Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

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?)

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?

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

DG....click my WWW button and look at the water tank album...it works great..................................

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.

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.

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

I got mine from the Teardrop Fix-It Shop.

Joseph

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.

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

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.

Don't forget ebay for water tanks, they're the same ones the RV places carry and they're much cheaper.
linky
Bruce

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.




It holds about 7.5 gallons of water in each system.
Brwbier