| Topic: Dry camping |
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Posted By: roadrat57
on 06/22/16 07:05pm
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I have a 40 gallon fresh water tank. We took 2 quick showers, a few toilet uses and a small dish washing and my tank was showing empty. What is the average dry camp water use? Seems to us, 40 gallons should go farther than that.
Thanks for your response,
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Posted By: Toddupton
on 06/22/16 07:12pm
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Your quick showers most likely cost you 40 gallons. The only way to do a dry camp shower is a navy shower.
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Posted By: KD4UPL
on 06/22/16 07:17pm
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Holly cow something's not right. We can usually do 4 showers plus wash the dishes, wash hands, use the toilet, etc. on 33 gallons.
Now, for these showers, we don't let the water run the whole time. Maybe that's what Todd means by a "navy shower".
We get wet, turn off the water, soap up, rinse, repeat, etc. We can do 2 showers and a few other things on 1/3 tank.
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Posted By: gbopp
on 06/22/16 07:19pm
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If you don't have them, get a low flow aerator(s) and showerhead for your rig.
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Posted By: coolmom42
on 06/22/16 07:29pm
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Also, don't leave the water running while you are washing dishes. Wash in one sink & stack the soapy dishes in the other. Then rinse all the soapy dishes at once.
Agree with others about the low-flow shower head & navy showers. The Oxygenic shower heads are great.
Single empty-nester in Middle TN, sometimes with a friend or grandchild on board
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Posted By: F1bNorm
on 06/22/16 07:32pm
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KD4UPL wrote: Holly cow something's not right. We can usually do 4 showers plus wash the dishes, wash hands, use the toilet, etc. on 33 gallons.
Now, for these showers, we don't let the water run the whole time. Maybe that's what Todd means by a "navy shower".
We get wet, turn off the water, soap up, rinse, repeat, etc. We can do 2 showers and a few other things on 1/3 tank.
X2- this is close to our routine. I do have a 2 gallon bottle of water (old laundry soap container) to charge the toilet. It's faster and easier to charge the toilet, rather than the partial pressing the foot pedal. I use that same container to rinse the black tank after dumping.
Norm
F1BNorm
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Posted By: John / Angela
on 06/22/16 07:32pm
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40 gallons would last us about 5 days but we don't shower every day. We have a 100 gallons in the Moho and it lasts us 10 days plus or minus. Every one is different in their habits. You will get better at conserving water.
2003 Revolution 40C Class A. Electric smart car as a Toad on a smart car trailer
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but rather by the moments that take our breath away.
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Posted By: Artum Snowbird
on 06/22/16 07:35pm
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And perhaps you will have lots left with only one light on the sensor. It's a bit of a pain, but filling the tank, then having someone watch the sensor lights while you fill a bucket from the outside shower will really tell you how much is left. Get a couple of measured buckets, and empty the tank until it runs dry.
Mike
2012 Winnebago Impulse Silver 26QP
2005 16.6 Double Eagle
2018 Jeep Wrangler JK
previously Snowbird Campers,
Triple E Motorhome and Fifth Wheel
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Posted By: F1bNorm
on 06/22/16 07:36pm
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Also, you may be able to monitor your actual usage if you can see the fresh water tank. On our MH we can see it under the jack knife couch. On our old TT, there was an access panel.
Norm
* This post was
edited 06/22/16 08:22pm by F1bNorm *
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Posted By: gkainz
on 06/23/16 06:56am
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An eye-opening test is to plug the shower drain or put a 5 gallon bucket under the head to see how much water a "really quick shower" uses.
'07 Ram 2500 CTD 4x4 Quad Cab
'10 Keystone Laredo 245 5er
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Posted By: klutchdust
on 06/23/16 08:04am
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I turned on my shower and using a funnel filled a one gallon pail. it took 60 seconds.
I fill a plastic tub with the water coming out of the shower head while waiting for the warm water then dip my cloth in that to get a soapy wash, after
rinsing I use whatever is left in that tub, usually a half gallon or so, for the next toilet flush. I can get 5 showers and dishes,not many, plus hand
washes on 38gallons. I estimate that my showers use 2.5 gallons per event. I turn on the water pump to charge the lines then turn it off before
washing my hands, every drop counts.
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Posted By: Bordercollie
on 06/23/16 08:21am
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Washing and rinsing long hair takes a lot of water. Wash and rinse long hair in cold water supply outside if possible. Use public restrooms if possible. Yeah I know!
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Posted By: JFNM
on 06/23/16 08:45am
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Howdy roadrat57, I doubt there is an average as everyone is different (to include one's equipment). In conservation mode, I can get by four weeks on 115 gallons. Normal-ish use and it lasts about 3 weeks. However; it is only me and I have learned how to conserve.
An adult male is supposed to drink almost a gallon of water per day. I make about 1/2 gallon of coffee/day, more in the colder months. I've never made an effort to measure the water used in a toilet flush but suspect it is something around a cup for a small job to much more for the bigger jobs.
