Dear Dave,
In high wind warning situations, especially when crossing a long suspension bridge, is it a good practice to fill your water tanks front and rear? Thanks. —Jim, 2024 Gulf Stream Ameri-Lite Ultra-Lite 22RSD (weight 4,100 lbs.)
Dear Jim,
According to the specifications I could find, the dry weight of your rig is 4,064 lbs., as you mentioned, and you have a cargo carrying capacity of 3,466 lbs., which seems very high in my opinion. I am usually not a big fan of traveling with full water as it weighs 8.34 lbs. per gallon and just adds unnecessary weight, which could affect fuel economy.
Weight factors
The important weight factors you need to verify is what the rig weighs now that you have put cargo inside. You need to make sure whatever water you put in doesn’t exceed the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), which would be 7,530 lbs. I typically like to back off 10% rather than be at maximum weight trying to stop on a hot day, in the mountains, or on wet pavement. You also need to verify what your towing capacity is and the Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) of your tow vehicle.
The spec’s also show you only have one fresh water tank that holds 23 gallons. That means you could add 191.8 lbs. of water. You also have a black water and gray water holding tank which each hold 36 gallons. That could add another 300 lbs. each.
More weight considerations are tongue weight and Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) of the rear axle of your tow vehicle. According to the specifications, your rig has a hitch weight of 530 lbs. Filling a front tank would add weight to the hitch and filling a rear tank would shift weight to the rear of the RV—which could mean not enough weight on the hitch. You typically want 10% of the weight of the RV on the hitch; otherwise, it will start swaying at about 50 mph.
I personally think it would be better to install an anti-sway bar such as the Blue Ox SwayPro instead, and slow down.
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IMO, if you’re worried that much about wind factors that day or during your road trip, better stay off the roads. Monitor conditions, delay if you have to. A day late and a dollar short is much better than not getting there at all.
Long suspension bridge – like for example the Mackinac Bridge between Michigan’s two peninsulas? Read or listen to the current crossing advice. Signage is posted and/or you can tune to one of the two AM radio stations. Unless so windy the bridge is closed to large vehicle traffic, just slow down. I doubt the extra weight is going to be enough to counter high side winds when towing at max speeds. Just because the bridge is part of I-75 doesn’t mean you have to zip across.
As the offspring of a Yooper and a Troll (yep, Michiganders that live below the bridge). I literally have been crossing the Big Mac since it opened in 1957.
Me too! My first time to the UP was by car ferry!
Water weighs 8.23 pounds per gallon.
STP
Thanks, J B. A few places I looked said water weighs 8.34 pounds per gallon, so I updated the post. (I didn’t think to check Dave’s numbers when I proofed it.) Have a great day. 😀 –Diane
Water weight is variable depending on altitude and temperature,
*Standard Temperature and Pressure
Imperial gallon is 9.60 at 99 degrees C. and 10.02 pounds at 1 degree C. That is almost a half pound variable per gallon on temperature alone.
Not that anyone cares for the purposes related to this article but in fact, you are all correct even though you have all given a different answer.
Thanks, CP. I noticed the variations when I was looking it up, but was just too lazy to include any more.😉 Have a great day. 😀 –Diane
Just wanted my good friend JB to know he was correct. I always point out when JB is correct. Fair and balanced.
👍 Thanks, CP. Good to let J B know he was correct. 😀 –MM aka BS 🤣
So if I ever own a UK built rig and am driving around the UK, weight of ‘imperial gallons’ will be a handy thing to know. But not correct for the US where we have our own slightly smaller gallon measures.
Thank you for your answer, Dave! I had exactly that question in my first session of the day here in Dayton and screwed up the answer. I said that might be a good idea, depending on how centrally located the fresh water tank is. I will get it right the next time. 😉 Have a great weekend and safe travels. 🙂 P.S. Rob bought me a new HDMI cable this morning. Seems there wasn’t one in the truck. 😉 Cheers! 🙂
Dave, off subject but not – I remember reading an article here on RVT about tanks falling off while traveling and that the MFG refused to warranty because they claimed they were not designed to carry fluids while on the road.