Post
by pink » Mon Aug 13, 2012 2:00 pm
Charles,
I've brought a van conversion every year I've gone, and it only has a 20 gallon fresh water tank. I'm not even sure of the size of the grey/black water tanks. I bring about 7 gallons of drinking water, and usually have some left over. I go solo.
I use my RV water for washing dishes (sparingly), washing my feet/sponge bath (foot washing at night is a lovely treat if you prefer sandals like I do), face washing, hand washing. I get through a week with some to spare.
If you like a lot of showers, get a solar shower and either set it up in your shower in the rig, or use an evap pond. Even better, I've found is the simple garden sprayer. It is incredibly refreshing on a hot afternoon, doesn't require an evap pond because little water hits the playa, and you can have a lot of fun with your friends, RV mates, make new friends by asking for help spraying....for a full shower experience while using little water, get sprayed, get off the grime with baby wipes, then rinse off again. You'll find the playa is really a natural deodorant (it's really wierd that way, but people don't tend to stink even after a week), and you'll find ways to conserve water you never thought about in defaultia.
The first few burns I was really worried about running out of water-especially the second one where my toilet valve stuck open and I didn't realize it until my tank was 3/4 empty the third day. I was literally flushing away my precious water every time I turned the pump on. But practice makes perfect, and even though I had early entry last year AND stayed until Tuesday to leave, I still had water in my tank. The first couple of years I also worried about the grey & black water tanks and paid to have them pumped by the end of the week. It's a LOT easier than stopping by the first rest stop on I-80 toward Reno where there is a dump station, but a lot cheaper. Flagging down the trucks isn't as hard as it seems, especially if you are in a major camp like medical. But if you are conserving your water, the grey & black water shouldn't fill up either.
Another tip-use the portos whenever you can, rather than the RV toilet. Having an indoor toilet is heaven for the middle of the night pees, but stank can be an issue.
Also....make sure anyone sharing your space has this info stamped into their brain! It would suck to be conserving water like a fiend and then have a douche roommate drain your entire tank in one shower.
I'm not a slut, I'm good time floozy!
