Would anyone consider using a used fresh water tank? I have a chance to get a bunch of odds and ends from a motorhome that is being parted out locally, and one of the many things I am eyeing is the freshwater tank, pump and one way valve. Thanks in advance.
Boyce
aside from it possibly being small in size, why wouldnt you ?
Can't see why not. You may need to do some sterilizing but if it fits your needs and is the right price go for it!!!!!!!!!
KISS
John
If it don't leak-use lots of clorox on it to sterilize it. Then rinse several times. Good uck, TomC
Definitely use bleach to disinfect. You don't need much. If you overdo it you'll smell bleach in your drinking water for a year. FMCA Magazine had an article on this last year. For the life of me, I can't recall the ratio. I know you only need 2 drops to kill everything in a gallon of water.
Bryan
Vancouver BC
GMC PD-4108
Good advice guys, Now to decide if I really even need the tank! We camp almost exclusively where there is water avilable. So we can take our chances with water in the tank or water out of the faucet wherever we are. But then we usually just drink bottled water anyway...so the main use would be for toilet, sink and shower...
I am a junk yard junkie, I would use it in a minute. 10 percent bleach and water is all you need.
Would it be any different than buying a used motorhome?...Cable
..so very true! I use a lot of used parts because every vehicle in my yard is used!
The ratio of water to bleach, according to explorerrv.com, is 1/4 cup bleach to each 15 gal. water. Let sit 24 hrs. then rinse with fresh water toll bleach smell is gone.
I've always used a little baking soda in the rinse...Cable
We all have used tanks!!
My tank is in storage right now while I get the bus ready for that part of the conversion. Thanks Cable for the recipe! But it's true, in 2001 I paid $12,000 for a used class C motorhome that had a (of course) used fresh water tank on it..... After finally disassembling and dismantling that motorhome for stuff to use on my bus I will be using the same tank.
Dallas gave us one and it works great ;D
Boyce,
Don't forget that it's important to have water while traveling, at least for me it is. I like being able to pull over and use the facilities, and your riders will appreciate it too.
Brandon
One of the nice things about having a big bus is the capability to carry lots of water. A class C motorhome probably will only have a 30-50 gallon fresh water tank. I had my tanks made since I have a transit and had to use every inch I had. I ended up with a 130gal fresh, 85gal gray, 45gal black. Now on my truck conversion, I'm going even bigger (because I can) to 210gal fresh, 110gal gray and 65gal black. Having small tanks is really a handicap to being able to sit for a week dry camping and not having to worry about water. I found that if you figure about 10gal per person per day of water, then you can size your tanks (our current 130gal tanks will get the two of us out to 7 days). Good Luck, TomC
Than just blowing money on new, expensive stuff. Also get to know your local, friendly, $cheap$ heavy duty trucking wrecking yard. Be amazed how much good stuff can be had....cheap! :)
Just a little bleach does the trick. If...you use too much bleach, then you can neutralize the smell/taste by adding vitamin C crystals. Then to neutralize the Vitamin C...just add alcohol to suit.
We all know that building that Bus Conversion inexpensively is more fun. Also we all know that Vitamin C and alcohol prevent scurvey, the bane of all intrepid mobile explorers. HB of CJ (old coot) :)
I won't drink out of my "New when I bought it" tank but will use it for cooking since it will probably boil any way, but yes use a used one.
Tom, since you are building your tanks why not go about 10% more capacity on your waste than your fresh, a just in case buffer.
Quote from: TomC on March 05, 2011, 08:21:45 AM
One of the nice things about having a big bus is the capability to carry lots of water. A class C motorhome probably will only have a 30-50 gallon fresh water tank. I had my tanks made since I have a transit and had to use every inch I had. I ended up with a 130gal fresh, 85gal gray, 45gal black. Now on my truck conversion, I'm going even bigger (because I can) to 210gal fresh, 110gal gray and 65gal black. Having small tanks is really a handicap to being able to sit for a week dry camping and not having to worry about water. I found that if you figure about 10gal per person per day of water, then you can size your tanks (our current 130gal tanks will get the two of us out to 7 days). Good Luck, TomC
True. With my 2 kids and myself we were only able to go about 3 days without filling up, and that was with us using bottled water for drinking. A week just wouldnt do it. Ahhh, one thing to tackle at a time. It would be pretty easy to add a 2nd tank later on.
Also, I use to add bleach to my fresh water every fill up and of course when it would sit for a week or more at a time (which wasnt often cuz we lived in it). This, I felt, was extra insurance the water safe......
OK, got the freshwater tank and pump, rooftop AC unit, furnace, dinette, bunch of cabinet doors, two closet doors, and about 8 drawers for $400. Hope I did ok. I wanted to get the propane tank, and captains chairs too, but my 6 yr old patience was wearing thin, and I was pooped! I may go back Next week on my day off and get more junk!
Boyce