Travel with full tanks

[Vermilye]

I agree with Glenn (gbaglo) that there is a sweet speed for driving on washboard roads, and it is usually 30 MPH plus, but have always found it raises far too much dust to be practical, at least when towing the trailer. In the end, you are going to spend more time getting rid of the dust than you would have doing the drive at 5 - 10MPH. I still have Utah red sand (really dust not sand) in the tailgate corners left from 2 years ago. It also feels a bit like driving on ice when you hit the right speed.

[PleinAirCedar]

Originally Posted by emers382

Happens to us too Glenn, even on a 40 minute trip on paved roads! This week I found it on the floor, but the top still on, since the cupboard it was in opened, also a mug but unbroken.

emers382


Child Safety Strap Locks


These straps took care of the opening cupboards, even with cans in it. I even took off the hard to open Dometic fridge latch and used one on the fridge. Works great!

[gbaglo]

Came around one corner on washboard, much too fast, and fount the tent trailer trying to overtake the Subaru. As the Sub was front wheel drive, there was nothing I could do, but hit the gas pedal hard. Managed to pull it out and then slow down.
If the trailer had had brakes, I could have applied them, if the thought occurred to me at the time.

[cocinas]

which tanks?
I have 2 propane cylinders. I never go below one full - empty one, switch to full, and then get the empty filled asap.
grey/black - empty asap, or practical. Don't worry too much
Fresh water - try to keep full with fresh water. Never know when it will be needed. But only fill with fresh.
Fuel - try to not go below 1/3 of a tank, 1/4 at lowest volume
I use a composting toilet, so not too worried about black water, although I use the black water tank for additional grey water.
Did I forget a tank/cylinder?

[Iowa Dave]

Everyone camps a little differently. And with different Plan B fall back theory. I travel with the two standard propane tanks and in addition an 11 lb tank that I usually use for my camp stove but always know it could get us a couple days running time for the stove, furnace or refrigerator. We travel with some water in the fresh tank. Knowing where you’re going to stay each night and whether or not there’s a dump station, fresh water and electric available allows us to adjust for the conditions at hand. I often run my fuel in the tow vehicle pretty low when camping in state. On a 100 mile one way trip I will pass no less than 15 gas stations in small towns, on the interstate and at my destination it’s different out west. If I am familiar with the route I’m running, I’ve developed favorite stops for food, gasoline, rest stops and places to eat my lunch. Whatever lowers your stress level and allows you to fully enjoy the experience is the way to go for you. When camped near a small town after setting up in the afternoon I often go into town and gas up. I also drive Main Street or ask a local about a bakery. Most bakeries open early in the day. A big cinnamon roll and a Diet Pepsi or an orange juice about 7:30 in the morning and I’m ready to burn my first tank of gas for the day. Develop your own style, there’s no right or wrong answers.

Speaking of style, In the style of the old romantic comedy “If it’s Tuesday this must be Belgium” you can bet one thing for sure, if Iowa Dave is westbound in Montana on I-90 he will be at Three Forks around noon eating a sandwich and stocking up on bread, rolls and buttermilk pancake mix at Wheat Montana. And often a few days later coming back the other way.

Pay attention to the task at hand, watch the weather, spend a few minutes every evening checking your rigs over, and planning the route for the next day.
Iowa Dave

[cityofdestiny]

We travel with full water tanks routinely if headed to a dry site; otherwise, we fill it maybe 1/3 for water while traveling. Returning home, we will usually come home with black and grey tanks at least partially full-our house came with a sewer hookup in the driveway, and we usually skip the campground dump station. My one bad experience came when I forgot to close the shower drain and gray water sloshed up and around the shower floor, creating a big smelly mess. Aside from that, no issues.

[richm]

Originally Posted by cocinas

I use a composting toilet, so not too worried about black water, although I use the black water tank for additional grey water.

Is there some additional plumbing to take advantage of the black tank in this case? I'm curious because i might want to do the same.

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by cocinas

I use a composting toilet, so not too worried about black water, although I use the black water tank for additional grey water.

John, do you own an Escape? The reason I ask is, the composting toilet option is mounted over the hump in the bathroom that would have been over the black tank. Even if there were a black tank, how would you get liquid into it? Do you mean plumbing the gray water tank to use both itself and the black water tank? That would take some serious modifications.

[MyronL]

Not be travelling with at least a half-full tank of water? Seriously?
What happens when you can't get off the road in time to use a WalMart bathroom?