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01-29-2017, 11:05 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: no fixed address, California
Trailer: 2017-21' Escape (sold) Casita 17' (sold)
Posts: 1,348
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don’t tow with partial tank fresh water? / sloshing
Hi all
if I recall correctly the Escape 2017 21’ manual suggests that it is best to NOT tow with a partially full fresh water tank. Tow with it either full, or empty, with the reason being that a partially full fresh water tank can lead to sloshing around, and some weight instability. (I’m paraphrasing)
The issue is that we generally tow with a little water in the fresh tank (maybe a 1/4 tank) to make toilet flushing and hand washing on the road possible.
Are folks here concerned with fresh water sloshing around?
FWIIW i dont tow with anything other than a little in the black and grey tanks…. generally.
The related issue is that when we are driving afternoon and evening on a Friday night from home to a remote boon docking site for the weekend, (or a long weekend) our options then become tow with fresh tank full, so hauling about 240 lbs of water (28 gallons with the tank full) to our weekend boon docking destination, or…. try to find fresh water somewhere along the way, hope it works, hope it didn’t close at 5 pm, or whatever…..
We travel light and pack carefully, so i’m not concerned about being over weight, overall, in any way…..
Just curious to know what people think about towing with 1/4 or 1/2 full fresh water tank, and the sloshing / weight issue.
vs hauling 240 lbs of water (a full fresh tank) for 2-5 hours of driving.
thanks.
John
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01-29-2017, 11:12 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Galesville, Wisconsin
Trailer: 2017 21 "Blue II" & 2017 Highlander XLE (previously 2010 17B "Blue" & 2008 Tacoma)
Posts: 4,232
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John, I have only my own experience, but with our 17B we almost always traveled with 1/3 to 1/2 full fresh tanks and experienced nary a hint of sway in many thousands of miles. Usually we would also have both of our 5 gallon Reliant water totes full in the back of the tow. In your situation going somewhere where I knew there would be no water, I'd travel with the fresh tank full and both 5 gallon totes full. Again, only my experiences and opinions - and you know what opinions are worth!
__________________
Eric (and Mary who is in no way responsible for anything stupid I post)
"Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance." George Bernard Shaw
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01-29-2017, 11:21 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Trailer: 2015 Escape 19 "Seventy Degrees"
Posts: 3,495
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Never been an issue here and have partial tank most of the time. Not sure if it would be any different on a 19
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01-29-2017, 11:33 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Benton County, Iowa
Trailer: 2013 Escape 21 Classic Number 6, pulled by 2018 Toyota Highlander
Posts: 8,235
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Water
Quote:
Originally Posted by thoer
John, I have only my own experience, but with our 17B we almost always traveled with 1/3 to 1/2 full fresh tanks and experienced nary a hint of sway in many thousands of miles. Usually we would also have both of our 5 gallon Reliant water totes full in the back of the tow. In your situation going somewhere where I knew there would be no water, I'd travel with the fresh tank full and both 5 gallon totes full. Again, only my experiences and opinions - and you know what opinions are worth!
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Hi Eric:
That's exactly how I operate too except I have three 5 gallon jugs and decant with a zodi pump powered by my battery pack. Rita carries two and I carry one and a 12 oz bottle. ( For Priming).
Dave
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01-29-2017, 11:40 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Galesville, Wisconsin
Trailer: 2017 21 "Blue II" & 2017 Highlander XLE (previously 2010 17B "Blue" & 2008 Tacoma)
Posts: 4,232
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Iowa Dave
...12 oz bottle. ( For Priming).
Dave
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Yah I know what that 12 oz bottle is priming!
__________________
Eric (and Mary who is in no way responsible for anything stupid I post)
"Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance." George Bernard Shaw
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01-29-2017, 12:04 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: ..., New Mexico
Trailer: 2013 Esc19/'14 Silvrado
Posts: 4,193
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I can't imagine that with two axles and four tires sloshing around water in either tank would cause any trailer instability.
__________________
Myron
"A billion here, a billion there...add it all up and before you know it you're talking real money." Everett Dirkson
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01-29-2017, 12:09 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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I have towed 3 Escapes with partially filled fresh tanks over 20,000 miles without incident. I always have 1/3-2/3 tank when traveling. Not sure what the manual was referring to.
