Newbie question about fresh water

momto4girls · 06-11-2016, 07:27 PM

My husband would like to take the TM to a couple of football games this fall. RV parking at our alma mater is in a field on the outskirts of campus. My dumb question: How can I get water? I don't love the idea of towing with a full water tank. We could transport water in containers in the bed of the truck, but I'm not sure that's any better than towing it in the camper. Or is it? Do I have any options? Surely all those people aren't tailgating all weekend with no water--of course most of them have big rigs, so carrying 20 gallons of water is no big deal to them...

Padgett · 06-11-2016, 08:19 PM

I fill the Thetford before leaving and carry enough fresh water for washing. Drinking is a case of 1/2 liter water bottles (I don't drink much water).

momto4girls · 06-11-2016, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Padgett

I fill the Thetford before leaving and carry enough fresh water for washing. Drinking is a case of 1/2 liter water bottles (I don't drink much water).

Remember, I'm a total newbie at all this. What sort of Thetford? A portable tank?

BradS7535 · 06-11-2016, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by momto4girls

Remember, I'm a total newbie at all this. What sort of Thetford? A portable tank?

Thetford is the toilet in your TM. It is a recirculating toilet that requires a few gallons of water to "charge".

If you know of a faucet or something nearby you could tow empty and then fill up right before you get there using the tank drain valve. There are several threads about the ways to fill the tank while the TM is closed.

momto4girls · 06-11-2016, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BradS7535

Thetford is the toilet in your TM. It is a recirculating toilet that requires a few gallons of water to "charge".

If you know of a faucet or something nearby you could tow empty and then fill up right before you get there using the tank drain valve. There are several threads about the ways to fill the tank while the TM is closed.

Ok, I know the toilet is Thetford--I just read the sentence wrong. Went back and reread it and it makes sense now. I didn't know it was possible to fill the tank while closed--thanks for the tip.

BrucePerens · 06-12-2016, 12:58 AM

For campsites without a hookup, and boondocking, a water container with spout will help you fill the fresh water tank when necessary.

Then, there's the sewer tote. We can leave that for after you master fresh water :-)

**Bill** · 06-12-2016, 07:39 AM

I always found it to be a chore to lift a water container high enough to "spout" the water into the filler port. I ended up with as much water on me as in the tank. So I got a kayak bilge pump, put a garden hose fitting on a six foot length of clear vinyl hose, and assembled the little device in this pic.

http://www.trailmanorowners.com/foru...&pictureid=446

Screw it onto the hose, poke the end into the TM's fill port, and go. Pumping from ground level is much easier.

Bill

[email protected] · 06-12-2016, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by momto4girls

My husband would like to take the TM to a couple of football games this fall. RV parking at our alma mater is in a field on the outskirts of campus. My dumb question: How can I get water? I don't love the idea of towing with a full water tank. We could transport water in containers in the bed of the truck, but I'm not sure that's any better than towing it in the camper. Or is it? Do I have any options? Surely all those people aren't tailgating all weekend with no water--of course most of them have big rigs, so carrying 20 gallons of water is no big deal to them...

Why the big flap? You already have a 20 gallon tank mounted in your TM ...right? So just fill it up and go for a test tow if you would like. Nothing is going to happen, and a full tank is not going to break the camels back. We're only talking 160 lbs....if your truck can handle that TM, then another 160 lbs. wont make any difference and I don't think it will affect the way it all handles either. Besides, you're not driving to Alaska....right?

Tom

**Lesherp** · 06-12-2016, 10:32 AM

If you are not driving days to get where you are going I would just fill the toilet, put enough water in the TM for washing dishes, and bring separate drinking water and other refreshments. I often carry enough water in the TM to get me through the first night. I usually use a 5 gallon jug to fill the toilet but I don’t think that is actually necessary I just have it. If you have any concerns about the condition of your tires I would probably look for another solution. To fill closed takes a modification but it can be done and is a worthwhile modification.

momto4girls · 06-12-2016, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrucePerens

For campsites without a hookup, and boondocking, a water container with spout will help you fill the fresh water tank when necessary.

Then, there's the sewer tote. We can leave that for after you master fresh water :-)

Ha! We will have access to restrooms while tailgating, so I won't need "sewer tote skills" just yet.

Thanks for all the help. I'm not sure why I have in my head that it's bad to tow with a load of water. If it's only 160 lbs, that's not too bad. My tires are only a year old. It's only a 2 hour drive.