Possible Overfill of FW Tank?
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=10555
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Topic: Possible Overfill of FW Tank?
Posted By: 4Papa
Subject: Possible Overfill of FW Tank?
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2017 at 7:16pm
Another idiot newbie question... is it possible to overfill the freshwater tank? I checked this site's archives and found answers all over the place. From, "no harm, no foul" to "my tank dropped to the ground"! All of these where older threads, so maybe things have changed in tank design. Some of the trailers were older, as well, and not all were R-Pods.
Common sense might dictate that the manufacturers wouldn't design a suspension system incapable of handling the weight of a filled-to-the-filler-neck tank... would they? My 180 is barely a week old and I neglected to see what the tank looked like empty, so I don't know if the bulging bottom is the normal shape of the tank or that it's designed to give when full or the first time I hit a speed bump my tank will hit the ground. I'm prepared to dump gallons before leaving home, but would hate to as I'll be boondocking and needing every gallon.
Thanks in advance!
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2017 180
2010 GMC 1500 Hybrid
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Replies:
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2017 at 7:43pm
nope, it has an overflow.and the bottom is not flat, is bowed, so the water runs to the pickup when it gets low. However, towing with water in the tank is RARELY a good idea.
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Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2017 at 8:32pm
Our 177 was purchased in January 2011 and we almost always carry a full 30 gallons with us, since we boondock a lot. As Mark stated above, the tank indeed has an overflow (you cannot overfill) and the bottom is not flat. We have over 26,000 miles on our pod and probably half of those miles traveled were with our water tank 1/2 to full.
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God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 23 Aug 2017 at 11:02pm
Originally posted by furpod
nope, it has an overflow. |
What does that mean? "it has an overflow"? It sounds like you're saying there is some sort of device that prevents overfilling. When I fill my tank I stick a hose in it and let it go until water is running out the fill-opening on the ground.
I wouldn't say a bucket has an overflow. I'd say I fill t until it overflows. I don't mean to be coming across as picky, though I fear I am. I really wonder if there something I don't know about.
Anyway, no, there is no reason to be afraid of overfilling the tank. As far as know it's not possible. I agree, towing with a full tank isn't the best idea.
TT
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2010 176
FJ Cruiser
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Posted By: wthoms2000
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 12:40am
So.... Quick question: Dry camp without a full FW tank, you really are dry camping?
Being an engineer, makes absolutely no sense to design something that is not capable of sustaining travel when full..
Enjoy!
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Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 4:05am
It can travel full. Depending on where you are going it often makes sense to fill up at or near your destination rather than lug all that weigbt around.
TT
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2010 176
FJ Cruiser
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Posted By: 4Papa
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 7:09am
Thanks all. Confirmed my suspicions. Still, that bulge only inches above the ground gets your attention. It appears to hang about as low as the black tank hose tube. Will do this only if/when destination water availability is suspect.
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2017 180
2010 GMC 1500 Hybrid
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Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 8:01am
Originally posted by Tars Tarkas
Originally posted by furpod
nope, it has an overflow. |
What does that mean? "it has an overflow"? It sounds like you're saying there is some sort of device that prevents overfilling. When I fill my tank I stick a hose in it and let it go until water is running out the fill-opening on the ground.
I wouldn't say a bucket has an overflow. I'd say I fill t until it overflows. I don't mean to be coming across as picky, though I fear I am. I really wonder if there something I don't know about.
Anyway, no, there is no reason to be afraid of overfilling the tank. As far as know it's not possible. I agree, towing with a full tank isn't the best idea.
TT
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If you look at the fill point, see that little screen at the top, above where the hose goes? If you block up or somehow prevent water from coming back out the regular fill inlet, it WILL overflow out of that vent/screen.
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Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 8:04am
Originally posted by wthoms2000
So.... Quick question: Dry camp without a full FW tank, you really are dry camping?
Being an engineer, makes absolutely no sense to design something that is not capable of sustaining travel when full..
Enjoy! |
"Dry Camping" in today's lexicon, means no hookups. It means you are self supporting, using only the on board systems. Battery, water tanks, cook top or stove, etc .
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Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 4:36pm
+1 to Furpod, when my water pump check valve failed and the city water was filling my FW tank, the water came out that vent screen. That's how I discovered the FW tank was full.
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Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."
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Posted By: Keith-N-Dar
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 5:37pm
I never understood the thread about overfilling the tank and having it fallout of the pod. I never could see how that could happen.
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Keith-N-Dar
Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers)
2011 R-Pod 177
2010 Ford F-150
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Posted By: clickscrazy
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 5:50pm
Man you can learn so much from this Forum just by scanning the posts every so often.
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2018 R-Pod 171
2014 VW Touareg TDI
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Posted By: Tars Tarkas
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 6:06pm
Originally posted by furpod
If you look at the fill point, see that little screen at the top, above where the hose goes? If you block up or somehow prevent water from coming back out the regular fill inlet, it WILL overflow out of that vent/screen. |
Yeah, I guess you're right. I always figured that was more for making sure a vacuum isn't created in the tank.
TT
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2010 176
FJ Cruiser
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Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 24 Aug 2017 at 6:26pm
Keith n Dar - it wasn't about overfilling tank. It was about the weakness of the rail attaching sheet metal screws. I personally bolted mine thru frame rails. One rail on every tank is secured by short sheet metal screws. Mine had pulled and were not secure. There is documented loss of tanks. I took precaution of making sure that didn't happen.
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Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."
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Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2017 at 12:19pm
+1
After reading a post about the loss of a black water tank, I checked ours. I saw screw threads between the rail and the frame, some of which were bent. I took it to the dealer where they were tightened. One was stripped at that point so a new hole and screw were used. After I got it home, I went to my local Lowe's and bought stainless steel bolts, washers, and lock nuts. I replaced one screw in each bracket with a bolt, washer, and nut. My tanks are not going to fall off.
The black and gray water drain valve suspension is another point of failure. I had the black water drain drop down when the nut (not a lock nut) dropped off the machine screw holding it up. I wasn't happy about that. It was less expensive for me to repair it than for me to tow it to the dealer to fix, so I ordered a new output pipe and cap since the valve was still good. It got a lock nut this time around and will probably be reinforced before our next trip as I have seen some pictures of the hanger where it rusted through and failed also.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...
http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS
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Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 26 Aug 2017 at 1:29pm
It's probably worth it for most of us to crawl under our various 'pods and examine the way things are held up (or not). I know from having worked on aircraft that there were stringent rules for how things are fastened. On an R-pod you can pull over to the side of the road. In an aircraft your options are much more limited, and the consequences considerably more dire.
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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
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