Want more fresh water. Ideas??

[jhflory]

My wife and 4 kids and I are looking to upgrade to a new TT. We have been looking at Jayco Jayflight and Rockwood. we found a floor plan from each at we really like. although the rock wood seems to be a higher quality TT, it only has 43 gallons of fresh water compared to the Jayco's 86 gallons. Yes, 86 gallons of fresh water!

Our current TT has 40 gallons and that is not enough for dry camping which we like to do some of the time.

The local dealer says they can add a second 43 gallon tank to the Rockwood. The service dept. will have to install this as apparently the factory will not.

Im just a bit concerned with tearing into a brand new trailer
...will the dealership do a quality job??

Anyone have another suggestion?? I would greatly appreciate some idea's!

[PopBeavers]

I am replacing my 2005 Trailmanor 2720 with a FR Solera. We have boondocked with 5 adults since 2008. It is my experience that we consume water at the rate of 5 gallons per person per day. This includes:

1. Navy shower every other day
2. Sponge bath and shampoo hair in between days.
3. All cooking water, including coffee
4. washing dishes, pots, pans (we do not use paper plates)

For a 4 day weekend I carry 40 gallons on board plus another 38 gallons in containers. I always have some water left at the end.

My wife and I, our daughter (32) and our son (29) have all done some multiple day backpacking over the years. We know how to conserve water. Our daughter-in-law is accustomed to camping, but not backpacking. She is learning how to conserve water.

If you are using substantially more than 5 gallons per person per day then instead of carrying more water, practice using less of it.

[SimchaSabre]

You might consider purchasing this Portable RV Fresh Water Tank from a supplier like Camping World. (available elsewhere as well!)

I like this set up better than using an aux ridge Poly-ethylene tank because this will fold up when not in use and is easy to store in the camper.

[tentcamper1]

heres what I did- its a 40 gallon RV water tank with a 12V pump that I attach to the battery. works great. also have a blue sewer tote for the grey water.

[midnightpumpkin]

Originally Posted by tentcamper1

heres what I did- its a 40 gallon RV water tank with a 12V pump that I attach to the battery. works great. also have a blue sewer tote for the grey water.

I did the same. Bought a 26 gallon tank from Northern Tool and a transfer pump from Harbor Freight.

NorthStar Spot Sprayer Tank — 26-Gallon Capacity | Sprayer Tanks| Northern Tool + Equipment

http://http://www.harborfreight.com/...ump-94639.html

Total cost $100.00

This setup has served me well for several years.

BTW my 33 foot Rockwood has a 30 gallon fresh water tank! Dumb!

John U

[punkaccountant]

Just curious, what models of the Jayco and FR are you looking at?

[jhflory]

Originally Posted by punkaccountant

Just curious, what models of the Jayco and FR are you looking at?

Jayco - Jayflight 29rlds, and the Jayco Eagle 30' with a rear kitchen.

FR - Rockwood 8310ss. Brand new floor plan with a front sliding bed. Tons of closet/dresser/storage space for clothes, etc. and a lot of walk around room in bedroom.

[ryand]

We Dry Camp 2 times a year at race tracks...with the shower house on site we never really use up our 40 gallon tank for 4 days between 5 guys. With the family at State park CG's with Electric only for two night stay it almost always runs dry. It does not help things that my three year old liket to turn on the water in the bathroom to listen to the "Funny Noise" of the water pump. I use two of these portable tanks that are small enough to pour in the tank if need be. Works great for us. Usually we run short on the last shower before we break camp.

I found ours for like 9.00 at walmart.

Amazon.com: Reliance Products Desert Patrol 6 Gallon Traditional Jeep Style Rigid Water Container: Sports & Outdoors

[jhflory]

Originally Posted by midnightpumpkin

I did the same. Bought a 26 gallon tank from Northern Tool and a transfer pump from Harbor Freight.

NorthStar Spot Sprayer Tank — 26-Gallon Capacity | Sprayer Tanks| Northern Tool + Equipment

http://http://www.harborfreight.com/...ump-94639.html

Total cost $100.00

This setup has served me well for several years.

BTW my 33 foot Rockwood has a 30 gallon fresh water tank! Dumb!

John U

Which Model of RW do you have?

[midnightpumpkin]

Originally Posted by jhflory

Which Model of RW do you have?

2007 8315SS

John U

[jhflory]

Originally Posted by midnightpumpkin

2007 8315SS

John U

Interesting that it only has 30 gallons of fresh water. I am looking at some newer ones and the literature shows 43 gallons....I hope their numbers are not that far off, or I may need more water than I'm planning.

[Crusader]

Reliance Products - Hydroller 8-Gallon Wheeled Water Container - Walmart.com

I use my elec. pump to off load into trailer, and its easy to store........

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by tentcamper1

heres what I did- its a 40 gallon RV water tank with a 12V pump that I attach to the battery. works great. also have a blue sewer tote for the grey water.

This gets my vote over modifying the camper.

Water Tanks on Sale

Has all sizes.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by jhflory

Interesting that it only has 30 gallons of fresh water. I am looking at some newer ones and the literature shows 43 gallons....I hope their numbers are not that far off, or I may need more water than I'm planning.

The 43 gallons listed is actually includes the water heater and all the fresh water plumbing (which includes the whole house filter if installed).

Usable water is much less.

[Rod Johnson]

These are great ideas, the last two times out to the desert, we ran out, or at least very low on water. 100 Gallons for 4 adults + dogs for 5 days... Weight is just such an issue with my 1/2 ton truck. I usually have the front half of my bed full of firewood... Hmmm, but that 26 gallon tank sure would be nice.

Which reminds me, I have a 40 gallon plastic tank. Too bad its part of a power sprayer I used to spray pesticides out of...

[jhflory]

Originally Posted by herk7769

This gets my vote over modifying the camper.

Water Tanks on Sale

Has all sizes.

where do you put this thing on your trailer?

[jhflory]

Originally Posted by Crusader

Reliance Products - Hydroller 8-Gallon Wheeled Water Container - Walmart.com

I use my elec. pump to off load into trailer, and its easy to store........

really? 8 gallons??

[PopBeavers]

Being a backpacker, I have a hand operated pump/filter. I can pump about a half gallon per minute. If there is a creek nearby then I have an unlimited supply of fresh water.

While backpacking I have pumped from flowing water that was a "creek" that was 3 inches wide and less than 1/4 inch deep. I can do the same with for MH.

[Herk7769]

Originally Posted by jhflory

where do you put this thing on your trailer?

I would store it collapsed (should fit most anywhere); fill it when needed and use it to refill the main FW tank using a 12VDC water pump.

[midnightpumpkin]

Originally Posted by jhflory

Interesting that it only has 30 gallons of fresh water. I am looking at some newer ones and the literature shows 43 gallons....I hope their numbers are not that far off, or I may need more water than I'm planning.

My trailer specs state 36 gallons fresh water, 6 gallons is in the HWH . The tank itself is 30 gallons.

The 43 gallons stated for the newer models is actually a 37 gallon tank, with 6 gallons in the HWH.

If you are considering adding an extra tank to the trailer, you need to look at the cargo carrying capacity of the trailer. Forest River tends to undersize axles, tires, and rims, leaving little capacity to carry more water or anything else for the matter.

John U