MSR Dromedary bags & assoc bits

[devinsixtyseven]

Anyone using these?

http://www.msrcorp.com/hydration/dromedary.asp
http://www.msrcorp.com/hydration/spigot_cap.asp
http://www.msrcorp.com/hydration/hydration.asp

I was thinking of strapping a 10L bag (~2.5gal) to the back of each seat in the truck. It's unused space, and this way each person can hydrate easily while driving, with an easily accessable & detachable water source for cleaning/cooking/showering. They're more expensive than Scepter cans, but I can't well lash a scepter can to the back of the seat . These have a good-looking lash system on the sides of the bag, and they'll absorb heat for a warm water source.

Drom bags are 40 bucks @ 10L.
Spigot caps are 10 bucks, + cheap hose from the LHS = shower.
Hydration kits are 20 bucks, which I think is silly for what you get, but that's what they cost.

At the very least, two of these would make an easy system to refill the Nalgenes that fit more or less perfect in the stock cupholders. With a hydration kit (theirs or homebrew if I could get a pair of their cap/tube adapters), they'd replace the Nalgene bottles entirely as I'm always worried about a jounce sending a Nalgene under the brake pedal...and I'll always have water in the truck since theyre good freezing to boiling, and there's no reason to remove them except to fill & clean.

100$ plus shipping would get me 5gal H2O storage in a convenient location. It's kinda vertical, but works out to 40# at the center of the truck at about the midpoint of the back seats. I think that's acceptable.

Thoughts?

 

[Benjisan]

Wow, I like that idea a lot. I think I'm gonna grab a couple of those and hook them on to the back of my seats. I can't believe I didn't think of this before. Thanks for the idea and info.

 

[DaveInDenver]

Anyone using these?

I have a big Dromedary (wanna say the 10L), primarily got it for using as a shower. I personally prefer regular water cans, which I find easier to stow and fill. But the MSR does have it's use as as combo carrier/solar shower. Works well for that. Personally I've hung my Camelbak on the seat in my old FJ40, the idea has definite merit.

 

[devinsixtyseven]

Yeah, it is a good 4x the cost of a Scepter water can for the same volume...and I've done similar with my own Camelback...actually thought about doing this with C/Bs first. But, the largest comparable C/B is 3L (~3/4gal) @ 35-40$...the Droms are better storage for the money, and look much easier to strap down. Kind of like a smaller but better protected version of the large water carriers for use behind body panels or on the floor, and more versatile. At ~20# each, their weight is negligable since it's near the same place as my own CG, and besides I need to lose 20# so the total weight will be about the same once I'm in good shape (I'm about 170, I've been 180, oughtta be 155-160!)

I planned on refilling the Droms with the 5gal containers...one 5gal=2 Droms, easy fill with no remainder in the big jugs.

Dave, how's yours been working out? Ever had any problem with leaks, durability, anything?

For another comparison--

Camelbak: 0.80gal @ 35$ = 43.75$/gal (yeek!)
Drom: 2.5gal @ 40$ = 16$/gal
Hanson's SS tank: 14g @ 300$ = 21$/gal
West Marine small: 13g @ 100$ = 7.69$/gal
West Marine large: 31g @ 120$ = 3.8$/gal
Flexi Tank largest: 23g @ 220US$ = 9.56$/gal
Scepter large: 5.25gal @ 25$ = 4.76$/gal
Scepter small: 2.6gal @ 23$ = 8.84$/gal

That Drom looks like a pretty good deal. Scepters are an even better deal, but the best shot looks like a bladder fitted somewhere in a body panel or case of some sort. However, that doesn't impart any safety to the setup...if you get a hole in a 31gal bladder, you're out of water, but if you get a hole in one of six Scepter cans, you're still ok.

 

[DaveInDenver]

Dave, how's yours been working out? Ever had any problem with leaks, durability, anything?

I've haven't had any leaking issues and the material is pretty heavy. They're definitely more durable than the vinyl ones in backpacks, but a sharp edge will take them out. One thing is that the screw top is /much/ better than just about any Camelbak-style water bladder I've seen. On one of mine (I bought 2 on close-out from Gander Mt), I did cut the material on the point of my shovel, so they're not indestructible. But they'll be more than sufficient to hang on the back of a seat. I'll bring it to the happy hour, if you want. The obvious good point is that they don't take up tons of space. Actually, mine usually ends up stuffed into the gear. I fill it at home and use it up first, then stow it empty to be carried to a water source in an emergency. They are very handy fer sure.

 

[Scott Brady]

Yes! Fantastic product. I have two and put one in each rear passenger footwell for back-up water should my main tank fail, or I need to hike out.

 

[BajaTaco]

I have the hydration adapter - http://www.msrcorp.com/hydration/hydration.asp - and I had to put a hose clamp on it to keep it from leaking. I returned the first one, and the replacement leaked as well. This was a few years back when I purchased, so I would imagine they have it fixed by now. But I would make sure you can return those if they don't perform. If you do get them, report on performance. I am curious if they have been revised/fixed.

 

[Gear]

I have several of the Dromedary bags and have been using them for the past 10 years. No problems. They lay flat and work great in Sea Kayaks for carrying water in Baja. For Jeep Wrangler owners if you put that 10L bag behind the passanger seat in the foot well, it will heat up to a nice temp. while you are driving. This location is directly above the exhaust. Makes for a great shower.

 

[devinsixtyseven]

I ordered a pair from Moosejaw along with the spigot caps, and I'm also getting my hands on a hydration adapter spigot to play with.

It might actually be easier to swap the 3-in-1 caps for spigot caps, attach a tube and a hose clamp, sort of like the manual valve on a C/B but at the pouch end rather than the bite end.

No more setting 2.5gal plastic jugs in the back seat and assuming all goes to plan...last time we tried that, there was a flood .

The floorboard trick works in the Tundra, too

 

[devinsixtyseven]

Found some "associated bits" .

Check out the magnetic thingers...this is all at Nalgene's online store. Looks like the ticket for keeping a hydration hose secured to the headrest in the truck...no velcro required.

http://www.nalgene-outdoor.com/store/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=26

A Camelback bite valve and connectors are at least ten bucks. I couldn't DIY with CB or MSR parts and a couple magnets cheaper than the Nalgene stuff.

 

[RoundOut]

Found some "associated bits" .

Check out the magnetic thingers...this is all at Nalgene's online store. Looks like the ticket for keeping a hydration hose secured to the headrest in the truck...no velcro required.

http://www.nalgene-outdoor.com/store/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=26

A Camelback bite valve and connectors are at least ten bucks. I couldn't DIY with CB or MSR parts and a couple magnets cheaper than the Nalgene stuff.

Sean,

My son got a new day-pack with a hydration system for Christmas and it had one of those magnetic doolybobs. He was so proud of it, and rubbed it in pretty thoroughly that his Daddy didn't have a magnetic thingy. Now we'll even the score... LOL

 

[Trail Monkey]

anybody know of anyone who has in stock (4) 6 liter MSR Dromedary bags, the heavy duty black ones??

they seem to be backordered everywhere.

thx