Just dreaming about our next 'van!! What are the pros and cons of having an onboard cold water tank? Anyone got any thoughts please?
Pros and cons of onboard cold water tank?
- Thread starter annierich
- Start date
Never missed it when I never had one. Handy now I have one particularly on CLs , helps the shower go further between fill ups. Now I have to fill the aquaroll twice!!
Cheers
Alan
Cheers
Alan
Lots to be said for and against.
For: perhaps larger capacity than external tanks (Aquaroll etc)
Shouldn't freeze up in winter
Unlikely to be stolen
Against: you may need to drain down before towing to keep van weight within limits and/or the nosewieght right depending where the tank is.
Filling can be less than straightforward - some vans require valves to be changed over (and these of course are under the seats)
May not be very easy to clean out each season
Gauges are not particularly good and it's easy to run out.
May be taking up space which could be better used.
Not so easy to connect directly to a tap if on a serviced pitch as the adaptor which fits the Aquaroll.
You will gather that, having had one on a van some time ago I have not had one since - at least, not on fitted by the maker. I fit a second pump connection inside the van such that I can use a 20 litre plastic jerrycan when travelling in winter. Near the axle, usually only about half full and saves a lot of hunting about on strange sites on dark winter nights.
For: perhaps larger capacity than external tanks (Aquaroll etc)
Shouldn't freeze up in winter
Unlikely to be stolen
Against: you may need to drain down before towing to keep van weight within limits and/or the nosewieght right depending where the tank is.
Filling can be less than straightforward - some vans require valves to be changed over (and these of course are under the seats)
May not be very easy to clean out each season
Gauges are not particularly good and it's easy to run out.
May be taking up space which could be better used.
Not so easy to connect directly to a tap if on a serviced pitch as the adaptor which fits the Aquaroll.
You will gather that, having had one on a van some time ago I have not had one since - at least, not on fitted by the maker. I fit a second pump connection inside the van such that I can use a 20 litre plastic jerrycan when travelling in winter. Near the axle, usually only about half full and saves a lot of hunting about on strange sites on dark winter nights.
We do not shower in the van which means that we do not need as much water. Our tank is 40 litres and when travelling only put in 2/3 litres and fill it up with a watering can when on site. No aquaroll to carry, saves space.
I am for an inboard tank, very much so;
A big plus is it cant be fouled by dogs, flies etc.
No pump to have to carry,fit, remove and store or have trouble getting its electrical connection to work.
Some water on route for tea/ loo flush etc.
No Aquaroll, handle or carrier bag to carry and store; clean up and put away. No rolling it through dirt or worse; some Aquarolls even have the filler on the side; how's that for hygiene?
No cold weather problems.
Easy to drain and dry out; plug at the base; no leaving damp surfaces for culturing bacteria.
Clearly it has to be well thought out by the maker for accessibility and ease of filling. Not always the case but a criticism of the maker not the concept and a good showroom indicator and a warning of the makers general lack of attention.
Most motorhome owners seem to cope as well as most continental caravanners; this external water container is a "british thing".
I carry a 16 litre jerry can with integrated spout that lives in the front locker; away from the light and thus algae growth. Not too heavy to carry
My last two vans have had inboard tanks and I don't want to go back.
A big plus is it cant be fouled by dogs, flies etc.
No pump to have to carry,fit, remove and store or have trouble getting its electrical connection to work.
Some water on route for tea/ loo flush etc.
No Aquaroll, handle or carrier bag to carry and store; clean up and put away. No rolling it through dirt or worse; some Aquarolls even have the filler on the side; how's that for hygiene?
No cold weather problems.
Easy to drain and dry out; plug at the base; no leaving damp surfaces for culturing bacteria.
Clearly it has to be well thought out by the maker for accessibility and ease of filling. Not always the case but a criticism of the maker not the concept and a good showroom indicator and a warning of the makers general lack of attention.
Most motorhome owners seem to cope as well as most continental caravanners; this external water container is a "british thing".
I carry a 16 litre jerry can with integrated spout that lives in the front locker; away from the light and thus algae growth. Not too heavy to carry
My last two vans have had inboard tanks and I don't want to go back.
Annie
Best thing since sliced bread!!!
Mine is 40 litre (a standard tank in an Abbey) so same size as the Aquaroll - that means 80 litres on tap when both filled up for the night. An electric switch operates the Aquaroll pump to fill the onboard tank, no valves to faff around with. The only time you would switch valves is to isolate the onboard tank to run off the Aquaroll only, such as for overnight stops, but that's a very simple process anyway - just turning a manual tap.
Yes, the onboard tank must be drained for travelling - 40 litres equals 40 kg in extra weight but that's done simply by another tap to drain out under the floor - no hassle, you should drain the hot water tank as well anyway. If you want a little water for the journey then use the Aquaroll.
If you are looking at buying a caravan with an onboard tank then check that it's factory fitted with all proper controls, anything missing and it won't operate as above - the control panel pump switch should switch between the pumps as well as 'off' (i.e. power from the taps goes to the correct water tank) and the inlet has an automatic non-return valve (to avoid the onboard pump pumping back into the Aquaroll). Apart from the drain, the only manual valve is to isolate the onboard tank in order to use the Aquaroll alone. Very simple and a very flexible use of water tanks - and access to 80 litres.
I wouldn't be without it!
Alan (another Alan!)
Best thing since sliced bread!!!
Mine is 40 litre (a standard tank in an Abbey) so same size as the Aquaroll - that means 80 litres on tap when both filled up for the night. An electric switch operates the Aquaroll pump to fill the onboard tank, no valves to faff around with. The only time you would switch valves is to isolate the onboard tank to run off the Aquaroll only, such as for overnight stops, but that's a very simple process anyway - just turning a manual tap.
Yes, the onboard tank must be drained for travelling - 40 litres equals 40 kg in extra weight but that's done simply by another tap to drain out under the floor - no hassle, you should drain the hot water tank as well anyway. If you want a little water for the journey then use the Aquaroll.
If you are looking at buying a caravan with an onboard tank then check that it's factory fitted with all proper controls, anything missing and it won't operate as above - the control panel pump switch should switch between the pumps as well as 'off' (i.e. power from the taps goes to the correct water tank) and the inlet has an automatic non-return valve (to avoid the onboard pump pumping back into the Aquaroll). Apart from the drain, the only manual valve is to isolate the onboard tank in order to use the Aquaroll alone. Very simple and a very flexible use of water tanks - and access to 80 litres.
I wouldn't be without it!
Alan (another Alan!)
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