Water tank

Anything to do with mechanical, construction etc

Water tank

Postby DougGirling » Fri Sep 08, 2006 12:35 am

I'm planning our first teardrop and would like to install a fresh water tank and on-demand pump to a conventional faucet and small sink, rather than use a Coleman insulated tank/cask. I've found pumps at Camping World (and I imagine I'll find similar gear at a boating supply), but I haven't found fresh water tanks yet.

Since I'm just starting, my questions runneth over:

    * Any recommendations on tank suppliers?
    * What would be a good size of tank for, say, a weekend trip?
    * Any recommendations on tank shape and/or placement?
    * With shore water available, is one consigned to just fill the tank and use the pump, or is there a widget to allow one to plug the hose in and use the shore water directly?
    * What recommendations do you have for dealing with the grey water? (built-in grey water tank? drain hose to a towable "blue" tank? drain hose to a bucket? drain hose to a muddy puddle underfoot? quantum black hole disposer?)
DougGirling
Teardrop Inspector
 
Posts: 18
Images: 2
Joined: Wed Aug 30, 2006 2:39 pm
Location: Bellevue, WA

Postby sdtripper2 » Fri Sep 08, 2006 1:26 am

Doug:

Here is a link to read and get some info.
http://tinyurl.com/m27gc

Better yet sense I see you are new here to posting, let me show you how to search using google to find more of what you want with ease.

In the google window use this format.
water tanks site:http://www.mikenchell.com/
water tanks site:http://www.mikenchell.com/

Results here http://tinyurl.com/lrxml

Just use the format above and change the key words in red to get close to what you want here on the forum.

One more place to find parts ... L@@K uP to the top @ Rich's list.
Here is the link http://www.mikenchell.com/tttt.pdf
Plumbing supplies will get you in the ball park Doug.

Hope this helps you Doug?
Last edited by sdtripper2 on Sat Sep 09, 2006 6:59 pm, edited 2 times in total.
"A man who is good enough to shed his blood for his country
is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards." -------Theodore Roosevelt

Steve
User avatar
sdtripper2
Search Garoux
 
Posts: 2162
Images: 168
Joined: Mon Oct 10, 2005 1:32 am
Location: California, ... San Diego

Postby madjack » Fri Sep 08, 2006 1:31 am

Steve, ya beat me too it........

DG....click my WWW button and look at the water tank album...it works great.................................. 8)
...I have come to believe that, conflict resolution, through violence, is never acceptable.....................mj
User avatar
madjack
Site Admin
 
Posts: 15128
Images: 177
Joined: Thu Dec 02, 2004 5:27 pm
Location: Central Louisiana
Top

Postby sdtripper2 » Fri Sep 08, 2006 1:35 am

MadOne....

Ya know a guy has gotta learn some tricks of this place to get info.
After all you and the old timers do teach us well.

8) 8) :D 8) 8)
"A man who is good enough to shed his blood for his country
is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards." -------Theodore Roosevelt

Steve
User avatar
sdtripper2
Search Garoux
 
Posts: 2162
Images: 168
Joined: Mon Oct 10, 2005 1:32 am
Location: California, ... San Diego
Top

Postby mbader » Fri Sep 08, 2006 3:00 am

Malcolm
User avatar
mbader
Teardrop Advisor
 
Posts: 62
Images: 9
Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2005 3:28 pm
Location: Redlands, CA
Top

Re: Water tank

Postby asianflava » Fri Sep 08, 2006 4:05 am

DougGirling wrote::

    * Any recommendations on tank suppliers?
    * What would be a good size of tank for, say, a weekend trip?
    * Any recommendations on tank shape and/or placement?
    * With shore water available, is one consigned to just fill the tank and use the pump, or is there a widget to allow one to plug the hose in and use the shore water directly?
    * What recommendations do you have for dealing with the grey water? (built-in grey water tank? drain hose to a towable "blue" tank? drain hose to a bucket? drain hose to a muddy puddle underfoot? quantum black hole disposer?)


I was going to do a sink but ditched the plan. I was going to use a tank made from PVC and drain it into a water jug. I bought a water pump (now collecting dust) that came with a spigot.

*If you buy a pre-made tank, it won't be cheap.
*I think 5gal would be fine for 2 people for the weekend
*I'd place the tank low and as close to the axle as possible. Shape? whatever fits.
*I'm shure there is but I've never checked.
*I use the mud puddle under the spigot method. Some people use the dump it in the bushes when no one is looking. Teardroppers don't generally use that much water at the site.
User avatar
asianflava
8000 Club
8000 Club
 
Posts: 8412
Images: 45
Joined: Mon Aug 02, 2004 5:11 am
Location: CO, Longmont
Top

Postby Sonetpro » Fri Sep 08, 2006 7:51 am

Doug I got mine from here. http://tinyurl.com/rx2cz
10 gallon. I used a whale 911 pump because the RV pumps put out too much pressure. Most would empty the tank in 4 minutes. The whale is a inline pump and the pressure isn't that great. I used a water purifier faucet from HD $20
}><)))'> ~--------------·´¯) SteveT
You don't know what the limit's are until you take it there.ImageImageImage
User avatar
Sonetpro
Site Admin
 
Posts: 2038
Images: 107
Joined: Sun Oct 30, 2005 8:11 am
Location: Plantersville, TX
Top

Postby Joseph » Fri Sep 08, 2006 9:53 am

I got mine from the Teardrop Fix-It Shop.

