Where to get water when boondocking - Escape Trailer Owners Community
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×

Go Back   Escape Trailer Owners Community > Camping | Places, Gear and Planning > Trips and Travel Planning
Click Here to Login
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 12-16-2016, 09:57 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Jill's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Sacramento area, California
Trailer: 2015 Escape 21
Posts: 524
Where to get water when boondocking

I'm planning a trip to the desert in February. We'll be out 2 or 3 weeks and I'm finding that many of the campgrounds do not have water. So where can we go to fill our fresh water tank? I know gas stations often have water available, but is it ok for us to fill our tank from that?

We can last about 3 or 4 days on a tank of water, but clearly we'll need to refill a few times on this trip. What do you think?
Jill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-16-2016, 10:27 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: n/a, Texas
Trailer: Escape
Posts: 721
If you are unsure of the quality of the water going into the tank you probably should carry gallon jugs of water for drinking. And carry 5 gallon jug that you can use to refill the water tank on a daily basis or whenever you can. That saves having to move the trailer. Remember a funnel or length of siphon hose.
Viajante is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-16-2016, 11:14 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Olathe, Kansas
Trailer: 2015 21ft Escape "Spirit of the Plains", 2014 GMC Sierra with max tow package
Posts: 1,100
Being in one spot for a month with no water, I have a 50 gal tank strapped in the front of the pickup box. I run into town and get about a fill and a half from that but for cooking and drinking, I use bottled water. There's just to much of a chance of contamination with all of the handling, including using the battery powered pump to transfer the water. Loren
Loren & Cathy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-16-2016, 11:48 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
gbaglo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: North Vancouver, British Columbia
Trailer: 2009 Escape 17B 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE
Posts: 17,136
I'm curious where the black and grey water is going. Normally, you can get fresh water at a dump station.
__________________
What happens to the hole when the cheese is gone?
- Bertolt Brecht
gbaglo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2016, 01:42 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
Bobbito's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Surrey, British Columbia
Trailer: 2015 Escape 21
Posts: 699
Where to get water when boondocking

When boondocking in our 21 we get 5-6 days from our tank. Learning to conserve water is the key. You can replenish at gas stations, as they usually have potable water available. We also bring a couple of 5 gallon water store containers filled with extra water to extend our water to last a day or two longer and when empty pick up extra water as we pass gas stations or country stores in the area.

I made a funnel from a milk jug with a piece of tubing wedged into its neck instead of a funnel. The jug, with a cutout on the top side, has more buffering volume than a funnel for dealing with the fluctuations you get when pouring from the large 5 gal container. I tried a pump but it was too slow and more complicated.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Bobbito is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2016, 06:12 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
rubicon327's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Burlington Twp., New Jersey
Trailer: 2010 Escape 19
Posts: 7,126
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobbito View Post
I tried a pump but it was too slow and more complicated.
Very difficult holding 5-7 gallon containers to fill the onboard tank. Researched and found this small, high capacity, self-priming transfer pump that works great. Also available in 12V (model PC1).

PC2 | WAYNE Pumps
rubicon327 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2016, 06:29 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
kstock11's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Asheville, North Carolina
Trailer: 2014 Escape 19
Posts: 895
It took a while, but finally accepted that only filling the 6 gallon jug 1/2 to 2/3rds full is a lot easier to handle. I use this when filling when there is water relatively nearby like at National Parks, Forests or other places without water hookups. Also use a smaller spare tank for dumping grey. This eliminates the need to move the trailer for dumping and refilling.
__________________
Kevin
Thanks to the interstate highway system, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything - Charles Kuralt
kstock11 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2016, 08:48 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
Bobbito's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Surrey, British Columbia
Trailer: 2015 Escape 21
Posts: 699
Right now, with my wife holding the funnel/jug, I prefer to hold and pour the 5 gal jug. In a few years I will be going for a transfer pump, but the one in the link is 120V. I would need a 12V pump when boondocking.
Bob K


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Bobbito is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2016, 10:13 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Lansing, Michigan
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21, 2016 GMC Canyon Duramax
Posts: 587
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobbito View Post
Right now, with my wife holding the funnel/jug, I prefer to hold and pour the 5 gal jug. In a few years I will be going for a transfer pump, but the one in the link is 120V. I would need a 12V pump when boondocking.
Bob K


