One of the important aspects of motorhomes or rv’s is that they have water holding or storage tanks. When you have direct water supply at campsite, you may not be much worried about water. But, while you are dry camping, the storage and holding tank importance cannot be less than anything else. A bigger rv comes with a larger tank as compared to smaller ones like class B rv.
Understanding the rv tank size is important so that you can plan accordingly for your camping. Refiling water in fresh water tank, draining or emptying grey or black water tanks needs proper planning. In this article lets see how big fresh water tanks, grey and black water are for various rv types.
Fresh water tank capacity of different RV’s
Rving and water storage cannot be separated. Specially, if you are dry camping or boondocking. A larger tank for fresh water is desired by every camper. When you don’t have the water supply directly connected from the source like a campsite, the only option you have is the fresh water tank in your rv. Most motorhomes come with rv fresh water tanks that are good enough for you.
But, you know how things happen. I myself camp with a big fresh water tank but almost every time end up regretting about the tanks size. No matter how big is your tank, you always end up finishing it. Well, all rvers may not agree with this though. But , you yourself at least will agree (since you are here, searching for how much could be your rv tank capacity and what other option you have).
Lets see average fresh water tank capacity for various types of rvs. It obliviously is different for different types. But, the size has to do a lot with the length of the rv. Why length? well more the length, more is the number people it can accommodate. And, for more people you obviously need more water and hence bigger is the tank size, that is logical.
Class A rvs are bigger, accommodate more people and hence they will normally have larger tanks. Fifth wheels too have bigger fresh water tanks unlike smaller travel trailers. Class C and class B will have relatively lesser sized tanks.
- On an average a class A rv is normally equipped with a fresh water tank of size 70-100 gallons
- Class C rv is normally equipped with a fresh water tank of size 35-55 gallons on an average
- On an average a class B rv is normally equipped with a fresh water tank of size 18-40 gallons
- Fifth wheel is normally equipped with a fresh water tank of size 60-75 gallons on an average
- On an average a smaller travel trailer is normally equipped with a fresh water tank of size 40-60 gallons
Lets see some of the examples of various types of motorhomes, travel trailers and their fresh water tank sizes.
Average Fresh water tank size in class A motorhomes
Class A RV’s are the best you can get. Bigger bedrooms, spacious kitchen and numerous amenities. They also have the biggest fresh water tanks. You wouldn’t get such sized fresh water tanks in any other rv types. A 100 gallon fresh water tank is much more and your camping should be worry free.
Most class A motorhome will be equipped with fresh water tanks that are par with 75 gallons. Even the grey and black water tanks in class A are bigger. Price in class A will be much more and not all of us can have this luxurious and spacious motorhomes. Take a look at this article that discussed average prices of different types of RV’s. Here are some class A fresh water tank sizes,
- ENTEGRA COACH ANTHEM 2019 Model : 100 gallons
- AMERICAN COACH AMERICAN ALLEGIANCE 2009 Model : 90 gallons
- HOLIDAY RAMBLER ENDEAVOR 44H Model 2018 : 95 gallons
- ENTEGRA COACH ANTHEM 42RBQ 2018 : 100 gallons
- ALFA LEISURE SEE YA! FOUNDER 2007 : 90 gallons
- TIFFIN MOTORHOMES PHAETON 2019 : 100 gallons
- COACHMEN RV SPORTSCOACH 408DB model 2017 : 89 gallons
- FLEETWOOD RV PACE ARROW 35M model year 2017 : 77 gallons
- FOREST RIVER RV FR3 30DS new model 2019 : 57 gallons
- HOLIDAY RAMBLER ADMIRAL XE 30P 2018 : 50 gallons
Average Fresh want tank size in class C motorhomes
Class C motorhomes are smaller than class A rv’s. They tend to be pricey too and are also costlier than a fifth wheels or even larger travel trailers. Lets see some class c rv examples with their fresh water tank sizes. Class C rv’s, do not have very big fresh water tanks but should be okay to camp for a smaller family.
In case your RV water tank storage isn’t great then you have an option to use portable tank as well. Do check this water storage solution by AQUATANK ( amazon.com link), its perfect if you are dry camping.
