mk216v
Der Chef der Fahrzeuge
Good timing; I'm just working on my fresh/grey tank size now. Agreed on the weight, but thoughts about having a larger tank but just not filling it up completely when not needed, in order to shed some weight?
Mission Dawn Patrol
- Thread starter volcomsurfer
- Start date
Good timing; I'm just working on my fresh/grey tank size now. Agreed on the weight, but thoughts about having a larger tank but just not filling it up completely when not needed, in order to shed some weight?
Acheateaux
Adventurer
Also makes it a ***** to winterize your rig as well, something to consider when you're skiing a bunch. Just something I found out later. I found it better to have multiple smaller tanks you could carry to water, find a spot inside for em.
BajaSportsmobile
Baja Ironman
I'd be more concerned with space constraints then weight - an empty tank weighs very little and extra water can be priceless. I have a 30 gallon tank in my primary SMB and I can really enjoy my showers.
Winterizing a 10 gallon tank is no different than a 30...
Carrying water jugs? Get out the hose and fill up your tank!
volcomsurfer
Adventurer
I'm thinking of maybe making an aluminum tank on the passenger side in the back. That way I can utilize all the space and tuck it in. I wasn't planning on putting the tank outside. I plan to be out boondocking for at least a week at a time so I want to make sure I have enough. I like my showers. Plus add in surfing, dirtbiking, etc. that's a lot of hosing stuff off. I'm gonna price out that and see if the 30 gal tank might be better.
I need to figure out where to put the espar heaters now and how that whole system works. I just shot myself in the foot with insurance too. I was distracted when he called and accidentally told him i bought it with a cracked windshield. UGH I could punch myself.
I need to figure out where to put the espar heaters now and how that whole system works. I just shot myself in the foot with insurance too. I was distracted when he called and accidentally told him i bought it with a cracked windshield. UGH I could punch myself.
mk216v
Der Chef der Fahrzeuge
If you don't need a fully custom dimension'd tank, from my research Ronco is one of the most regarded rotomolded plastic tanks per the marine community. $160-180 for a 30gal pre-made tank would be a lot less time/money building one from scratch; http://www.plastic-mart.com/category/4712/ronco-rv-water-tanks
We surf too, ride dirtbikes, etc. 12 gallons is still enough for us, but showers ARE short.
Also another thing to consider is tank material; we went with a black ABS tank from Valterra verus a white poly tank. Black ABS is supposed to be stronger as well as less likely to grow algae from light transmission (I still empty and put fresh water for each trip though).
And yeah, size of a 30 gallon tank might be huge too.
Also another thing to consider is tank material; we went with a black ABS tank from Valterra verus a white poly tank. Black ABS is supposed to be stronger as well as less likely to grow algae from light transmission (I still empty and put fresh water for each trip though).
And yeah, size of a 30 gallon tank might be huge too.
volcomsurfer
Adventurer
Am I going to need some kind of ventilation on the sides for the fridge? I'm trying to avoid having to cut a vent in the body. Are there DOT regulations for this stuff? Where can I find those?
Also anyone install espar heaters? Any advice? things you learned, things not to do... etc.
Finally decided to go with a plastic tank. I got the rest of my door seals on, more parts ordered, thinsulate came in, and my boxes from Antigua come tomorrow. WOOHOO I get my tools back!! Oh and my clothes!
Anyway, check out my latest blog post about just how I able to do my journey and a few reasons why I'm doing it.
http://paradise2pavement.com/2015/08/26/screw-it-im-out/
Also anyone install espar heaters? Any advice? things you learned, things not to do... etc.
Finally decided to go with a plastic tank. I got the rest of my door seals on, more parts ordered, thinsulate came in, and my boxes from Antigua come tomorrow. WOOHOO I get my tools back!! Oh and my clothes!
Anyway, check out my latest blog post about just how I able to do my journey and a few reasons why I'm doing it.
http://paradise2pavement.com/2015/08/26/screw-it-im-out/
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I tried to build systems in my rig, CON KSO, that were easy to service and replace- I didn't try to overthink things. If that sounds interesting to you, here are a couple of ideas for you:
I bought my water tank from Tractor Supply- it's an herbicide spray tank that farmers mount to their ATVs- it came with a pump and clamps to hook to a battery. It was cheap and it works well- it's deep Baja tested surviving multiple three week trips to southern Baja. I think it's twenty or thirty gallons. I've found that for two girls (er... women, actually) and me, it lasts about ten days. They take showers every day. I run it through a 120 buck on demand hot water heater and it works perfect.
We use an ARB 12v fridge in our rig- it runs off a 120ah battery I jammed under the hood. It's the same battery that starts the truck. All kinds of people will tell you not to do it- we've used ours for three weeks at a time, again, in southern Baja and its never been a problem. In fact, we've been using it for short and long trips for about a year now and it's never let us down. We top it off daily with a 120watt Zamp solar panel that's portable and comes with a controller attached. It would be nice to have the solar panel permanently attached to the roof racks but that takes up valuable hang out space up there. The portable system is painless to set up and works perfect.
And hit Baja in winter Dec - February that's the best time to be down there. Cooler nights, perfect temps during the days, warm water down south and the Seven Sisters (If you know, well- then you know).
I'm in SD hit me up when you get out this way- Acheateaux knows me.
I bought my water tank from Tractor Supply- it's an herbicide spray tank that farmers mount to their ATVs- it came with a pump and clamps to hook to a battery. It was cheap and it works well- it's deep Baja tested surviving multiple three week trips to southern Baja. I think it's twenty or thirty gallons. I've found that for two girls (er... women, actually) and me, it lasts about ten days. They take showers every day. I run it through a 120 buck on demand hot water heater and it works perfect.
We use an ARB 12v fridge in our rig- it runs off a 120ah battery I jammed under the hood. It's the same battery that starts the truck. All kinds of people will tell you not to do it- we've used ours for three weeks at a time, again, in southern Baja and its never been a problem. In fact, we've been using it for short and long trips for about a year now and it's never let us down. We top it off daily with a 120watt Zamp solar panel that's portable and comes with a controller attached. It would be nice to have the solar panel permanently attached to the roof racks but that takes up valuable hang out space up there. The portable system is painless to set up and works perfect.
And hit Baja in winter Dec - February that's the best time to be down there. Cooler nights, perfect temps during the days, warm water down south and the Seven Sisters (If you know, well- then you know).
I'm in SD hit me up when you get out this way- Acheateaux knows me.
Acheateaux
Adventurer
All I know about this guy is he likes to shoulder hop his students first thing in the morning... "Nooooo meeestah Atchley!"
volcomsurfer
Adventurer
I took everything out and painted it. I managed to get the floors back in.
I put 2x3's underneath the little pinch weld around the body and put in a screw long enough to reach the OSB. Everything is nice and snug.
Made a support since I had to cut the cross member for the vent.
Bent and prepped the aluminum for the roof rack.
I put 2x3's underneath the little pinch weld around the body and put in a screw long enough to reach the OSB. Everything is nice and snug.
Made a support since I had to cut the cross member for the vent.
Bent and prepped the aluminum for the roof rack.
Jb1rd
Explorer
Ha! They owe me.
Carry on with the **************' surf/snow/moto van build Senor Volcom.
Acheateaux
Adventurer
Not SD, IB. He fits right in.
volcomsurfer
Adventurer
I started mocking up the roof rack.
Started putting insulation in too.
Started putting insulation in too.