How I Carry Extra Water Cheaply

[Philkaty]

Originally Posted by D W

Same here, still do! Grand-Daughters do as well, much to their mother's dismay. lol!

don't worry about that twitch...

[Delco Bobby]

I used to get 5 gallon buckets from Dunkin Donuts for free. They are food safe (I hope).
Just had to clean out the remains of donut fillings.

[km7648]

About two weeks ago we added a 46 gallon tank to our trailer and the same could be done on an RV. Several sizes of the tank are available on Amazon.

Although a little more expensive, it's very easy to fill the tank and transfer to the RV. No doubt we'll recover at least some of that cost when we eventually sell the trailer with this added feature.

We put in a 12v pump underneath and an "out" hose connection on the trailer. When the RV runs empty, we connect our RV fill hose to the trailer and start the pump.

About 10 minutes later the RV fresh water is full again.

*Added pics of the frame (we made), appearance under the trailer and the "fill" and "out" fill connections.

[Hclarkx]

Originally Posted by TitanMike

Remember, bladders need a method of transferring water to the TT's tank. Add cost of pump.

I live in a climate that does not require winterizing. That avoids this pump. I simply connect the tank in the TV to my winterizing inlet and switch the RV's pump inlet to it. Presto, I have water from the TV throughout the RV. Pressure is good because the TV bed is higher than the RV's fresh water tank. I have a slip-joint in the hose between the RV and the TV tank to avoid damage should I drive off without disconnecting (done that twice). This setup came after reading about it here a few years ago.

We now only use the RV's fresh water tank unless we wont have access to water for a week or more and need to carry more. Every few days during a longer stay we refill the tank in the TV.

The TV tank is a 46 gallon RV fresh water thank. $106 shipped. It sits across the bed just behind the cab.

[lhuff35204]

I've used these bladders for almost 2 years. The bladder and pump fold into a small pouch. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Transfer pump: https://www.harborfreight.com/110-hp...ump-63317.html
7 way converter https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Youtube https://youtu.be/fLrXpRPHckk

[DreiHunde]

Originally Posted by km7648

About two weeks ago we added a 46 gallon tank to our trailer and the same could be done on an RV. Several sizes of the tank are available on Amazon.

Although a little more expensive, it's very easy to fill the tank and transfer to the RV. No doubt we'll recover at least some of that cost when we eventually sell the trailer with this added feature.

We put in a 12v pump underneath and an "out" hose connection on the trailer. When the RV runs empty, we connect our RV fill hose to the trailer and start the pump.

About 10 minutes later the RV fresh water is full again.

*Added pics of the frame (we made), appearance under the trailer and the "fill" and "out" fill connections.

Nice mod!
Well done!

[spock123]

Originally Posted by lhuff35204

I've used these bladders for almost 2 years. The bladder and pump fold into a small pouch. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Transfer pump: https://www.harborfreight.com/110-hp...ump-63317.html

7 way converter https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1



Youtube https://youtu.be/fLrXpRPHckk

I wonder if you can use these tanks for black and grey water

[VinceU]

Originally Posted by ADVtraveller

I started doing this last year. It works exceptionally well for us.
We store our toyhauler out of town and near to where we usually camp. So I can't just fill the fresh water tank with the garden hose at home like some of you. So to find a place to get water in the desert or mountains had been a challenge. Most places charge $10 for 50 gallons once you find them. And I refuse to get water from a dump station hose.
So, after researching getting a 50 to 100 gal tank to fit in my truck bed, I didn't like the cost or the idea of having this massive tank in my truck all the time. That was a no go.
So, I bought 15, 5 gallon buckets w lids at the orange home store. Cost about $80 total, collapse into a small space inside each other when empty.
I also bought a Ryobi cordless transfer pump for about $80 as well. And a 30 foot hose that I attach the water filter to when filling the trailer.
I fill the buckets while in place in the truck before leaving the house. I empty the buckets in place in the truck and stack them as I empty them. I never have to carry heavy buckets or cans.
So. For less than $200, I dont have to worry about water again.
Sure, they aren't airtight, and can leak a little, but water sitting a few days in the buckets and then run thru a filter seems fine.
Disclaimer... we don't drink the water, just use it to wash dishes, shower, flush toilet, etc. I would not recommend drinking the water carried this way.
Hope this helps.

Can your truck handle 600+ lbs in the bed? Most won’t with a 5er in tow.

[lhuff35204]

I've used these bladders for almost 2 years. The bladder and pump fold into a small pouch. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Transfer pump: https://www.harborfreight.com/12-Vol...ump-63324.html
7 way converter https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Youtube https://youtu.be/fLrXpRPHckk[/QUOTE]

I had the wrong transfer pump

[lhuff35204]

Originally Posted by spock123

I wonder if you can use these tanks for black and grey water

They have a hose end connector, so yes for grey and yes for black if you have macerator pump.

[VinceU]

Once “ya go black water ya can’t go back” you can’t go back unless you can handle a couple weeks in hospital with ecoli disease

[Slow1]

Bulk food stores may carry food grade buckets. We have a bulk food store near us called Winco and they sell white food grade buckets with gasketed screw on lids. Ours aren't uv stabalized and will only last about a year out in the elements. Amazon also has them. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FNSUS92..._sZulCbH7RXKG9

[doanshop]

Originally Posted by lhuff35204

I've used these bladders for almost 2 years. The bladder and pump fold into a small pouch. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Transfer pump: https://www.harborfreight.com/12-Vol...ump-63324.html
7 way converter https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Youtube https://youtu.be/fLrXpRPHckk

I had the wrong transfer pump[/QUOTE]



How have the bladders held up any problems? Been looking at them

[Hclarkx]

Originally Posted by VinceU

Can your truck handle 600+ lbs in the bed? Most won’t with a 5er in tow.

Most definitely a consideration. Our 2020 truck has a payload of 3310 lbs. Our 5er puts just under 1400 lbs on the hitch. Hitch is about 150#. DW and I are 354#. Cat and litter box total about 25#. Generator is 50#. Gas is 216#. This leaves 1115# for water and containers. So about 134 gallons of water. We did take 128 gallons along once (46 gal nylon tank, 40 gal nylon tank, six 7 gallon jugs). Most often the 46 gal tank is full and the 40 gal is empty and there are no jugs.

[waybeck2018]

Originally Posted by vasnipe

I purchased a pickle bucket from Firehouse Subs for another purpose, but it is food safe, the lid has a gasket, and is very inexpensive. For a 2 or 3 dollar (I forget which, CRS is a booger!) donation I took mine home. I offered more but they declined. Never met anyone who turned extra funds down, but, hey...
I did have to let the bucket air out for a good while to get the pickle smell out, it just might impart a minor flavor at first.
Just a suggestion.

Any bakery or food store with a deli typically uses frosting from 2.5 or 5 gallon buckets. A bit "greasy" feeling but that goes away with a Dawn soak. No problem with the smells like when using pickle buckets. Fast food joints are another good source for pickle buckets. Have gotten them there in the past. Saves bucks when you don't have to buy them at the home improvement stores. Delis or bake shops have never charged me for the buckets.