Joseph
User avatar
Joseph
Teardrop Pirate
 
Posts: 1774
Joined: Fri Apr 16, 2004 5:21 am
Location: Excelsior Springs, MO
Top

Postby AmyH » Fri Sep 08, 2006 10:29 am

Got mine from West Marine (9 gallon one), but I am planning on getting the fitting relocation kit, which is going to add to the price. I think this tank was a bit on the pricey side, but it will work well for what I need. I also went with a hand pump faucet, since I decided it would work fine for me.
Amy
"...follow humbly whereever and to whatever abyss Nature leads, or else you shall learn nothing." T.H. Huxley

Photo Log
Camping Trips with the Tear
User avatar
AmyH
*The 300 Club
 
Posts: 624
Images: 4
Joined: Sat May 15, 2004 8:35 pm
Location: Shoreline, WA
Top

Postby DougGirling » Fri Sep 08, 2006 11:01 am

sdtripper2 wrote:...In the google window use this format.
water tanks site:http://www.mikenchell.com/
water tanks site:http://www.mikenchell.com/

Results here http://tinyurl.com/lrxml

Just use the format above and change the key words in red to get close to what you want here on the forum....


Steve,

Thanks for the tip (and the link). I'm still learning my way around here.

Doug
DougGirling
Teardrop Inspector
 
Posts: 18
Images: 2
Joined: Wed Aug 30, 2006 2:39 pm
Location: Bellevue, WA
Top

Postby jimqpublic » Fri Sep 08, 2006 12:39 pm

Presuming cold water only- I like two systems for a simple kitchen setup:

1: Use an Aquatainer with turn valve mounted right over the sink. Gravity feed yet faucet convenience.
http://www.earthquakesupplycenter.com/a ... vengal.htm

2: Also use an Aquatainer or other 5 to 7 gallon portable container, but combine it with a draw tube and pump/faucet combo. A few brands of trailer use this option. You can either use a hand pump or electric. The T@B trailer uses this idea.

With either of these options you avoid the complexity of a conventional water system with filler inlet, vent tubing, etc.

Hand pumps: http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/rv-p ... faucet.htm
Electric pump & faucet: http://www.racersrvstuff.com/racersrv/d ... EM=0291000

One neat feature of the electric pump that operates off a switch (instead of a pressure sensing pump) is that you can add a second "knee switch" - just a simple button switch located at knee level. It will help you conserve water.


Grey water:
I installed a permanent grey water tank in our trailer. It turned out being more of a pain than I imagined. Doing it again I would have a space under the sink to put a portable jug. That way you can still pull over for lunch and use the sink without draining on the ground or messing with a bucket. I suggest using a different type or color than your freshwater jug to avoid a yucky mistake.

Matching the fresh and grey water container size prevents overflow. I have 12 gallons for each, but even with two kids we use about 5 gallons per day not including showers. It's nice to be able to do a weekend trip without bothering with filling/draining water.

Shore water:
Again, this adds complexity. You need a hose, city water inlet, interior hose & fittings. It does give unlimited water. One of the hand pump faucets also has a city water connection with backflow preventer so it's not too complicated.

Unless you also expect to have sewer connection at the campsite I don't see much benefit if you're trying to keep it simple. Being able to use more water just increases the grey water production.
Jim
2002 Chalet Arrowhead but always wanted a Teardrop
2 kids and a Dear Wife
http://community.webshots.com/user/jimqpublic
User avatar
jimqpublic
The 300 Club
 
Posts: 398
Images: 2
Joined: Fri Jun 18, 2004 12:41 pm
Location: Long Beach, CA
Top

Postby bdosborn » Sat Sep 09, 2006 7:23 pm

Don't forget ebay for water tanks, they're the same ones the RV places carry and they're much cheaper.
linky
Bruce
2009 6.5'X11' TTT - Boxcar
All it takes is a speck of faith and a few kilowatts of sweat and grace.
Image
Boxcar Build
aVANger Build
User avatar
bdosborn
Donating Member
 
Posts: 5492
Images: 767
Joined: Wed May 05, 2004 11:10 pm
Location: CO, Littleton
Top

Postby BrwBier » Sun Sep 10, 2006 7:31 am

I was inspired by Mad Jacks water tank. I added some ideas of my own and came up with this setup which works quite well for me.
Image
Image
Image
Image
It holds about 7.5 gallons of water in each system.
Brwbier
User avatar
BrwBier
1000 Club
1000 Club
 
Posts: 1120
Images: 100
Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2005 8:28 pm
Location: Sheboygan, WI
Top


Return to Teardrop Construction Tips & Techniques

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 11 guests