Reduce campsite setup time by using water tank and soft water

jimcenname

As a solo camper I setup and tear down camp all by myself. To make the process a little easier I fill my water tank full with soft water. A full tank of water lasts me (solo) over a week. I don't connect to city water every stop. Soft water enables me to use less water for showers because it's easier to lather up. I find I don't need much water to rinse. I like the smooth feel of soft water. I really like that my shower, and the shower curtain in my 400 stay much cleaner. BTW, I test my tank water regularly using a water test kit.

gande

@jimcenname…can you please elaborate on your system for filling worth “soft” water?
 

What test kit do you use and what does it test for?  We’ve become hesitant to drink water from the fresh tank on our 2018 Tab400. 

Thanks for any info you can provide. 

Gary

jimcenname

Gary, I use soft water because it's easy on my plumbing and appliances. No mineral build up. The blue device in my photo in the previous post changes tap water. It doesn't add anything, something about ions that cause the minerals in the water to not deposit on stuff. Google "soft water" for a full explanation. I test for water softness every few months to be sure it's still working and when the water get more hard I recharge the softener. I also test for bacterial annually. Since I live in my T@B and use the water tank exclusively the water turns over weekly so it's stay fresh. BTW, most city water is chlorinated so it should not introduce bacteria into my tank. Here's the softener I use: 

https://www.portablewatersoftener.com/shop/water-softeners

Here are the test kits: 

https://www.amazon.com/JNW-Direct-Hardness-Accurate-Determine/dp/B07B31M49N

https://www.acehardware.com/departments/plumbing/water-treatment/water-filters/4205787

otr_320

@jimcenname, we have/use the same 8k grain water softener as you.  Been using it religiously for the last 10 years or so.  Once you get used to soft water at home it's hard to go without when you're on the road (especially when showering). 

As for drinking water from the FW tank, everybody has a different tolerance to risk.  Every time we add water to our FW tank we always add chlorine/clorox---primarily to prevent anything untowardly from gaining a foothold inside the tank.  Even so, we rarely drink it.  Always bring/drink bottled water.

TourDeForth

Ok, I ordered one. It should be here on Monday. I use my shower daily when camping, I use water sparingly but the idea that I can use even less water sold me on the idea of soft water. I’ll be camping for a week in October and give it a good work out. 

Tabaz

I bought the same unit after seeing Jim's at a T@Bazona rally a few years ago.  I had to replace my Adle unit because the cold water inlet where it met the boiler became corroded and sprung a leak. It was not repairable. I'm hoping the water softener will keep that from happening again.