounds per gallon = 166 pounds), then the tank's full-vs-empty effect on hitch weight will be about 1:3 = 55 pounds.

If you actually measure it, let us know what you find. This will help guide us in future estimations.

Bill

 

[Knotty-TMO]

Here are some rough numbers to guide your expectations.

A 2518 is spec'ed with Empty (dry) weight of 2600 pounds. When you add the weight of the air conditioner, the awning, and all of your stuff, this will probably become about 3200 pounds ready-to-camp total weight. The ready-to-camp tongue weight will be about 13-14% of 3200, or 400-450 pounds.

Just by eyeball, on a TM 2518, the ratio of distances from rear compartment-to-axle and axle-to-hitch ball is about 1:3. If the tank at the rear has 20 gallons of water (at 8.3 pounds per gallon = 166 pounds), then the tank's full-vs-empty effect on hitch weight will be about 1:3 = 55 pounds.

If you actually measure it, let us know what you find. This will help guide us in future estimations.

Bill

Learned something new. Didn't realize the dry weight didn't include the air conditioner and awning.

I love data, so once I've measured everything I'll report back.

 

[Shrimpburrito]

Dry weight also doesn't include batteries or propane.

Dave