Forum Discussion

DallasSteve's avatar
May 16, 2020

How to camp with electric only

Newbie question here.

I have a reservation at a campground with electric hookup only and no water hookup. It was the best I could do over the Memorial Day weekend. At least it's cheap. How do you normally stretch your water in that situation? Can I drive to some station in the park (it's a government park) and fill my fresh water tank? Maybe at the dump station? I know you're not supposed to use the typical water at a dump station, but maybe at these semi-rustic campgrounds they also provide potable water?
  • Worst case you dump and refill daily. Adjust your habits as needed.
    Just don't forget to unplug before you roll out to the dump station and you will be fine.
  • Fill your fresh tank at home before you get there. Filling a large tank can take 20-30 minutes. Get it out of the way before you get there.
    Unless you know exactly where the water fill is located and how accessible it is than fill at home.
    Avoid maneuvering you rig to get to the water source
  • LibertyMan wrote:
    Usually there are spigots placed throughout the campground or one near the entrance. You will have to look online to see if the campground your going to has them or not. Or give them a call to find out. If they are spaced throughout or have a potable spigot near the entrance, I carry four, five gallon fresh water jugs with spouts with me and fill the camper using that method. Of course I use the blue tote to empty gray water once the camper gets full. If there is no potable water on site, fill the camper before you leave. Depending on length of stay and number of people in the camper will decide how much extra water to bring along with you.

    LibertyMan

    I found a map of the park online and it has "drinking water" marked at about 5 or 10 spots in the park. I don't know if that means a water fountain or a spigot, but as you say there are probably some spigots to fill up my tank. For free, I hope. I had to pay $5 to dump at a state park in Oklahoma where I stayed last week. I guess that's why they call it "Robber's Cave".

    I feel more relaxed about my 7-day reservation now. Thanks to all.
  • Some travel with full water, I never do. It's heavy. You should verify the CG has central water before arriving to a nasty surprise. I have 75 gallons of capacity on my truck so no breaking camp to fill the 5er. I do not conserve, I like my own shower (especially now), I like plenty of water on tap, and it's easy to just take the truck to get it then pump it in with a spare 12v pump.

    The flush water at dump stations is the same water you drink, it's just that the hose and/or spigot may be contaminated.
  • Usually there are spigots placed throughout the campground or one near the entrance. You will have to look online to see if the campground your going to has them or not. Or give them a call to find out. If they are spaced throughout or have a potable spigot near the entrance, I carry four, five gallon fresh water jugs with spouts with me and fill the camper using that method. Of course I use the blue tote to empty gray water once the camper gets full. If there is no potable water on site, fill the camper before you leave. Depending on length of stay and number of people in the camper will decide how much extra water to bring along with you.
  • Call the park. We've never seen a dump station that didn't also have a potable water faucet separately.
  • Old-Biscuit wrote:
    Electric only site........
    Fill your Fresh water tank before heading out to that park (we travel with FULL Tank all the time)

    How much capacity do you have...???
    Fresh water tank
    Black Tank
    Grey Tank

    We can usually go 5-7 days w/o needed to refill or dump

    Usually parks with electric only will have a 'common' hose bibb campers can use.
    But best to show up with a FULL tank to begin with

    I definitely plan to arrive with a full tank. Lately we blast through our capacity (black and gray) in one day. I think if we tried we could go 2 or 3 days, but I have a 7-day reservation. Winnebago says my model has 36/42/51 (black, gray, fresh) with 6 for the water heater. Does that mean I have 51+6 in total fresh water? Hopefully, this park has a common water fill. I tried to call this morning, but they didn't answer so I sent them an email.
  • Electric only site........
    Fill your Fresh water tank before heading out to that park (we travel with FULL Tank all the time)

    How much capacity do you have...???
    Fresh water tank
    Black Tank
    Grey Tank

    We can usually go 5-7 days w/o needed to refill or dump

    Usually parks with electric only will have a 'common' hose bibb campers can use.
    But best to show up with a FULL tank to begin with