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
They also make a 12v pump:

https://www.amazon.com/PC1-Portable-...e+12v+transfer
stephen99 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2016, 10:54 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Olathe, Kansas
Trailer: 2015 21ft Escape "Spirit of the Plains", 2014 GMC Sierra with max tow package
Posts: 1,100
Quote:
Originally Posted by stephen99 View Post
That is the pump that I use. I rewired it so the pump sits on the tailgate with plenty of cord to reach the truck battery. It really puts out pretty good pressure and doesn't take that long to fill the trailer tank. About 3 times as expensive as one from Harbor Freight but I have heard stories of those only lasting a couple of hours. Plus included with this unit is a pump rebuild kit. Loren
Loren & Cathy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2016, 10:55 AM   #11
Senior Member
 
alanmalk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Arvada, Colorado
Trailer: 2015 E'21 - 'Velocity'. Tow: Toyota Tacoma V6, 4X4, manual.
Posts: 1,684
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobbito View Post
Right now, with my wife holding the funnel/jug, I prefer to hold and pour the 5 gal jug. ...
My first attempt at holding the jug and pouring into the funnel turned out to be a 3 ring circus and hernia maker. Plus the mosquitos had a field day since our hands were occupied. Nuts to that...

Purchased a Harbor Freight 12v transfer pump, added a long cord and foot switch. Now I leave the jugs on the tailgate, attach the fresh water hose to the pump and plug into the trailer. Push the switch and 5 gallons is transferred in 90 seconds.

--
Alan
alanmalk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2016, 11:33 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
Jill's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Sacramento area, California
Trailer: 2015 Escape 21
Posts: 524
Thanks everyone. A few comments below... Looks like we need to do a better job conserving too!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Loren & Cathy View Post
Being in one spot for a month with no water, I have a 50 gal tank strapped in the front of the pickup box. I run into town and get about a fill and a half from that but for cooking and drinking, I use bottled water. There's just to much of a chance of contamination with all of the handling, including using the battery powered pump to transfer the water. Loren
When you say you go into town - where is it in town you get it from? Is it a gas station? When getting that much water do you pay for it?

Quote:
Originally Posted by rubicon327 View Post
Very difficult holding 5-7 gallon containers to fill the onboard tank. Researched and found this small, high capacity, self-priming transfer pump that works great. Also available in 12V (model PC1).

PC2 | WAYNE Pumps
Hadn't thought about that! I will look into getting a pump or some way to hold up the container while filling.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Viajante View Post
If you are unsure of the quality of the water going into the tank you probably should carry gallon jugs of water for drinking. And carry 5 gallon jug that you can use to refill the water tank on a daily basis or whenever you can. That saves having to move the trailer. Remember a funnel or length of siphon hose.
We always use bottled water for drinking/coffee/cooking, so no worries there. But I do want to be sure we use only potable water in our fresh water tank as it is used for dish washing, brushing teeth etc.
Jill is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2016, 12:19 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
rubicon327's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Burlington Twp., New Jersey
Trailer: 2010 Escape 19
Posts: 7,126
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bobbito View Post
In a few years I will be going for a transfer pump, but the one in the link is 120V. I would need a 12V pump when boondocking.
Bob, we went with 120V because my father boondocks for a month + off Lake Erie to steelhead fish. He has the generator handy. I think ideal would be the 12V pump if it was rewired with a cigarette outlet type plug and the trailer was wired with an outdoor 12V receptacle near the water fill location.

I know someone provided the Amazon link but here is the mfr page which sometimes has better info: PC1 | WAYNE Pumps

The original poster was wondering about where to get water. I assume this varies by the area. When my father is in Erie the Qwik Fill gas station/truck stop lets him fill containers inside which is from a treated municipal system.
rubicon327 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2016, 12:34 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
Greg A's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Trailer: 2015 Escape 19 "Seventy Degrees"
Posts: 3,495
In Quartzsite where the big gathering is held in Feb, there are several RV service businesses that sell water and dump services. In AZ most grocery stores, etc have water vending machines outside where you can fill bottles, probably because we're a desert environment.
Greg A is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-17-2016, 04:33 PM   #15
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
Trailer: 1979 Boler B1700
Posts: 14,935
I don't know about desert areas, but in this area many municipalities run RV dump stations where they also provide free or cheap water. Due to poor well water quality around here, there are also publicly accessible water fill stations which are normally used to fill truck that supply rural homes, but an RV could fill at them as well. My nearest gas station doesn't have other RV services (e.g. no dump station), but does sell water (bring your own jugs), which they have trucked in. Some businesses looking for RV customers provide similar services - truck stops can be good for this.

