Home› Solo Travelers Hints & Tips

Reduce campsite setup time by using water tank and soft water

jimcennamejimcenname Member Posts: 307
in Solo Travelers Hints & Tips
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.

2019 T@B400
TV: 2017 Nissan Frontier SV 4X4
Southern California
Full-timer since 2019
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+

Comments

  • gandegande Member Posts: 93
    @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


    gande

    2018 T@b 400
    2019 Ram 1500 crew cab / 5.7 V8
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • jimcennamejimcenname Member Posts: 307
    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
    2019 T@B400
    TV: 2017 Nissan Frontier SV 4X4
    Southern California
    Full-timer since 2019
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • otr_320otr_320 Member Posts: 75
    edited September 14
    @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.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • TourDeForthTourDeForth Member Posts: 116
    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. 
    2023 T@B 320s Boondock, 2013 Toyota Tacoma TRD 4x4
    John, Northern California
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • Tabaz Tabaz Member Posts: 2,403
    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.
    2016 Outback 320
    2024 Ford F150 Supercrew short bed.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
Sign In or Register to comment.