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mark52's avatar
mark52
Explorer II
May 28, 2013

Refilling fresh water tank when dry camping

Ok. We ran out of water again this weekend while boon docking up in the mountains. I am wanting to purchase a few water containers and a pump to pump into our fresh water tank. Our current MH does not have a gravity fill. Only a hose bib connection to fill the tank. Through a little research, I found the 7 gallon auqua tainer by reliance. I'm just not sure what kind of pump to get. I'm leaning toward an AC pump and just using the generator while filling. Do I need a self priming pump? The auqua tainers have a port in the cap for a spigot. I wonder if I can remove the spigot, and instead adapt it to a 1/2" line to go to the suction side of the pump. If the full auqua tainer(in the back of our jeep)has this set up and is then put onto its side, water should flow to the pump without having to prime it as long as the pump is beneath the water level, right? Am I on the right track here? Some 1/2" line and an adaptor for the hose bib. Any other tips or suggestions?
Thanks,
Mark
Class A

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  • dbbls's avatar
    dbbls
    Explorer
    May 28, 2013
    I am in the same situation, no gravity fill. I am considering getting another 12 volt water pump to fill my fresh water tank. I would have a spare if I ever needed it for the trailer.
  • Y-Guy's avatar
    Y-Guy
    Moderator
    May 28, 2013
    Mark the gravity fill in our Winnebago would make it hard to fill our tank too. We do a lot of dry camping and its a pain to pull out to fill the tank. I've come up with 2 solutions.

    1) If you are at a USFS type of campground with the non-threaded hose bibs you can buy a device called a "Water Thief" I carry enough hose to reach about 200' which does the trick sometimes. Those new bungee hoses would be smaller and lighter.

    2) The other thin I found is that I can put a 5 gallon blue jug under our bed and feed the anti-freeze siphon hose in and the water is then drawn to the lines. It's not ideal but it works in a pinch
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    May 28, 2013
    FIRE UP wrote:
    I find it a bit odd that you have no gravity fill.

    THEY NEED NO PRIMING!

    all you need is a "cigarette" lighter type power plug
    I do too. Some do, you just don't notice it when the pump is lower than the water supply. Or a garden battery.
  • FIRE_UP's avatar
    FIRE_UP
    Explorer
    May 28, 2013
    mark52,
    First, I find it a bit odd that you have no gravity fill. I'm certainly not an authority on all motorhomes ever built but, I've had a gravity fill on all four of ours but, that's another story. Anyway, As you've already figured out, just tap into the intake side of the pump or, install a check valve right behind where your pressure fill is, (if you can get access to that area) and put your additional filling system in that way.

    Now, as far as a pump is concerned, don't goof around with any other pump than, a standard water pump for an RV. Sure-flow makes a dozen different pumps at various gph ratings and even different pressures. The good part, they're 12 VOLT! And, one other serious good point, THEY NEED NO PRIMING! You can setup the pump on a small board (platform for mounting), some nice, flexible hoses, one into the water jug and the other into your new filling system. Then, all you need is a "cigarette" lighter type power plug, with or without a switch and fuse etc. and, plug in your pump and make sure your hoses are in place and, have a cool drink while your pump is working away and, the jug can be on the ground. Done!
    Scott

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