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07-10-2007, 05:44 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master
1966 24' Tradewind
Placerville
, California
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,328
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Water Conservation?
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
__________________
Neil and Lynn Holman
FreshAir #12407
Avatar;
Kirk Creek, Big Sur, Ca. coast.
1966 Trade Wind
1971 Buick Centurion convertible
455 cid
1969 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight
455 cid
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07-10-2007, 06:11 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1995 30' Limited
Ashland
, Missouri
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,610
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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
__________________
maxandgeorgia
1995 Airstream Classic Limited 30' ~ Gypsy
1978 Argosy Minuet, 6.0~Minnie/GPZWGN
Chev Silverado 2500HD Duramax/Allison, 4X4, Crew Cab
WBCCI #5013 AIR #2908
WDCU
Go, Mizzou...Tigers on the prowl!
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07-10-2007, 07:06 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1998 31' Excella 1000
South Berwick
, Maine
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 709
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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.
__________________
WBCCI 24291
New England Unit
Metropolitan NY Unit
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07-10-2007, 07:21 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2006 28' Safari SE
Currently Looking...
Colorado Springs
, Colorado
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 703
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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
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4CU Charter Member
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07-10-2007, 09:19 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,190
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I don't drink water from the trailer.
What about pumping lake water????? Or submerge a jerry can in the lake.
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07-10-2007, 09:25 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
West of Fort Worth
, Texas
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 6,699
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mandolindave
What about pumping lake water????? Or submerge a jerry can in the lake.
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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
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07-10-2007, 09:48 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1966 24' Tradewind
Placerville
, California
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,328
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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.
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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.
__________________
Neil and Lynn Holman
FreshAir #12407
Avatar;
Kirk Creek, Big Sur, Ca. coast.
1966 Trade Wind
1971 Buick Centurion convertible
455 cid
1969 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight
455 cid
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07-10-2007, 09:56 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1966 24' Tradewind
Placerville
, California
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,328
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Quote:
Originally Posted by maxandgeorgia
What? None of the water thief in flagrant (and soaked) violation of the rule?? ~G
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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
__________________
Neil and Lynn Holman
FreshAir #12407
Avatar;
Kirk Creek, Big Sur, Ca. coast.
1966 Trade Wind
1971 Buick Centurion convertible
455 cid
1969 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight
455 cid
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07-11-2007, 04:02 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1998 31' Excella 1000
South Berwick
, Maine
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 709
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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.
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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.
__________________
WBCCI 24291
New England Unit
Metropolitan NY Unit
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07-11-2007, 10:36 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1966 24' Tradewind
Placerville
, California
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,328
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__________________
Neil and Lynn Holman
FreshAir #12407
Avatar;
Kirk Creek, Big Sur, Ca. coast.
1966 Trade Wind
1971 Buick Centurion convertible
455 cid
1969 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight
455 cid
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07-12-2007, 08:26 AM
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#11
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3 Rivet Member
1963 26' Overlander
Cleveland
, Georgia
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 123
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You knew this was coming...
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?
__________________
Rusty
Some days you're the windshield,
Some days you're the bug!
"Life's a garden, dig it" Joe Dirt
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07-12-2007, 08:32 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2014 25' Flying Cloud
Cuddebackville
, New York
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 4,343
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bigeasy63
Whats a water thief gadget?
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I'm wondering what this is too.
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07-12-2007, 09:25 AM
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#13
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Site Team
2002 25' Safari
Dewey
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 15,616
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__________________
Richard
Wally Byam Airstream Club 7513
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07-12-2007, 09:35 AM
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#14
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3 Rivet Member
1963 26' Overlander
Cleveland
, Georgia
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 123
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I see.
Oh, now I get it.
Now I get posts 9 and 10.
Thanks.
__________________
Rusty
Some days you're the windshield,
Some days you're the bug!
"Life's a garden, dig it" Joe Dirt
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07-12-2007, 10:32 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,721
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Now we know what a water thief is.
Today's quiz: What is a grain thief?
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07-12-2007, 11:23 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
1966 24' Tradewind
Placerville
, California
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,328
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Quote:
Originally Posted by markdoane
Now we know what a water thief is.
Today's quiz: What is a grain thief?
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Would this be asked with, "WHO'S BEEN TAKING MY BEER?'
I wouldn't do that,
Neil
__________________
Neil and Lynn Holman
FreshAir #12407
Avatar;
Kirk Creek, Big Sur, Ca. coast.
1966 Trade Wind
1971 Buick Centurion convertible
455 cid
1969 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight
455 cid
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07-12-2007, 11:55 AM
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#17
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Rivet Master
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,721
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That's a creative answer. : ;
But incorrect.
Although a brewmeister might have occasion to employ one.
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07-12-2007, 11:56 AM
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#18
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Rivet Master
1966 24' Tradewind
Placerville
, California
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,328
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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?
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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
__________________
Neil and Lynn Holman
FreshAir #12407
Avatar;
Kirk Creek, Big Sur, Ca. coast.
1966 Trade Wind
1971 Buick Centurion convertible
455 cid
1969 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight
455 cid
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07-12-2007, 01:24 PM
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#19
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1953 Flying Cloud
1953 21' Flying Cloud
West Sacramento
, California
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,034
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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.
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07-12-2007, 02:13 PM
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#20
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3 Rivet Member
1963 26' Overlander
Cleveland
, Georgia
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 123
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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
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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.
__________________
Rusty
Some days you're the windshield,
Some days you're the bug!
"Life's a garden, dig it" Joe Dirt
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