Community Forums

YODA · 02-25-2018, 10:37 AM

My new GD Reflection 220RK does not have a Gravity Fill Port, Tank must be filled through the FILL Valve. Fill valve is located in the docking station . It has the standard hose fitting.

We stay at a lot of campgrounds that do not have hookups, but water is available at hydrants that do non take hoses. Right now on my old trailer with the gravity fill port I use water jug and a large funnel.

Can I still use a funnel and garden hose attached to the fill port and gravity fill the tank? I believe it is lower than the docking station fill point.

I did find a funnel that has the threading for a garden hose here Funnel | Edmond, OK - Wonder Funnel

Does anyone have one of their products or how do you gravity fill? Any thoughts are welcome.

Thanks

BFlinn181 · 02-25-2018, 10:42 AM

Does your RV have a suction hose at the water pump to winterize with RV antifreeze? You could fill a bucket with water and use the water pump to pump the water into the tank that way. You'll have to add a valve to direct pump flow into the tank, but not too difficult to modify your present set up. You could instead just add a gravity fill port to the side of the RV above the water tank and continue as you have in the past.

YODA · 02-25-2018, 10:45 AM

It may have that port. I remember seeing a winterize fitting and valve, Thanks for the tip.

vsheetz · 02-25-2018, 11:03 AM

I use a drill powered pump to fill through the city water connection. About $12-15 from Amazon or elsewhere. Add a couple short pieces of white drinking water grade hose - Camco makes them. I already carry a cordless drill.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milescra...AaApIUEALw_wcB

BFlinn181 · 02-25-2018, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YODA

It may have that port. I remember seeing a winterize fitting and valve, Thanks for the tip.

You'll have to see if there is a connection/valve that goes back into the water tank after the pump. If not, you'll either have to add one or go the route of a small 12v pump and water hose connections to pump from a jug or bucket through the city water connection.

I guess the RV builders are saving a buck by not putting a gravity port in newer RVs, but it does limit your options and causes investment in equipment of the RV owner to compensate for the RV builder's cheapness.

mrgrayaz · 02-28-2018, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vsheetz

I use a drill powered pump to fill through the city water connection. About $12-15 from Amazon or elsewhere. Add a couple short pieces of white drinking water grade hose - Camco makes them. I already carry a cordless drill.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milescra...AaApIUEALw_wcB

That is nifty. Thanks.

rawn77 · 02-28-2018, 10:22 AM

Try this adapter from Amazon

Best of luck
Ron

P5W · 02-28-2018, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YODA

My new GD Reflection 220RK does not have a Gravity Fill Port, Tank must be filled through the FILL Valve. Fill valve is located in the docking station . It has the standard hose fitting.

We stay at a lot of campgrounds that do not have hookups, but water is available at hydrants that do non take hoses. Right now on my old trailer with the gravity fill port I use water jug and a large funnel.

Can I still use a funnel and garden hose attached to the fill port and gravity fill the tank? I believe it is lower than the docking station fill point.

I did find a funnel that has the threading for a garden hose here Funnel | Edmond, OK - Wonder Funnel

Does anyone have one of their products or how do you gravity fill? Any thoughts are welcome.

Thanks

First, your GD convenience station (Nautilus in yours, Kantleak in my 2015) has a setting to "draw" water via the water pump. As you mentioned, many water sources do not allow the connection of a hose with a male fitting so for those situations I carry a drinking water container which I can fill with the available water source and then draw the water into the trailer water tank. It is a little inconvenient but works. BTW, you can be filling from the water source while your hose from the trailer is drawing water in so it's not really that bad.

I love it when we're dry camping for an extended period because I can just drive off with my potable water containers and get them filled then come back and just fill my on-board tank. Also, it works best to have your portable container at the height of your panel so the pump doesn't have to work quite so hard.

Also, are you on the Grand Design Owner's Forum? I highly recommend it so you can get quick and accurate brand specific answers and help.

BFlinn181 · 02-28-2018, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P5W

First, your GD convenience station (Nautilus in yours, Kantleak in my 2015) has a setting to "draw" water via the water pump.

No profanity!!

Handy to know your RV has a valve setting for filling the tank. As many others have chimed in, there are workarounds for the 'cheapness' of the manufacturer's not including a gravity fill port. For $10-25 you can get and install a gravity fill port. No pump, extra hoses, etc. needed. I like having one for the convenience of being to take on water without having to set up a Rube Goldberg device or rely on the plastic valve to divert the city water to the tank which, according to numerous RV owners on here, are prone to leaking and filling the tank when you don't want it.

dexters · 02-28-2018, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YODA

We stay at a lot of campgrounds that do not have hookups, but water is available at hydrants that do non take hoses. Right now on my old trailer with the gravity fill port I use water jug and a large funnel.

Thanks

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_thief

BFlinn181 · 02-28-2018, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dexters

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_thief

A 'water thief' allows you to take water from a water faucet that doesn't have hose threads. I have one. I've also learned that you can't restrict the flow of the water or you'll blow the 'thief' right off the faucet. It won't work for hooking to a city water port or probably even the restricted flow of filling a water tank through the city water port.

https://www.amazon.com/Camco-Connect...Hose+Connector

Busskipper · 02-28-2018, 03:58 PM

Amazon - lowest price - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000FKF5WI...a-392698367445

Just keep it for when you need it.

Brst of Luck,

dexters · 02-28-2018, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

A 'water thief' allows you to take water from a water faucet that doesn't have hose threads. I have one. I've also learned that you can't restrict the flow of the water or you'll blow the 'thief' right off the faucet. It won't work for hooking to a city water port or probably even the restricted flow of filling a water tank through the city water port.

Yes, you may have to do two things - hold the WT on with your hand and/or use the water valve to lessen the flow of water.

Did the OP say he wanted to use the city water port? I thought he wanted to fill his fresh water tank.

Cumminsfan · 02-28-2018, 04:16 PM

I have a Water Thief as well. Only used a it a few times but it's priceless IMO,
I got a hose clamp and use my cordless drill with the right socket for the WT. I can cinch it down pretty tight with the hose clamp. It will still blow off under heavy back pressure. But it beat filling at a snails a pace holding the WT.