Filling your water tank from a 5 gallon bottle

[BFlinn181]

Adding a gravity fill port isn't expensive or difficult. If my RV didn't have a gravity fill, I'd definitely add one for flexibility in filling my water tank. I also like the idea that the city water can't overfill the tank if a valve fails or isn't set right. Having only one way to get water into the RV means the addition of valves and other more complicated parts than a simple gravity fill port.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xrv38luWqc

[4x4van]

Originally Posted by palehorse89

Post #25 explains the simplest and least expensive way to get water into your tank. I am surprised that you do not have a winterizing valve and a barbed fitting for a hose for winterizing..........

I figured that his coach had a winterizing valve/line, but after going to the Winnebago site and looking through the manual for his coach...surprise; it doesn't. In any case, it would be easy and inexpensive to add one. Here's one for less than $20: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0006JJ5...I19WXPHC91WONS

[lynnmor]

Originally Posted by BFlinn181

Adding a gravity fill port isn't expensive or difficult. If my RV didn't have a gravity fill, I'd definitely add one for flexibility in filling my water tank.

Your video shows replacing the port with a different style. Tanks on RVs without a gravity fill will not have the connection for a large hose. Adding a connection can be very difficult.

[BFlinn181]

Originally Posted by lynnmor

Your video shows replacing the port with a different style. Tanks on RVs without a gravity fill will not have the connection for a large hose. Adding a connection can be very difficult.

It depends on how easy it is to get to the water tank. Adding a 'T' (and a check valve) to the fill line, or a new opening in the tank, isn't too hard for a DIY. The video showed a Class B, also showed cutting a larger hole in the side of the RV, so it was a bit more than switching out a fill port. I'd be able to tackle such an undertaking and many other on here would also.

[RV Vagabond]

Originally Posted by 4x4van

I figured that his coach had a winterizing valve/line, but after going to the Winnebago site and looking through the manual for his coach...surprise; it doesn't. In any case, it would be easy and inexpensive to add one. Here's one for less than $20: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B0006JJ5...I19WXPHC91WONS

Thanks you all for your help. I will go with this solution.

[vincee]

I've never tried to fill my fresh water tank from my 7 gal. water bottle, Wal-Mart $19.99 with my winterizing hose, though that is what I've been told my other Georgetown owners on how you do it. This thread reminds me to give it a try during Spring shake out, easier in my drive way than at a campground.

[4x4van]

Originally Posted by RV Vagabond

Thanks you all for your help. I will go with this solution.

In looking at your plumbing diagrams, while it will work, it may not be an easy install. The problem is the way your coach is plumbed. The city fill line is T'd into the line that your pump draws from the tank, and there is only a 50mm long line between that T and the pump intake. That short section is the only location that a winterizing valve could be installed that would work the way you need it to (between the T and the pump intake/strainer). You can see the short section on page 4 of your plumbing diagrams, at View DA. If you can cut that short section right in the center and install the winterizing valve there, you're good to go. Otherwise, you might be able to disconnect that short section at either the pump (strainer) side or the T side, add the winterizing valve on the disconnected section, then ADD a short section from the new valve back to the pump or T; but that will only work if you have enough room to shift/move the existing T and lines a bit away from the pump. Good luck.

[TdogKing]

Years ago I found a small 12 volt submersible water pump that fits inside those bottles so I don't have to lift them.

[kcmusa]

Originally Posted by RV Vagabond

That's fine but the problem is my water fill port has a standard garden hose connection. I wonder if it would work to pour the water from the bottle, into a funnel, into a garden hose. I don't know if the gravity would give enough water force to make it to the onboard tank.

something like this;
https://www.amazon.com/Wayne-PC2-115...mp+garden+hose

[BFlinn181]

Originally Posted by kcmusa

something like this;
https://www.amazon.com/Wayne-PC2-115...mp+garden+hose

OP said in Post # 33 he's going to go with a $16.62 winterizing kit. Why suggest a $79.99 pump? The winterizing kit not only allows pumping from his 5 gallon jug but can also be used for winterizing.

[vincee]

But it is a very nice pump, especially if someone's rig has an aquarium in it!