Fresh/Gray Water Capacity

[jawja]

Why is the fresh water capacity lower on the 21RBS (30.5 GAL) than the 16TBS (38 gal)?  We have the 16TBS and want the 21RBS but can't understand why the fresh water capacity would be less?  Can the 21RBS be ordered with a larger fresh water tank?

[charliem]

[quote source="/post/20113/thread" author="@jawja" timestamp="1459576982"]Why is the fresh water capacity lower on the 21RBS (30.5 GAL) than the 16TBS (38 gal)?  We have the 16TBS and want the 21RBS but can't understand why the fresh water capacity would be less?  Can the 21RBS be ordered with a larger fresh water tank?[/quote][font size="3"]I can't answer with 100% confidence on the 16TBS, but here are a few facts. Thor Livinlite is making a big move toward standardization across its product line. Given all the other tanks are the same size for 14s-21s I suspect the FW tanks are the same also.

The stated FW capacity sometimes includes the 6 gallons in the HW heater. It varies depending on whether engineering or marketing is writing the ad. I think the actual numbers are 30-32 in the FW tank with an additional 6 in the water heater. These 6 gallons, once filled, do not really add to your usable FW total. When the FW tank is empty there will still be 6 gallons in the WH.

Due to the placement of the pump pick up hose in the tank it is not possible to use all the water in the tank. I have measured 28 [/font][font size="3"]usa[/font][font size="3"]ble gallons on my 21RBS before the pump sucks air. This is extremely sensitive to leveling of the trailer. The same is true for draining the tank . Also consider that FW is the LEAST limiting water capacity. FW is easily replaced with a hose or jug and 5 gal jugs can be carried in the TV. The first limit is gray water, followed much later by black water.

So my conclusion is both trailers probably have the same sized tanks and the FW capacity, excluding WH, is around 32 gallons with somewhat less usable. How's that for a definite maybe?      

As an aside, since Thor acquired LL they have completely stopped any customization. What they have is what you get.     Then the mods begin, but they're yours.      


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[dan]

I have a 2016 16TBS.  My fresh tank tops out at 32 gallons - measured with a flow meter.

[jawja]

Thanks.  I'm purchasing a 2016 21RBS (made at the "old" factory I believe) and the dealer is just going to install a 2nd FW tank.