Should You Travel With Fresh Water in Your RV Tanks? Here’s What to Know

This is a question almost every RVer runs into sooner or later: do you hit the road with water in your tanks, whether full or partially full, or wait until you get to your destination?

Talk to a few RVers and you’ll hear both sides argued with confidence.

I’m not here to give you a simple yes or no answer. Instead, I want to quickly walk you through the benefits, the drawbacks, and the practical factors that matter most – with zero fluff. Then you can decide for yourself what makes the most sense for your travels and the way you use your RV.

Why This Question Matters

Water doesn’t seem heavy until you do the math. Each gallon adds about 8.3 pounds, so a typical 60–80 gallon fresh tank can add 500 pounds or more to your load. That’s the equivalent of carrying a few extra passengers everywhere you go.

This extra weight changes how your RV handles, affecting braking distance, fuel economy, and adding strain on suspension components. Depending on where your tank is mounted, it may even influence stability while driving on curves or rough roads.

New RVers often find themselves unsure of how much water to carry. Should you fill up at home? Wait until you’re near your destination? Or just carry a partial load? The answer isn’t the same for everyone, which is why understanding both the benefits and the drawbacks makes a difference before hitting the road.

Benefits of Traveling with Full Fresh Water Tanks

• Convenience on the Road: Having a full tank means you don’t have to plan every stop around water access. Need to wash your hands, cook a quick meal, or flush the toilet while on the move? You can do it without hunting for a spigot.
• Peace of Mind in Remote Areas: When heading into a remote campground or planning to boondock, having your own supply takes the stress out of wondering if water will be available. It also helps if you prefer to avoid relying on questionable campground water quality.
• Flexibility for Unexpected Delays: Breakdowns or travel delays can leave you parked somewhere longer than expected. RVers often point out that in these situations, having water on board makes an inconvenient stop far more manageable.

Downsides and Risks

• Extra Weight and Fuel Costs: A full fresh tank adds hundreds of pounds. For example, 60 gallons is roughly 500 pounds, which can cut into your fuel mileage. Some RVers notice the difference more in states with high fuel prices, where every mile per gallon counts.
• Wear on RV Components: That added weight doesn’t just affect fuel economy. It also puts more strain on tires, brakes, and suspension parts. Over time, this can mean quicker wear and more maintenance.
• Tank Slosh and Mounting Stress: A tank that’s only partly filled can create a sloshing effect as water shifts forward and back while driving. The liquid motion can actually put more stress on the mounting brackets than a completely full tank.
• Handling and Stability: How the water affects your rig depends on tank placement. Some RVers find that a full tank mounted low improves stability by lowering the center of gravity. On the other hand, partial loads can shift weight unexpectedly, especially during curves or quick maneuvers, which may amplify sway.
• Structural Concerns: If supports under the tank are already weak or rusted, carrying full tanks over rough roads can make the problem worse. Regular inspections are the best way to catch issues before they turn into costly repairs.

Factors to Consider Before Filling Up

If you decide to add water before leaving, there are a few factors worth weighing first. Where you’re going, how far you’re driving, what resources are along the way, and fuel all play a role in making the best choice for your trip.

• Destination Type: If you’re heading to a full-hookup campground, you may only need enough water to get you there. For boondocking or remote sites, a full tank is usually the safer choice.
• Water Availability Along the Route: Think about how easy it will be to refill on the way. Rest areas, truck stops, and many campgrounds provide potable water, so you may not need to haul a full load from home. See our guide on where to fill up with fresh water for more ideas. Also, our dump station directory lists locations with potable water across 6,300 cities in the US.
• Distance and Road Conditions: Longer trips, steep grades, or rough terrain can magnify the effects of carrying extra weight. A partial tank may make more sense in those situations if water is available closer to where you’re headed.
• Fuel Prices: When gas is expensive, the added weight of a full tank may feel more noticeable. Some RVers reduce their load between stops to save on mileage, then refill when needed.

Important: Some RV manufacturers give specific recommendations on how to travel with water. Checking your owner’s manual or contacting the manufacturer can provide clarity for your particular model.

Best Practices for Safe Travel

If you’re going to travel with water on board, there are a few steps that can make the trip smoother and safer. Paying attention to your RV’s condition and adjusting how you drive can go a long way toward handling the extra weight.

Inspect Your Tank Supports

Before a trip, look underneath your RV to check the brackets and hardware holding the tank. Rust, loose fittings, or sagging supports are warning signs that should be fixed before carrying a heavy load of water. And trust me, these supports do fail, so make them a part of your regular inspections.

Keep Tires at the Right Pressure

Proper tire pressure is even more important when hauling extra weight. Underinflated tires wear faster, run hotter, and can affect fuel mileage. Inflate to the recommended PSI for your RV’s load.

Balance the Load

Try to distribute gear and supplies in a way that keeps weight balanced front to back and side to side. This helps stability, especially if your fresh tank is mounted off-center.

Drive With Extra Caution

More weight means longer stopping distances and changes in how your RV handles. Leave extra space between you and the vehicle ahead, and take turns at a slower speed.

Adjust How You Fill

One approach many RVers use is carrying a partial tank from home, just enough for restroom breaks or meals, and then topping off closer to the destination. This helps reduce strain during the drive while still giving you flexibility. Just keep in mind that a partially filled tank can cause water to slosh, which may put extra stress on the tank supports compared to running it full.

Let us know how you handle this in the comments below!