JD - Full timer out west
1998 MCI 102-EL3 Revolution | 2010 Wrangler (daJeep) | 1.7kW Solar - 10kWh Lithium
My Adventures
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Posted By: pigman1
on 06/23/16 05:30pm
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There's obviously a problem somewhere. We have 90 gal of fresh water and can go 14-15 days boondocking. Yes, navy "spit" showers are a requirement. In addition, we heat water on the stove for whatever we need hot water for. Running the tap until you get rid of the cold before the hot shows up costs a lot of water. In addition, we wash dishes in a pot, large bowl or small pan. Putting enough water in the sink for dishes uses too much. Rinsing dishes also uses a lot of water, so use care there. We use the "If it's yellow, let it mellow, and if it's brown, flush it down" technique or until we start getting odors. Saves a lot there too. Finally, use cold water from the refrig if you need a cold drink, so you don't have to run the water waiting for a tap to get cool.
When we're boondocking for 2 weeks we're usually in the desert or on a wild river in Alaska, so we do come in dirty. You can do it, but it takes attention to detail.
Pigman & Piglady
2013 Tiffin Allegro Bus 43' QGP
2011 Chevy Silverado 1500
SMI Air Force One toad brake
Street Atlas USA Plus
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Posted By: PSW
on 06/23/16 08:17pm
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Here is a trick I learned when I had a Class B. Don't use a shower head or handheld shower head. Use a kitchen sprayer hose and head which will cost you from ten bucks on up. They put out good pressure and when you finger is off the hold down lever that baby is OFF and you don't drip or waste a drop of water. Also, you will find the pressure seems to be higher than a shower head. Like some one else suggested, fill a gallon jug like a milk carton with water and see how long it takes.
We (two of us) get six good showers, shower daily and our 38 gallon tank plus 6 in the hot water tank lasts 3 days, 4 if we take 8 really quick light showers. We wash our dishes over that time period and NEVER use campground showers or toilets. We very seldom stay where there are hookups. You can wash and rinse your hands well with less than a pint of water easily.
![[image]](http://i.imgur.com/1eKZc4Vl.jpg)
PSW
2013 Phoenix Cruiser 2350
2014 Jeep Cherokee behind it
and a 2007 Roadtrek 210P for touring
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Posted By: Claybe
on 06/23/16 09:28pm
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X2 for looking at your tank. I never trust the sensors. If it says 1 light I go out and open the compartment to look at it. Usually at 1 light I have about a 1/2 tank left. The sensors are weird. Don't trust them...take a look for yourself and use as little as you can. We also take a 7 gallon jug with us and sit it on a table outside for washing hands and faces as necessary. This saves a lot of water.
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Posted By: dewey02
on 06/23/16 09:49pm
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PSW wrote:
We (two of us) get six good showers, shower daily and our 38 gallon tank plus 6 in the hot water tank lasts 3 days, 4 if we take 8 really quick light showers.
That 6 gallons in your water heater tank can't be counted.
You can NEVER get that water out if you've used up the 38 gallons in your FW tank. It is only the pressure of water coming into the water heater that pushes the hot water out of the tank.
Well, you CAN get the water out, but you have to go outside the trailer and open up the low point drain and put a bucket under the low point drains.
On the other hand, I think your idea of using a kitchen sprayer as a showerhead is brilliant!
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Posted By: PSW
on 06/24/16 05:41am
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dewey02 is correct and I misstated. Sometimes, I have been led to believe, the gallonage of water stated on specs for some rvs includes that six gallons. Only one way to know for sure would be to drain the water tank and refill it gallon by gallon to measure.
The truth is once you get accustomed to boondocking you know intuitively about how much water you have used and your faith in the idiot lights on the panel decreases.
Paul
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Posted By: Dakzuki
on 06/24/16 10:44am
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PSW wrote:Here is a trick I learned when I had a Class B. Don't use a shower head or handheld shower head. Use a kitchen sprayer hose and head which will cost you from ten bucks on up. They put out good pressure and when you finger is off the hold down lever that baby is OFF and you don't drip or waste a drop of water. Also, you will find the pressure seems to be higher than a shower head. Like some one else suggested, fill a gallon jug like a milk carton with water and see how long it takes.
We (two of us) get six good showers, shower daily and our 38 gallon tank plus 6 in the hot water tank lasts 3 days, 4 if we take 8 really quick light showers. We wash our dishes over that time period and NEVER use campground showers or toilets. We very seldom stay where there are hookups. You can wash and rinse your hands well with less than a pint of water easily.
On our previous RV I put a threaded adapter on the kitchen faucet so a garden hose could be attached. Toss the hose out the window attach a garden sprayer and instant outside shower.
