Ep 43 - Caravan Water Tanks 101

[@heftymerv]

Great topic guys, we used to have one of those old OL 60lt water bladders that the documented fix was add a bit of cordial in to take the taste away. What we did was add an in-line filter and a pump and the water tasted better than any water from tanks to town. This filter and pump are in my trailer now and we still have the best tasting water in our trailer. As for cleaning the tank, get a high pressure gerni and get the drain cleaning hose which has a spiral end that pulls its way through the tank and just pull in and out. Works a treat.

[@SnowysOutdoors]

Great advice thanks, Michael. I had a bit of a laugh about cordial being the documented fix, seems like more of a mask than a removal of taste.. ~ Ben

[@aussienscale]

Zip tie any exposed fittings, pipes and hoses under the caravan or camper trailer using good old pool noodles, works amazingly well !!

[@SnowysOutdoors]

Pool noodles are endlessly versatile, thanks for the tip. ~ Ben

[@StaitlyNatters]

I’m currently in the planning process of an expedition vehicle. Something that was recommended to me was to carry twice the water I think I will need have a redundant way to filter and treat my own water an ability to pump and treat from from a water reservoir or source It was then recommended to have at least 2 of these options.

[@SnowysOutdoors]

Good advice I reckon, Norman. You could get yourself in strife if you try and carry double the water you need though, this could very quickly add up to a lot of extra weight, but definitely have a few extra days worth in case you are stranded. In an emergency you can do away with washing and just use the water for drinking which reduces your total daily use. I always carry a small hiking water filter with me too along with water treatment tabs, that way I can treat water if things go awry and I don't have any other options. ~ Ben

[@StaitlyNatters]

@@SnowysOutdoors weight isn’t exactly going to be an issue at almost 17 tons and a 6x6 with 20 feet rear frame length. Ex military truck. it’s more the issue of ‘how’ and ‘where’ to store rather than weight. I’m planning on 600 litres of fresh water with a reticulating grey shower option running from a 200 litre tank, and a further 200 litre grey dump tank. (Sinks). Actual calculations was for 400 litres. I’m estimating this will allow me 50 to 60 days off grid/remote camping before considering a return to civilisation. With all the estimated weights, (complete fit out), I am at 14.7 tons, less personal items and myself.

[@LombiTravels]

Thanks for answering my question on the grey water tank. I think we will go with collecting it straight from the sink with a hose into a jerry can or something similar, and then dispose of it appropriately. I have seen a few ideas on youtube.

[@SnowysOutdoors]

No problems, Kelly, hope you come up with a suitable solution. ~ Ben

[@PeterandRayleneWilson-nf4uk]

Getting ready for a trip went to fill water tanks was very slow to fill. Thought was an air bubble. BUT found the breathable holes near cap for water tanks some mud wasps had started to nest blocking the breathable holes. One to look for next time round.

[@SnowysOutdoors]

Thats super interesting!! Good find, and good tip to consider. ~ Lauren

[@philby1979]

Interesting topic. We just ordered a camper the options we have actually has 2 tanks the main 100l tank and a 2nd 80l The manufacturer has a video out re storing and cleaning They said store the tanks full and cleaning. Recommend either the cleaning tablets as you mentioned or Red cordial

[@SnowysOutdoors]

Seems there are differing views on this, philby1979. Red cordial though, this is the second time I've heard of this, it must just be to mask the taste of the tank, but your water is going to have a diluted cordial taste to it instead I imagine. Thanks for your thoughts here. ~ Ben

[@philby1979]

@@SnowysOutdoors its an old wives tail if you look on Cub Campers YT channel they have the video there, apparently it will kill off the bacteria. ( my wife swears by it when gatstro is about. she takes shots of it. and never gets it. lol no wonder the kids go crazy on it as well ;).

