We've had our SMB for about 7 months, slept in it over 50 nights, filled the water tank countless times, and only twice used the external fill spigot. I'll try to get some photos to post, but basically the system is:
A. Female quick release permanantly attached to internal tank fill line (one that won't let water flow back out, although we put a plug in it anyway once full)
B. Male quick release fitting installed on 5 gal water jug and on 2.5gal MSR dromedary bag.
C. Mating quick releases (one M and one F) on the short 4' hose SMB supplied. Also have F quick release on a funnel
Operation:
1. Fill 5 gal jug and/or 2.5 gal bag in any restroom or sink or whatever. If it's from a sink in a bathroom, the hose quick connects to the top of the container, and the funnel quick connects to the hose. Easy to fill 5 gal container this way in any bathroom.
2. Back in the van, the container sits on the countertop, the hose quick connects to the container and into the water fill inlet.
3. Tip container, water flows into the tank, no spills, no attendance required, and go do something else while the container empties.
4. As an added bonus, the sink faucet has a M quick release on it, so that we can set a closed loop with the hose between the sink and the water tank. If we're going to be overnight someplace REALLY cold, we can turn on the pump, with a little hot water (the pump can't take full steaming hot water or you'll kill it), and cycle warm/'lightly hot' water into your tank and your water distro system. This adds an incredible thermal mass to your water system, ensuring that it won't freeze for quite a while.
It's so easy to fill water this way, that we don't ever bother filling from the external. Plus, we do a lot of winter camping, and if we fill from the external, we have to go through the trouble to drain the fill line as I don't like the tubing inside my walls to go through multiple freeze/thaw cycles...
PS: For those who use hard jerry cans instead of the collapsing containers... the best way for you would be the option someone on the Yahoo Groups recommended, mixed with my option. Do the quick connect to the water tank. The other end of the fill hose put on a "super siphon". Now put the Jerry can up on the counter top, connect the hose to the fill line, and take the other end (with the super siphon) and do a few "plunk plunk plunks" and you water will flow. Again, now you'll be able to leave your system unattended while your tank fills. No spills, no mess, no troubles.
A. example of how it works here:
http://www.boatshowproducts.com/SuperSi ... ggodlALGmg
B. Do NOT order from
www.xtend-a-hitchnorthwest.com; they never shipped, and won't return my $.