Getting water when boondocking

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Len and Jo

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Apr 25, 2005
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This is mainly aimed at smaller rigs (B's, pickup campers, trailers, etc) when remote camping.  Works with hand pumps or water from a stream or lake.  The filter we use is our backpacking filter a Sawyer 0.1 micron absolute.  The SmartBottle 5 gallon bag we use is very tough and takes up very little space when stored.  Our van has a 18 gallon water tank that lasts the two of us 5-7 days and with the mentioned system can be refilled in an hour or so.
 

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We used to similar things when dry camping in a small rig. We used a kayak bilge pump to transfer the water though. It worked better for the setup we had, but yours is ingenious.
 
That's pretty cool. I am amazed that it holds its shape so well.

I am totally embarrassed that (on my 4th trip) 2 guys used 80 gallons of water in 3 days :-(

We need to get way better on water use - LOL...
 
Water use takes planning. It comes with experience. When boondocking you have the great outdoors. Limit bathroom use. Take navy showers. Wet down, cut off the water, lather up and rinse. I shower outside if I don't have neighbors. Cook outside. Use paper plates and plastic cups. Wash dishes once a day. Wash pots and pans outside cowboy style.

I use a storage bladder and this water purification system. Just get water right out of those rocky mountain creeks.

 
My rig holds 100 gallons of fresh water, but my limiting factor is usually the gray tank. It's only 50 gallons.
Amazing how you can fill a 50 gallon gray tank and still have 75 gallons of fresh water left.
 
My rig holds 100 gallons of fresh water, but my limiting factor is usually the gray tank. It's only 50 gallons.
Amazing how you can fill a 50 gallon gray tank and still have 75 gallons of fresh water left.

That is why I take showers and often even wash dishes outside. I have an outdoor shower. Kind of fun to get naked in the great outdoors. Great thing about disbursed camping. Just make sure you use biodegradable soap.

Limit that bathroom use too.
 
Not a problem, I'm alone now, and the black tank is also 50 gallons. I can go about 3 weeks on that one.
No comment on the outside shower. :ROFLMAO:
 
That is why I like dispersed camping in the national forest of the rockies. You can find spots where you won't see another human being for days.
 
We use a shower tent when we are doing extended dry camping. Use a solar shower bag that will heat the water in 4-5 hours. A full 5 gallon shower bag will last for 2-3 showers. The main consumer of water is the length of the persons head of hair that is showering. When there is no water available except for that carried in the van (18 gallon tank) the two of us can take showers using 2 gallons (me 05 gallons, wife 1.5 gallons).
 

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That is why I take showers and often even wash dishes outside. I have an outdoor shower. Kind of fun to get naked in the great outdoors. Great thing about disbursed camping. Just make sure you use biodegradable soap.

Limit that bathroom use too.

I suggest one of the Dr. Bronner's Castille soaps. Safe, biodegradable and leaves no soap scum residue. We love the peppermint one!
 
We have a 60-gallon water bladder that fits in the back of our truck bed to bring water back to the site and a transfer pump. As others have said, conserving water helps a lot. We do not use paper plates as that creates another problem, trash which then has to be managed. Instead we use a spray bottle with a mixture of vinegar and a couple drops of dish soap, just spritz it on the dishware and wipe. As an added bonus vinegar works as a disinfectant.
 
We have a 60-gallon water bladder that fits in the back of our truck bed to bring water back to the site and a transfer pump. As others have said, conserving water helps a lot. We do not use paper plates as that creates another problem, trash which then has to be managed. Instead we use a spray bottle with a mixture of vinegar and a couple drops of dish soap, just spritz it on the dishware and wipe. As an added bonus vinegar works as a disinfectant.
All we use are paper plates and in the fire they go. The only thing that goes in the trash can is non-paper.
That is why I take showers and often even wash dishes outside. I have an outdoor shower. Kind of fun to get naked in the great outdoors. Great thing about disbursed camping. Just make sure you use biodegradable soap.

Limit that bathroom use too.
I'm too shy but my wife and and daughter have no problem walking around butt naked on public beaches.
 
My rig holds 100 gallons of fresh water, but my limiting factor is usually the gray tank. It's only 50 gallons.
There are a couple of possibilities for that depending on where you camp. If local laws allow it, dishes can be washed in a plastic basin placed in the sink and then the dishwater thrown outside. If that is not legal or advisable, put the dishwater down the toilet. Not only does it even up use of the waste tanks, but it also helps emptying of the Blackwater tank. More liquid is good for it.

When we boondock, the only gray water we collect is from the shower. We insisted on having a bathroom in our trailer so we don't have to use the great outdoors. 😊
 
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