Water tank - what to get?

warholic · 08-22-2009, 02:48 PM

Hey all -
I want as much water as possible. I'm getting RB 50 setup - there are limitations on water tank. I think SMB says 17 gal biggest will fit without modifications.

Looking for input on how much water you think you need or wished you had. I LIKE to take showers.
thx
Warholic

Skywagon · 08-22-2009, 04:16 PM

War-
We too like showers, and water would be our limiting factor for staying out. When we ordered our van, it was with two 16 gallon tanks under the back seat (RB 50). With relatively careful showers, we can stay out over a week without too much trouble.
Bill

billwilson · 08-22-2009, 06:11 PM

I am mounting Two ABS 4 inch pipes on my ALuminess
Will give me @ 15 more gallons and solar showerability...

Three of my buddies, when asked what i should be looking at in designing my rig
(3 buddies that dont camp together and dont socialize...)

ALL of them said without missing a beat MORE WATER

saabman · 08-23-2009, 04:24 AM

Hi,
Wouldn't mind a couple of photos when you set it up

Good idea...

bluedog225 · 08-23-2009, 06:15 AM

I just installed a gravity fed PVC 4 inch pipe on my Thule rails (3x). I used the light weight pipe instead of regular schedule 40. I have not researched the diff with the ABS pipes.

Project notes:

-I uses "plastic" paint (spray on) for the initial black coat since this stuff is hard to get paint to adhere to. I roughed up with an 80 grit belt sander belt (cut and run it back and forth like a wire saw). The plastic paint has no filling capacity so it will look like hell.
-I used rustoleum "stone" paint (black) to give the whole thing texture. It hides all the scratches left by the sandpaper and increases surface area (Ok-this may be BS but I had to hide the scratches).
-Topped off with cheapo flat black.
-If you get a micrometer (cheap at Harbor Freight), you can cut a hole in the pipe just large enough to accept a 1 1/2 threaded male fitting to fill the pipe. Just wrap in teflon tape and screw in.
-Don't use a spade bit as it will wobble once the tip digs in. Use a standard bit or a hole saw with the proper OUTSIDE diameter.
-Same is true for a standard hose bib.
-You need a 3/4 drill bit for the hose bib (measure yours first). These are a little pricey but Harbor Freight has a pretty good deal on a box of larger bits.
-The light weight pipe is larger at one end than the other so they can be fit together. You can put a regular schedule 40 cap in this long end if you sand it a bit. Makes for a robust front end.
-I put a regular schedule 40 threaded cap on the back. If I ever need to store/transport long, skinny stuff (fishing poles or whatever) I can unscrew the end and store in there.
-I mounted by using a 3 foot threaded rod. I bent over the pipe (before painting) and cut. Then drilled through my square Thule bars. I sprayed with cold zinc primer and covered the rod with black rubber craftsman hose pieces on top. Looks pretty good.
-I put the fill cap at the rear so I could step up on the bumper to fill and shower end at the front. It ends up right at the doors which will be good for a privacy curtain. Also, the hose bib is threaded into the part of the pipe with a larger diameter so it is at the lowest point in the system (if level).
-A 4 inch hose connector hose (with the metal spring around it) and a quick disconnect bring the water out a little from the van. I may need two. I also need to get a shower head of some sort which will end up being a lawn sprinkler of some sort just so it will match up with the threads.
-Just removing the fill plug (to let air in) and turning on the hose bib results in a low pressure stream that would be just about right for a shower. It lasts a couple of minutes which should be good for at least a couple of navy showers (or more-depends on person).
-Lots of room for another is needed.
-Concerned about the weight up high. I will probably travel with it empty and fill when I get near destination.

Hope this helps

Tom

billwilson · 08-23-2009, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saabman

Hi,
Wouldn't mind a couple of photos when you set it up

Good idea...

will do
meaing send pics of the removable Torpedo Launchers
i mean Dual Solar Shower/Water storage

warholic · 08-23-2009, 03:50 PM

Good input - thx! I'm going to spec two 16 or 17 gal water tanks.

billwilson · 08-23-2009, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warholic

Good input - thx! I'm going to spec two 16 or 17 gal water tanks.

where ya gonna sling 'em?

my 01 e350 eb is outta room underneath
xl storage
xtra fuel tank forward of the xl storage
propane tank
4d bank

tried to sling another 4d or even a group 27 underneith
no go
had to eat up space under the gaucho for the two group 27's

there are two small spots at the rear
on both sides, maybe room for a custom tank

MikeB · 08-24-2009, 05:33 PM

Don't forget that in many areas (especially many federal and state protected lands), you can't be legal without having the gray water tank capacity to haul out the used shower water.

warholic · 08-25-2009, 03:01 PM

hmmm ....... where to sling extra is question .... smb installs one for sure. I've sent an email to Jeffrey at SMB with these topics looking for feedback so ill find out.

Legal ..... geez. I will have external wand shower only so I figured I'm showering outside with eco-friendly soap. But damn ..... Well ...... the SMB grey tank is 6 gallons I believe, and all the fresh water tanks are bigger than that, so i don't know
warholic