Filling Fresh Tank In Camp With 10l Folding Bucket

[Steve and Karen]

I am a big fan of Rotus8's modified funnel:
Fresh water filling funnel and use it both in the driveway and in camp.

We usually go out with the fresh water tank full, and for the length of many of our trips , it frequently lasts us the entire trip. (our drinking water is in separate containers) When we do have to refill in camp, I find that the funnel works well with this:

Folding Bucket | Sea to Summit

3 trips to the campground faucet and the empty tank is filled again. The main appeal is that it is not a large hard-sided container with its own storage issues. It folds down to about the size of a wallet and sits on the galley shelf:View attachment upload_2023-10-26_8-54-42.jpeg

It's also not an RV potable water hose which can take up an inordinate amount of space, and which can get pretty gross inside if it isn't used constantly or properly bleached for storage.

At only 3 oz. the bucket was intended for backcountry use, but its compact design fits well with all our other folding and collapsible gear, like dish drainer, colander and water kettles. To boot, it's free-standing on a flat surface and can used for other purposes as such.

 

[Sweeney]

The refill method we use is using these collapsible totes. The opening is just slightly smaller than the tank fill. All you do is remove the lid, insert the threads into the opening and then lift the 'bottom' of the container skyward. From there, its a beer bong...takes about 10 seconds to empty the bladder. They come in a couple of sizes, 2 1/2 gallons is about perfect --- 16 pounds, so its manageable.

I'll usually spill a little --- but the majority goes where I want it too.

2-1/2 Gallon Collapsible Bottle with 38/400 Cap | U.S. Plastic Corp.

 

[Steve and Karen]

I like it... you're not sloshing any on yourself, or losing capacity when walking back to the campsite. It's about the same size as the S-T-S, and as you say, at about 20 lbs, "manageable".

I have lots of smaller collapsible narrow-mouth bottles like it from Nalgene and Platypus for backpacking and water filtration purposes, and for the most part I can't do without them: ultra-lightweight and easily stored when not in use.

The biggest downside with these narrow-mouth containers, however, is getting them dry again, as just leaving them with the cap off doesn't work; they get moldy and are a bacteria haven before they're completely free of all moisture. Not wishing to find an alternative to my containers, I rigged up a drying system using a spiderweb of clear tubing and a cheap aquarium bubbler pump sorta like this:

View attachment upload_2023-10-26_12-35-12.jpeg

which puts a constant airflow throughout the bottle(s). They dry in a few hours, and then can be folded and stored. Yours, Sweeney, would require something of the same follow-up drying procedure, I imagine.

The multitude of 20L collapsible jugs out there (I have tried them all, including the accordion style)

View attachment upload_2023-10-26_12-14-0.jpeg

... are all too clumsy, big and heavy. When full, they fall over at inopportune times, get messy with dirt and pine needles, and even when empty are still pretty big and awkward to transport and store. They eventually fail in some way along a weld or at the spout, and are impossible to get completely dry again on the inside without some drying apparatus like my bubbler.

 

[Sweeney]

I like it... you're not sloshing any on yourself, or losing capacity when walking back to the campsite. It's about the same size as the S-T-S, and as you say, at about 20 lbs, "manageable".

I have lots of smaller collapsible narrow-mouth bottles like it from Nalgene and Platypus for backpacking and water filtration purposes, and for the most part I can't do without them: ultra-lightweight and easily stored when not in use.

The biggest downside with these narrow-mouth containers, however, is getting them dry again, as just leaving them with the cap off doesn't work; they get moldy and are a bacteria haven before they're completely free of all moisture. Not wishing to find an alternative to my containers, I rigged up a drying system using a spiderweb of clear tubing and a cheap aquarium bubbler pump sorta like this:

View attachment 9941

which puts a constant airflow throughout the bottle(s). They dry in a few hours, and then can be folded and stored. Yours, Sweeney, would require something of the same follow-up drying procedure, I imagine.

The multitude of 20L collapsible jugs out there (I have tried them all, including the accordion style)

View attachment 9940

... are all too clumsy, big and heavy. When full, they fall over at inopportune times, get messy with dirt and pine needles, and even when empty are still pretty big and awkward to transport and store. They eventually fail in some way along a weld or at the spout, and are impossible to get completely dry again on the inside without some drying apparatus like my bubbler.

I love this forum! Yeah, you nailed the "one problem" --- we use soapy water with a little bleach, but dry is better and your solution is spot on. Off to the pet shop....

We also use the bottles as weights in the corner of the side-tent. Just fill the bottles and set them in the corner. Empty they weigh next to nothing and collapse down significantly. Unlike pounds of lead shot...