- FLEETWOOD RV JAMBOREE 30F 2017 model : 49 gallons
- FOREST RIVER RV SUNSEEKER 2290S FORD 2017 model: 44 gallons
- GULF STREAM RV CONQUEST 2005 year model : 34 gallons
- FOREST RIVER RV SUNSEEKER TS 2018 model year : 35 gallons
A 35-40 fresh water tank may not be considered very big considering the amount of water may be needed for camping. Most class C rv’s will have fresh water tanks that range between 35 gallons to around 55 gallons. But, then again it depends on how big and model of your class C rv. The bigger rv with more amenities and bigger tank size will cost your more and if your budget is up for it then well and good.
How much is the size of fresh water tank in class B rv’s
Class B motorhome or smaller camper van’s and have the smaller fresh water tanks. These kind of motorhome are suited for couples or solo campers. There are many class B manufacturers that build such vans across United States and Canada. With minimal amenities and very small fresh water tanks, these kind of rv’s simply don’t suit for bigger families. Or even for couple with kids, these kind of motorhomes may not be enough.
They have water tanks that are way lesser in size as compared to class A, or class C or even travel trailer. Mostly the class B rvs will have fresh water tanks that are some-what around 30 gallons or so. Bigger ones may have a little above 50 gallons but not beyond that. They are designed smaller and hence they cannot have those big 70 gallons or 80 gallons in them. Here are some example of class B rv’s and their fresh water tank size in gallons. With such smaller tanks, it is very difficult to do things like taking shower or washing dishes etc.
- EHGNA CARADO AXION 2017 year model : 17 gallons
- GULF STREAM RV BT CRUISER 5291 : 40 gallons
Holding tank size of various motorhomes
Having a good sized grey water tank is very much necessary for dry camping. A black water tank hold the output from toilet and that too need to be of good size. But, a grey water is needed to be bigger ideally. Most rv’s will have almost same sized grey and fresh water tanks. Having a bigger grey water tanks makes sense as you may be able to refill the fresh water tanks easily but draining out grey water tank again and again may not be possible and also you don’t want to do that often.
We can see many rv’s where in their fresh water tank is lesser than the grey water tank. The class A and fifth wheels have bigger grey water tanks where as in case of class B and class C they are smaller. Lets see some example of grey water tank sizes,
Various Class A motorhomes and their grey water tank sizes
On an average a class A motorhome has a grey tank of around 65-85 gallons. A 80 gallons grey tank can be very good for a family dry camping. Grey tanks should be bigger and that gives a relief for not emptying them again and again.
- ENTEGRA COACH ANTHEM 44A 2019 Year model : 62 gallons
- HOLIDAY RAMBLER ENDEAVOR 44H 2018 year: 75 gallons
- ENTEGRA COACH ANTHEM 42RBQ 2018: 62 gallons
- TIFFIN MOTORHOMES PHAETON 40 IH Year 2019: 100 gallons
- AMERICAN COACH AMERICAN ALLEGIANCE 40X Year 2009: 70 gallons
- ALFA LEISURE SEE YA! FOUNDER 2007 : 73 gallons
- COACHMEN RV SPORTSCOACH 2017 : 104 gallons
- FLEETWOOD RV PACE ARROW 35M Year 2017: 60 gallons
Class C motorhomes with their grey water tanks sizes
Class C motorhome have smaller grey tanks similar to the fresh water tanks that they have. On an average a class c rv has a grey tank that is around 28-40 gallons big. A 35 gallons may not be good for dry camping for many days. With smaller grey water tanks, emptying will be needed more often and that can be a real pain for some one who doesn’t like to do that.
- THOR MOTOR COACH FOUR WINDS 22B 2019 : 37 gallons
- FLEETWOOD RV JAMBOREE 30F 2017 : 35 gallons
- FOREST RIVER RV SUNSEEKER 2290S FORD 2017 : 39 gallons
- 2018 ENTEGRA COACH ESTEEM 30X : 31 gallons
Examples of fifth wheel grey water tank sizes
A fifth wheel is a great rv that gives very good style, and a great camping experience. Many people opt for fifth wheel rather than a full fledged rv. A fifth wheel can be pretty long and accommodate many people in it. As we already saw that a fresh water tank in fifth wheel is normally bigger and so is the grey water tank. On an average, a fifth wheel has around 55-85 gallons of grey water holding tank.
