RV FEATURE
Loading heavy items towards the rear – at the other extreme end of the seesaw – is not a good idea , as there ’ s nothing to counteract a sway event that might occur as a result of that extra weight .
Water tank placement plays a part in ball weight , too . Some manufacturers will wisely position water tanks very close to the axle line , where the weight of the water will have negligible impact on ball weight because it ’ s supported by the ‘ fulcrum ’ of the ‘ seesaw ’. A water tank positioned towards the front of the van will contribute greatly to your van ’ s loaded ball weight .
Note the breather hole just above the main filling point .
A blocked or kinked breather tube is a common cause of air locks in water tanks .
BUBBLING UP
On the subject of water tanks , do you find it difficult to fill them ? Does water spurt out the tank filler when you know darn well the tank is empty ? This is because your tank ( s ) has an air lock . As you fill your tanks , the water needs to push the air inside the tank out through the breather tube . If the breather tube is too narrow or has become blocked , you ’ ll find yourself trickle-filling that tank and even then the water will seem like it wants to bubble and burp back out through the filler point .
Check the breather hose – it might have become kinked – and also check for any blockages at the breather hole near the water tank filler .
You could try placing your thumb over the breather hole to completely block it as you fill the tank . This will compress the air inside the tank and after a few moments , when you release your thumb , you ’ ll ( hopefully ) feel a rush of air and / or water come up through the breather hole , which might help to clear it . It ’ s not ideal or perfect , and won ’ t work for all situations , but it ’ s a tip I ’ ve come across during my travels that has helped me out once or twice .
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