You certainly have more supply options if you can fill jugs to transfer water into the trailer, even if you never carry full jugs.
Brian B-P is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-20-2016, 05:10 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
advenas's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Spokane, Washington
Trailer: 2017 Escape 17B/2021 F150 w/ 3.5 Ecoboost
Posts: 368
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jill View Post
I'm planning a trip to the desert in February. We'll be out 2 or 3 weeks and I'm finding that many of the campgrounds do not have water. So where can we go to fill our fresh water tank? I know gas stations often have water available, but is it ok for us to fill our tank from that?

We can last about 3 or 4 days on a tank of water, but clearly we'll need to refill a few times on this trip. What do you think?

I bought two of these food grade 5 gal jugs. They are tough, easy to handle with large openings for easy filling and they stack well. Also bought one spigot for easy filling of water tank or a cook pot.

Water Barrel, 5 Gallon Sampson Stacker Emergency Water Storage Jug
__________________
Rick
advenas is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-20-2016, 05:59 PM   #17
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Kamloops, British Columbia
Trailer: 2024 Bigfoot 21RB
Posts: 254
When boondocking we use water from our internal tank until it runs out then if at a provincial campsite or rv park can usually find a drinking water quality tap and will fill up a 5 gal jug several times and will pour it in the tank. We try to plan ahead and when we know we will be boondocking and will fill the tanks prior. Very seldom do we buy and use jugs of water in the trailer.
gharper is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-20-2016, 06:03 PM   #18
Senior Member
 
thoer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Galesville, Wisconsin
Trailer: 2017 21 "Blue II" & 2017 Highlander XLE (previously 2010 17B "Blue" & 2008 Tacoma)
Posts: 4,232
Canada Tire has these that have served us well for many years: Reliance Aqua Pak

The pipe thread hole in the cap is great as you can adapt it to a short piece of hose for much easier transfer to the Escape's fresh tank.
__________________
Eric (and Mary who is in no way responsible for anything stupid I post)

"Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance." George Bernard Shaw
thoer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-20-2016, 06:27 PM   #19
Senior Member
 
AK snowbiker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Alaska, Washington
Trailer: 2014 5.0 TA
Posts: 451
Quote:
Originally Posted by gharper View Post
When boondocking we use water from our internal tank until it runs out then if at a provincial campsite or rv park can usually find a drinking water quality tap and will fill up a 5 gal jug several times and will pour it in the tank. We try to plan ahead and when we know we will be boondocking and will fill the tanks prior. Very seldom do we buy and use jugs of water in the trailer.
Gordon, that is what we do. We carry two Coghlan 5 gallon collapsible water containers and a folding table that we got at REI in the trailers storage hatch. When refilling the trailers tank we set the containers on the folding table and use a shaker siphon to transfer the water. Scott

Scott, Lori and Fritz the Schnauzer
Fat bikes are FUN!
__________________
Scott and Lori
Aurora Borealis
2014 5.0 TA
AK snowbiker is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-20-2016, 07:46 PM   #20
Senior Member
 
rubicon327's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Burlington Twp., New Jersey
Trailer: 2010 Escape 19
Posts: 7,126
A bit more $$ than your average water jug, but these work well for someone looking for something made a little more rugged.

Scepter Water Cans - Scepter Military Water Cans - Scepter Watre Cans for sale, Scepter Military Fuel Cans, Military Water Cans, MWC, (MWC), Scepter 2.5 gallon water cans, Scepter 5 gallon water cans, Scepter 10 liter water cans, Scepter 20 liter wat
rubicon327 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off




» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Escape Trailer Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:19 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2023 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.