2011 Itasca Navion 24J
2000 Chev Tracker Toad
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Posted By: KristinU
on 06/24/16 04:53pm
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The dishes might have a lot to do with it too. If you do dishes like you would at home, you'll use a lot of water. I take my friends for a girls weekend once a year and the first time we went we ripped through freshwater in the first 24 hours! And that was with only two navy showers, the other two used the CG bathroom. After refilling the tank I saw my helpful friend doing the dishes - running the water like she would at home - yep, that'll do it!
Cheers!
Kristin
2008 Winnebago Chalet 31C
My camping party: me, DH, DS, and 2 DK9s
Our Blog: www.winnieadventures.blogspot.com
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Posted By: Gjac
on 06/25/16 06:05am
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I think washing dishes uses more water than navy showers. Water is the limiting factor as to how long you can dry camp. I have a 60 gal FW tank which will last two people 7 days with out too much effort. If more people come I will use a 5 gal jug outside to wash pots and pans and silver ware, and use paper plates just like tent camping.
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Posted By: PSW
on 06/25/16 09:55am
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Here is one of the handiest things for boondocking I have found, a Reliance Hydroroller has small wheels and a large mouth with a spigot. Holds 8 gallons and rolls easier than you would think, even on gravel or dirt. I have used one for probably ten years in NF and BLM campgrounds. I carry it in the shower when we are in transit. Also, I have a small 12v submersible transfer pump with a short hose attached and a cord long enough to get to my batteries. I snap on the alligator clips and pump water up into my rv tank. Most NF places have spigots for water supply or a hand pump water well. The mouth on the hydroroller is big enough to put under a hand pump and get your water. This works great and you can buy the container at Walmart or Amazon. I got the pump at Amazon.
![[image]](http://i.imgur.com/2bGzFRXl.jpg)
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Posted By: 'en Plain Air'
on 06/25/16 10:30am
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We have 55 gallons fresh water in our Class C. Can easily go 5 days (the limitation is the gray water). We shower daily - brief navy style. We are very conservative on how much water we use in dish washing having developed a very systematic water conservation approach. I can't wash my voluminous hair in the camper - need to rely on campground showers for that.
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Posted By: Lumpty
on 06/25/16 04:52pm
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44 gallon fresh tank here, and almost exclusively dry camp. Two of us doing the navy shower routine can make that last 4-5 days. We only use the toilet at night, no dish washing really as we're almost 100% paper or plastic plates, utensils and cups, and bottled water for coffee and drinks. If I really want to know how much water is left in the tank, it can be seen via peeking through the access hole under the rear bed. And if it's low, that's why I carry around a 5 gallon sized one of these:
![[image]](http://media.kohlsimg.com/is/image/kohls/1363061?wid=500&hei=500&op_sharpen=1)
In reality, my limitation is the 29 gallon grey tank. 8 or 9 showers and it starts to back up the drain.
Rob
Too Many Toys.
- '11 E450 Sunseeker 2300
- '16 F150 Supercrew 5.0/FX4
- '09 C6 Z51
- '15 VW Golf Sportwagen daily driver
- '86 Civic and '87 CRX race cars
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Posted By: DaCrema
on 06/26/16 11:49am
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I had a hair line crack in the strainer that is located between the pump and fresh water tank. It was actually on the back side of the strainer when viewed in place. I did not notice any issues on short trips because I almost never filled the tank and on long trips thought I was just being careless with water use. This spring the crack became worse and the leak became very visible. Water economy has improved with a replacement strainer assembly.
Note the assembly is before the pump, so the usual audible alert for a leak, a pump running back up to pressure, did not happen.
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Posted By: Cousin_Eddie93
on 06/26/16 11:37pm
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40 gal fresh tank, 35 gal GW and BW each. I also carry three water cooler bottles that total 16 gal I fill at the campground spigot. I dry camp between 5 and 7 days, three times a year and only once or twice had to refill the water bottles. My only limitation is my black tank as the campground I go to allows grey water to be seeped out into the woods with a hose. I did fill my black tank to capacity once while having 6 people camping. Fortunately, the campground has a mobile dump service for a small fee. Since then, the boys, myself and my two sons have taken to the woods for bladder unloadings. Saves a many gallon in the grey tank for the other business.
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Posted By: Crabbypatty
on 06/27/16 03:41am
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WE had a 40 gallon tank in our other TT would last 5 days with 2 adults and 2 kids. You need to take a navy shower. Get wet as fast as possible turn water off. Use as little soap as possible, including shampoo, then hose off. Dish washing is the other. Use as many disposable products as possible,, paper plates cups, plastic knives fork etc. If youhave to use something that needs to be washed, same thing, lightly wet, little soap.
If you change your habits you can extend. Also you can carry spare water.
John, Lisa & Tara">">">
2015 F250 4x4 6.2L 6 spd 3.73s, CC Short Bed, Pullrite Slide 2700, 648 Wts Solar, 4 T-125s, 2000 Watt Xantrax Inverter, Trimetric 2030 Meter, LED Lights, Hawkings Smart Repeater, Wilson Extreme Cellular Repeater, Beer, Ribs, Smoker
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