Water Solutions

[Seth Kendall]

As many of you know I am just beginning my addiction to expedition life. With this comes so many questions. So, here is one that I need some input from people who have experienced this already.

I need to know what solutions you guys have come up with to store water in your rig. One of the issues I have is that I am not towing a trailer (at least not yet), and I am driving a Suzuki Samurai. It is just me and my girlfriend so the rear seats can come out. Let me know what possibilities I have, and I will post pictures of the rear of the truck soon so that your innovative minds can begin churning out ideas. Remember, I am a substitute teacher which means low money projects are most helpful. Thanks.:camping:

 

[Bad Voodoo]

As many of you know I am just beginning my addiction to expedition life. With this comes so many questions. So, here is one that I need some input from people who have experienced this already.

I need to know what solutions you guys have come up with to store water in your rig. One of the issues I have is that I am not towing a trailer (at least not yet), and I am driving a Suzuki Samurai. It is just me and my girlfriend so the rear seats can come out. Let me know what possibilities I have, and I will post pictures of the rear of the truck soon so that your innovative minds can begin churning out ideas. Remember, I am a substitute teacher which means low money projects are most helpful. Thanks.:camping:

How about a water purifier and a couple canteens? An efficient solution to your space quandary. Water's heavy, too. I try to avoid bulk water storage in my rig if I can possibly help it - like when I know I'll be wandering around near rivers, lakes or other natural sources.

 

[Hltoppr]

I carry one or two 5 gallon Scepter-style military water cans (thick plastic), along with a nalgene 32oz. jug for each occupant. A Pur Hiker filter and some iodine tablets round out the purification needs, on a secondary basis. A supersiphon is used to fil water bottles.

Of course...the last Mexico trip, we just grabbed gallon jugs at the local tiendas and stuck 'em behind the front seats.

-H-

 

[HenryJ]

In a desert climate water is life and in short supply. I keep a 2L hydration back pack in the truck all the time. It is my "scram sack", with lots of stuff.
Bladder bags are a nice solution. They take up less space when empty. I carry two 10L Kelty Insotainers on the rear floor boards.
A six gallon plastic "jerry can" style jug is used for washing or drinking. I just added a pressure sprayer for another two gallons on the rear tire rack.
Used sparingly this will suffice for a five day dry camp in mild conditions for our family.

If I were to add more storage, it would be the bladder bags. I like the Insotainers for their heavy insulated cover. This serves to protect the bag and does a good job of insulating it as well. I have seen some heavy duty bladder bags and that might be something I would try. They can be stuffed most anywhere.

 

[Seth Kendall]

Thanks everyone for all your advice. I currently use two camelbacks on the backs of my front seats, carry a water filter and nalgenes, and use the plastic jugs from the store. Most of my trips will be in arid climates so packing in water is definitely a necessity. I am interested in other water bladder systems as a flexible solution to the space, but have not found any suppliers that have the solution that seems really well put together. Those Isotainers seem interesting. I just want something that is solidly lock down. Perhaps, the jerry cans are the best options. Still shopping ideas. Thanks.

 

[Guinness44]

We used to carry that square blue 5 G container with a spigot full of tapwater. Treated with 2 cc of bleach. (For washing, and dishes). Add those clear 1 Gallon jugs from the grocery store, and add 1 flat of 1/2 liter bottles. (All stashed whereever there is an empty spot.) Got tired of loading and unloading that 5 G jug, so we "splurge" and use the 1 G jusgs for all. The not clear milkjug type bottles will leak, and have a bad taste. So far we have not yet had one of the clear jugs leak. One could reuse them but we smash them flat for more room when done. (sometimes stuff trash inside first).
We carry enough for the radiator also, so its very multy purpose (and hand one out to the occasional unprepared hiker).

 

[Seth Kendall]

Possible ideas

I just jumped over to REI.com and saw these. I have a $25 gift card so I thought I should check there. Maybe a bit small, but if I got a few and strapped them in... and they are much cheaper then other jerry cans I have seen. I can get 3 for the price of 1.
Another option
And finally, a collapsible option.

 

[Hltoppr]

Christo Slee at Slee Off Road has the thick rubber(?) water bladders that I've seen sold in OZ...run around $75 IIRC, and I'm not sure of the capacity....

www.sleeoffroad.com

-H-

 

[HenryJ]

You might check out the MSR 10-Liter Deluxe Dromedary Bag. Those are what I had in mind if I could not come up with a 10L Kelty Insotainer.

 

[taugust]

I have used a clear version of the Reliance Fold a Carrier in a 2.5 gallon size for about 20 years of off road camping. I just replaced it with a new one and a backup. I like the smaller size (the 5 gallon is too heavy and cumbersome). I use it as my "faucet." For hand washing and filling water bottles etc. I have refilled it from a jerry can style blue can. I just bought a 5 gal. Scepter Military Water Can to replace/augment that. Scepter has 2.5 gallon MWC's as well.

The Fold a Carrier has had a small leak for many years so I could only fill about half full. I use it off the tailgate. Just a trickle with biodegradable soap washes well.

 

[Seth Kendall]

I think I found my solution

I went to REI and Bass Pro Shops and found this Reliance container at BPS. It was $13, 7 gallons, spigot that is reversible, and is not just a box so it stores better in my truck. The Sceptor cans were a good fit, but at the price I couldn't pass this up. I also had a $50 gift card so that sealed the deal. I think that I will also pick up some of these collapsible ones for extra water/short jaunts, and tight packing situations.

Some of the other items I was able to get at Bass Pro Shops with the gift card were:
New backpacking high altitude trout rod and reel
2 lb test fishing line
Mag Light mount for the rig
A new BPS hat for my girlfriend (she was stoked on her year and a month anniversary gift)

Now, I have to begin building my rear boxes/drawer and table, mount the shovel, flashlight, and more emergency gear, and so much more. Projects, projects, projects how I love thee.:safari-rig:

 

[greybrick]

The bladders from inside 'Starbucks Coffee Traveler' boxes work great, hold about a gallon, seal perfectly so no leaks, are easy to fill and store managers in good humor will often donate as many as needed.

We turf the cardboard, fill to about 1/4 to 1/2 with water, juice, wine, and soup type foods such as chili con carne then freeze and use them flat layered in a Coleman Ultimate Xtreme 6 day cooler to keep other food cold or frozen for days and provide cold drinks when needed. I've even seen some put into a small duffle bag and used for carrying extra fuel on quads but haven't tried it.

Using a cooler cover really helps keep everything cold or frozen a lot longer;

Cooler Cover

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[Superu]

It's great to see the ideas and innovations on this forum!

The five of us each have our own Camelbak sized appropriately for each adventurer's size and age (3, 6, 8 and 2 40somethings) :elkgrin: . We also carry a pair of 20l Scepter cans as well as a Steripen for questionable water sources (these include municipal tap as well as streams and rivers!) :Wow1:

 

[greybrick]

Local restaurants and commercial kitchens are great places to source large sized food grade containers and bladders such as the 20L PET containers that bulk vegetable oil comes in.

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[fisher205]

Sysco commercial vinegar comes in a heavy walled double sealed one gallon containers. They are rectancular and can be stacked. They fit in our refrigerator easily. I like being able to reuse items. - Brad