Onboard Water

[Dr. Cornwallis]

I'm in the planning stages of building my bed drawer system for my 2012 Toyota Tacoma that is also going to incorporate a sleeping platform and on-board water. My goal with this build is to keep things as simple as possible so that I can quickly return the truck back to daily driver status when I return home, and so that I can also quickly turn it back into an adventure truck for the quick spontaneous weekend adventure. The drawer system/sleeping platform/onboard water is going to be one unit that can be dropped into and removed from the bed by four people. I'm trying to avoid going to a dual battery setup if at all possible and plan to utilize a larger single group 31M battery in place of the OEM battery.

What I would like to know is how do I go about wiring a 12 volt system from the bed into the factory electrical system. Where would I connect it? I'm learning as I go when it comes to electrical.

 

[tanglefoot]

I like these for onboard water. If you set them on something, it's a lot like a sink faucet.

For electrical, I went the route of a second battery that isn't connected to the truck electrical system at all. It just uses an inexpensive solar panel and charge controller (about $50 for both). You can assemble it based on your electrical needs, you don't need to modify the truck at all, and you don't have to worry about drawing from your starting battery.

Ah, I saw you were trying not to go with a second battery. I find it to be easier though. The second one could be something smaller and less expensive than an RV deep cycle, such as a moderately small gel cell, depending on what your draw is.

If you really do want to connect to the truck's 12v system, it might be best to drill through the bottom of the bed, install a grommet and run a dedicated and fused 12v line from the battery terminals up front, down along the undercarriage.

 

[Dr. Cornwallis]

I like these for onboard water. If you set them on something, it's a lot like a sink faucet.

For electrical, I went the route of a second battery that isn't connected to the truck electrical system at all. It just uses an inexpensive solar panel and charge controller (about $50 for both). You can assemble it based on your electrical needs, you don't need to modify the truck at all, and you don't have to worry about drawing from your starting battery.

Ah, I saw you were trying not to go with a second battery. I find it to be easier though. The second one could be something smaller and less expensive than an RV deep cycle, such as a moderately small gel cell, depending on what your draw is.

If you really do want to connect to the truck's 12v system, it might be best to drill through the bottom of the bed, install a grommet and run a dedicated and fused 12v line from the battery terminals up front, down along the undercarriage.

I would be ok with doing a second battery, even a deep cycle second battery if there was a way I could run and charge it independent of my primary battery. I thought about integrating the whole system into my bed drawer system. Would it be possible to charge a second battery in the bed of my truck off of the OEM plug in the bed? Would the solar setup provide enough power to keep the battery charged with a fridge and water pump setup?

EDIT: it looks like maybe a Goal Zero Yeti 400 would fit the bill perfectly? I think I could charge it off the plug in the bed of my truck and then also mount a solar panel on the roof maybe?

 

[tgreening]

What's the purpose of the water, potable/non-potable, both? If it's just drinking water it's hard to be the ease and versatility of your standard grocery store water jug. For non-potable check into the bed mounted water bags. Basically like a big water bed, but fits between the wheel wells.

 

[DeskToGlory]

I would be ok with doing a second battery, even a deep cycle second battery if there was a way I could run and charge it independent of my primary battery. I thought about integrating the whole system into my bed drawer system. Would it be possible to charge a second battery in the bed of my truck off of the OEM plug in the bed? Would the solar setup provide enough power to keep the battery charged with a fridge and water pump setup?

EDIT: it looks like maybe a Goal Zero Yeti 400 would fit the bill perfectly? I think I could charge it off the plug in the bed of my truck and then also mount a solar panel on the roof maybe?

Not sure what a GZ Yeti 400 costs, but I expect that a second battery and BlueSea isolator would cost much less and give you more flexibility. A small Group 34 Optima Yellowtop and 85W solar panel is plenty for our 37 QT ARB Fridge and LED lights. 85W provides enough power so that the battery never drops below 12.3V as long as it's in the sun for most of the day. The Renogy kits online seem to be a good bang for the buck ($279 for 100W). There are plenty of cheaper options for batteries that work just as well or better than the Optimas. (This is what we are using and why: http://desktoglory.com/dual-battery-installation/)


Also, regarding the water storage. We have a 20L Scepter jug ($30?) and combine that with a Nemo Helio ($99) shower (for showering and dish washing duties). If we need more drinking water we just buy 4L or 20L jugs from the grocery store. Nice, simple, and inexpensive.

 

[FJR Colorado]

See my Tundra build thread for the power system you are looking for:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/127252-2006-1st-Gen-Tundra-Doublecab-Build

Yes, it is hard to beat 1-gallon water jugs or the venerable Reliance Aquatainer.

I like the Aquatainers that hold 8 gallons and are made of hard blue plastic. Replace the plastic valve with a faucet bib. Same size threads and much more durable and easy to use.

 

[Dr. Cornwallis]

Not sure what a GZ Yeti 400 costs, but I expect that a second battery and BlueSea isolator would cost much less and give you more flexibility. A small Group 34 Optima Yellowtop and 85W solar panel is plenty for our 37 QT ARB Fridge and LED lights. 85W provides enough power so that the battery never drops below 12.3V as long as it's in the sun for most of the day. The Renogy kits online seem to be a good bang for the buck ($279 for 100W). There are plenty of cheaper options for batteries that work just as well or better than the Optimas. (This is what we are using and why: http://desktoglory.com/dual-battery-installation/)


Also, regarding the water storage. We have a 20L Scepter jug ($30?) and combine that with a Nemo Helio ($99) shower (for showering and dish washing duties). If we need more drinking water we just buy 4L or 20L jugs from the grocery store. Nice, simple, and inexpensive.

