Announcement

**JCR GD** · 08-26-2022, 09:00 AM

I'm in the camp of "do what you gotta do" use it how you need to use it... I travel with full tanks all the time, after all it is (should be) designed for boondocking.

**TucsonJim** · 08-26-2022, 11:38 AM

Originally posted by rcolemanreed View Post

We just returned from a 4-day "Dry Camping" trip east of the mountains in Washington State. I filled our fresh water tank (155 gallons) before leaving. Both the grey and black tanks were empty at this time. Unfortunately, there were no RV dumps anywhere close to the campground so, I drove back home with the grey/black tanks with the same amount of water that had originally been in the fresh tank (about 1,290lbs (155 X 8.33lbs per gallon of water). I also had a Honda Pioneer and Honda Rancher in the back of the rig along with 4 kayaks. Total payload weight was right around 3,724lbs which is well below the max payload capacity of 5,000lbs for a 398M. We've got a 2021 RAM 3500DRW for towing which had zero problems with the weight but, my burning question is more about towing with holding tanks at about 50%. Does anyone have input on this subject. Has anyone experienced issues when having to tow with tanks at this capacity? I know the warnings in the manual say that the tanks "should" be "almost" empty but, there are times when that is not possible after dry camping. If there are issues that anyone has had in the past then, we will definitely not be doing this again!

Thanks!

Roger and Jan
2022 Momentum 398M
2021 RAM 3500 Limited DRW HO 6.7 Cummins TD

Back in the early days of GDRV, they installed the tanks on the frame rails, but didn't add any supplemental support. After a few tanks ripped loose and spilt their contents, GDRV modified the mounting method and included a metal strap under the tanks for added protection.

When I'm out boondocking, I almost always return with my tanks nearly full. I've put over 25,000 miles on the RV, and I've never had an issue.

Jim

**rcolemanreed** · 08-26-2022, 12:10 PM

Thanks for the info you guys! It always helps to get advice from someone who has experienced these things first-hand. If there is a nearby dump then I'll empty the tanks otherwise, I won't worry about it.

Thanks again!

**BR549** · 08-29-2022, 12:10 PM

Until our last trip, I would look at our destination and decide whether or not to even carry fresh water. On a recent trip, I decided to carry about 1/3 tank of fresh water even though we were planning overnights in state parks that had water and electric hookups.

I’ve now decided to always travel with a full tank of freshwater after we pulled into a state park that had a large “BOIL WATER ADVISORY” sign at the front gate. For our trailer, a full tank is less than 500 pounds of extra weight but that is insurance against being completely dry somewhere.

We also make a point of filling the black and grey tanks with water, Dawn and Calgon water softener on the home stretch of a trip. That’s a trade off of clean tanks versus hauling extra weight and added stresses on the plumbing. But my view is that these things should be built to handle full tanks. Like JCR said, “use it how you need to use it.”

2022 280RS
2020 Silverado 2500 LTZ

Announcement

2022 398M Toy Hauler - Towing with black/grey tanks partially full

2022 398M Toy Hauler - Towing with black/grey tanks partially full

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment