Water Tanks
- Thread starter nruller
- Start date
Desertdude
Expedition Leader
Ace hardware - found a rubber washer to act like a water saver at the end of the shower head assembly.
Robert Bills
Explorer
On my Bantam trailer I experimented with different water tank sizes and locations and eventually decided that I couldn't run a large enough tank tucked up over the axle and wanted to avoid the risk of a rock punching a hole through the tank and losing my water supply.
I ended up using a 15 gallon poly tank from Ronco Plastics in Orange County CA, mounted vertically inside the trailer tub directly over the axle. This location also allowed me to use a gravity fed spigot and avoid the complexity/expense of a 12v pump. I know it's not particularly sophisticated, but it works well.
Some photos:
Partial view of tank between ARB fridge and chuck box.
Fill neck. For use when I can't fill the tank by threading a garden hose on to the spigot. The cap is loosened in camp to allow air flow and prevent a vacuum. (Got to remember to buy a cap with a flip lever pressure release).
spigot mounted behind right side fender with adaptor so I can fill the tank with a garden hose.
View from under the trailer showing the hidden shut off valve to prevent pranksters from draining my water (and in case I have a problem with the spigot).
I ended up using a 15 gallon poly tank from Ronco Plastics in Orange County CA, mounted vertically inside the trailer tub directly over the axle. This location also allowed me to use a gravity fed spigot and avoid the complexity/expense of a 12v pump. I know it's not particularly sophisticated, but it works well.
Some photos:
Partial view of tank between ARB fridge and chuck box.
Fill neck. For use when I can't fill the tank by threading a garden hose on to the spigot. The cap is loosened in camp to allow air flow and prevent a vacuum. (Got to remember to buy a cap with a flip lever pressure release).
spigot mounted behind right side fender with adaptor so I can fill the tank with a garden hose.
View from under the trailer showing the hidden shut off valve to prevent pranksters from draining my water (and in case I have a problem with the spigot).
Rezarf <><
Explorer
FYI, after I found and bought a water tank for my trailer, I found out that teardrop trailers make a sweet shaped tank for fitting between the rear wall of a teardrop and the galley. If layed flat, it would be the PERFECT size for a water tank under a trailer.
Hope it helps a bit, either way use a skid plate of some kind to keep punctures at bay.
Rezarf <><
Hope it helps a bit, either way use a skid plate of some kind to keep punctures at bay.
Rezarf <><
Robert Bills
Explorer
Rezarf <>< said:
I've seen that tank. It's a replica of the water tank used in Kenskill teardrop trailers. It is 7 1/2 gallons, originally designed to mount upright, and measures 22 1/2"W X 14 1/4"H X 4 1/4"D. $67 from www.teardropparts.com.
I was about to order one, but decided that since the primary purpose of my trailer was to serve as a field kitchen in base camp, I needed to be able to carry more than 7 1/2 gallons of water in the trailer.
I have a 3 jerry can rack on my CJ-7. (Spare is offset to the right, 3 cans on left, each side swings out to access the tail gate.) By using a 15 gallon water tank in the trailer, I am now able to carry as much as 15 gallons of extra gas (plus 20 gallons in the CJ fuel tank) plus 15 gallons of water in the trailer. However, my usual setup for extended offroad trips is 10 gallons of extra gas and 5 gallons of water on the jeep plus 15 gallons of water in the trailer. (My logic is this: If you run out of gas in the wilderness, but have water, you can survive until someone hears you on the CB or Ham radio and brings some. But if you are broken down in the middle of the desert, even with a full tank of gas, without water you may be dead before someone can get to you.)
I add some bleach 1/4 cup to 10 gallons and let it sit for a while then rinse thoroughly and dry it out well. We also do this to our well at the home to sanitize the house pipes and pressure tank. I still don't drink the water directly from the tank it gets filtered.tdesanto said:
Robert Bills
Explorer
tdesanto said:
Clean the tank periodically with a solution of water and household bleach. Either remove the tank and slosh the stuff around or fill the tank to the top, let it sit and then drain completely. Kills any algea, etc. Just be sure to rinse several times, once or twice with a solution of water and baking soda, and finally with clean water.
Tucson T4R
Expedition Leader
Every month or so I add a cup of houshold bleach to my full 15 gallon tank and let it sit for 24 hours. I also pump a little through the manual and electric pump faucet to ensure the chlorine gets into the hoses.
Then I drain and flush the tank and refill before use. Seem to work great. My water is always fresh smelling and tasting.
Then I drain and flush the tank and refill before use. Seem to work great. My water is always fresh smelling and tasting.
ntsqd
Heretic Car Camper
I'll mention this as an alternative to bleach, though I've not done it on a tank of any of your sizes. My hydration bag mfg's recommendation is to use baking soda instead of bleach. Even when I've been a slacker and let things start to grow in the bag the soda takes care of it.
HTH
HTH
Robert Bills
Explorer
IH8RDS said:
I suppose one could fabricate a mount for two undertub tanks, but at $67 each that is a bit pricey.
Mike S
Sponsor - AutoHomeUSA
Poly Trailer tank
This is a sketch of the tank I had built for my trailer. It its between the Trailer frame rails rear of the axle, and is covered entirely by a 1/8" thick skid plate. 38 Gallons, Surflow on-demand pump like DD's, extra gravity feed at rear for dog water. I use bleach and water once a year, and flush sfterwards when cleaning.
This is a sketch of the tank I had built for my trailer. It its between the Trailer frame rails rear of the axle, and is covered entirely by a 1/8" thick skid plate. 38 Gallons, Surflow on-demand pump like DD's, extra gravity feed at rear for dog water. I use bleach and water once a year, and flush sfterwards when cleaning.
Robert Bills
Explorer
Mike S said:
Who made it for you? Cost for the tank?