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FreshAir · 07-10-2007, 05:44 PM

Lynn and I have just returned from treating our 2 grandson's to their first camping experience. We went to our family's favorite vacation place, Wright's Lake, in the Sierra. I had two observations to pass on and ask for similar opinions. Part way up the long, steep (7%-8%) winding road we stopped at a ranger information stop and rest room. Posted on the water faucet in the parking/picnic area was a list of NOs. No Washing of Dinnerware; No washing of clothing; No bathing; and......No filling of RV tanks. I understand the water conservation reason but I was getting conscerned since we had a heavier than usual load with extra camping supplies for our famly guests. To save on weight I was traveling with no water in my 2 tanks. Our big 455 Buick pulled everything up to the 7000' Wright's Lake without a wimper and with throttle room to spare....and little gas left. Before we reached our campsite (dry) I stopped at a water faucet to fill the water tanks. We have been camping there for 20 years except for the past few after our kids left to try their hand in the world. Since our last visit some nice updating has been done in this forest service campground but including water faucets that discourage attaching hoses. "No-o-o-o problem", I thought, "I have my 'Water Thief' gadget." The faucet designers were antiscipating me...and you. The new faucets are slippery chrome with a narrow spigot. Also the valve handle is of the 'handicap' challenge kind, a lever that is spring loaded that must be held on. The Water Thief would not come close to hugging the spigot. I outfoxed it somewhat with some recipical soaking by tightly gripping the Thief to the spigot with one hand and holding the valve open with the other. I had to hold the Thief AND the hose just 'right' for the water to flow diectly into the hose. To fail at this was a dousing of water on the face or the pressure pushing the Theifs grip on it's hose connection resulting in a dousing of my lower body.

Yeah, it would have made a good You Tube video.

Anyway do any of you fine Streamer campers had similar experiences? If so are any of you going to beat me to a new design for the Water Thief, Bandit?

Neil and Lynn

maxandgeorgia · 07-10-2007, 06:11 PM

Sorry, I've no suggestions, except to be sure to fill up your water supply before the climb to the campground, poor tv! Beautiful setting and lots of family fun celebrated in your photos. What? None of the water thief in flagrant (and soaked) violation of the rule?? ~G

peegreen · 07-10-2007, 07:06 PM

Build your own water thief. Go to your favorite home center (HD, Loews) and purchase several different inside diameter lengths of poly tubing. They have massive rolls of this stuff - just buy a foot of a couple different sizes. Now go down or across the aisle and find a selection of plastic/brass/copper fittings to assemble with the result a male hose end. With the appropriate size hose clamp and your potable water hose, you'll be the envy of the park.

silverback · 07-10-2007, 07:21 PM

We haven't seen campground water restrictions like that in AZ yet. But we've mostly been in state or county parks this year. It doesn't surprise me at all with the west's drought conditions.
-KL

mandolindave · 07-10-2007, 09:19 PM

What about pumping lake water????? Or submerge a jerry can in the lake.

Fyrzowt · 07-10-2007, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mandolindave

What about pumping lake water????? Or submerge a jerry can in the lake.

Not a good idea at this lake. It's shallow and warm, this induces a lot of people to enjoy the swimming. I wouldn't drink it.
Anholman,
Thanks for posting the photos, it brings lots of memories. We will be in that area next month.
Dave

FreshAir · 07-10-2007, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peegreen

Build your own water thief. Go to your favorite home center (HD, Loews) and purchase several different inside diameter lengths of poly tubing. They have massive rolls of this stuff - just buy a foot of a couple different sizes. Now go down or across the aisle and find a selection of plastic/brass/copper fittings to assemble with the result a male hose end. With the appropriate size hose clamp and your potable water hose, you'll be the envy of the park.

DUH!... My mother used to tell me to find a need and fill it and you will 'benifit' greatly. Obviously I need to continue to 'listen' to her...wherever she is. Thanks, your idea is embarrassingly simple.

Neil.

FreshAir · 07-10-2007, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxandgeorgia

What? None of the water thief in flagrant (and soaked) violation of the rule?? ~G

Yeah, I did not fathom the obvious until we got home. Then I wondered if this water access was a trend with any of you. Hopefully my somewhat graphic description of my encounter would have sufficed. But I needed to ask and to detract from the lack of pictures of the offending 'Thief' I went with a few of our camping. Beautiful to look at but not as funny.

