My Chevrolet Express van Class B- camper
I have been camping in my 1990 Chevrolet Silverado Blazer 2-door for the last 20 years. When I removed the back seat there was just enough room for a 3/4 sized (Hollywood, as some people called them)...
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I decided to add a little extra water storage for showers and general use. I got the idea from another van camper site. I used PVC pipe with a couple of end caps and a T with a screw on cap for filling it with water. I used the outline of the pipe to make three wood holders for the pipe. The rear most wood holder is the highest with the middle one lower and the front one the lowest to better drain out the pipe during use. Then I strapped them each down with heavy duty zip-ties.
I added a tire valve cap to the T so I could pressurize the system with my air compressor mounted under the van. (see previous postings) The valve cap is the type with threads and a nut on the inside instead of the type that is just pressure pulled through the hole.
On the front (low) end of the pipe, I drilled a hole, cut some threads, and mounted a quick-disconnect from an air compressor system so that I could connect a hose to it. I used the air quick-disconnect instead of a water hose quick disconnect because the air type acts like a shut off valve when the hose is disconnected, whereas the water type does not. I would have had to add a shut-off valve with the water garden hose type of disconnect. I did add a quick disconnect with a capped off end to keep the bugs out of the open hole.
Lastly, I put a quick connect on one end of some clear tubing with a shower head with a shut off valve mounted in it for use when showering. With the pipe painted black I am hoping it will warm up enough while driving that we can take warm showers with in the evening. I have an infrared digital laser thermometer that I can use to check the temperature of the water in the pipe or the clear hose. I made a second piece of tubing with a quick connect and a valve to get water for my coffee pot in the morning. I will let you know in a later post how it worked after I get the wife-approval rating!
Wife approved!
Additional modification:
I had this old air valve connector from my 1965 VW bug laying around. It was not needed after I converted my '65 into a dune buggy. This valve connected the spare tire to the windshield washer fluid tank on the VW. It allowed the spare tire air to provide pressure to the tank with the valve to not allow the pressure of the spare tire to drop below 35 psi. I will see if it works on my water tank. Future camping expeditions will tell.
I added a tire valve cap to the T so I could pressurize the system with my air compressor mounted under the van. (see previous postings) The valve cap is the type with threads and a nut on the inside instead of the type that is just pressure pulled through the hole.
On the front (low) end of the pipe, I drilled a hole, cut some threads, and mounted a quick-disconnect from an air compressor system so that I could connect a hose to it. I used the air quick-disconnect instead of a water hose quick disconnect because the air type acts like a shut off valve when the hose is disconnected, whereas the water type does not. I would have had to add a shut-off valve with the water garden hose type of disconnect. I did add a quick disconnect with a capped off end to keep the bugs out of the open hole.
Lastly, I put a quick connect on one end of some clear tubing with a shower head with a shut off valve mounted in it for use when showering. With the pipe painted black I am hoping it will warm up enough while driving that we can take warm showers with in the evening. I have an infrared digital laser thermometer that I can use to check the temperature of the water in the pipe or the clear hose. I made a second piece of tubing with a quick connect and a valve to get water for my coffee pot in the morning. I will let you know in a later post how it worked after I get the wife-approval rating!
Wife approved!
Additional modification:
I had this old air valve connector from my 1965 VW bug laying around. It was not needed after I converted my '65 into a dune buggy. This valve connected the spare tire to the windshield washer fluid tank on the VW. It allowed the spare tire air to provide pressure to the tank with the valve to not allow the pressure of the spare tire to drop below 35 psi. I will see if it works on my water tank. Future camping expeditions will tell.
