Full or Empty Water Tanks on ferry (1 Viewer)

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Apr 22, 2019
35
36
Funster No
60,116
MH
Mobilvetta Kea P65
Exp
Since 2018
For those of you who use the Ferry to Spain or France do you travel with full fresh water tank or travel empty and fill up on the other side ?
 
Apr 13, 2012
5,825
19,903
Funster No
20,541
MH
Mobilvetta Euroyacht
Exp
1996, then break 'til 2011
Full water and diesel, food and drink for a couple of days

I know fuel is cheaper in Spain but I just want to get off the ferry and go
 
Sep 17, 2017
6,222
11,852
Birmingham, UK
Funster No
50,575
MH
A-Class
Exp
2017
Full. One less thing to worry about.

Last time we came back, the 'other' tanks were full to the brim... and it was a really rough crossing. I was worried about the mess. It was fine.
 
OP
OP
M
Apr 22, 2019
35
36
Funster No
60,116
MH
Mobilvetta Kea P65
Exp
Since 2018
Thanks for your replies

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Dergrowler

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Jul 7, 2013
131
760
Banbury, Oxfordshire
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26,819
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A Class, Hymer B578
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Since 2013
Only fill up to about 25%. Full tank equals 100 litres whic equates to 100 kg. extra weight I can do with out and use less fuel to transport it.
 

Basildog

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Feb 21, 2018
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It depends on what van you have as a whole of them don't have enough payload to carry a bottle of water.
Not a Motorhome in my world if it can’t be used with a full tank , it’s a pile of expensive junk ;)(n)
We travel with a full water tank always and top up at any opportunity even if it’s just a few litres we’ve used . (y)
 

Stealaway

Free Member
Jan 8, 2013
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Dronfield - Derbyshire
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Burstner Lyseo 690G
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Happy FLT since 2011
It depends where you are going. Going straight to a campsite - Empty. Going home - empty. Going to France - quarter tank. Going wilding for a week - half tank...but never more than that.
 

Jaws

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Sep 26, 2008
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Thetford Norfolk
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since 2006 ( I think ! )
I always fill..
As to the weight, would you tell someone they cannot travel with you 'cos they weigh 70 or 80 kg ?

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Feb 9, 2008
4,164
6,124
SW Scotland
Funster No
1,453
MH
LP Coachbuilt
Exp
Since 2008 after caravanning for 20 years
Water tank 25%, we rarely carry any more than that. Fuel tank should not be brim full on a ferry, conditions of carriage may state that.
 

Zigisla

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Oct 24, 2015
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Gosport, Hants
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Sunlight A72
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The only time we ever travel without water is if we are going straight to a place where we can fill up. Other than that it is full full full all the time. We are as about as aerodynamic as a brick, so our MPG is shite anyway. At 3660Kg full in "Holiday" mode taking off 120Kg isnt going to make too much of a difference over the known ability to have 4 days of water straight away.
 
Aug 6, 2013
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Kendal, Cumbria
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27,352
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Le-Voyageur RX958 Pl
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since 1999
The only time we ever travel without water is if we are going straight to a place where we can fill up. Other than that it is full full full all the time. We are as about as aerodynamic as a brick, so our MPG is shite anyway. At 3660Kg full in "Holiday" mode taking off 120Kg isnt going to make too much of a difference over the known ability to have 4 days of water straight away.
My thoughts precisely - in my case over 5000Kg and 220Kg.
 

Lenny HB

LIFE MEMBER
Oct 18, 2007
56,068
164,133
On the coast in West Sussex
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658
MH
Carthago Compactline
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Since 2008 & many years tugging
Dosnt any body else worry about being overweight?
I don't worry, last time I checked I had 400kg spare on rear axle and 250 kg on front and 400kg spare overall, so why worry.:rofl:

Always travel with our 160 Lt tank full, never know next when you may be able to fill up.
Our last trip to Spain in Feb/March of the 9 Aires we used in France on the way down & back only 2 had the water turned on.
 

Basildog

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Feb 21, 2018
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Seems to be a different breed of Motorhome user these days , it’s all about sites and running around with empty tanks it seems ;)
 
Apr 13, 2012
5,825
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Funster No
20,541
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Mobilvetta Euroyacht
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1996, then break 'til 2011
As I said I always have full tanks when I get off a ferry plus 10L fresh water in a container and a spare 5L can of diesel (y)(y)

:):)
 
Feb 21, 2016
4,972
31,896
Uk
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41,726
MH
C class
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Since 2017
Full.
Has anybody ever calculated or recorded the extra amount of fuel that may be used when one travels full?
Personally,I would rather watch paint dry,but someone may have the answer.
 

Puddleduck

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Jan 15, 2014
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Scottish Borders
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Without at present
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On and off for many years.
Dosnt any body else worry about being overweight?

We weigh the van at the local freight yard on the way to our nearest "A" road - it's about 2 miles from home and our first stop.

With full fresh water and fuel, empty grey and black, kayaks, bikes, and everything required to go with them, larger of the awnings and enough clothes and food for a small army we had 90kg to spare overall and both axles well withing limits.

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Puddleduck

LIFE MEMBER
Jan 15, 2014
12,736
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Scottish Borders
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29,703
MH
Without at present
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On and off for many years.
Full.
Has anybody ever calculated or recorded the extra amount of fuel that may be used when one travels full?
Personally,I would rather watch paint dry,but someone may have the answer.

I have a notes of fuel consumption on various trips and it makes very little difference, less than one mpg. The thing that does make a difference is having the kayaks on the top when the mpg drops from around 31 to just over 28. Why do I keep the record? Because my Dad used to ask and I still hope that one day he may ask again. :(
 

Lenny HB

LIFE MEMBER
Oct 18, 2007
56,068
164,133
On the coast in West Sussex
Funster No
658
MH
Carthago Compactline
Exp
Since 2008 & many years tugging
Full.
Has anybody ever calculated or recorded the extra amount of fuel that may be used when one travels full?
Personally,I would rather watch paint dry,but someone may have the answer.
I don't see how you could get a meaningful result unless you drove say 500 miles on exactly the same roads with the same traffic conditions at the same speed and same wind conditions., which would be impossible unless you were on a MIRA test track.

Wind has far more effect, our consumption drops from 25/26 to 22 or less with a strong head or side wind.
 
Apr 27, 2008
11,983
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Eastbourne East Sussex
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2,327
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Hymer low profile
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Since 1972
With the lack of aerodynamic styling of motorhomes wind is probably the worst thing for fuel consumption A head wind can have even more effect than pulling a toad
 

EX51SSS

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Jul 18, 2015
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North Manchester
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Hymer Exsis A Class
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since 2007
It depends where you are going. Going straight to a campsite - Empty. Going home - empty. Going to France - quarter tank. Going wilding for a week - half tank...but never more than that.
Half a tank for a week wild camping?
download (1).jpg


Why never more than half a tank?
I fill up at every opportunity and empty out of course.
 

Jaws

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Sep 26, 2008
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Thetford Norfolk
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C class, Chieftain
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since 2006 ( I think ! )
I def do not worry about weight... Last time on a weigh bridge, fully loaded, I had 800kg to play with :D2

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