Waste water totes for fresh water

[no-logic]

When my wife and I are on longer trips we often have to add more fresh water in order to shower, wash up, and do dishes. In the past we've used 2 x 5 gallon jugs to add fresh water. I devised a system where using the house water pump we can pump it into the fresh tank. But we are getting older and these jugs can be hard to deal with. We want to buy a new Rhino 15 gallon waste water tote in order to replenish our water as it has wheels and would make life easier. A friend told me that these are not safe for potable water. We don't drink from our fresh tank and won't store water in this tote. It would strictly be for topping off the fresh tank. Has anyone else done similar or have any input on doing this?
Thanks!

[ol_Bombero-JC]

TexasShadow wrote:
I can't think of a reason against using a new water tote for fresh water, but I would be sure to mark it clearly as potable water ONLY.

X-2 - OK as long as "someone" doesn't accidentally use the tote for its "intended" use! The bladder type would be a good choice (instead) if it would work for you.

If the type of plastic in the tote bothers you, look into
a standard (non-metalic) fresh water RV tank.....lots of sizes available.....but no wheels, LOL.

~

[Grit_dog]

I know not many here want to take my advice, but without admitting you got the idea from me, you can get a plug n play setup with wakeboard ballast bags and pump for less money than RV bladders and concocting some pump setup.
Even less if one buys a used bag. There are a lot of them for sale as it’s an item that wake boat folks frequently up grade or keep when they sell a boat.

[dieseltruckdriv]

Since you said space can be an issue, with the hard tank you have to store it whether you are using it or not.
This takes up much less space when it isn't needed. I have the 60 gallon version and everything including my spare water pump fits in a small tote.

[mbopp]

I picked up a 20 gallon rectangular fresh water tank from a boat. It's mounted on a wooden elevated stand I made and strapped in the truck bed. It's high enough to gravity feed into the fill port on the side of the camper.

[LittleBill]

I ended up designing a funnel for the fresh water, if I am not close to a hose. makes it hands free and a bit easier.

[agesilaus]

Just buy a spare water pump, use that to transfer water and if your water pump dies, which they do, then you'll have that one to replace it.

[no-logic]

willald wrote:
Here's one more vote for the water bladder, instead of a tote.

Tote would definitely work, but would be more expensive, and be much more of a pain to store and move around when empty than the bladder would. Not to mention the funny looks you'd get from your neighbors when they see you emptying water into your fresh tank from a tote that is typically used for waste water.

I've thought several times of getting one of those water bladders as a way to refill the fresh water tank when we might need to. Might just do it one of these days.

Would you really need a pump to transfer the water over? As long as the water bladder is sitting up higher than your fresh water tank, I'm thinking you might could gravity feed the water into the RV fresh water tank.

If your RV is one that has a switch you can throw that will transfer water into the fresh water tank, and you have a winterizing kit on it, then you could just hook up the bladder (or tote) to where you would normally suck in antifreeze when winterizing, and use the RV pump to bring the water ito the fresh water tankn. Thats probably how I'd do it, if gravity feed didn't work.

Our trailer did not have the capability of pumping into the fresh with the antifreeze pickup. That goes throughout the coach and not into the fresh tank. But I did some plumbing and with a couple of valves added...it dpes now. This is how we filled with our 5 gallon jugs. I think I would prefer a tank instead of a bladder.I think I can deal with the size. And yes, you may be right about the ability to gravity feed. Good thought! Thanks!

[willald]

Here's one more vote for the water bladder, instead of a tote.

Tote would definitely work, but would be more expensive, and be much more of a pain to store and move around when empty than the bladder would. Not to mention the funny looks you'd get from your neighbors when they see you emptying water into your fresh tank from a tote that is typically used for waste water.

I've thought several times of getting one of those water bladders as a way to refill the fresh water tank when we might need to. Might just do it one of these days.

Would you really need a pump to transfer the water over? As long as the water bladder is sitting up higher than your fresh water tank, I'm thinking you might could gravity feed the water into the RV fresh water tank.

If your RV is one that has a switch you can throw that will transfer water into the fresh water tank, and you have a winterizing kit on it, then you could just hook up the bladder (or tote) to where you would normally suck in antifreeze when winterizing, and use the RV pump to bring the water ito the fresh water tankn. Thats probably how I'd do it, if gravity feed didn't work.

[wa8yxm]

I would recommend against it.. HOWEVER I have an alternative recommendation.


Due to the ownership of these forms the link will be to Camping world. (When I edit it in)

But the bladders come in assorted sizes I googled "RV Water Bladder Tank" without the qutoes Other stores sell 'em

Some come with pumps. Some do not.

45 gallon bladder

[Grit_dog]

no-logic wrote:

MFL wrote:
Agree on using a proper bladder for your refills.

I've never been one to care too much, what other people think. However, using an obvious sewer tote, to refill my fresh water supply, is not something I'd want my camping neighbors to witness.

Jerry

We thought about this. I personally don't give a #@#$ what my neighbors think. But We will definitely mark it for potable water only.
I will look into the bladder though. It might be tough to make room in my short bed pickup. When we travel there's lots of stuff in there.
Thanks for all of your thought and suggestions!

Folds up out of the way like a shirt. Wakeboard boat ballast bags and pumps are also a great option. Probably some for sale on Craigslist in Cheeseland for cheap.

[ktmrfs]

Dutch_12078 wrote:
I use two 7 gallon Aqua-Tainer jugs to haul fresh water to pump into our fresh tank as needed on non-water sites. The only concession I've made to my advancing age was the purchase of folding dolly that makes moving them easier when full. Our portable waste tank is reserved for... waste.

similar here. I have a dip tube and water pump in the pass through plumbed into the fresh tank, so it's pretty quick to fill. The 7 gallon aqua-tainer is a reasonable size, but is around 60lbs when full.

[routeforty]

routeforty wrote:
Don't know exactly what you're looking for, but Rural King(if there are any near you) has a 35 gallon stand alone tank with the fill on top and a 2" drain on the bottom. Has no wheels, but would'nt take up much room in the back of a pick up. Search "ace roto mold". Maybe Tractor supply also. Gary

Oh Forgot-Rural king price about a hundred bucks, Tractor Supply a little more

[routeforty]

Don't know exactly what you're looking for, but Rural King(if there are any near you) has a 35 gallon stand alone tank with the fill on top and a 2" drain on the bottom. Has no wheels, but would'nt take up much room in the back of a pick up. Search "ace roto mold". Maybe Tractor supply also. Gary

[way2roll]

Better yet, rather than keeping a bladder in the back of the truck to get hot/cold, you could find a spot to put a portable bladder in a bin in the rv. It's basically like having an expandable second FW tank. 12v pump to fill the permanent FW when needed and it's easy. Assuming you don't go through it all and need to fill more than once. Then the bladder in the truck would be the way to go.