Waste water totes for fresh water

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.

~

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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.