Losing water

[skyking14u]

I have a 15' Hi-lo, and when we camp at campgrounds that don't have water hook-ups, I have to fill the tank prior to getting there. However, the overflow outlet is at the back of the tank, and when I'm driving, the water comes out of the tank, and most of the time I lose at least 1/3 of my water, even after driving relatively short distances. If the drive is longer, I can lose 1/2 of my water.
It doesn't seem like there is an easy way to block the water from exiting the overflow hose. Has anyone else had this problem, and found an easy fix? Unfortunately, the tank has only one way to fill it, from an outside hose. If there was a way to add more water after getting to our destination, we could add more from water containers, but this isn't an option on the tank, as there is no opening at the top. I've been trying to find ways to put a blocking mechanism on the overflow hose, but haven't found an easy solution yet.
Help, please!

 

[skyking14u]

I found a solution to my problem, so no need to reply now. I was able to put a PVC "plug" at the tank outlet. I can take this off if I want the overflow drain hose connected, but probably won't use that hose much anymore, and just make sure I don't overflow when filling the water tank up.

 

[Treeclimber]

skyking14u, Don't ya just love a simple fix!! I've found several fixes that made me wonder why Hi Lo didn't think of them.
Tree

 

[JackandJanet]

Doesn't the overflow port also act as a vent to the cold water tank? If so, it's probably a good idea to take your "cover" off when camping. You also MAY find filling the tank to be a bit more difficult without the vent open.

- Jack

 

[skyking14u]

Hi Jack-
That’s a good thought about needing that opening as a vent. I never would have considered that, but I think you will proven to be right. I’ll have to reconnect that hose when filling the tank, then cap it when traveling.

Tim

 

[JackandJanet]

Yes, I think it COULD possibly collapse the tank due to a vacuum caused by the pump if the filling port and the overflow vent were both capped. Of course, the water flow might slow to a trickle before that happening, but it would probably not do the tank any good to have a vacuum form inside it.

Still, your solution for preventing the water loss during travel is a spot-on idea! Good on you!

- Jack

 

[cva34]

Why not install a in line valve open to use fill and use and close to travel.....

 

[JackandJanet]

cva - a valve would be a good idea if you could locate it conveniently. In my trailer, with the fill point and vent at the front, there is no place to put a valve in the vent line that would be reachable. But, I've not had any water loss problems either.

If the vent line is located so that such a valve would be accessible, then yes - that's a perfectly good solution.

- Jack

 

[cva34]

cva - a valve would be a good idea if you could locate it conveniently. In my trailer, with the fill point and vent at the front, there is no place to put a valve in the vent line that would be reachable. But, I've not had any water loss problems either.

If the vent line is located so that such a valve would be accessible, then yes - that's a perfectly good solution.

- Jack

Me neither we seldom dry camp

 

[ROUGH RIDER 3]

Drill a small hole in the pvc cap for a vent, about 3/32" would probably be a good size.