Need more fresh water/"grey"water storage

[sandcsantacruz]

Hello again,

After my 1st trip in my new to me pop up, I found that 23 gal. of water is NOT enuff for 3days/2nights.  We didnt even shower, just doin dishes and cooking.  I was thinking another 20-26 gal would do it but I was wondering how much water other people usually use before I get serious about buying an additional fresh water tank.  Also can another tank be added to the trailer, or does it have to be in my tv.

Next question:
How much grey water storage do I need?  I was also looking into those portable blue tanks on wheels.  The salesman at my local RV store said 11gal is a popular size, but is more better?

thx
steve
99 coleman niagara
03 silverado crew cab

[ForestCreature]

We take an extra 21 gallons with us. We use the 7 gallon reliance Aquatainers (the square ones). They ride in the camper, 2 over the axle and 1 twords the front in the aisle. One gets set out on a table for quick hand wash ups etc.. dishes are done outside, not washing them inside at the sink seems to save on water.

The gray water totes, we have the big 22 gallon one and it's heavy when full. Found an 11 gallon one at a yard sale for 3 bucks so I grabbed it. That is so much easier to use, we rarely use the big one anymore.

[tlhdoc]

I take a 7 gallon green "Jerry Can" to refill my water tank.  I like using 2 smaller grey water tanks, we use two 5 gallon tanks.  They are easier to carry and I can switch tanks when one is full.  I don't have to stop what I am doing and go dump a tank when it is full.  I can wait and dump the full tank when I am ready.

[Campaholics]

We have a pair of the green 7 gallon jerry cans to refill the water tank.  I made an adapter with a 3/4" male pipe thread to pvc pipe.  Then attach an 18" length of clear flexible tubing by pushing down on the pvc pipe.  The tube will just fit in the pup water fill tube.
 
Carrying close to 60 lbs of water just isn't any fun.  If you can get your hands on an old folding lugage cart, that will make moving the filled jerry can from the water hydrant to to campsite much easier.
 
Bob

[ForestCreature]

For refilling out of the jugs we use the standard Kerosene battery operated syphon pump... no carrying the water jugs any further thannear the fill area on the camper. No lifting to pour, slip in the punp and turn it on... filled tanks in a short order.

[tknick]

I have a big 22 gal (i think, maybe 26 gal) blue tag-along tank for grey water.  It is kinda heavy even when empty.  I strap it to the top of the storage compartment when in transit.  the advantage is it holds alot, and when it's full, it attaches to the hitch ball, and I tow it to the dump station.  disadvantage is size and weight....JMTC

travis

[fritz_monroe]

I take a 6 gallon jug with me to refill when I get low.  For grey water I use aquatainers.  Pics in my sig.  Those wheeled totes are pretty nice, but I refuse to pay $100 for a plastic jug.  Get yourself a luggage cart and it will save a lot of extra work.

As to the amount of water we use, based on grey water, we probably use between 20 and 25 gallons on a 2 day trip.  46 gallons of water sure seems like a lot of water to use on a 3 day trip.  You may not be as efficient as you can be.

[jakelaw]

Wow, we must be really conservative.  Now we don't have a HWH, or shower, but we usually use about (based on gray water) 5-6 gallons per day.  In a 3 night trip, I only fill the 10 gallon tank twice and then drain the extra while driving home.

[sandcsantacruz]

Wow!
Thanks for all the info so far.  I think maybe I will go with a couple of  "jerry" cans for extra since its sooo much cheaper.
Also thanks for the info on grey water.  I guess it would be easier to move around 1 or 2 smaller containers than one of the giant (expensive) ones.

[popupcop]

I recently purchased a gray water container from this ebay site
 
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Portable-waste-water-tank-TOTE-N-STORE-11-gallon-New_W0QQitemZ330004665606QQihZ014QQcategoryZ50073QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem.
 
I ordered on Monday, July 3rd  and UPS delivered today (Monday, July 10th)  I bought the 32 gallon container for under $120 shipped.  I may have been better off ordering two smaller ones.  
 
Have Fun Camping!!!
 
Popupcop

[wavery]

I thought that the big tow along gray water tank would be great to have until our last camp-out.

I saw someone towing one of those things behind his TV and I thought, "Wow, that's cool". About an hour later, I saw the guy come back and I decided to talk to him about it. He immediately asked if I would like to buy his. My thought was, "He must want a bigger one"............ WRONG!!!........the guy told me that he'd had it with taking it up to the dump station and waiting in line behind these Class-A motorhomes that are dumping and cleaning their holding tanks. He said that he was going back to the 5g containers that he could take to the bathroom and flush down the toilet in 5 minutes (that is, if he didn't have to wait in line there :p ).

Anyway, that convinced me to stick with my 2- 5gal jugs. I just take the one that is in use, with me when I go to the bathroom and put the empty one in it's place.

[sandcsantacruz]

well dang!
I never thought of that.  That is a good idea to use the 2 smaller tanks then.  I just bought three 7gal aquatainers from the local walmart for $8 each.  That solves my freshwater problem for way less than like $125 for one tank of the same size.   I was wondering if having one 14gal grey water tank would be easier then two 7gal aquatainers but again cost is always an issue.  At my local rv shop they want $80!!!  so with this new info I think all around carrying the 2 aquatainers for grey would be better.  (especially the $60 savings)

[tlhdoc]

As to the amount of water we use, based on grey water, we probably use between 20 and 25 gallons on a 2 day trip. 46 gallons of water sure seems like a lot of water to use on a 3 day trip. You may not be as efficient as you can be.

If we aren't using our PU's shower we only use about 3 to 5 gallons of water a day.  46 gallons does seem like a lot of water for 3 days.