Boondocking and water???

[Toothpick]

How to I gravity fill my water tank? I.e. Bypass the ck valve to gravity fill my fresh water tank?

Thanks,

Mel

[Sc00ter]

There should be two water inputs. On is threaded with a female fitting to accept a garden hose. This is the pressurized street connection. The other should be open with no threads allowing you to simply pour water in. This will be the gravity fill that goes directly into the water tank. I have never seen an rv without the two in close proximity to each other. Hth.

[Toothpick]

I have a hose connection and a tank vent and that's it.....

[Sc00ter]

Does the manual mention anything?

[SKnight]

He probably only has the connection for connecting a hose and filling with pressure, that's what I'm stuck with.

There's a couple of ways to address this, some folks get a separate water pump and connect that way, then use a bladder tank in their truck bed to haul water.

I use what I already have with six, six gallon potable water totes. I then use my onboard winterizing valve and winterizing hose to draw from the totes to my regular onboard water pump. I use my outdoor spigot and hose connected to the water fill connection and simply open the cold valve. Takes a few minutes per tote to pump it into the water tank.

Once done I turn the valve from winterizing to normal and I'm done.

[Ashley]

Do you have the "Docking Station" a lot of the manufacturer's are using now? If so maybe this video will answer your question. Yes, I know it shows a Primetime unit, but this setup appears to be fairly common across different makes and models.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk8wgzDYXdM

[pjnlorrie]

Didn't see what unit the OP has, but many FR products do not have a fill port for fresh water other than the water hose inlet. Here are some ideas:

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ter-87990.html

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by SKnight

He probably only has the connection for connecting a hose and filling with pressure, that's what I'm stuck with.

There's a couple of ways to address this, some folks get a separate water pump and connect that way, then use a bladder tank in their truck bed to haul water.

I use what I already have with six, six gallon potable water totes. I then use my onboard winterizing valve and winterizing hose to draw from the totes to my regular onboard water pump. I use my outdoor spigot and hose connected to the water fill connection and simply open the cold valve. Takes a few minutes per tote to pump it into the water tank.

Once done I turn the valve from winterizing to normal and I'm done.

I think one reason they may be doing this is so no one can dump something into your water tank via the gravity fill (sand, sugar, or worse).

I suspect the manufacturers don't want to buy two different connectors, so they are using the same "standard" city water connector for the FW fill as they are for the actual city water connection, i.e., there's a check valve in it (even though it's not needed for the FW tank fill). If so, I'm guessing your attempts to "gravity fill it" from a tote just doesn't have enough pressure to open the check valve. I'd check the connector and if it has a check valve, I'd suggest trying to remove the check valve from the connection (some are "replaceable" and therefore should be removable). Another option is to replace it with a connector without a check valve. Here's one without a check valve (there are other models available):

Amazon.com: JR Products 9691-300-023 City Water Fill: Automotive

If this works, then you wouldn't need to pump any water, which takes power of some kind (and after all, you're boondocking!).

[bikendan]

Maybe the OP will come back and post what model RV they have.

Every trailer I've seen has a FW fill port.
Don't know about motorhomes.

[Sc00ter]

2016 FR Vengeance 25V Toy Hauler

[youroo]

Looks like he Posted in Post# 1 that it is a 2016 Vengence Toy Hauler 25V! Youroo!!

[SKnight]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

If this works, then you wouldn't need to pump any water, which takes power of some kind (and after all, you're boondocking!).

My bedroom slide is directly over the water panel, so lifting jugs would be troublesome at best.

I've used this method boondocking twice, since I use a CPAP machine I have to run the generator every day anyhow, plus refilling usually happens pretty late in the trip so I'm already needing a recharge.

I've considered converting to a gravity fill like I used to have, but it's not quite worth it at this point.

[bikendan]

couldn't see his sig line with the FRF app.

[Pipeman]

I carry a 50 gallon water tank in the bed of my truck. It's hard plastic. I also have a 45 gallon collapsible water tank. I use a 12 volt pump to move water from both containers into the 5er. We boondock most of the time. If you have that docking station, I understand that you move a lever to fill the fresh water tank or to use a hook up. The pump will pump your water when that lever is in the fresh water tank position. My hard tank is low enough to put my tonneau cover over it. You will need a potable hose to get to the pump and then a potable hose to go from pump to trailer. You will need to figure out how to power the pump. I have a plug in that fits into my 7 pin connection at the back of my truck for that. It sure beats lifting 5 gallon containers. If you really want to get fancy you can use air pressure to move the water also. My hard tank has 2 screw on lids. Both lids have a spring loaded button on the top to allow air into the tank to gravity feed. I converted one to accept an air valve like the ones in tires. Then I used my compressor that I always carry. There might be a problem in that the compressor might not be big enough to pump the water through the fitting in your panel.

[Toothpick]

Thanks for all the help guys!

This is what I came up with. I got a 1/10th HP transfer pump at lowes for $88.
Worked like a charm.....