We're looking to buy a new caravan this year. We currently have an old VanRoyce with an on-board water tank, but some of the models we like the look of don't have an on-board tank. Would not having a tank on-board cause us any problems, or is a van without one just as good?
I don't think that many caravans have on-board water tanks now. All the ones I know use a water barrel such as an 'Aquaroll' or 'Water Porter' for the caravan's fresh water supply.
We use an Aquaroll too now, and have an internal switch for when we want to pump on more water. I'm just a bit bothered about running out of water if we haven't got the extra capacity of the on-board tank, especially if we are having a shower. Is that why I often see two Aquarolls outside people's vans?
Yes, I always use two Water Porter barrels so I keep one filled up in reserve. I usually change them over about tea time and replenish the other immediately for the next day. If it's raining and your'e out of water it's not far to walk to interchange them and you can leave the empty one hopefully till the rain subsides. The other reason is that when you move the water pump from one barrel to the next, you avoid having to put the water pump on the ground which avoids picking up any bacteria. Not everyone likes to have two barrels as they say it's extra room and weight taken up but that's down to personal choice. Regarding the shower, I have an old 40 litre camping water carrier which you can see the water inside so you can see how much has been consumed. At least if it's getting a bit low you can interchange it then for a Water Porter or Aquaroll. I carry 3 empty water containers in the caravan which I place in the shower cubicle when in transit as they don't move about and realistically there's not that much weight. You have to apply the weight and necessity to your own choice as what you want to transport, but the way I do it makes sense plus it makes life much easier.
we use two full water barrels of 40 ltr size outside with a pump.i do not like the idea of on board tanks myself as it is hard to keep clean.if i could see inside the tank it may be a different matter because i could check it.
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I agree with michael. It's much easier to sterilise water barrels as well than it is an on-board tank and like he said, you can clearly see inside a barrel whereas the on-board water tank you can't.
We use a water hog for our water supply and having filled it around tea time the night before there is more than enough water for two of us to have a shower in the morning....just don't hang around ....
Phil
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CAK do a kit for mounting tanks under the caravan and also sell small heating elements and insulation that will cope with most things that the UK weather will through at you. Thinking about installing one myself but will probably wait until the summer as I don't feel like crawling about under the 'van in this weather. CAK's website has a lot of interesting bits and pieces for water systems in general.
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Plenty caravans have inboard tanks but they tend to be toward the top of ranges and twin-axles.
Personally, I've had a whole line of twin-axles with inboard tanks and a caravan without one would be a considerable minus for me. I fill the inboard tank, then fill the Aquaroll and use the inboard tank first. It means that I have a 'reserve' tank, the Aquaroll. Also, as I caravan all year round, and obviously with the van heated, the inboard is less liable to freeze.
Although a proper inboard takes up space in a floor locker, Swift do underslung tanks.
We have onboard tank on our new swift.it's excellent. Especially when it below freezing outside,and in the warmer months I'll have almost double the water on tap.
Our old Swift van didn't have an onboard tank, so we had 2 water hogs (as described above) which took up a fair bit of space in the van when we were on the move (and also, of course, extra weight).
When we bought the Hymer, it has an inboard tank, under one of the rear seating areas, where it is very easy to access (and clean). Wasn't on our wish list when buying another van to have an onboard tank, but having now used the van and this tank for over a year, I can see there are many advantages. The capacity for fresh water is much greater and we also do as the person does above, and keep the water hog filled up outside as a backup if we do run low. We also have a gauge showing how much water is actually left in the inboard tank - very useful.
Also used the van for a weekend last January (minus 9 one night) and the onboard tank didn't freeze.
I would have thought that having an inboard would be a waste of water as you woudl need to empty it before setting off whereas with two barrels you don't have that problem.
Quote: Originally posted by Surfer01 on 30/1/2011
I would have thought that having an inboard would be a waste of water as you woudl need to empty it before setting off whereas with two barrels you don't have that problem.
surfer01 -
Most systems let you control internal and external supplies separately and you have a dial to show how much in internal tank. So, if not too cold outside I use both and on the day I am leaving monitor the amount left in the on-board tank, run down and then switch to any remaining water in the Aquaroll. No different to having one (or two) Aquarolls with water in at time to leave, still have to discard.
I have a Bailey Pegasus 624 2010 model. It has a 23 litre onboard tank. I really cant see the point of it as its not enough water to last the day with a shower. So I use two Aquarolls with a a twin feed, so in fact I have 80 litres of water.
I can see that during winter months the internal tank would be good, and according to the handbook thats why its there, but for normal touring its pointless because its so small. I could use it as a back up tank for those times you run out of water (usually nightime when its raining) but so far I don't use it all.
Striderpaul, how have you set up your twin feed with two aquarolls, do you use an onboard pump or two submersibles into a t peice with non return valves? Is the onboard tank fitted with an isolation valve? Many thanks!
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Topic: Water tanks - on board or not?
