Half-filled water tanks
Submitted: Thursday, May 03, 2012 at 10:38
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PeeKay
Our new van has a 92L
water tank. To save on fuel costs, we don't always want to carry this much water. Will a half-filled tank sloshing about greatly affect how the van rides? Are these water tanks baffled in any way?
Reply By: PeterInSa - Thursday, May 03, 2012 at 18:08
Thursday, May 03, 2012 at 18:08
If you tour from caravan park to caravan park, carry less water, but if your a "see a great place to
Free camp in your travels" to me you need to carry full tanks to take the opportunity to stay a day or 2 along the way.
Even when staying in CP's we use electic pump/water in our tanks rather than having a hose connected all the time( except in the past when we had an onboard washing machine.) Fill up the tanks prior to leaving the CP.
Peter
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Reply By: Member - barry F (NSW) - Thursday, May 03, 2012 at 18:24
Thursday, May 03, 2012 at 18:24
Hi there PeeKay,
As already stated your fuel saving towing with an empty tank would probably be insignificant, but all unnecessary weight does add to fuel consumption.
When we had a van we travelled with both tanks empty when we planned to stay overnight in Caravan Parks. As to water sloshing around effecting the van ride I doubt it would have much of an impact. I reckon if the tanks were not baffled they would self destruct!! Maybe a
check with your Van manufacturer as to whether or not the tank is baffled would answer your question. Cheers
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Reply By: Member - Tony (ACT) - Friday, May 04, 2012 at 06:11
Friday, May 04, 2012 at 06:11
If we are on a trip of 2 - 3 months we start out with a full tank 250lts, rain water only. By the time the trip is drawing to a end the tank is getting down and you can feel the diffenence on big hills.
We also have 2 x 20lt drums for showering which we top up on the way, and finally a barrel for clothes washing that only has enough water to do the job.
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484933
Reply By: olcoolone - Friday, May 04, 2012 at 08:39
Friday, May 04, 2012 at 08:39
If you have a 92 litre
water tank and your only going to fill it half way to save fuel I think you need to forget about travelling...... 46 kilo's over a set up that may weigh 5500 kilo's all up isn't going to save you any fuel that's measurable..... I talking maybe 0.002 litres per hundred...... so on a 800 kilometre between fill fuel tank you might get an additional 1/2 a kilometre.
If your that concerned I would suggest you look at other ways of saving fuel like tyres, engine and gearbox oil... how your tow vehicle is set up and maybe the passengers body weight!
Adjusting your tyre pressure 1psi will give you better economy then saving 46 kilo's.
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484943