- FOREST RIVER RV CEDAR CREEK HATHAWAY EDITION 38FLX (2018) : 80 gallons
- GRAND DESIGN REFLECTION 303RLS (2019) : 87 gallons
- FOREST RIVER RV SIERRA 378FB (2018) : 134 gallons
- HEARTLAND BIGHORN 3970RD (2017) : 90 gallons
Travel trailer grey water tank sizes
Travel trailers are less costly and are great for those who want to live rv life with minimum budget. A travel trailer can be a 15 feet length and can also be longer too, upto 40 feet in length. Their lengths vary, some people opt for larger ones but that can be pain for towing vehicle. A travel trailer also gives good grey water holding tank capacity. On an average a travel trailer has around 30-40 gallons grey tanks.
- COACHMEN RV FREEDOM EXPRESS 246RKS (2018) : 33 gallons
- GRAND DESIGN IMAGINE 2950RL (2018) : 71 gallons
- FOREST RIVER RV ROCKWOOD GEO PRO 19FD (2018) : 30 gallons
- JAYCO EAGLE 330RSTS (2018) : 98 gallons
- KEYSTONE RV HIDEOUT 25LHSWE (2018) : 38 gallons
RV black water tanks sizes for different rv types
RV black water tanks are used to collect the output from the the toilet present in the rv. Many times i have seen people not using their black water tank as they don’t prefer using the toiler in the rv. This is mostly because of the task of emptying of the black water tank. Many people would simply camp at places that gives them the toiler facility and thus, they don’t have to tackle the emptying of black water tank.
But, in case if you use the rv toilet then its important that you know the capacity of your black tank. On an average rv’s have black water tank that is around 40-60 gallons. Obviously like or other tanks, the black water tank is larger for class A and fifth wheels. Lets see some example of different rv’s with their black water tanks capacities,
Black water tank capacity of class A RV
On an average a class A rv has black water tank of around 35-55
- TIFFIN MOTORHOMES PHAETON 40 IH (2019) : 55 gallons
- ALFA LEISURE SEE YA! FOUNDER 40TS (2007) : 37 gallons
- COACHMEN RV SPORTSCOACH 408DB (2017) : 52 gallons
- FLEETWOOD RV PACE ARROW 35M (2017): 32 gallons
Black water tank capacity of class C RV
A class C rv’s normally have smaller black water tanks of sizes around 25-25 gallons. Below are some example of class c rv and black water tank sizes,
- THOR MOTOR COACH FOUR WINDS (2019) : 24 gallons
- FLEETWOOD RV JAMBOREE 30F (2017) : 35 gallons
- FOREST RIVER RV SUNSEEKER 2290S FORD (2017) : 39 gallons
Black water tank capacity of Fifth wheel
A fifth wheel on an average will have black water tank of size around 40-55 gallons. Below are some examples,
- GRAND DESIGN REFLECTION (2019) : 47 gallons
- FOREST RIVER RV SIERRA (2018) : 52 gallons
- CRUISER SOUTH FORK (2017) : 45 gallons
- HEARTLAND BIGHORN 3970RD (2017) : 45 gallons
Black water tank capacity of Travel trailer
Some example for travel trailers and black water tanks,
- JAYCO EAGLE 330RSTS (2018) : 32 gallons
- KEYSTONE RV HIDEOUT 25LHSWE (2018) : 38 gallons
Conclusion
A rv water holding capacity for class A RV and fifth wheels is much more than other rv’s. Understanding your rv tanks is important and you should have fair knowledge about the capacity of all the three tanks in your RV. At times, people opt for having portable tanks in rv so as to supplement the smaller fresh water tank. A good thing to do before you buy a new or used RV; is to cross check the actual size of all the three tanks.
