Need more fresh water capacity...

[Mtnbiker1096]

We boondock 99% of the time and usually go for 4 days 3 nights with me, wifey, 4 kids, and 2 dogs. I'm guessing the FW tank is 40 gallon, and we've been packing 3, 5 gallon jugs as well but it just doesn't last. So I have a couple of thoughts and would like to hear y'all's opinions. Carry a couple 15 gallon drums and a transfer pump, or ad another holding tank next to my current one. Just from eyeballing it it looks like I could add a 30-40 gallon tank.
My thoughts are adding a tank would be kinda costly and involve a little remodeling.
15 gallon drums and a pump would be cheaper, but man handling them could be interesting. Although having portable water storage that could be used elsewhere sounds useful. So, am I missing any pros / cons to either? What's been your experiences?
Thanks...

[NITEHAWK]

Just out of curiosity: If you add another FW tank do you also have the additional grey and black water holding capacity or do you just let them run out on the ground seeing as how you are boondocking--boondocking implies you are not hooked up to any sewer/water/electric? Or do you go to a dump station when tanks are full? If so, then you could just refill the fresh water there at the potable water tap.

[wonderer1]

have you monitored water usage (convervation)? i.e. one cup of water to brush teeth, one gallon of water to shower. etc. you have 40gallons + 15 gallons for 4 days = 13.75 gallons a day / 6 people = 2.29 gallons per day. just remember you're not at home and everyone needs to conserve. or camp in a campground and let the water run.

[f14av8r]

Get one of the 40 gallon water bladders from Camping World (or similar) and rig up a simple transfer pump. The bladder will lay in the back of a pickup, SUV or even a properly padded trunk (no sharp edges please) and is easy to fill and empty. It is MUCH easier than working with small capacity jugs. We use a cheap SureFlo pump placed in a small plastic tool box with the appropriate in / out connectors and 12V wiring with alligator clamps. Works great.

Note that on many RVs, there is no gravity fill and a pressure transfer system like our SureFlo setup is the only way the fill the fresh water tank.

Combine this with a bowser (blue boy) to empty your holding tanks and you can boondock indefinitely.

[Mtnbiker1096]

Yes when i say we boondock we are nowhere near any hoockups at all. We go from desert to mountains. Id never want to dump any waste water on the ground. I am going to add another grey tank. That's the easy one. Lots of room and easy spot to plumb it in. We try to conserve as much as we can. The kids try and I remind them every chance I get. Sometimes unfortunately they forget. Good idea on the bladder. I'll look into it.

[Ed-Sommers]

You are right on with the drums, I use two 55 gallon drums to replenish my fresh water, but I'm parked out in the desert for many months at a time, and a transfer pump is easy to attain.

A drum is how thousands of people replenish their water when parked at Quartzsite.


Ed

[Mtnbiker1096]

Thanks Ed. Can't argue with a system tested and used by that many people. I kinda like the idea of having a portable water source for other "emergencies" if needed.

[Sky_Boss]

Just make sure that if you do add water storage that your rig can handle the extra weight. Also, where you place it can cause other unintended consequences such as tongue weight changes. Keep us posted.

[BFlinn181]

Originally Posted by Sky_Boss

Just make sure that if you do add water storage that your rig can handle the extra weight. Also, where you place it can cause other unintended consequences such as tongue weight changes. Keep us posted.

FINALLY, someone introduces a REAL concern about the topic in this thread --- WEIGHT. Water weighs about 8.4 pounds per gallon. 30 gallons = 252 lbs, 40 gallons = 336 lbs. Now double that if you add a grey tank too. That can seriously effect tongue weight, axle limits, handling.

If you use the CW bladder, you could unhook the trailer then run out with the bladder and top up as needed.

Better yet, teach water conservation to the kids by issuing each a 5 gallon jug and make them pay for a refill, either with chores or some other suitable payment.

[Mtnbiker1096]

I appreciate your concern about weight and all I can do is assure you I have calculated, weighed, configured, and rechecked all weight and mounting concerns as well as mechanical function and capabilities of everything concerned. I could bore you with numbers or my background experience in life but that's not on topic so I won't ;-) But thanks again :-)

[SMRDNR]

I used a 40 gal. RV tank and pump that I can attach to the battery, tote to dump the grey on our trailer

[caissiel]

You do have a transfer pump build in. Use the 12v pump with the antifreeze line connected to the jug or other supply. We do that all the time when out of water.
I mostly travel with tank full. Fresh water usually ends up in the gray tanks so no more weight but transfer of weight.
So far I have not felt the difference with additional weight and we have a 70 imp gallon tank.

[wonderer1]

mtnbiker --- i see you're towing with a suburban. have you slide under the sides and seen if you can strap a tank on each side outside of the frame ? probable 20-25 gallons each side.

[Mtnbiker1096]

Hey now that's a great idea! I'm going to upgrading my TV soon. I'm shooting for a 4door 1ton srw. But I'll keep it in mind :-)