Funnel for freshwater fill??

[Alphonse]

I am looking for a funnel with the proper angle that can be used to fill the freshwater tank from 2.5 or 5 gallon jugs by one lone person. Don’t want to pump it, siphon it, etc. Want to simply poor the water in from a jug.

So I am looking for a funnel that will support itself in the hole while one pours the water in. A 2.5 gallon jug of water weighs about 22 pounds and that’s doable with both hands but not doable if I have to hold the funnel as well. This is a common problem with the AS filler neck/door arrangement.

I have one of these and it takes two operators, one to hold the funnel and one to pour. Due to the constricted flexible tube, it is slower than Christmas as well!

I may dreaming here but perhaps someone has solved this problem without using pumps, siphons, tables, ladders, sticks, tripods, an octopus, etc.

[Skater]

Yeah, those fills are definitely designed for using a hose, aren't they?

What sort of spout or cap is on your jug? Could you rig up something with a hose on the end?

[dznf0g]

Get a piece of clear potable hose at your favorite big box store that has an ID large enough for your jug spout and an OD small enough for the fill neck. Insert and pour away.

[SSquared]

I have a four gallon cubical blue plastic jug made by Reliance. It has a screw-off spigot. I took a regular water supply hose and cut off one end. I screw that hose into the fitting on the jug. I don't remember if it already had the right threads, or if it required an adapter from the hardware store. (Sorry, I don't have a picture and the trailer is parked in storage)

With this arrangement, I first insert the cut-off end of the hose into the water filler (far enough that it wants to stay put), then use both hands to lift the jug up to shoulder height for draining.

One of the reasons we use this method is, many commercially available funnels that are about the right size, are labeled as not being suitable for drinking water.

[polarlyse]

But then a garden hose would tell you the same thing. How many times have you (we) taken a drink from a hose ???? Wash it with a bleach solution between uses if it makes you feel better and use the funnel.

[Jammer]

Originally Posted by Alphonse

I may dreaming here but perhaps someone has solved this problem without using pumps, siphons, tables, ladders, sticks, tripods, an octopus, etc.

I have had good results using a Moller Scepter 5 gallon water can which has an integral spout that fits the water fill door in my trailer. I've tried a number of approaches over the years and it seems to work best. It also closes securely so that the water is kept sanitary while in transit.

[Cochese]

Over the holidays one of my relatives got a very wide mouth funnel for filling the fuel tank on his circle track car. I'm thinking about getting one for the f/w fillin my 65 overlander. They cost about $15 from a race type shop

[mefly2]

Go to hardware store and buy some PVC reducers starting with the size you want in the funnel and ending up with 1-1.5 inch ... glue together with 45 degree elbow ... you get the idea,

Better yet get a designated "potable water" plastic tote (RotaPax) that cones with the spout that you can adjust to your best pouring angle for entry into your vertical fresh water inlet.

[Florida 55]

Al,

I bought four Reliance "Rhino Pack" 5.5 gallon water containers. They are BPA free. Made of heavy duty plastic. Are molded to nest together. Best of all the pouring spout that nests under the cap of the container perfectly fits the fresh water intake opening on the Airstream.

They can be purchased from Campmor for $16.99 each and free shipping for orders over $50.00. Here is link: Rhino Pack Containers at Campmor

We took them on our trip west in the fall of 2013 and they worked out great although you have to fiddle with the caps to insure they don't leak. I find the weight of 5.5 gallons is manageable when holding up the can to pour the water into the Airstream. Here are some pictures of the cans.

[Alphonse]

Originally Posted by Florida 55

Al,

I bought four Reliance "Rhino Pack" 5.5 gallon water containers. . . . . .

Thanks Brother N, this is a better solution of a funnel. Got 'em on order!
Al

[stephenh2]

I cut the bottom out of a 20 ounce throw away water bottle, remove the cap, shove that end into the filler and start pouring. The bottle deforms to fit. I use a 6 gallon water jug with a spout. Works great!


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[badkat]

We have a 5 gallon BPA plastic container with a spout and a hole for air intake. Went to HomeDepot and bought clear tubing that fit the spout. Set it on our table with a stool on top and let her rip. Water in the tank in less than 2 minutes..yeah!

[bovk]

I bring water in a 12 gal tank on my truck and I got a small water pump 12 volt that gets the electricity from truck hitch plug. The outlet is a garden hose I keep for fresh water. Lasts 2 days between water trips.



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[FCloud9]

Originally Posted by badkat

We have a 5 gallon BPA plastic container with a spout and a hole for air intake. Went to HomeDepot and bought clear tubing that fit the spout. Set it on our table with a stool on top and let her rip. Water in the tank in less than 2 minutes..yeah!

Hi Badkat,
Do you remember approx. department/store area where you found the clear tubing...we've been looking at all our home centers & cannot find large enough diameter.
Many thanks...


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[BAB]

My water tank fill inlet is adjacent to my refrigerator vent door. I bought a second Shurflo water pump (exactly the same as is in my water system). I wired the Shurflo into a handy 12 V connection (fused, of course), and bought enough plastic hose so that I can put one end into my 5 gallon blue container, and the output hose into the fill opening. SO, I just flick a switch and pump the water from the container into the tank. No lifting, no funnel, AND I have a spare water pump that I put to use once in awhile....and have a spare in case the main one goes South.

[TBRich]

This thread deals specifically with this topic...

[bovk]

Back to original question: 2.5 gal min jug with fill connection to be handled by one person?
Now do not laugh!
I think one of best arrangements is the 2.5 gal container they use for DEF (urea solution for modern diesel operation, available at any gas station and other places). The pouring spout is long and well designed. Urea is very soluble in water so cleaning the jug is no problem. Urea is clear substance used mainly as fertilizer, about as harmful as clorox so do not worry about using the container.

[blkmagikca]

I use a 5 or 7 gallon blue tank, place it on a 4-ft step ladder (where the shelf swings out to put a paint can), attach a clear plastic tube and allow the water to drain into the fresh water tank.

[Julie-Bob]

Go to an Auto store and purchase a transmission funnel.

[mefly2]

Originally Posted by BAB

My water tank fill inlet is adjacent to my refrigerator vent door. I bought a second Shurflo water pump (exactly the same as is in my water system). I wired the Shurflo into a handy 12 V connection (fused, of course), and bought enough plastic hose so that I can put one end into my 5 gallon blue container, and the output hose into the fill opening. SO, I just flick a switch and pump the water from the container into the tank. No lifting, no funnel, AND I have a spare water pump that I put to use once in awhile....and have a spare in case the main one goes South.

Better idea than ours, Bab. We use a submersible pump which also works for filling from any other potable water supply such as clean stream. We are limited only by the length of the water hose and electric cord.