See my Tundra build thread for the power system you are looking for:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/127252-2006-1st-Gen-Tundra-Doublecab-Build

Yes, it is hard to beat 1-gallon water jugs or the venerable Reliance Aquatainer.

I like the Aquatainers that hold 8 gallons and are made of hard blue plastic. Replace the plastic valve with a faucet bib. Same size threads and much more durable and easy to use.

Thanks guys! The two of you have basically given me exactly what I was looking for and then some. I like the idea of using the solar as it will make the truck entirely self sufficient.

Richard, I'm basically going to utilize your exact setup except I plan to mount it all in my bed drawer system; and I'll mount my solar panel in a Baja Rack. Also, it's really cool to see you post in here as I read your blog a while back and it's basically what got me interested in overlanding. I ran across it by chance on Tacoma World (I think) about a year ago and started reading. I hadn't really thought much about overlanding but after reading your blog and seeing all the cool places you visited I was hooked and now here I am, building my own truck and planning my first adventure with some friends. A few of us are hoping to do at least the western half of the TAT in September of 2016.

I had thought about just using the large jugs of water from the store but the main reason I wanted to do an onboard tank was for effeciency. The jugs will take up more space than a tank thats underneath my sleeping platform. I may have to just store the water in the cab though as I'm not sure If a tank will fit with all the electrical stuff back there too.

EDIT: This is what I'm looking to do for onboard water except basically add in a power source next to the tank.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/47516-LATEST-PROJECT-Truck-Drawers-Sleeping-Platform

Going with this http://www.plasticwatertanks.com/p/r665b/25-gallon-water-holding-tank-ronco-rvb163 25 Gallon water tank it would seem that I could fit a tank, pump, and necessary battery/electronics into a space at the front (closest to the cab) of the drawer system/sleeping platform. I could even run some USB/Power hookups for charging electronics.

 

[calicamper]

If your doing rough off road stuff the soft sided water bags are prone to springing leaks. Same issue in the sailboat racing world the really experienced big ocean guy typically all use hard tanks and water makers to avoid the typical risk of finding all your fresh water sloshing around in the bilge. The off pavement stuff is pretty harsh constant vibration compared to dropping off waves at speed etc.

 

[DeskToGlory]

Thanks guys! The two of you have basically given me exactly what I was looking for and then some. I like the idea of using the solar as it will make the truck entirely self sufficient.

Richard, I'm basically going to utilize your exact setup except I plan to mount it all in my bed drawer system; and I'll mount my solar panel in a Baja Rack. Also, it's really cool to see you post in here as I read your blog a while back and it's basically what got me interested in overlanding. I ran across it by chance on Tacoma World (I think) about a year ago and started reading. I hadn't really thought much about overlanding but after reading your blog and seeing all the cool places you visited I was hooked and now here I am, building my own truck and planning my first adventure with some friends. A few of us are hoping to do at least the western half of the TAT in September of 2016.

I had thought about just using the large jugs of water from the store but the main reason I wanted to do an onboard tank was for effeciency. The jugs will take up more space than a tank thats underneath my sleeping platform. I may have to just store the water in the cab though as I'm not sure If a tank will fit with all the electrical stuff back there too.

EDIT: This is what I'm looking to do for onboard water except basically add in a power source next to the tank.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/47516-LATEST-PROJECT-Truck-Drawers-Sleeping-Platform

Going with this http://www.plasticwatertanks.com/p/r665b/25-gallon-water-holding-tank-ronco-rvb163 25 Gallon water tank it would seem that I could fit a tank, pump, and necessary battery/electronics into a space at the front (closest to the cab) of the drawer system/sleeping platform. I could even run some USB/Power hookups for charging electronics.

Awesome! Shoot me an email at info@desktoglory.com or find us on Facebook if you have any other questions that you don't feel like posting on the forum. Big or small.

 

[tgreening]

If your doing rough off road stuff the soft sided water bags are prone to springing leaks. Same issue in the sailboat racing world the really experienced big ocean guy typically all use hard tanks and water makers to avoid the typical risk of finding all your fresh water sloshing around in the bilge. The off pavement stuff is pretty harsh constant vibration compared to dropping off waves at speed etc.

Must be some pretty sad mfgrs of soft water tanks. Plenty of your modern day fighter aircraft use bags for their fuel containment and she don't get much more harsh an environment than that.

 

[washington taco]

http://www.livingoverland.com/p/store.html

I did this for a water system, works great and no moving of heavy water bottles!

 

[Sngltrak1]

Check out frontrunner for water storage ideas....I like their 5gal Jerry can for water.

 

[gfiero]

I purchased a 10 gal ATV plastic tank with 12vdc pump and hoses, built into the corner of my platform and have been really pleased with it. Cost $97.00 w/ shipping and tax. I can remove the tank for cleaning in less than two minutes.

 

[Paddy]

Must be some pretty sad mfgrs of soft water tanks. Plenty of your modern day fighter aircraft use bags for their fuel containment and she don't get much more harsh an environment than that.

Which is exactly why I use them. Downsides are they cost $34,564 (per gallon) but the upside is the water tastes like jetA

 

[Herbie]

I you're considering a rigid tank, I highly recommend the ABS tanks from Valterra: http://www.valterra.com/product-cat...market/freshwater-products/fresh-water-tanks/

I use a 12gal in my rig. The nice thing is that while it comes pre-threaded for fittings in a variety of places, you can drill your own holes and use normal ABS welding "glue" (actually solvent) to put the fill port, etc. anywhere on the tank you want. I cover the process in my build thread here.