 

[Steve and Karen]

The bubblers are cheap. And for the limited amount of time a non-fishy person would run one, they should last forever.

We also use the bottles as weights in the corner of the side-tent. Just fill the bottles and set them in the corner.

Anything you can do to make things perform double-duty is a bonus. As long as you don't need them at the same time.

I sort of look at tiny trailering as a mathematical challenge: How can you maximize your gear to be ready and available to perform a multitude of tasks, under many different circumstances, while keeping weight and space requirements to an efficient and uncluttered minimum? It's a fun exercise.

 

[Randy]

Shared this before, obvious disadvantage over the collapsible bucket is the space needed to carry the water jugs.

 

[Sweeney]

I'm more concerned about getting rid of grey water.

I KNOW that none of us would _ever_ break any laws. So, I am curious what whays you have seen people ridding themselves of grey water?

I've seen many times people 'drippin' in campgrounds (which I do have a negative view of) and also seen people driving on the highway, leaving a mist behind them as they travel, which evaporates quickly leaving. However, I hear in Texas they take a particularly negative attitude towards this approach...

 

[rmbrowder]

I have a six inch extension and a valve on my gray water tank. This makes it easy drain the tank into a five gallon collapsable water container. I can then take the container to the dump station or toilet. Unfortunately my container has a pin hole that I have yet to fix and in dry campgrounds I have to set it over in the bushes. A good rain cleans all. By the way, I’m careful that my grey water is more like used drinking water (no food or detergent). I would drink it with just a little Clorox added.

 

[fdkoh99]

We do a lot of dry camping and like Steve and Karen we head out with a full fresh tank but carry an extra 6 gallon jug of water as a backup. I also use that same jug to refill at campsites that have water but not at the campsite itself. 6 gallons of water is pretty heavy even if I only put 4 or 5 gallons in it. So I use the fender as a platform to hold the weight of the jug while pouring and I have added an extension to the spout so it will just run into the TD without using a funnel. See picture below. I will also add a link for the spout extension.

Amazon.com: EZ-POUR B00YP3YTXM Gas Can Replacement Spout – Multi Use Deluxe Gas Can 1, 2, 5 Gallon Hi-Flo System with Extension, Flexible Gas Can Nozzle for Jerry can : Automotive

 

[Sweeney]

I have a six inch extension and a valve on my gray water tank. This makes it easy drain the tank into a five gallon collapsable water container. I can then take the container to the dump station or toilet. Unfortunately my container has a pin hole that I have yet to fix and in dry campgrounds I have to set it over in the bushes. A good rain cleans all. By the way, I’m careful that my grey water is more like used drinking water (no food or detergent). I would drink it with just a little Clorox added.

When we first started teardropping, we used the sink like home --- fill 1/4 way with water, rinse with spray. That 8 gallon tank would last surprisingly little time.

I tried something like your drip line (I ran it directly into a sewer using an improvised donut ring) when we stayed down in Perry --- but I could never get a satisfactory empty. The height of the septic port was only slightly (1-2 inches) below the 'output' of the gray. You can't get a flow if you don't have a fall.

We have gotten very good at water conservation, especially as we eat primarily carnivore and using a grill for cooking. A foil plate catches drippings. Wipe the plate off with a paper towel (usually the one we just used as a napkin) , spritz with dawn powerwash (hint: Its basically Dawn with a bit of alcohol added and then thinned with water), then rinse with a water spray. Last week, we ate at restaurants a few times, but when I closed the galley I still had "Indiana water" in the tank after a week in Florida.

I wouldn't drink my grey water, it always has a little bit that has myoglobin, and trace bits in it. I'm certain bacteria would be a factor there. leaving a spray behind the trailer as we drive, I am sure hurts no one except the idiot who tailgates me and he deserves whatever he gets

 

[TheSongDogHouse]

I like your style, Sweeney, cook and clean pretty much the same. If I'm boondocking someplace dry I figure the desert plants appreciate my gray water... and a remote gravel road works too.

I understand that some FL parks now wont let you dry camp if you even have gray or clean water tanks...so we are competing with the Tin Wall Monsters for scarce spots...too bad!

Talking with one ranger, apparently the new COVID campers and vanlifers weren't careful enough with their gray and blackwater...and those places close to watercourses have a bigger responsibility...

Seeing same on some dispersed camping areas closed or policed more out west. Hope to be hitting the road to FL again and may see the trend, and will provide reviews...teardrop hideyholes.

