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Topic ClosedPartially filling fresh water

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TheBum View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Partially filling fresh water
    Posted: 27 Feb 2017 at 1:19pm
On the 179 and probably 180, the fresh water tank is forward of the axle, so it adds to tongue weight.

As for drinking from plastic bottles frozen or exposed to heat, that really only applies to #1 plastics. You'll notice if you buy reusable plastic microwave cookware that they're almost always made of #5 plastic, which doesn't have the chemicals that leach out of #1 plastic.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Feb 2017 at 4:31pm
Bum, thanks, is the tank on a 179/180 close to the axle. On the 178, the tank is the last thing on the aft of the trailer (behind the gray water tank), with the pass through above and behind it.

If interested - the post on tank issues is from JUL 2014, posted by CasaJack, named Water Tank Beams. I do not know if FR has addressed, maybe a new owner can comment. My 2015 178 had the issue as described, I added new 1 1/2 #14 screws and a bolt thru the frame at each support beam.
Mike Carter
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Mar 2017 at 9:14am
Originally posted by mcarter

Two comments, largely based on previous posts. Freshwater tank capacity is 36 gals. That is roughly close to 300 lbs. That weight negates tongue weight. The aft water tank is on the other side of the axle, the fulcrum. It is possible to decrease tongue weight to the point where sway is significantly increased.

In order for two loads of the same mass to apply equal force to a lever, they must be equidistant from the fulcrum.

Yes, having a full water tank behind the axle when unload some tongue weight.  But the water tank is closer to the axle than the hitch, so it adds less force to the lever.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Mar 2017 at 9:51am
I have a 178 and do not carry water.
The water tank is on the tail end of the pod.
Tried to carry water and virtually had NO tongue weight which made towing unstable.
Never again, travel with tank empty.

Irish Tom
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2014 Ford Explorer 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Mar 2017 at 11:19am
This has turned into an interesting thread.
I never really thought about water tank locations and how it could effect travel, just thought about full and empty as far as weight goes. The water tank in my 180 is way forward of the axle, the black hangs at the very back as far back as it can go and the the grey is snugged up to the black aft of the axle.
 
 So theoretically if i just fill the front fresh tank I've added 36 gal or 300 lbs near the tongue.  Then while camping, run out of water, and add 20 gallons using my water jugs, (i have done this). Before i go home I leave the campsite with 56 gal or 450 lbs hanging off the back in the grey and black. 
  I've driven hundreds of miles like this, on freeways, on mountain roads, and up to 9000 ft. If my TV was anywhere near it's limit of tow capacity, with no sway or weight dist, this could be really dangerous. Even though I have a TV with an 11,400 lb tow capacity I don't think I will do this again.
rgds John


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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Mar 2017 at 11:45am
this is an interesting discussion.  I always leave home with a full water tank (182g is in the front)because we are in well water and prefer the taste to chlorinated water.  I have never thought about traveling with the extra weight.  Return trip is whatever is left in water and empty gray/black if dump available.  I guess i have no idea if i am at the pods max weight or not since i have not weighed anything.  i have a bunch of "stuff" in there.  i did experience some sway an the last trip, but i had a 20mph side wind both ways on I-40. 
TexMan 2015 182g
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Mar 2017 at 1:12pm
Originally posted by mcarter

Bum, thanks, is the tank on a 179/180 close to the axle. On the 178, the tank is the last thing on the aft of the trailer (behind the gray water tank), with the pass through above and behind it.


Gray is behind the axle, probably because of the rear kitchen. Black is immediately forward of the axle (middle bathroom) and fresh is forward of that.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Mar 2017 at 4:55pm
Thanks Bum, glad this post generated some discussion. I personally will not travel with a full freshwater tank on a 178. My TV can handle the capacity, personally I want to ensure I have an adequate tongue weight, has nothing to do with slosh or water movement, as Hayride said, the farther you get from axle the less the effect. Good discussion.
Mike Carter
2015 178
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Mar 2017 at 5:01pm
Hayduke I called you by wrong name, sorry. Irish Tom - exactly what I experienced with my 178. 300 lbs on aft end makes a difference.
Mike Carter
2015 178
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 06 Mar 2017 at 8:47am
I have a 178 pulled with a 2016 grand caravan. It has the microwave, AC, TV, battery, and 20# propane, the calculated weight is 2700#. The tongue weight empty is 300#. When I add 170# of cargo at the door the tongue# goes to 351# and to 384# one step forward. The tongue # van spec is 360#. The empty rig rides level with a 4" rise  ball mount. No WD or SC. Would you be so kind as to provide tips on how to rig and load cargo and water so as not to exceed the tongue # spec and avoid trailer sway.

Thank You so much.

2016 RP178
2016 grand caravan avp 3.6L
(the caravan comes with electronic anti sway control, heavy duty radiator and alternator, engine cooling, trans cooling and Touring Suspension


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