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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01-29-2017, 12:31 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oswego, New York
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21C, 2018 Ford F150
Posts: 5,363
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Losangeles
Hi all
...Just curious to know what people think about towing with 1/4 or 1/2 full fresh water tank, and the sloshing / weight issue...
John
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I've towed my 17B with 1/3 a tank of fresh water on every trip with no problems, and most of that was towing with a little RAV4.
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01-29-2017, 12:31 PM
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#9
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 11,023
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When I picked up Ten Forward at Sumas, the freshwater tank was about 1/3 full. If the "rules" are to tow empty or completely full, you'd think it would have been one or the other.
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward
2014 Escape 5.0TA
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01-29-2017, 12:35 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Trailer: 2017 Escape 5.0 TA
Posts: 15,532
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MyronL
I can't imagine that with two axles and four tires sloshing around water in either tank would cause any trailer instability.
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I have done it hundreds of times with no ill effect. I often travel with a bit in reserve to handle water usage along the way, expecting to have water at the final destination.
__________________
2017 Escape 5.0 TA
2015 Ford F150 Lariat 3.5L EcoBoost
2009 Escape 19 (previous)
“Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” — Abraham Lincoln
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01-29-2017, 01:07 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Santa Rosa County, Florida
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 Tow: 2024 Toyota Tundra
Posts: 3,097
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I have always been impressed by how well my Escape 21 tows; it is almost always rock-stable. However, the only exceptions have been this situation, when I have had the fresh water tank partially full. Apparently a truck passing the trailer on a highway can set up a resonance that makes the water slosh sideways and not stop. The effect is quite unnerving-- the first time it happened to me I thought I had a flat tire and pulled over to see. So I think Escape's instructions on this matter are precisely correct: either have the tank completely full or empty when possible. If that's not practical, then having a few gallons of fresh water shouldn't provide enough mass to create the instability.
This instability has happened to me only a few times; conditions have to be just right for the sloshing resonance to occur. For instance, I returned from Jackson, Mississippi to my house yesterday with a mostly but not quite full fresh water tank and had no problems.
I try to travel with the fresh water tank full and the other tanks empty, since I never know if I will have a good supply of water or a suitable dump station at my destination.
__________________
Mike Lewis
She don't lie, she don't lie, she don't lie-- propane
Photos and travelogues here: mikelewisimages.com
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01-29-2017, 01:58 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Jeromesville, Ohio
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21' pulled with 2014 Silverado Crewcab
Posts: 853
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Lewis
I have always been impressed by how well my Escape 21 tows; it is almost always rock-stable. However, the only exceptions have been this situation, when I have had the fresh water tank partially full. Apparently a truck passing the trailer on a highway can set up a resonance that makes the water slosh sideways and not stop. The effect is quite unnerving-- the first time it happened to me I thought I had a flat tire and pulled over to see. So I think Escape's instructions on this matter are precisely correct: either have the tank completely full or empty when possible. If that's not practical, then having a few gallons of fresh water shouldn't provide enough mass to create the instability.
This instability has happened to me only a few times; conditions have to be just right for the sloshing resonance to occur. For instance, I returned from Jackson, Mississippi to my house yesterday with a mostly but not quite full fresh water tank and had no problems.
I try to travel with the fresh water tank full and the other tanks empty, since I never know if I will have a good supply of water or a suitable dump station at my destination.
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I wonder how much tow vehicle and hitch affect instability from water moving. With a full size Chevy P/U and Reese hitch with sway control I have never noticed anything like this. I can feel a semi passing but not much. We always tow with at least some (1/4 -1/3 fresh) when on the road. Often fill up on the way in if there are no hookups.
__________________
Carl,
"Isn't it amazing how much stuff we get done the day before vacation?"
Zig Ziglar
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01-29-2017, 02:09 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: O town, British Columbia
Trailer: 2014 Escape 21 "Lightning"
Posts: 1,467
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Like others, I just load up fresh water for expected needs plus margin, until I figure I can get to a source of water. Conversely, Lightning tows best imho, when she has 1/2 full waste tanks.
I have not had the resonance Mike speaks of, but I do cringe when meeting up with the long haul hay trucks on the flatlands.
