Fresh Water Lost in Traveling Uphill

[Fengshuiladie]

Is there a way to plug the fresh water tank vent to keep from losing water when traveling uphill? We have filled our fresh water tank at home when traveling to a dry camp spot to find out we lose fresh water when get to camp site. 2020 MHC33L

Bob & Rita Nesteby

[steiny93]

Originally Posted by Fengshuiladie

Is there a way to plug the fresh water tank vent to keep from losing water when traveling uphill? We have filled our fresh water tank at home when traveling to a dry camp spot to find out we lose fresh water when get to camp site. 2020 MHC33L

Bob & Rita Nesteby

Are you meaning that you loose a significant amount through the vent at the rear of the 5th wheel?

How much of the tank did you loose? Did it come off full per the gauge?

[Fengshuiladie]

2/3 of tank lost. Yes, comes out of vent in back.

[steiny93]

Originally Posted by Fengshuiladie

2/3 of tank lost. Yes, comes out of vent in back.

oh wow... that is a significant amount

On my vent their is a baffle type of deal that is removable (its like a cover that goes over the vent, open on the bottom). Do you still have that?

My guess,
Whatever baffle or preventer that is supposed to be inline of the vent isn't working correctly.

[Fengshuiladie]

Yes we do have the baffle cover over vent. It probably is not working correctly.

Thanks for your input :-)

[Whiskeydick]

That happens with my 3120 also, after filling I take the vent cover off and put a boat plug in it while traveling, just remember to take it out on arrival and while filling so the tank can breath, may cause problems if forgotten,like we need something else on the list.

[Fengshuiladie]

Sounds like a good idea. haha another thing on list to remember is right!


Thanks for idea!
Bob Nesteby

[rohrmann]

I have been thinking about this issue, with this and others that have the same problem. The fresh water tank is pretty much a closed system except for the one vent out the side. It’s pretty hard to get water out of a container through a small opening unless there is way for air to get in to displace the water. We are eight years with our rig and have never lost water from the tank at the rear of the rig, which we usually run with it full, and most people never have this problem. I’m thinking there might be a crack in the tank or something else that is open allowing air to get in.

[Daryles]

It must be a steep hill you are climbing.

[mlh]

It would be impossible for your truck to pull your camper up a hill that is steep enough to drain that much water out of your tank. You need to look for another problem.
Lynwood

[Theunz]

Could just be the notoriously inaccurate tank gauges

[Champ]

We had the same problem. Dealer said there is supposed to be a loop in the hose from the tank to the vent/gravity fill port. Ours did not have that loop in it and water was being siphoned out. I used a boat plug until they fixed it.

[akoske]

I had the same problem. I pull the screen out and stick a rubber cork in the hole for traveling. Every turn I made I could see water coming out of vent. Owners manual says to add sanitizer there so they can't have a loop.

[Charlie 3931fb]

Originally Posted by mlh

It would be impossible for your truck to pull your camper up a hill that is steep enough to drain that much water out of your tank. You need to look for another problem.
Lynwood

I agree with Lynwood. I would be looking under the trailer and all the plumbing that goes to the fresh water tank. Also Check to see that your dump handle for the fresh water tank is all the way closed. I gone up a 7% grade and we had full water tank when we got to the camp ground.

Also, I didn't read all of the answer's but how accurate is your tank gauge? It may be telling you something that not correct.


Charlie

[Linehand15]

I have had the same problem with our 2020 334bh. Loss 2/3 of water in tank. First trip just thought I didn’t get it full. Planing on at trip with altitude of 12,000 ft so should I plug the vent as some have suggested? Or try to find water up there?

[Half Fast Rusty]

I had the same problem on my HCM. The vent in the back was right at the top of the tank. Actually too low to prevent the water from surging to and out the vent when I pulled forward, not to mention up a hill. We tried the loop and several other options. Non worked. We finally raised the vent about 6 inches and that solved the problem. It also created another problem. I either had a hole where the old vent was or as I did, left the vent there (disconnected) and had two one right above the other.

[GrahamLock]

Originally Posted by Whiskeydick

That happens with my 3120 also, after filling I take the vent cover off and put a boat plug in it while traveling, just remember to take it out on arrival and while filling so the tank can breath, may cause problems if forgotten,like we need something else on the list.

Where is the vent cover on the 3120? That is what I have, and I haven't noticed it.

[GILAELKHUNTER]

We have the same problem, and now use the boat plug. It works fine, but still shouldn't have to do that. Our first couple of trips with the trailer we ran out of water over the weekend. Thought we weren't filling it right till I noticed at every turn on the road water would shoot out the vent. Got a couple boat plugs at Walmart and keep one for a spare.

[Fengshuiladie]

Thanks everyone for your input. We bought boat plug and will just have to remember to take out when get to camp site. :-)

R Nesteby

[Larry L]

Yes definitely remove the plug. I forgot the only time I plugged mine and also at the campsite inadvertently switched to the fill tank position. What a loud explosion it made when the tank ruptured. Won’t make that mistake again I hope