Water carriers - Page 2

Tin Diesel · 07-24-2008, 12:57 PM

Derek,
your idea can work. In fact, my truck bed is a few inches above the Airstream fill point when both are on level ground. However, its a very slow siphon process. The pump really speeds things up. And, when the truck is below the Airsteam, I'm outtaluck.

Another road-story: our favorite water source in CO (Steamboat Lake State Park) had a pipe break and no water was available for a week. They brought in a large water tank (several thousand gallons) with a garden hose attachment. Unfortunately, the tank was sitting on the ground, and as the water level dropped, it became impossible get water into a trailer. Worse, such gravity feed won't fill the bladder because of the back-pressure that builds (also the resistance from the filter).

The SOB ahead of me took 30 minutes of trickle-time and was still only half-full.

Since I had the pump, I just inserted it into the line, started up the pump. Topped off the guy ahead of me (not because I'm a good samaritan, but I was tired of waiting!) and filled my tank in no time.

Point being: having a pump is a good precaution if your water souce is not always reliable.

dnrtheil · 07-25-2008, 06:49 AM

Got your point, pump is on order - D

mandolindave · 07-25-2008, 07:42 AM

In the past ( and present ) I have been using six gallon plastic jerry cans with the handles on the sides as well as the top. I set up a table with telescopic legs to rest the containers on so I don't have to hold them while filling. But I am working on my new plan. I have a clear plastic 55 gallon drum. I plan to sit the drum on it's side on top of a dolly with the wheel side up. Most likely I will have to elevate the dolly so that the feed will be higher than the fill on the trailer I'll hook up a hose with an inline valve to fill the drum. After it is full, I'll rotate the drum so that the inlet on top will become an outlet on the bottom. I want to use gravity feed because power will be an issue in a boondock situation where I will need this rig.

Fyrzowt · 07-25-2008, 11:16 AM

35 gallon barrel is easy to transport, refill, sanitize.

H.F. transfer pump is positive displacement and self priming. Wires extended to reach battery directly with alligator clips. Pump has hose fittings - suction side goes to PVC fitting into barrel, other side hooks to hose to trailer fresh tank.

PVC pipe to get water out of barrel, or I can tip it to pour.

PVC has female hose fitting on one end, other end is notched so it won't suck down against the bottom of the barrel.

Fyrzowt · 07-25-2008, 11:24 AM

I also made this set-up so I don't have to stand there holding the water hose while the tank fills. (My hose end won't stay in the filler neck by itself)

The ell design allows it to hang in the filler neck with the hose hanging vertically.

Tin Diesel · 07-25-2008, 03:57 PM

I like your filling spout. I bought one of THESE from Camping world for $3. Hangs in just fine and allows the air to get out.

I also like the barrel idea - especially for ease of cleaning. However, it wouldn't fit my need for compact storage when not in use. When we leave TX for CO, our rig stays on the road for 4 to 5 months, and storage space is at a premium.

Thanks for the ideas.