Bailey with onboard water tank/pressure vessel

I can understand an onboard tank for winter use but otherwise I have never understood the need. If extra capacity is needed why not just have another aquaroll? A fixed tank takes up a lot of room unless it is under slung which is unusual. Also, you cannot travel with water in an onboard tank.

The Bailey removable onboard tank (25 litre Fiamma) was completely useless. Too heavy to lift into place and could not be filled when fixed without extensive valving change. I believe they dropped it on recent models.

There is a huge amount of wasted space in my Bailey under the front seats. That's where the water tank is, but I would not be using the space for anything else.

Is it not the case anyway that a woman's showering needs will always expand to slightly exceed the amount of water available.

Current onboard tanks seem to be under the seat, but ours (2008 Sterling) is under the floor and is insulated.  We can therefor still use the space under the seat.

We. always wash up in the van, and often use our own shower, so do get through a fair bit of water.

If we are just on an overnight stop, we may just use the Aquaroll, but for 2 days plus we pump water  into the van tank, and then refill the Aquaroll, thus giving us 80 litres and removing the need to go out when it is wet or dark to refill.  Tipping waste water is quick, refilling takes time.

No space for a second Aquaroll in the car, so having the onboard tank is excellent.

Like KjellNN, we use our onboard tank all the time except for overnight stops which, for us, are fairly rare. Onboard tank plus full Aquaroll lasts us a full day, including showering and I just find it so convenient to have that extra capacity without the hassle of having to carry an additional aquaroll. Our tank is right at the front of the front seat, occupying what would otherwise be wasted or difficult to access, space, so it's not exactly wasting space. Switching over from one to the other is via a three position rocker switch on the main control panel, so it couldn't be easier to switch over.

I'll maybe give it a try using the on-board tank next time then, ours is controlled by manual valves rather than a switch. A diagram of the accumulator would be much appreciated as I think that would be a "nice thing to have". Thanks again to all for advice

Hello, I have attached the diagram showing the water system in our Swift caravan.  This diagram also includes changing the 3-way valve with two stop valves.

As can be seen the accumulator is fitted immediately after the pump thereby damping the pulsing and reducing noise from the pump.  To maximise the pressure to the shower it is a good idea to limit the number of 90 deg bends in the system, where possible bend the pipes to fit instead.

Hope this helps!

Thanks so much, much appreciated.