anyone use a transfer tank in the bed for resh water?

[johnnyroastbeef]

i have a 2006 33' Forrest River travel trailer that sleeps 8 but the fresh water tank capacity is only like 35 gallons, way too small! I was toying with the idea of hauling a plastic 55 gallon drum of water in the bed of the truck, (approx 400 lbs,) and using it as a transfer tank.

I jsut wondered if anyone else does this and what kinda designs they have come up with for a rack, ( to keep the drum steady and secure,) and also a pump to get the water from teh bed of the truck into the camper. I was kinda thinking of using some 4x4's and amking a simple rack for the drum with a little in line filter and maybe a check valve along wiht a small 12v transfer pump and a garden hose. Maybe plug the 12V transfer pump into the cigarette lighter for power? Let me know what you guys have done that works. Thanks in advance.

[Evil Eye]

That's a pretty good idea. I have a 110 gallon fresh water tank so it has never been a problem for me, but I'm interested in what others might be doing.

[johnnyroastbeef]

Originally Posted by Evil Eye

That's a pretty good idea. I have a 110 gallon fresh water tank so it has never been a problem for me, but I'm interested in what others might be doing.

maybe the better move is install a supplemental onboard fresh water tank. I have bunks in the back of the camper and could fit one under the bunk i think, but i'm guessing i could only fit 35 gallons. might end up being easier just plumbing the onboard tank. i figured more guys would have had this same issue with needing more water storage.

[Ryan Rønning]

That is a pretty good idea actually.

[tubular031]

I have said it once, and Ill say it again, having air on the truck is probably the best thing I have added to the truck. So what does that have to do with this thread?! I do what you are looking for but with VO. When I leave on a big trip I will take some extra VO in plastic barrels in the bed. To get the VO out of the barrels and into the tank I put air on one end and a hose to the tank on the other. Put a few PSI in the barrel and the oil Flows. You would be better off since water is much thinner and will move faster. Now be careful because >5 psi and that barrel will look like it is going to pop! I have a regulator on mine and usually I dont see the gauge move so I dont know really how much pressure is there. I can move a 30 gal barrel of oil in about 3 -5 minutes depending on the conditions.

Add some air to the truck and you will be amazed at how often you use it. And having those monster train horns are a big plus to an air system too

[johnnyroastbeef]

Originally Posted by tubular031

I have said it once, and Ill say it again, having air on the truck is probably the best thing I have added to the truck. So what does that have to do with this thread?! I do what you are looking for but with VO. When I leave on a big trip I will take some extra VO in plastic barrels in the bed. To get the VO out of the barrels and into the tank I put air on one end and a hose to the tank on the other. Put a few PSI in the barrel and the oil Flows. You would be better off since water is much thinner and will move faster. Now be careful because >5 psi and that barrel will look like it is going to pop! I have a regulator on mine and usually I dont see the gauge move so I dont know really how much pressure is there. I can move a 30 gal barrel of oil in about 3 -5 minutes depending on the conditions.

Add some air to the truck and you will be amazed at how often you use it. And having those monster train horns are a big plus to an air system too

yeah that's a really good idea but the initial investmetn in on-board air is kinda pricey for somethign i don't reaally use very often at all. I sometiems think about keeping another drum of diesel fuel in the bed for super long trips...but i'm not sure about teh DOT rules on that kinda thing. prolly some regs banning that kinda practice! I'd like to have one of those WARN winches that has the air compressor on it but again the budget is minimal fo that kinda upgrada at thsi point. thanks for the idea, keep em comnig!

[tubular031]

It would be slower but you can even use one of those little plug into the cig lighter compressors that takes 45 minutes to fill a tire. You dont need a high end viair system.

[johnnyroastbeef]

Originally Posted by tubular031

It would be slower but you can even use one of those little plug into the cig lighter compressors that takes 45 minutes to fill a tire. You dont need a high end viair system.

yeah that's actually a really good and cheap idea. that would take a while but it doens't get much simpler to hook that up either. My only worry would be that when i transfer the water from the bed of the truck to the camper it could be a run of hose of 20' or maybe longer. that little compressor would be red hot by the time that 30 gallon fresh water tank in the camper was filled. but i bet it would work. i mght have to test that out since i have one of those little compressors. great idea. i'll let you know how it works. thanks.

[Gruss]

I would look on Craigslist for someone parting out an old camper and buy the fresh water tank and 12v.pump. But my question is where are you dumping your grey and black water tanks? I almost always run out of room in my grey tanks before I run out of fresh water. Cool idea anyhow.

[johnnyroastbeef]

well when we're hunting out of the camper we can dump the grey water right wehre we're parked with no real issues. We tailgate a lot up at PSU in the back farm RV land and I was hoping to just let the grey water.trickle out inot the ground.