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01-29-2017, 02:27 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Sherburne, New York
Trailer: 2016 21 ft escape
Posts: 400
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Lewis
I have always been impressed by how well my Escape 21 tows; it is almost always rock-stable. However, the only exceptions have been this situation, when I have had the fresh water tank partially full. Apparently a truck passing the trailer on a highway can set up a resonance that makes the water slosh sideways and not stop. The effect is quite unnerving-- the first time it happened to me I thought I had a flat tire and pulled over to see. So I think Escape's instructions on this matter are precisely correct: either have the tank completely full or empty when possible. If that's not practical, then having a few gallons of fresh water shouldn't provide enough mass to create the instability.
This instability has happened to me only a few times; conditions have to be just right for the sloshing resonance to occur. For instance, I returned from Jackson, Mississippi to my house yesterday with a mostly but not quite full fresh water tank and had no problems.
I try to travel with the fresh water tank full and the other tanks empty, since I never know if I will have a good supply of water or a suitable dump station at my destination.
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I concur with the OP, this is what it says in my 21 manual also. Full or empty. I also think that this was something that the Lawyers put in there to absolve ETI of any responsibility in the case of just what Mike described above should happen. I could see where this would be a real problem, especially for some one that likes to tow at 75-80 mph and above like I have read on some forums (here to). For those of us who tow at more comfortable speeds, I don't think this would be a bother. I towed back from Chilliwack, most of the way with a 1/4 tank of FW.
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01-29-2017, 03:11 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Olathe, Kansas
Trailer: 2015 21ft Escape "Spirit of the Plains", 2014 GMC Sierra with max tow package
Posts: 1,100
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I like to have a third of a tank of fresh water on board and I never have noticed a thing. The trailer tows like it's glued to you with or without the WD hitch. But the hitch does eliminate a little bounce. Loren
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01-29-2017, 03:17 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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Mike,
Are you towing with an Andersen or other w/d set up when this happens?
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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01-29-2017, 03:41 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: petaluma, California
Trailer: 2015 Escape 21 2002 Tundra 4x4 V-8 tow package.
Posts: 163
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Lewis
I have always been impressed by how well my Escape 21 tows; it is almost always rock-stable. However, the only exceptions have been this situation, when I have had the fresh water tank partially full. Apparently a truck passing the trailer on a highway can set up a resonance that makes the water slosh sideways and not stop. The effect is quite unnerving-- the first time it happened to me I thought I had a flat tire and pulled over to see. So I think Escape's instructions on this matter are precisely correct: either have the tank completely full or empty when possible. If that's not practical, then having a few gallons of fresh water shouldn't provide enough mass to create the instability.
This instability has happened to me only a few times; conditions have to be just right for the sloshing resonance to occur. For instance, I returned from Jackson, Mississippi to my house yesterday with a mostly but not quite full fresh water tank and had no problems.
I try to travel with the fresh water tank full and the other tanks empty, since I never know if I will have a good supply of water or a suitable dump station at my destination.
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I tow my 21 with all different amounts of fresh water in the tank and have never noticed any instability. But
My cousin drove a large milk truck that picked up the milk at the dairies. The tanks are not baffled so cleaning is possible. He tells me the horror stories when a partly filled tank gets a mind of Its own. It happens when he would brake too hard and milk would first slam into front then proceed to slosh back and forth in a motion that would keep going, not allow the truck to stop at the light/stop sigh and push him into the intersection with full braking.
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01-29-2017, 03:47 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Galesville, Wisconsin
Trailer: 2017 21 "Blue II" & 2017 Highlander XLE (previously 2010 17B "Blue" & 2008 Tacoma)
Posts: 4,232
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One of the reasons those milk trucks flying around the corners of our country road scare the hell outta me when we are out bicycling.
__________________
Eric (and Mary who is in no way responsible for anything stupid I post)
"Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance." George Bernard Shaw
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01-29-2017, 04:10 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
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Favorite Simpsons clip is the milk truck careering down the mountain and over the cliff, where it comes to a rest and then explodes in a huge ball of flames.
( the word is career, swing side to side, not careen - which is what sailing ship does when it leans to one side )
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
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01-29-2017, 04:23 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Denison, Texas
Trailer: 2015 21'; 2011 19' sold; 4Runner; ph ninezero3 327-27ninefour
Posts: 5,136
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An Escape is not nearly a milk truck but I can believe that there could be a problem in some situations with the tank half full. We usually have some water but not a lot.
__________________
Cathy. Floating Cloud
"Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.... "
Emerson
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