Travel With Full Water Tanks

paulie484

Active Member
Apr 12, 2012
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Perth WA
quick question - heading off in a few hours to Exmouth and then Coral Bay

Coral Bay doesn't have drinking water to vans so need to either top up at Exmouth - pain to do at visitor centre, stop etc? or travel with full tanks - have got two tanks on a 17.56.1

read a bit that full tanks help with weight distribution ?

Van is loaded up with 2 weeks worth of usual crap that never get's used or eaten or drunken so extra weight is prob not a issue !

cheers guys
 

Glen Bundesen

Active Member
Jan 12, 2014
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Perth WA
If worried about weight, I'd fill up at Exmouth. I keep a 3 mtr hose for such activity.
Wikicamps indicates that there is a freshwater tap at 4 Learmonth st Exmouth as well as the Tourist Centre.
 
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Holden_man

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Aug 21, 2012
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Brisbane - Carindale
quick question - heading off in a few hours to Exmouth and then Coral Bay

Coral Bay doesn't have drinking water to vans so need to either top up at Exmouth - pain to do at visitor centre, stop etc? or travel with full tanks - have got two tanks on a 17.56.1

read a bit that full tanks help with weight distribution ?

Van is loaded up with 2 weeks worth of usual crap that never get's used or eaten or drunken so extra weight is prob not a issue !

cheers guys
Hi @paulie484 ,
Being a bit of a novice at towing I went to a Towing Safety Seminar at the Brissy caravan show last year, they also recommended travelling with full water tanks when possible to help keep the centre of gravity low. Guess that can only work so often, can't have tanks full all the time. Don't expect it's massively important but even if it makes things a little safer it's probably worth it and it does makes sense when possible.

HM
 
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Pace

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Sep 16, 2011
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melbourne
www.expandasdownunder.com
quick question - heading off in a few hours to Exmouth and then Coral Bay

Coral Bay doesn't have drinking water to vans so need to either top up at Exmouth - pain to do at visitor centre, stop etc? or travel with full tanks - have got two tanks on a 17.56.1

read a bit that full tanks help with weight distribution ?

Van is loaded up with 2 weeks worth of usual crap that never get's used or eaten or drunken so extra weight is prob not a issue !

cheers guys

Wouldn't worry re weight distribution as long as you put equal amounts in both tanks. As water is used, switch between tanks to equalise weight either side of the axles.

I just got back from coastal trip and went there with rear tank only full (to take weight of the ball, all ways experimenting l am!!), and in our case towed better full then empty (yes factors of internal storage positioning is a factor too).

So to give an answer, I'd fill up the tanks, better to have than to not have water. Pace.
 

Bmhdg76

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Oct 6, 2012
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North Lakes, Qld.
When we free camp I fill both tanks and can tell... Not just with the weight but the van "feels" more settled behind the car. When using the water though, I always use the tank behind the axle first. Found when I use the front tank the van is more prone to a bit of movement.

BJ
 

Swerve

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Mar 26, 2014
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Sydney
I travel with full tanks, would rather have the water available should I need it, then not. I have a 20 litre on my rear 4wd bar and that also has been a god send.
 
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