 

[rmbrowder]

So dry campers don’t shortcut things at 2am and water the bushes? Bureaucrats. This summer I was dry camping in a National Park and got a bear ticket. I had a grizzly bear rated cooler I only used for ice. It was doubly pad locked per back country regs. The host told me that he didn’t like having to explain a bear proof cooler vs a regular cooler to other campers.

 

[Van_and_Terri]

I like your style, Sweeney, cook and clean pretty much the same. If I'm boondocking someplace dry I figure the desert plants appreciate my gray water... and a remote gravel road works too.

I understand that some FL parks now wont let you dry camp if you even have gray or clean water tanks...so we are competing with the Tin Wall Monsters for scarce spots...too bad!

Talking with one ranger, apparently the new COVID campers and vanlifers weren't careful enough with their gray and blackwater...and those places close to watercourses have a bigger responsibility...

Seeing same on some dispersed camping areas closed or policed more out west. Hope to be hitting the road to FL again and may see the trend, and will provide reviews...teardrop hideyholes.

Just curious, which FL Parks have the dry camping restrictions? We haven’t encountered any in our travels. It would be good to know for future reference.

 

[TheSongDogHouse]

Just curious, which FL Parks have the dry camping restrictions? We haven’t encountered any in our travels. It would be good to know for future reference.

I'll hafta think back a bit...somewhere in the Ocala area, IIRC and it was a new thing...was able to talk briefly with the ranger who explained the change and why, given the sensitivity of the watershed there.

I too hope it DOESN'T spread as a policy, statewide. FL state parks seem the best managed I've come across, btw.

 

[Ken & Peggy]

So dry campers don’t shortcut things at 2am and water the bushes? Bureaucrats. This summer I was dry camping in a National Park and got a bear ticket. I had a grizzly bear rated cooler I only used for ice. It was doubly pad locked per back country regs. The host told me that he didn’t like having to explain a bear proof cooler vs a regular cooler to other campers.

What's the consequence to getting a bear ticket? If it's anything more than a warning I'd be ticked...

 

[TheSongDogHouse]

Me too. "Bear ticket"...warning or a fine?

I'm not impressed with politics at NPS, frankly.

 

[rmbrowder]

What's the consequence to getting a bear ticket? If it's anything more than a warning I'd be ticked...

It’s a “courtesy notice”. To put some bark into it they include the penalty for approaching and harassing wildlife, think of people getting a selfie with a grizzly: Willfully approaching within in 50 yards (150 feet ), or any distance that disturbs or displaces a bear or elk, is prohibited. Imprisonment up to six months and/or fines up to $5000.

 

[TheSongDogHouse]

It’s a “courtesy notice”. To put some bark into it they include the penalty for approaching and harassing wildlife, think of people getting a selfie with a grizzly: Willfully approaching within in 50 yards (150 feet ), or any distance that disturbs or displaces a bear or elk, is prohibited. Imprisonment up to six months and/or fines up to $5000.

Courtesy for what?
Am I misunderstanding; 1.you are using a cooler with bear proof approved locks.
2. Ranger cites you for her disapproval of type of cooler, and cites her bad feelz about lecturing people as reason why...
3. Fine based on entirely irrelevant regulation...

Makes no sense, except "politics".

 

[SethB]

So dry campers don’t shortcut things at 2am and water the bushes? Bureaucrats. This summer I was dry camping in a National Park and got a bear ticket. I had a grizzly bear rated cooler I only used for ice. It was doubly pad locked per back country regs. The host told me that he didn’t like having to explain a bear proof cooler vs a regular cooler to other campers.

Courtesy for what?
Am I misunderstanding; 1.you are using a cooler with bear proof approved locks.
2. Ranger cites you for her disapproval of type of cooler, and cites her bad feelz about lecturing people as reason why...
3. Fine based on entirely irrelevant regulation...

Makes no sense, except "politics".

Not a ranger, a camp host, per OP.
Not a citation, a notice, per OP.
Not a fine by ranger/law enforcement, a public education effort.

My own interpretation is not politics, just a sloppy camp host.

Why… Power tripping? Exhaustion & frustration? Just following the protocol that doesn’t distinguish cooler types when handling out notices? Tired of dealing with a public which always has reasons & rights? Hard to say.

 

[TheSongDogHouse]

Not a ranger, a camp host, per OP.
Not a citation, a notice, per OP.
Not a fine by ranger/law enforcement, a public education effort.

My own interpretation is not politics, just a sloppy camp host.

Why… Power tripping? Exhaustion & frustration? Just following the protocol that doesn’t distinguish cooler types when handling out notices? Tired of dealing with a public which always has reasons & rights? Hard to say.

Ah, thanks Seth.
I shud have red fer comprenshun!
"Entitled" campers? Dont be that guy.