Fresh Water fill solution

[Rod Spohn]

Since we boondock most of the time I had to figure out an easier way to add fresh water. With some research this is what I came up with. and I wanted to share what I came up with. It worked get testing it at home so now ready for the real world..

[Rod Spohn]

another photo with information -

[R.S.O'Donnell]

Love it. Thanks for posting.

[bshgto]

This is good idea everything you need all in one case. I`ll put together a kit like this to , tired of all the parts scattered about in the storage area. The only change I would make is maybe using a very flexible in any weather Zero-G hose cut up with added fittings. The reinforced hose is be a real bear to uncoil when it gets cold, that stuff fights you start to finish and usually wins.

[Rod Spohn]

Originally Posted by bshgto

This is good idea everything you need all in one case. I`ll put together a kit like this to , tired of all the parts scattered about in the storage area. The only problem I see is the reinforced hose will be a real bear to uncoil when it gets cold, that stuff fights you start to finish and usually wins. Maybe a very flexible in any weather Zero-G hose cut up with added fittings.

Good Idea, I have a 100' hose like that, I'll have to look for a shorter one. I wonder if you can cut them and make it shorter like 10' so it would fit in my kit!

[rames14]

My pump, hose, extension cord, and 45 gallon bladder all fit in one of the small black tubs with a yellow lid. I also keep another box with all of my electrical connections. Always good to stay organized.

[DutchmenSport]

Nice kit.

To solve our problem of transporting water when we do not have full hook-up sites was to purchase a water transfer pump (120 volt AC), and a 35 gallon (hard container) water tank from TSC (Tractor Supply Company). In the event we do not have shore power, I can run the water pump off a 400 watt inverter we carry in the truck. And then we got the hoses to connect it all.

For us, this has worked well for the last 10 years. I considered a bladder, but opted for a hard container.

That is one really nice compact kit you have there though. I've never seen one like that before. Thanks for sharing.

I also used this same pump and basic process to help winterize a couple friends CLASS C motor homes, when we couldn't access their on-board water pump. They come to me every year now and it's become an annual ritual.

[bshgto]

Originally Posted by rames14

My pump, hose, extension cord, and 45 gallon bladder all fit in one of the small black tubs with a yellow lid. I also keep another box with all of my electrical connections. Always good to stay organized.

Ah yes, your life should be organized. I mean what else do you have to do after you retire, paint the bed room again?

[jimcol]

Originally Posted by Rod Spohn

Good Idea, I have a 100' hose like that, I'll have to look for a shorter one. I wonder if you can cut them and make it shorter like 10' so it would fit in my kit!

I learned the hard way you can't cut the G-force hoses and add fittings.

[Ttman]

I did exactly the same thing except I am using 3ea, 7gallon plastic water storage totes. I defaulted to them as they should be more durable than the bladder. They don't pack up as small, but that was a trade off I decided was acceptable. I installed a quick connector plug on my camper batteries as well as on the truck for easy 12 volt power. I have the secondary water pump and my VIAIR 450P RV both wired to plug into those connectors. I did install an inline waterproof on/off switch in the water pump power wire so I can easily shut off the power at the pump.

[Tom N OH]

Why not use the pump that is already on board your Montana? Here’s how.

[Fishin2dMax]

I have a 12 volt water transfer pump and do something very similar. I use the solar power inlet connector in the wet bay as a power source for the pump. I added a solar panel connector plug to my 12 volt water transfer pump to power the pump. I use both a bladder and portable 7 gallon water containers to transport and pump from. Before the going to the transfer pump method, I tried modifying the water tank air vent to gravity fill the tank and also tried the method of using the "winterizing method" to fill the tank, but both methods are really slow! The transfer pump connected the city inlet is by far the best method to fill the water tank when boondocking.

[Daryles]

Before using the Winterizing port to fill your freshwater tank, I would recommend flushing out that line first. Let it run out the shower hose for a minute or two first before connecting that hose to the freshwater fill port.

My reasoning is, sometimes people report smelly water. Sometimes it is the washer plumbing harboring stale water that can cause smelly water.
They fix the smelly water problem by flushing the washer plumbing.
When you sanitize your water system, how many remember to flush the washer plumbing?
(we don't have a washer so I installed shut off valves to the washer plumbing, so I don't have to winterize those lines).
How many flush the shower and Winterizing ports?
I'm guilty of that one.
We will be going dry camping in about a month to Ocracoke Island OBX NC. I'm going to flush that Winterizing and shower plumbing, next time I fill up (and every time there after) because we will probably need to refill the freshwater tank at least once while we are there.

[pitman44]

If you wanted a more flexible hose that’s durable silicone tubing with brass barbed hose adapters would do the job. 1/8” wall with whatever ID suits your needs. I got some 1/2” ID X 3/4” OD for a project for my wife. 6-10’ lengths are pretty common on Amazon.

[snowmanfx4]

Where did get it from?

[LNB92891]

Originally Posted by Tom N OH

Why not use the pump that is already on board your Montana? Here’s how.

Love it. We have a’15 3400rl Do infield dry camp at car races and was wondering how we were going to refill our tank. Thanks for sharing!

[Rod Spohn]

Since retiring we have been able to boondocks for longer periods of time and am enjoying the water fill kit. It’s working as good or better than expected and worth every penny. So far I have not thought of any improvements I could make. DW loves being able to take longer showers etc.
Hope everyone is having a wonderful summer…….

[RMcNeal]

Rod, I have pretty much the same setup as yours, except I bought a 110vac pump instead of the 12v since my TV has an inverter in case I don't have electric. Does your pump with the 7 pin connector run OK? I was wondering about whether it could supply enough power without blowing a fuse. That would be very convenient since my TV is prewired with 7 pin connector in the bed right next to where I have the bladder and pump.

[Daryles]

Originally Posted by Tom N OH

Why not use the pump that is already on board your Montana? Here’s how.

We went Boondocking on Ocracoke. I forgot to fill the freshwater tank on the way in. I took our 25 gallon bladder and filled the freshwater tank using the onboard pump through the winterize port.
It took a LONG time. I didnt time it, but it seemed like about 20-30 minutes.
It probably would have been faster if I had connected to the freswater drain valve and fill it via gravity.
Next time I plan on putting the bladder on the roof for better gravity assist.

[rames14]

Daryles, just get a pump and use your normal fill.