PVC Water Supply

[MCX]

This is a cool and simple DIY alternative for water supply, from XOR. The bigger the diameter the pipe, the more water (and you could always do one for each side of your roof rack). Plus, the RV filters are cheap, too...roughly $20 from Amazon. I like it...might have to give it a try: Overland Scout PVC Water Alternative

 

[krick3tt]

Why not use ABS pipe, same type of fittings and it is already black? One step gluing process not two.
I have made these before for my construction truck but put the faucet on the bottom to get all the water out and put it at an angle for better drainage.
Seems like a lot of extra steps in this construction but it is a good start.

 

[rayra]

I'd like to check it out, but they don't seem to like my ad blocker.

I've been in a few discussions here about the pipe idea and I think it's a good one.
Lots of plumbing fitting options for the pipe and valving, but the larger the pipe gets the more rapidly the price goes up. Big pipe fittings are ridiculous.
nice thing with sched40 PVC or ABS is that it is pretty sturdy and is sufficient for tapping NPT hose bibs into an end cap. or putting a valve stem in it to pressurize things a bit.
And speaking of pressure, 4" sched40 has a burst PSI over 700. 6" is over 500. So go ahead and run your tire inflator without concern. Worry much more about the PSI strength of the hose you use for shower or spout attachment.

All numerical values are approximates (go exercise your OCD somewhere else) -

7.5gals / cubic foot of storage.
1gal / 231cu"
8.4 lbs / gall of water.
pi(radius squared) gives area of a circle.

4" pipe, sectional area of 12.5sq", takes about 18" of pipe per gallon stored. 6' pipe = 4gals. 8' = ~20L
6" pipe, sectional area of 28sq", about 8" of pipe to the gallon. 9gals in 6', 12gal in the 8'. But now you are talking about 100-lbs on the roof and typically on the outboard edge, wave bye bye to center of gravity.

 

[Bbasso]

I agree about the loss of COG on a vehicle but how about mounting the pvc along the frame rail? Provided there is enough room...

 

[DaveInDenver]

Running a length of PVC on the inside of a frame rail for water would be slick. That had never occurred to me, I guess because I wouldn't trust it to take the abuse of road debris or maybe being dragged over rocks. But putting maybe 4 feet of pipe and water on the opposite side of the fuel tank would balance things nicely.

 

[krick3tt]

4 feet of pipe is about 2+ gal. Lot of work and expense for so little water capacity. Located under the vehicle (as is the fuel tank) is a bit of a hard reach. Yes?

 

[Bbasso]

As for road debris there are two possible ways I can quickly think of, wrap with a foam type of insulation or get a slightly larger tin duct pipe to slide over... heck why not both lol
And for capacity, tie multiple pipe together w/ hose from different locations underneath.
Just spit balling here...

 

[cody c]

This is an interesting idea, is there any risk (chemical contamination) from ABS or PVC piping for drinking waters, or anything to avoid (specific pipe glues or similar)?

I'm gonna have a look at the 80 and see if there is a good spot for something under it.

 

[NevetsG]

This is an interesting idea, is there any risk (chemical contamination) from ABS or PVC piping for drinking waters, or anything to avoid (specific pipe glues or similar)?

I'm gonna have a look at the 80 and see if there is a good spot for something under it.

Pipe bought at a plumbing supply are food rated (and might be installed at some point in your home water system), but they must be sterilized. Once assembled run a sanitizer (chlorine) then rinse it out really well.

 

[FosterWV]

I have a 4x6 trailer so two 4" x 4' would hold about 12 gal?
This would be easy to U bolt underneath.

 

[krick3tt]

FosterWV,
This is from a previous post...(4" pipe, sectional area of 12.5sq", takes about 18" of pipe per gallon stored. 6' pipe = 4gals. 8' = ~20L)
Someone has done the math for you already. So your 2 4 foot sections are going to get you a little less than 5 gallons not 12.
Might as well get a Scepter can and not waste the effort, besides it can go in any vehicle not just your trailer.

 

[FosterWV]

FosterWV,
This is from a previous post...(4" pipe, sectional area of 12.5sq", takes about 18" of pipe per gallon stored. 6' pipe = 4gals. 8' = ~20L)
Someone has done the math for you already. So your 2 4 foot sections are going to get you a little less than 5 gallons not 12.
Might as well get a Scepter can and not waste the effort, besides it can go in any vehicle not just your trailer.

I must have read it wrong, I'm w you 5 gal is not worth it. I'll stick to pulling out of a 7 gal water jug. Thanks

 

[Scout Dave]

By using a concentric reducer and a bushing to allow for the valve as shown in the video, they have ensured that only the top two thirds of the water is useable. What should really be used is a eccentric reducer and a bushing. This would keep the same bottom of pipe rather than the same centerline that a concentric reducer keeps. Even better would be to look an elbow down. Better than that would be a plain cap will an npt tapped hole through the bottom going through the cap and pipe.

 

[MCX]

Or, depending on how much room you have, go to a bigger diameter pipe (like 6") and you can really increase the capacity

 

[Heavyopp]

I must have read it wrong, I'm w you 5 gal is not worth it. I'll stick to pulling out of a 7 gal water jug. Thanks

That math is for 1 pipe -- you had said 2 pipes for 12 gallons

Should be a little under 5 gallons per pipe.