I am preparing to do a run around the Qld outback (western area) and am wanting to fit what I call water reservoirs each side of the roof racks. The large diameter plastic drainage pipe type.
Are these available commercially, or does one need to make their own?
Finally, in either case, is the water carried in them suitable for drinking?
Other water storage ideas more than welcome.
Patrol towing 18' pop-top Viscount, with no en-suite.
I'm not sure about using them for drinking water but water weighs about a kilo per litre I'm told. Not a good idea to have that weight so high up on your vehicle. I have seen people use the pipes slung under their caravans.
I agree with the others. Although the Patrol would cope with the weight up high, it's not the best place for it and as has been suggested, it could get pretty warm up there in the sun.
Can you fit a 'standard' 60 litre black plastic water tank (as in most caravans) behind the cargo barrier or back set. You could stand it up on one edge if necessary and gravity feed it out the back. You should be able to get one to suit for around the $70.
As for a tank in the rear / cargo area, I have a 80 Litre fridge, and cargo drawers to work around, but sounds like the only solution. Either that or one of those bladders that fit on foot-well of the back passenger area.
Check out places like Ovesco. They carry heaps of differently shaped watertanks to mount on vehicles. You can also get stainless tanks that fit behind the seats in utes and other shapes as well.
We've found the most flexible and cheap way of carrying water is simply in the 10 litre 'pure water' sold under many names including that from Woolies and Coles for under $9 per 10 litre.
We carry 8 of these, all picked up from caravan parks empty and found next to the garbage bins so they can be free if you choose. That gives us 80 litres. Remove the tap, refill, replace tap and then you can stack/store them wherever you like. They add no taste to the water and the best thing is you always know your water situation and when to start looking for a water source to refill.
Fitting permanent containers cost a lot of brass and unless you camp full time they are un-necessary plus you don't know how much water is left.
Good Luck.
We've found the most flexible and cheap way of carrying water is simply in the 10 litre 'pure water' sold under many names including that from Woolies and Coles for under $9 per 10 litre. We carry 8 of these, all picked up from caravan parks empty and found next to the garbage bins so they can be free if you choose. That gives us 80 litres. Remove the tap, refill, replace tap and then you can stack/store them wherever you like. They add no taste to the water and the best thing is you always know your water situation and when to start looking for a water source to refill. Fitting permanent containers cost a lot of brass and unless you camp full time they are un-necessary plus you don't know how much water is left. Good Luck.
I picked up one of those from a group of backpackers in Mandura in 2000 & still carry it in the van in case I want to fill it with spare drinking water. I check it from time to time to make sure that the plastic is not deteriorating.
Also have a couple of used 5L distilled water containers that are kept full & carried beside the chemical toilet for comfort stops where my water tanks are empty. I rarely put water in the van water tanks as we don't free camp.
I have used empty wine casks to carry reserve water. Fill them with water & pack into milk crates. Also partly fill them with water & freeze to take up spare space in the van fridge or engel.
ps. (edit) If you are going to use PVC pipe, make sure that you use the 100 mil pipe & not the much thinner 90 mil storm water stuff.
I have a length across the back of the van to store extra annex & fly poles.
-- Edited by Cupie on Tuesday 22nd of July 2014 10:07:12 AM
most houses now have pvp piping to the house then copper to the outlets so I would say the pipes are ok for drinking water....I haven't got crook and my water is supplied by pvc water pipe for 20years now.
Pete
