Dear Airstreamers,

More rant from the newbie, but I thought the long-term campers might be interested in my proposed solution to the big problem of running out of water, despite being camped next to a stream, lake or reservoir. Have you ever had to hitch up just to drive 100 yds to a faucet at the other end of the campground? Solves that one too.

Now I already have a $400 reverse osmosis water filtration system with a 5 gallon reserve tank, which works fine except it uses 50 gallons to make the 5. Fine on shore water but not from a tank. I'm getting an AquaStar model 80 tankless water heater, as I want endless hot showers and as Atwood and Suburban water heaters break after 2 years of continuous use. The control mechanism is the weak spot, they're difficult to replace and cost nearly $100. I had to do it twice in 4 years. Basically I could use 500 gallons (2 tons) of water a month.

So why not run a hose to the nearest stream, lake etc.? Use it for hot water and the water purification, and still run the 30 gallon onboard tank out the cold faucets only. Also have it set up so that if there is no nearby lake, you can run hot & cold from the tank, or from 30+ psi shore water, without cross contamination.

When there is no nearby stream I intend to transport water to the trailer in one of those vinyl pillow tanks ($100), in the back of the truck, connecting it to the river inlet above. If you find clean city water you can fill the tank. A $20 non demand pump would be used to fill the pillow from the river or that campground faucet. The same hose can be used for shore, river and vinyl tank supply. Am I crazy?

Jon Darling.