Filling the fresh water tank?

[kingdaddy]

As my wife and I continue to "refine" our dry camping techniques, it occurred to me that I don't really know how to tell when my fresh water tank is completely full.
I know better than to rely on the little indicators on the tank level display, and I was told that I can just fill using the city water fill port and fill until the water comes out the rear gravity fill opening on the rear of the trailer (removing the cap of course).
Is this pretty much standard practice or is there another way? Thanks!

[AZ Traveler]

Mike,

You are doing it right.

[rohrmann]

We also fill till water comes out the vent. And, the fresh tank level indicator seems to be the only reliable one of all the tanks.

[Daryles]

I have a water meter on the fill hose. I can guess how much it will take and get pretty close, but I only turn off the water when it starts overflowing.
From empty (pump wont draw) the most I have filled is 42 gallons. On my "to do" list when I take down the Coroplast is to put a little slope to the tank so I can get it all.

[RMcNeal]

When I need to fill the tank, I do as you describe and fill until the overflow runs out the side. On normal travel days, I only put in about 10-15 gallons for washing hands and flushing toilet while on the road. I have a meter that I hook up to the water hose. It seems pretty accurate.

[kingdaddy]

Originally Posted by rohrmann

We also fill till water comes out the vent. And, the fresh tank level indicator seems to be the only reliable one of all the tanks.

Yeah, I've pretty much learned to ignore the tank indicators.

As I told my wife this last trip...they can send a rover to drive around and take pictures on Mars, but still can't figure out how to produce accurate and reliable tank level indicators?

Of course, mine is a 2011 model so maybe the new ones are better? (I doubt it).

[DutchmenSport]

The difference is, that Rover cost a couple BILLION dollars. They spent 29 cents on your tank indicators.

I fill mine until it spews out the overflow. My fresh water tank is in the far rear, and the garden hose fill is in the front. But the overflow (vent) is on the side of the trailer near the rear. When water spews out, it's full.

[phillyg]

Yes......

[rames14]

We installed SeeLevel Gages so we know the levels of our tanks in %. They have been accurate. As for filling we also go until it comes out the overflow. Easier than going inside to keep checking. On our new 3230CK, we are having the dealer install SeeLevel and Valterra Valves before we pick it up.

[dfb]

Not fun sometimes..

[BiggarView]

Originally Posted by DutchmenSport

The difference is, that Rover cost a couple BILLION dollars. They spent 29 cents on your tank indicators.

I fill mine until it spews out the overflow. My fresh water tank is in the far rear, and the garden hose fill is in the front. But the overflow (vent) is on the side of the trailer near the rear. When water spews out, it's full.

wanna bet there are 29cent parts on the billion dollar rover?

[masterdrago]

Originally Posted by BiggarView

wanna bet there are 29cent parts on the billion dollar rover?

You think they got their flat washers from Lowes? I've always wondered why the tank level indicators were so prone to give inaccurate readings. Now I know $0.29

[kingdaddy]

Haha...yeah, 29 cent parts all over these Montanas...

Gonna try the "fill it till it overflows" method next time, thanks!

[rames14]

If you have ever seen the tank sensors, they are basically a series of bolts through the side of the tank. When liquid (or solids) complete the circuit, it shows the highest level of connectivity. Which is why people use ice cubes and dawn while driving to clean off the probes. Which is why the SeeLevel Gages work better because they mount on the outside of the tank. The SeeLevel Gages are circuit boards that “can” be used with the existing wires (which would not work with the in-Command system) and would remove that feature from the system. So, if you are interested, here is the website https://www.garnetinstruments.com/rv-shop/
They are installable by owners if you have an extra day or two. And, while you have the entire bottom dropped, you might as well install Valterra Valves. Not a fun job but it is much easier to install while the tank is empty.

[kingdaddy]

Thanks...very helpful info!

I will check into the Seelevel gauges...what is the advantage of the Valterra valves?

My problem is I don't have a good place to work on the trailer at my home. I have "RV access" but not for an RV of this size.

Can't really work on it while it's parked in front of my house either...

[rames14]

The standard valves for the gray and black tanks use a braided cable. Over time, you will notice it gets harder to open and close the valves. Gunk gets through the cable housing into the braid. The Valterra valves use a solid wire cable. If your cables seize, will it be with the tank empty, or full. It doesn’t happen to every valve but enough that it was worth doing with the tank empty for sure. Just my two cents.

[Mocron]

Could you recommend a good water meter? Thx

[RMcNeal]

Here's the one I use from Amazon
https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B06XSNPM...ing=UTF8&psc=1

[Mocron]

Thank you!

[Bierp]

Just remember, it's fine to fill your fresh water tank until it overflows. Not so much with the black tank!