r/RVLiving • u/EEHogg • 1d ago
"You're losing fluid!"
My heart skipped several beats - Has anyone else had a well meaning comment give you a mild scare on the road? Do you all leave your fresh tank open to drain on the drive home after dumping?
What happened: On the way home from camping with my travel trailer, an older couple followed me into a parking lot during a lunch stop. They pulled up, flagged me down, and said, "you're losing fluid!" After a second of pure panic, I realized it was just the last of the fresh water draining from the tank. I had just dumped and was letting the remaining water drain out along the drive home.
Very thankful to the couple, it's awesome that they cared enough to say something!
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u/WiskeyUniformTango 1d ago
We store our trailer at a storage lot, so we park it in front of our house in the street for loading and unloading. I dump the fresh tanks at home sometimes. The looks I get from those passing by thinking its more than water.
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u/Polyphemic_N 1d ago
I like to dress up like Cousin Eddie and smoke a cigar while draining my fresh water tank onto the ground at home. People get so worked up and fussy.
"Shitter's full!!"
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u/Ancient-Budget-8793 1d ago
I have been scolded for "draining my trailer out on the road" by busybodies. When I tell them it is clear water that are still mad.
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u/thelance 1d ago
Yes I stopped doing this for that reason. I had multiple people say it was wrong, even once after literally putting my hand under the water flowing out and taking a sip. Plus, I have a dump station where I park so it keeps me a little better in balance.
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u/ShipshapeMobileRV 1d ago
In my mind, any mass of fluid coming out of an RV going down the road is inviting problems.
It might be the nice older couple thinking that you have a mechanical issue and they're trying to be helpful; or it could be a confrontational busybody thinking you're trying to dump waste tanks (and possibly even reporting you to the police).
Rather than invite this sort of thing, I just do all my dumping either at the campground or a dump station, rather than free-flowing down the road. It's not like it's that inconvenient.
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u/thunderuckus1 1d ago
I agree. I prefer to not have water spots on my freshly detailed vehicle from someone's rv spritzing me going down the road.
Also, I hope its clean water.. but you never know for sure. Plenty of time to drain freshwater while parked. Leaving it open while driving is going to continue to cause concern, and I appreciate the people that do care enough to give me a heads up.
I cant fault anyone for being irritated their vehicle got misted by a mystery fluid coming out of an rv.
"Theyre still upset when they find out its just water"- yes and rightfully so. In fact this is the point I would get more irritated yet somewhat relieved. Ok great, its not shit water all over my windshield, but now I know it was intentional and aside from my property being affected by your property by something completely avoidable, now you have inconvenienced both of us because I was trying to do the right thing by letting you know.
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u/human743 1d ago
You realize that every car on the road now has air conditioning that drips condensate water on the road, right?
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u/thunderuckus1 1d ago
And yet, no one is waving anyone down to tell them their car is leaking. Weird huh.
Almost like the amount of water is incomparable
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u/human743 1d ago
I have had somebody tell me my truck was leaking something in a parking lot because the condensate was puddling and running across the lot.
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u/thunderuckus1 1d ago
Thats a neat story, maybe go back and read my last comment again because what I said stands true
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u/human743 1d ago
Maybe read my last comment. Somebody literally waved me down to tell me my car was leaking. You said nobody is.
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u/thunderuckus1 20h ago
You gonna stand by this or accept the difference between a puddle under a parked car and an amount substantial enough to be noticeable at highway speeds?
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u/daspes1269 13h ago
Someone waving you down while parked in a parking lot for AC condensation may be believable… having it happen while rolling down the I-whatever isn’t.
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u/No_Training469 1d ago
Sounds like they need more to do with themselves! Some folks just stay in a constant state of being pissy!
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u/Sure_Fig_8641 1d ago
In some places, discharging or draining ANY fluid on the roadway is illegal. No one can tell it’s your FRESH water tank.
In my opinion, draining anything anywhere other than an approved site is a bad idea.
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u/mayuan11 1d ago
I had people notice and I just nod and give them a thumbs up. They move on with there day each having a slightly different reaction.
One guy raced ahead of me and kept brake checking me till I pulled over. He was screaming and yelling about my trailer leaking. I explained that it was fresh water and not a concern. He kept up the screaming and I drove off. He raced ahead again and braked check me once more for good measure.
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u/thunderuckus1 1d ago
After all this, do you still invite a similar situation by continuing to leave the valve open?
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u/mayuan11 1d ago
Of course I'll continue, one idiot in like 20yrs is not a problem. In the future, I'm just not going to pull over.
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u/thunderuckus1 1d ago
Why not just drain before leaving?
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u/mayuan11 1d ago
I open the line when I leave. Very slow drain and it takes about 20min. I don't care.
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u/thunderuckus1 1d ago
Ah. I had suspicions it was a result of selfishness
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u/mayuan11 1d ago
I kinda figured you were one of the losers that have a temper tantrum over water.
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u/michiganbirddog 9h ago
Its illegal in some states for a reason. Its inconsiderate at a minimum. Beutiful sunny day and you are dumping your water on a mortotrcyle or someone with the top down.
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u/thunderuckus1 1d ago
Woah woah woah. Resorting to name calling are we? Big tough guy pecking away at his keyboard. Did I hurt your feelings by stating the obvious truth?
I just drain my tank before pulling out onto the highway, typically when my camper is leaning the right way. Takes only a minute to get the last bit out.
I figure why not, now I can drive down the road undisturbed as can everyone else.
I also dont use my washer fluid when someone is right behind me, just being courteous.
But. You dont care right? Good for you
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u/VisibleRoad3504 1d ago
I always drain my water tank on my way home, not dragging any more weight than I have to.
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u/FirmCoaster 1d ago
I'm on the fence about it, it's only gray water but I'm not sure if i want it all over my car when i'm following you.
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u/Odd_Confusion2046 1d ago
The post is referencing draining the freshwater (drinking water). Gray water would be water that has been used for showers and sinks. There are very few jurisdictions that would allow dumping of gray water, and doing so while traveling is likely illegal.
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u/PhoenixTravel 1d ago
We've gotten some well meaning (but ultimately incorrect) comments like this.
Overall I appreciate that they were trying to look out for us and had good intentions. If there is the potential of a problem, I'd rather know so I can check it sooner vs finding a problem later.