[@Aphony66]

Allegedly, if you rinse your tank with raspberry cordial it neutralises the weird taste of the plastic

[@SnowysOutdoors]

I've heard of this for hiking hydration bladders, I don't know of anyone trying this in a caravan tank though, you'd need a fair bit of cordial. ~ Ben

[@ausguy4385]

Its the fluride they add in SA its a mining by-product not ghe teeth one... its added to keep the pipe clean of scale. So the water in SA is 🤢🤮

[@SnowysOutdoors]

That does sound gross - havent drank tap water for years ~ Lauren

[@alklapaxida850]

adelaide water looks like scotch straight from the tap

[@SnowysOutdoors]

Jebbers....not sure what tap you were using! ~ Lauren

[@SnowysOutdoors]

Haha, it actually looks clear, it just doesn't taste real flash. ~ Ben

[@petermiddo]

Very disappointed with this episode. Water does have a shelf life. Water is treated and that treatment has a shelf life, like all other products. I can find out what the standard is but, if you're storing your van or trailer, or any water that you've got stored, then you *should* empty your tanks for longer term storage. Unless you're using your trailer, and hence cycling your water, more often. (Rough guide, any more than 6 months, I think, but I can find out) Camper trailers are a very different breed, and while they weren't the subject of the topic, where discussed extensively. I felt like old mate hasn't had much experience with camper trailers, the advice was a touch off. OK, more than a touch. The tanks and hosing used in a camper trailer will often have a strong 'plastic' taste. It can be treated, though.

[@SnowysOutdoors]

Thanks for your feedback, Peter, I think people should probably do their own research and do what is best for them based on they type of tanks they have, how long it will be stored and the environment in which it will be stored. For the benefit of us and future viewers I'm interested in your take on the points you mention above, and the risks as you understand it for storing water in an appropriate container out of sunlight in a full, sealed tank for long periods. Cheers ~ Ben

[@gettingtheretravel]

So people on rural properties that don't have access to water other than water tanks, should regularly empty their tanks and wait for it to rain again? No treatment in rain water and people have been living off rain water for thousands of years. I store my caravan with tanks full and never had an issue. I think your logic is a "touch off" and I would love to see this "standard" you refer to. In the meantime I'll keep drinking my rain water.

[@petermiddo]

​@@SnowysOutdoors SO, I've spoken with my father on the matter. Dad was involved in the committee for the Standards Mark for all products for supplying drinking water and was involved in the manufacture of home plumbing supply products. He was asked to join the committee based on his experience with manufacturing over a long period of time. The committee included Standards Australia representatives, Plumbers Reference groups and the CSIRO. As a result of that committee, a number of Australian Standard were developed, such as AS/NZS3718 *(which is tapware specific) and AS/NZS4020 Products Suitable for Drinking Water. This second Standard sets out the guidelines for taste, contaminants, etc, and includes plastic tanks, hoses, and all hardware generally associated with caravans and camper trailers. The CSIRO representatives at that committee recommended that the efficacy of the chemical used in the treatment of water declines and, while they acknowledged more studies needed to be done, recommended that tanks be emptied for any period of storage. A product for the storage of cold water before the hot water comes out of a home Hot Water Service (called "lead in") was denied approval for use because it stored water tobe fed back into the cold supply. There was an instance, in Sydney, Australia, that people died, allegedly, from drinking water that took too long a distance to arrive at the end point, that the efficacy of the water in the pipework made the water unsafe. It is alleged that bacteria entered the water in the distance it took from the treatment works to the house. Of course, Sydney Water denied this but amended their treatment practices to include other chemicals. Which still have efficacy issues of their own. Standards Australia, supposedly, have been taking the stance of leaving water storage containers empty. Now, this does include tanked hot water services in caravans because people use them to wash their dishes. Let's just say that I havent been emptying my tanks on my Camper Trailer because crawling underneath is a curse. Be assured that I will be bothering now that I've heard this! (And thanking the heavens that my new hybrid contains a tankless hot water service. )

[@SnowysOutdoors]

@@petermiddo this is really interesting, thanks. I do remember a building inspector telling me once about minimum lengths of pipe from the house tank to outlet. Do you, or your father, have any thoughts on the comment from @Getting There regarding rainwater tanks? I know as a kid we had our house connected to a rainwater tank and we never emptied it out. I do remember cleaning the sludge out of the bottom once in the 15 odd years I lived there though. ~ Ben

[@petermiddo]

​@@SnowysOutdoors We did discuss house tanks, and there were no real answers. My uncle and my cousin and her family live on a farm and pump all their water (including drinking water) into tanks from the upper Brisbane River, and drink this untreated. AS the CSIRO people said, there is much that needs looking into on the subject. I mean there are so many variables that need to be considered, too, like the storage of ice. We keep ice in our freezer without any consideration for length of time but does the fact of freezing slow or kill the growth of bacteria in the water? No one knows. So, there are more questions than answers at this stage. What they did say, and Dad asked this specifically because we've always been caravanners and campers, is to empty tanks as soon as you get home.