Neil and Lynn

peegreen · 07-11-2007, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anholman

DUH!... My mother used to tell me to find a need and fill it and you will 'benifit' greatly. Obviously I need to continue to 'listen' to her...wherever she is. Thanks, your idea is embarrassingly simple.

Neil.

Maybe you can market it as a universal set, then a comapany such as Camco will buy you out for $$$$, retire early and travel forever to your favorite destinations. Ahhhh, to dream. Hope to see them in the next Camping World catalogue.

FreshAir · 07-11-2007, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peegreen

Maybe you can market it as a universal set, then a comapany such as Camco will buy you out for $$$$, retire early and travel forever to your favorite destinations. Ahhhh, to dream. Hope to see them in the next Camping World catalogue.

neil.

bigeasy63 · 07-12-2007, 08:26 AM

Whats a water thief gadget?...or is this a trade secret for Rivet Masters only? The only thing I have is a square key for such clandestine operations. (And a Leatherman).

Great story and awesome pics.

Whats that on the barbie?

Wayne&Sam · 07-12-2007, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigeasy63

Whats a water thief gadget?

I'm wondering what this is too.

**azflycaster** · 07-12-2007, 09:25 AM

Water Thief - Camping World

bigeasy63 · 07-12-2007, 09:35 AM

Oh, now I get it.

Now I get posts 9 and 10.

Thanks.

markdoane · 07-12-2007, 10:32 AM

Now we know what a water thief is.

Today's quiz: What is a grain thief?

FreshAir · 07-12-2007, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markdoane

Now we know what a water thief is.

Today's quiz: What is a grain thief?

Would this be asked with, "WHO'S BEEN TAKING MY BEER?'

I wouldn't do that,

Neil

markdoane · 07-12-2007, 11:55 AM

That's a creative answer. :

;
But incorrect.
Although a brewmeister might have occasion to employ one.

FreshAir · 07-12-2007, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigeasy63

Whats a water thief gadget?...or is this a trade secret for Rivet Masters only? The only thing I have is a square key for such clandestine operations. (And a Leatherman).

Great story and awesome pics.

Whats that on the barbie?

Richard has provided you with the CW link for the Water Thief. I got mine at Kmart for less not that I was price shopping. I spotted it and thought 'that may come in handy'. It sure did even with the difficulty in outwitting the new spigot. You may consider peegreen's suggestion to 'make' several different sizes. BUT if you travel with a full water tank it may be not nesessary. Several threads have emphasized to conserve on weight in your coaches. I usually carry at least a 1/4 tank but this trip to 7000' from 4500' within a short distance and fully loaded with food and gear for 3, 4 days for 6 people I decided water could be gotten at the campground. As it became evident our big Buick TV could have easily carried a linebacker or 2 in the coach too.

Rusty, the campfire grill is keeping baked pototoes and corn on the cob heated while I was BBQing chicken on charcoal behind me as I was taking the picture. They were delicious! In that photo l to r is daughter, openning her birthday gift, her husband, 4 year old grandson (6 mos old gs is napping in the coach), and my wife.

Neil and Lynn

1953 Flying · 07-12-2007, 01:24 PM

Hi Neil,

How were the mosquito? I was up there last year about this time and there were a billion of the little boogers. We are going to Union Resevor in a couple of weeks. Thanks for sharing your photos.

bigeasy63 · 07-12-2007, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anholman

Rusty, the campfire grill is keeping baked pototoes and corn on the cob heated while I was BBQing chicken on charcoal behind me as I was taking the picture. They were delicious! In that photo l to r is daughter, openning her birthday gift, her husband, 4 year old grandson (6 mos old gs is napping in the coach), and my wife.

Neil and Lynn

Awesome....Good Times!
Sounds delicious too!
Thanks for the update. I'm thinking if I use the thief, my pressure regulator, and my "Y" I wont need such a long hose!

I use my Overlander for short trips (<100 mi) so I rely on bottled water for drinking and campground for cleaning and bathing and such. So I am always empty and have rigged the plumbing to bypass the tank, hence the pressure regulator. The tank can be filled with the turn of a valve but I only have a valve stem for air pressure. Someday I may use the tank, but not this season.

Thanks again.