I wrote a post way back in February this year about how I supply water at some of our remote boondocking locations.
We bought a surplus 300 gallon food grade plastic container in a wire cage and used it to supply the 3 RVs. A tank this big full of water weighs over a ton so it is not for everybody. We easily lifted it on to a trailer or into the bed of a truck with the front bucket on a backhoe. 300 gallons of water will last me a month if I am the only one using it. The tank has a spigot on the bottom and I bought a 12v Flojet 2gpm transfer pump at Tractor supply and bolted it to a board. It is easy business to hook it up and pump the recreational vehicle fresh water tank full.
This morning I was reminded of just how much I hate not having water on site. I knew I needed water. I procrastinated ’til the last minute. I got up this morning with rain threatening, I had no choice.
Loading up the portable water tank
Getting water as a one man crew is a lengthy and cautious project. I try to take my time and make sure all the chains are attached properly, make sure feet and hands stay out of the way and especially make sure I don’t get that heavy tank swinging like a pendulum. Once loaded, I travel about 10 miles to the closest beer store where the gals have graciously allowed me to use their outside spigot. The whole process start to finish consumes a little over two hours. …. and I have been doing it at this location for almost 9 months now.
Notice the bridle we use to support the tank.
This is the first time I have had to use the portable water tank through a long hot summer here in Texas and I have found out the water supply has to be handled a bit differently. I always try to get water from a city water supply that has been treated and purified. However, sometimes it takes me a month to use 300 gallons and that creates a problem. It will grow algae sitting out in the hot sun. I don’t know if the chemicals disperse because of the UV rays and the heat or what but it will grow algae. I add a pint of bleach each time I fill the portable water tank and that seems to have solved the problem. I have yet to notice any bleach smell in the water when it is used. I use this same water for ice as well and it does not adulterate my Jim Beam. It drinks just fine 
The only other problem I have run into is the full tank sinking into the soft ground and blocking the spigot. That problem was quickly solved by putting some 2×4s under the tank.
Now I realize everybody doesn’t have a Cat backhoe to lift a big portable water tank like this but I do feel it would be applicable in many situations with some different logistics. The empty tank is manageable with two men. The steel frame makes it easy to slide on a hard surface like a wood or steel trailer deck. If you had a small utility trailer that would support 3000lbs you could strap it down and dedicate the small trailer to water tank duty. I see these small trailers on Craigslist all the time for a decent price. I can guarantee you if I was at a deer lease with a buncha smelly men or long term boondocking in one place with a woman that wanted something more than a spit bath, this big tank would be something I would be investigating.
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