Finding water

[SteveJ.]

Our Trek didn't come with an auxiliary anti-freeze intake hose but I installed a T on the pump suction side with a 3 way valve with a garden hose fitting. This way I just screw on a garden hose to suck water out of a tote with the already installed water pump. I just set the valve to tank fill, stick the hose in the tote, then fire up the pump. Done.

[Dave Pelletier]

My Bigfoot 30C10.11 had a 40 gall FW tank but I carried a 5 gall portable just to be able to fill up without moving camp - I had a hose setup that screwed into the top. Later when I started towing my partially camperized Wells Cargo EW1622, I had a 25 gall FW tank and a 12V pump and some hose to transfer from the trailer to the camper.

Dave

[w9ran]

stevej - that's just brilliant, and somewhat embarrassing since I installed one of those valves and just used it the other day for winterizing. I could use that hose to pump water from a tote rather than the built-in tank, and by connecting another hose to my outside shower, I could use existing water pump to fill the built-in tank! I'd never thought of using that for anything but antifreeze before

[Bobertgoes]

I have two portable RV-style 5 gallon jugs also.
My water pump has a 3-way valve before the pump also. I have a flexible vinyl tube with a garden hose fitting at the end that screws into the RV-style tote jug. The jug has a dip straw so it pulls off the bottom of the jug. Just turn the valve and I can suck the 5 gallons out when needed.
The vinyl hose can also be dipped into a bucket and pull water from there. I have heated water on the stove and made a small amount warm shower source. I guess theoretically I can extend the hose out to a water source, with inline water filter, suck the water in, use the outside shower hose to fill the gravity water fill to fill the mounted FW tank inside too. I have never been this desperate though.

Filling the 5 gallon jugs is socially more easy, than pulling up any sized RV to a spigot. Fill some jugs and the store owner will help. Fill an RV and they might chase you off.

I usually ask. The gas station will usually accommodate using their spigot though. One guy offered to hook my hose to the hot water heater so Id have hot water already for a shower...

[CharlesinGA]

Out west, Maverik Gas Stations.... many have free potable water and dump stations.

Use the locator map and switch on the filters for different amenities you want, including RV dump.

https://loyalty.maverik.com/locations/map

Another way of finding dump stations is https://www.sanidumps.com/find.php

Charles

[profdan]

Many ranger stations in the national forests will let you fill. Pro tip: while asking permission, first buy a national forest map. Ranger will smile, and you can use the map as a ground tap. (Those maps are BIG!)

[Triangle Drifter]

We had dry camping in mind when we selected our 5er capable of carrying 100gal of freshwater. A full week for two is no big deal with that sort of capacity.

Before any stretch where we will need to be at capacity we will try to do a night at a CG. to dump & fill then do a night at a CG afterwards to dump.

[Rexlion]

Finding water... look for a forked stick and dowse for it?

[KenZ71]

Often wondered if a Walmart/ Lowes/ Home Depot garden center's water was potable. They water the plants from most likely municipal supply

[twinboat]

Originally Posted by KenZ71

Often wondered if a Walmart/ Lowes/ Home Depot garden center's water was potable. They water the plants from most likely municipal supply

I would keep wondering and not use it unless it's confirmed.

There are lots of places that use recycled or direct well water for irrigation.

I would trust water from gas station islands before garden centers.

Sent from my SM-A025V using iRV2 - RV Forum mobile app

[Marine359]

Never tried it; just an idea.
Fast food restaurants usually have outdoor spigots. If I really needed water that can be trusted, I would ask the restaurant manager if I could fill jugs from their spigot if I buy lunch there

[ArtJoyce]

Originally Posted by w9ran

"Specifically, it is considered acceptable to pull into a state park just to fill up with water even if you don't intend to camp there?" Thanks!

No,

[Bobertgoes]

Originally Posted by twinboat

I would keep wondering and not use it unless it's confirmed.

There are lots of places that use recycled or direct well water for irrigation.

I would trust water from gas station islands before garden centers.

Sent from my SM-A025V using iRV2 - RV Forum mobile app

Really? Do you really think Walmark uses alternative water sources? It is just city water, their water bill is nothing in the big picture, I highly doubt they rent store space then build a separate system to use recycled water to save, what to them is, a few pennies on water. lol
Watch out for city parks as they might have a faucet that is from the waste treatment plant if the park is next to / below the plant, they might spray the waste treated water on the lawn, but it should have a sign. I have seen these signs on bathroom buildings next to a lush green well-watered park lawn.

[profdan]

Many suburban parks in Calif use non-potable reclaimed water for irrigation. There should be a sign saying so, but sometimes the signs disappear.