Water storage whats best
- Thread starter roger352
- Start date
Gary crouch
Observer
the units you can by from AT trailers are really cool... some type of hard plastic. I have one of their 19gal tanks with the hand pump on top. At the 4 wheel shops or some place like sports chalet they have good 6gal plastic ones. I used both and there is no plastic taste in the water.
I did have one bad experience with plastic; we were out in the desert and one night something chewed through the corner and let all the water out!! Guess they were pretty thirsty and could smell the water!!
I did have one bad experience with plastic; we were out in the desert and one night something chewed through the corner and let all the water out!! Guess they were pretty thirsty and could smell the water!!
BEST?!?!!? best for what?
Plastic: Light, cheap(ish), wide variety of sizes and shapes available, not as durable
Metal (steel): Tough, cheap, can be repaired anywhere, rusts, HEAVY.
Metal (aluminum): Tough, expensive
Metal (stainless): Tough, lasts forever, EXPENSIVE.
Good plastics get my vote for most situations. Stainless or Alum for custom tanks, really depends on what the fabricator is comfortable with.
Plastic: Light, cheap(ish), wide variety of sizes and shapes available, not as durable
Metal (steel): Tough, cheap, can be repaired anywhere, rusts, HEAVY.
Metal (aluminum): Tough, expensive
Metal (stainless): Tough, lasts forever, EXPENSIVE.
Good plastics get my vote for most situations. Stainless or Alum for custom tanks, really depends on what the fabricator is comfortable with.
Hafwit
Adventurer
You need to provide more detail of your needs to answer this question. If you are talking hand-portable, then weight is a major factor, and plastic probably is best. If you are talking permanent mount, you have all options available. What capacity you need is the next question. Finally, if it is a permanent mount, is it to be mounted in an area where it will be exposed and may need protection from rocks, etc?
Cheers,
Greg
Cheers,
Greg
Magnum Johnson
Observer
Ill be the hypochondriac hippie that chimes in about how there are lots of harmful chemicals that can leech out of plastics and into your drinking water, even more so in a hot vehicle.
Don't forget the things that leech out of stainless - like nickle that I'm allergic to...
:beer:
REasley
Adventurer
Gee, that's a broad bush you're painting with. What harmful chemicals are we talking about? BPA? There is no BPA in polyethylene. All of the water tanks that I am familiar with are made from polyethylene. Polyethylene is just a combination of carbon and hydrogen. The FDA approves this material for potable water. Of course some people believe what they believe.
Magnum Johnson
Observer
My real complaint is with bottled water that uses bottles made from petroleum based plastics with BPA. There was a documentary I wish I could remember the name of, they tested bottles of water that were left in a vehicle for a period of time and the chemicals the found before and after were a bit scary just makes me cautious when it comes to water that will be stored in a vehicle.
Im not even saying that I don't personally use plastic bottles, but I don't like the idea of petroleum based plastic containers being used for water storage. I would take stainless (assuming I didn't have a nickle allergy) as a better solution to a plastic water container. That being said I cant think of a single stainless water container that I would find more practical than a plastic container and assuming you find a large BPA free polyethylene container I think that would be ideal. I would just choose to not use the cheap plastic containers.
Im not even saying that I don't personally use plastic bottles, but I don't like the idea of petroleum based plastic containers being used for water storage. I would take stainless (assuming I didn't have a nickle allergy) as a better solution to a plastic water container. That being said I cant think of a single stainless water container that I would find more practical than a plastic container and assuming you find a large BPA free polyethylene container I think that would be ideal. I would just choose to not use the cheap plastic containers.
wjeeper
Active member
Although I do see the validity of the BPE issue and the occasional alegeric reaction issue I think in general people worry a bit too much......I see bigger ssues coming from impure water being stored in the tank or algae growth in the water system itself.
My two cents:
Maybe a plastic vs stainless vs aluminum "taste test" is in order. I would be interested to see if people noticed a taste difference or what the contamination/ leaching issues that were associated with each.
My two cents:
- I wouldnt use plastic if it were subjected to high heat (this seems where most of the leaching issues arise, am I correct in assuming this?)
- If plastic I would make sure the tank was dark in color to inhibit algae growth.
- "Food grade" stainless would probably be my first choice......but it would likely cost an arm, a leg and the sole of my first born.
- I do like the idea of using a spun aluminum hot rod style fuel tank (new of course).......however I havent used one before and I doubt it would be "recommended".
Maybe a plastic vs stainless vs aluminum "taste test" is in order. I would be interested to see if people noticed a taste difference or what the contamination/ leaching issues that were associated with each.
One more thing, raw aluminum does not play nice with chlorine, iodine, or other common chemical water purifiers.
Regardless, one MUST HAVE for any custom tank is to have a large opening(s)--large enough to get an arm or tool in to scrub and clean the interior of the tank.
FreeManDan
Adventurer
I am quite satisfied with the aquatainer I got at wally world, I notice no plastic taste, and I use lots of types of water bottles I acquire through the sport of cycling...some claiming to be BPA free, but STILL taste of plastic! I don't use it for much long term water storage, but I have put iodine in it before, and wash it out and dry it every other adventure or so. It's been to 5 states and refilled alot of bottles and camelbaks® which are probably way more nasty@$$ plastic contaminant, algae, and ameba filled then the aquatainer...
waterweber
Observer
Crude oil is just a combination of Hydrogen and Carbon as well but I'm not drinking it.
Just saying...
Mike S
Sponsor - AutoHomeUSA
I have used welded poly potable water tanks on both my trailers with zero bad taste. As long as they are certified for potable (cold) water storage, I seriously doubt that you will be poisoned by the tank material.
On my Landcruiser and in my truck I use a Spectre water can made of food-grade plastic. I cannot detect any plastic taste in the water.
I would vote for a welded poly tank with and access plate, vents, fill pipe and gravity and pump water availabilty. You will need water even if your pump fails or you lose battery power.
On my Landcruiser and in my truck I use a Spectre water can made of food-grade plastic. I cannot detect any plastic taste in the water.
I would vote for a welded poly tank with and access plate, vents, fill pipe and gravity and pump water availabilty. You will need water even if your pump fails or you lose battery power.
REasley
Adventurer
Well, let's see... Carbon... The basis of all life as we know it.
Hydrogen... what would water be without it?