Can you fill a water tank at Pilot/FJ or anywhere else?

[justinhscott]

We're travelling south in February, and our camper is currently winterized. I'd like to de-winterize on the way. Will I be able to fill my fresh water tank anywhere?

[Toolguy5]

Lwiddis wrote:
I follow Ford truck guy’s plan. At a private RV park you can flush and sanitize really well in your site...cocktail in hand.

This is what we try and do. As long as we get above freezing weather when we stop.

[mike-s]

I have sometimes stopped at a state or county park, explained that I was going to be boondocking without utilities, and asked if I could drive through the island just to fill the tank. Never been denied.

[jplante4]

Stop for a night at Carolina Crossroads. They have a row of sites specifically for overnighters to do exactly what you need to do. There's also a Walmart 1 exit north to stock up.

[FULLTIMEWANABE]

FWIW: Sanidumps.com is our go to when travelling for where we can water fill and dump and if there is a fee, free or otherwise it's detailed. State Parks (usually a fee), County Parks, local city/town parks, and most gas stations (generally free to fill and often dump) are our usual places we use. We only stay in a CG rarely and when we do then do major flushes, cleaning and onboard laundry.

Most of the gas stations we have filled at have also generously allowed us a courtesy fill, and "if" they have a dump to also dump.

[Sam_Spade]

SidecarFlip wrote:

Dirty hydrants are a great way to get sick.

And to carry that a bit farther:
When possible, I prefer to fill my tank at HOME or at a campground that has a municipal water supply, thus having a small amount of residual chlorine in it.

I don't trust places like gas stations.

Popular campgrounds should be OK too.

[SidecarFlip]

Little word to the wise... Carry a sprirz bottle of bleach and water and spritz the hydrant before filling. You never know who used it before you, where their hands have been or their fill hose was.

Dirty hydrants are a great way to get sick.

[BurbMan]

Use their mobile app to search which locations have potable water...some do, some don't.

[PartyOf_Five]

Most gas stations and businesses have an outside tap that you can ask to use. You might try your preferred local Lodge, church, mosque, boondockerswelcome.com resident too. Our big concern is quality so we carry an in line filter. Getting all the pink stuff out would be key, as mentioned.

[kerrlakeRoo]

Loves has a travel stop at exit 4 on interstate 95 in Va. (near va/nc state line)
They have fw and a dump station.
Just check local weather to know if its safe to use or still a freeze area.

[Lwiddis]

I follow Ford truck guy’s plan. At a private RV park you can flush and sanitize really well in your site...cocktail in hand.

[Matt_Colie]

Justin,

Your big issue will be identifying if the water tap along an RV lane at a P/FJ is potable water some are and some are not. Some are there only to be used for the wash-down after a bad dump job.

Most that are not potable will have a sigh that says so. If you are in doubt, ask the people inside. If it is a freeze-Proof self draining hydrant (big hook handle), you really have to ask. You may have to find a tap on the building side, but someone should know. Many sleepers have potable tanks too.

Most MH still have both and atmospheric fill (Open thing), and a way to fill from city water. The atmospheric is usually a faster fill than is the valve from the city water connection.

Good Luck

Matt

[zigzagrv]

I frequently fill my water tank at Flying J as well as dumping my tanks for a nominal fee. Also, some rest areas have dump stations and fresh water available, usually in the South and West.

[ford_truck_guy]

Will you be staying at the Flying J overnight? Or will you stay at a campground for 1 night? We would generally try to stay at at least one campground so we can FLUSH all the pink stuff really well, and fill up if need be.