Fill water before or after departure to campsite? (1 Viewer)

[suzieq]

Is it better to fill the pottable water in the tanks after you arrive at the campsite? We just bought our first camper. Its a Sandpiper, 19ft.

 

[Jim]

Water is heavy and will cost you dearly in extra fuel so the trick is to always travel with as little as possible. You will soon know how much is enough. Running out is a pain so you just need to carry just enough. You can then fill up on site when you arrive.

EDIT: Just noticed that was your first post - Welcome to the fun:thumb:

 

[bald eagle]

Hi suzieq
We always travel with empty water tank ,reason being fuel cost are less.
and should you travel with water on board the motorhome will not handle
correctly because the water moves about.

regards
bald eagle

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[N Luyetund]

Everyone has their own take on this one...

I used the van in January and then drained down the water systems (fresh tank + boiler).

Prior to using it this weekend (Newark) I filled up the fresh tank with 30ltr ... the boiler (water heater ) takes at least 10 litres of this.

With the van on the drive on ehu I left the water heater (and the fridge) on for at least 24hrs prior to departure.

Works for me, I have hot water + enough cold fresh to last a day or so.... on a site I use my 10ltr watering can to top up the fresh (I have a rough idea of how much I may have used... useful for remembering to empty the grey tank before it becomes embarrassingly full)

 

[Big Brian 56]

Big Brian56

To Newark , FULL to brim, no messing about on site, pull up. gas on, done .

 

[Big Brian 56]

Newark Meet

Just a line to say, what a good night on saturday, went with some uks mates ---what a difference, with MHF next year for sure.:thumb:

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[navman]

To Newark , FULL to brim, no messing about on site, pull up. gas on, done .

Me too.

I can't imagine that an extra 100 kgs with a 3850 kgs motorhome makes all that much difference. Albeit with a smaller van it may......

 

[Jim]

Yes, we always arrive at the shows and rallies full. But if we are going to a campsite we will arrive as low as possible. We can carry 60gallons of fresh water that's about 225kg (500lbs) so travelling full has to have an effect on the mpg. We have spring water at home and we fill up with that. If we were on a water meter, we would never fill up at home

 

[haganap]

If we are touring, as little as possible, just enough, if weekend camping, then full from the start.

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[JeanLuc]

We often think of travelling empty and filling water when arriving at a site, but the reality is different. Most times, we arrive on a Friday night after dark and do not want to mess about with hose pipes, then on Saturday morning, we do not want to move off the pitch. So, in reality, we travel full, or nearly full and I cannot see any difference in fuel consumption.

 

[weejohnw]

tanked up

Hi there,
although relatively new to motorhoming - August 2008- if only going away for a few days, we just sort of half fill, but if going for longer we fill to the brim. But didn't see the sense of carrying a full tank just for a few days. - water doesnt stay fresh so you only have to dump it. Have discovered that filling up at some sites is just not that easy at times. Filling up before you leave means you can go to reception then straight to your pitch. Saves having to stop, get hose out, fill up, put hose away - remembering to make sure its empty before putting it back in the van garage! - a lesson learned the hard way.
Anyway everyone to themselves. Whatever suits.
Regards, Weejohn:helptitanic:

 

[Heyupluv]

Full or empty water tank

Hi
I have always travelled with a full tank and I don't find it a problem I am also getting 28mpg with a heavy right foot(on the gas pedal) on a Fiat 130 multijet which I think is acceptable.........BUT I have only been Motor homing since last July.......so I do bow to experience members.
Mel

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[Douglas]

We wild camp, so we don't always know were our next refill point will be so we aways fill and refill when we have the opportunity.

Doug

 

[scotjimland]

I'm a pessimist, the day you set off with little or no water is the day you arrive on a site and it's pouring with rain, the tap is too far for the hose and the supply is a trickle .. been there, so I always carry enough for at least a couple of days..

I remember on one trip through Spain, Jan hung the wet coats in the shower.. ON THE TAP .. little realising the pump was now running, when we arrived at our overnight stop... you guessed.. NO WATER .. and there was none at the truck stop.. so we had to beg some from the cafe' .. Guess who did the begging

 

[haganap]

I'm a pessimist, the day you set off with little or no water is the day you arrive on a site and it's pouring with rain, the tap is too far for the hose and the supply is a trickle .. been there, so I always carry enough for at least a couple of days..

I remember on one trip through Spain, Jan hung the wet coats in the shower.. ON THE TAP .. little realising the pump was now running, when we arrived at our overnight stop... you guessed.. NO WATER .. and there was none at the truck stop.. so we had to beg some from the cafe' .. Guess who did the begging

Your dead right Jim.
Last year I found a fantastic wild camp spot on the beach in Scotland. I hadn't however filled with water and emptied the loo before we left the inflated priced campsite at inverewe, result was full toilet and out of water after 1 night resulting in having to move on to a camp site to empty and fill. :Angry:

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[Pat4Neil]

Hi,

I think most members have answered the question.

It does depend on what type of motorhoming you do. We tend to fill one of our tanks up to full, if we are going where there are no facilites, like rallying then we have the luxury of filling up two tanks beforehand. If you are arriving late at night its really is a pain topping up your water supply.

For our main holidays we tend to tour quite a bit, moving on every day or two so we always ensure that we have topped up to full on leaving a site.

We are lucky that we have a large payload, and it doesnt seem to make much difference in the MPG.

When coming up from Morrocco, we found it hard to get water in the aires because the taps were turned off, also our outer water tank froze. So when we got to our last stop which was city europe, quite late, our water tank was still frozen (minus 6). We desperately wanted a shower in the morning, so we had to buy bottle water to top up the inboard tank, and both managed to have shower in 10 litres of water. Its amazing what you have to do. It only cost 2E, but priceless

It is one of those things that you will work out whats best for you. But I think if you always travelled with half a tank, then that is enough for the first night where ever you are. But I am one of those persons whose a just in case merchant.

Kind regards and happy travelling.
Pat

 

[scotjimland]

But I am one of those persons whose a just in case merchant.

Hi Pat

Me too .. I have back ups for back ups ..