Water tanks

[MagsAlan]

Can anybody tell me the advantages of an on board water tank please

 

[JTQ]

No outside water container:

So nothing for dog to foul;yes I have seen it more than once!

Will not freeze in winter.

No pump and electrics to couple up, uncouple and go wrong.

If you leave 5 10 litres in tank you can use the loo flush and also some water is available directly when on site.

Has a water gauge so you know the level.

No mud and muck under the Aquaroll.

Just part and parcel of a more refined caravan.

Downside.

Needs draining and cleaning occasionally.

You still need a water container but one that fits in the front locker out of the way

 

[bigbilly]

On my caravan the on board water pump is more powerful than the small one in the Aquaroll but I can easily switch between tanks or pumps.

If I go away for 2 - 3 nights not on EHU and don't take the solar panel I always use the Aquaroll as the on board tank needs battery power to fill.

Bill

 

[MagsAlan]

So to use an onboard tank, you need to be on a serviced pitch? And if you are on a standard pitch with or without EHU you would need the aquaroll?

 

[Robtel]

Mags & Alan,

You don't need to be on a serviced pitch to use onboard tank.

You would fill your aquaroll or similar then transfer contents via pump to onboard tank.

I often use a combination of both. I fill onboard tank, go back to service point and refill aquaroll. Its handy if someone wants to use the shower, switch over to which ever one is full and you don't need to worry about water running out.

On a serviced pitch I don't normally bother with the onboard tank.

Robert

 

[Thorpedo]

Mags and Alan

If you have no EHU you can still use the onboard tank but you may need to use the pump to fill it from an aquaroll and obviously use the pump again as you use the water. This uses battery power twice which may or may not be an issue.

I have an onboard tank, but using an 'aquasource' I can fill the onboard tank direct from a tap in the same way as camper vans do prior to pitching. This does not need the pump to be running so no extra drain on the battery.

Another benefit of an on board tank is that if you have the tank full and also use the aquaroll you can switch over from one to the other if someone is in 'mid shower' and the water is low.

The downside is that with twice the capacity of clean water the waste container still needs emptying.

Having noted the above, I've had an on board tank for 2 years and only used it once, I find it too much hassle, I think I'd rather have the space it takes up as extra storage.

My favourite piece of water kit is the aquasource which, tap availability permitting, hooks caravan directly to tap. No pump use at all, no filling up and no running out. Just have to remember to empty the grey waste unless (even better) a dedicated pitch drain (fully serviced)is available.

 

[MagsAlan]

Thanks everyone for your comments. It seems its not an 'essential' piece of kit to be looking for in a new caravan and for us at least, not one that would be a decider.

Again, thanks for your prompt responses

 

[RayS]

Another "downside" is that a full water tank adds considerably to the weight and may indeed put it outside the MAW (maximum all up weight - also known by other acronyms) which means extra load to tow and that you really should empty it before towing - but not on your pitch please.