What extra fuel and water do you carry?

iana · Guru

What extra fuel and water do you carry?

KFT · Guru

If you are not going "remote" why carry all that extra fuel? I only carry a 10l jerry with genny fuel these days.

I have an 80 l tank in my Navara and I don't need to carry extra. Our highways all seem to have fuel stations about 250km or so apart which is around 1/2 a tank when towing our 2.8t van.

We do carry a 100 litre water bladder on the floor behind the front seats which gives us an extra 4 or 5 days in a nice camp spot.

frank

iana · Guru

I didn't put up my reason for the question, and that is I will have to get the rear springs up-graded. looks like I will have a ball weight of about 240kg, and the van will weigh about 2700kg. It seems you have to nominate a weight the springs will have to compensate for, either as permanent loading or occasional loading.
This question was primarily about the fuel load though.
The wife and I have a different opinion re the canopy, I want a 1600mm she wants the 1900mm. But the canopy is about 180kg. I have this theory, have space will fill it!
Cutting back the fuel load as KFT says will save 40Kg.
Bearing in mind we will be selling house, so every thing that we own will be coming with us.

KFT · Guru

We had a similar issue when setting up our new tow.

with everything loaded and the van on the back the rear suspension had about 20mm travel to the bump stops which gave a very ordinary ride.

I went to ARB in Tamworth who have done several jobs for me in the past and they suggested a set of OME 400kg constant load springs and OME gas shockies. This gave me a 50mm lift at the back and with all my gear in it and the van on the Navara sits level, rides really well too, even empty.

Our ARB canopy is the same height as the cabin roof, I have a set of drawers in the back to store all the gear I carry and a drop slide on top for the 80 litre waeco. My canopy does not have the reinforcing for a full roof rack load which saved some weight. I do have 2 120W solar panels on the roof of the canopy though.

I think in your case you need to put all the gear you want to carry out on the lawn or the shed floor and see just how much you need to fit in before making any decision on the canopy style.

you may be in for a surprise.

frank

JohnR · Senior Member

We have just done the North West of WA. Perth to Broome and back via Great Northern Highway. 6 weeks and some 6/7000klms. We have 2 x 95 plus we carry 15 lites of drinking water (bottle). No fuel as we have 138litre tank and as someone has said there are Road houses usually at a maximum of 250/300. This trip we were surprised by the availability of drinking water at Info places, CP's providing areas to fill tanks and small towns having drinking water taps in place. Usually a gold coin donation.

JohnR

Bruce and Bev · Guru

we have two jerry can holders on the rear of our van and have both cans filled with diesel.

We don't go much off the beaten track (bush bashing) and have only needed to use one can when travelling from Geraldton inland around to Kalgoorlie, WA, caused by non-deliveries of fuel to a few Servos on the same tanker run. Had we not had spare diesel, we would have been stuck there until the tanker eventually turned up. Otherwise we just have to remember to empty them every couple of months into the DMax so the fuel doesn't go "stale". Then we have to get them re-filled again. I guess it just makes us feel comfortable with 40 litres spare in case we ever get into a temporary fuel shortage like the one described above.

Waterwise, the 'van has 160 litres of water and we carry 4 x 25 litre square plastic containers (from Bunnings). If we are using CP's, we keep them empty for weight reasons. If we intend to free camp, then we fill them which gives us a total of 260 litres of water - heaps.

We also use a 12v boat bilge pump to move the water from the containers into our 'van water tanks. Just hook onto the tow or 'van batteries and it takes about 2 minutes to empty each drum. Saves all the sore backs and arms, as well as spilling water everywhere (including your shoes) using a funnel and tipping the water containers in. The bilge pump is small enough that it rolls up and fits into a grey supermarket plastic bag.

Possum3 · Guru

Frank, I did the big lap last winter (2014) for 3 months - up the centre to Kurrumba over to Cairns and back through Central West to Sydney this winter (4 months). Both times I carried 20 litre diesel and 20 litre water as well as generator (Honda 20i) in rear of Nissan Patrol. Multi terrain van with basic tools, floor mat, front and side screens in tunnel boot. Two 80 litre water tanks fitted under van. Water hoses and sullage hose and 5 litre petrol (for generator) on draw bar.
We did not need to use the fuel on the lap last year, but used one Jerry of diesel this year. Water on the other hand - Utilised the 20 litre jerry to supplement when free camping over 5 days + had to limit showers some days in western Qld, this year.
I believe I can have a shower with a litre of water and have enough left over to wash the tug - The child-bride however requires to be parked alongside Warragamba Dam to wash her hair.

If you can be water wise - 20 litres is ample.

Meredith · Senior Member

We aren't full time, but have been doing 2 to 3 month trips. We have a 60l long range fuel tank on our Pajero which gives us extra flexability. I don't believe extra fuel is essential if you aren't going off the beaten track, but it of course depends on the range you get with your normal tank. There isn't anywhere on the main roads where its more than about 300k between fuel. In my opinion 3 x 20l of extra fuel sounds excessive if you aren't heading to remote spots.

Apart from the 160l of water tanks in the van we normally carry another 20l container of water in the car, its essential to have water available if the van isn't hooked up. Since we did a couple of more remote overnight and day trips without the van on our last trip we took along an extra 20l as well. There were occasions when we would have liked more water when free camping, but we got by being careful with it.

-- Edited by Meredith on Friday 11th of September 2015 12:11:04 PM

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Ian, when I sold up this time last year I decided while going through things I had to be ruthless. I was and kept some of this and some of that for if ever I needed this or that. Only a couple of months later I found out my tug was ok weight wise, the den was over and I was over.

So, I actually wasn't happy with the tug weight so went through everything again, ditched some of this and some of that, upgraded the rear suspention and was happy. Now for the den, I did the same thing plus ditched the reasonably heavy door for the ensuite and put a curtain up instead. I haven't weighed it yet but reckon I am now under. It was then time to work on me, well I am still working on that but unlike the tug and den that isn't going to happen over night, bugga.

You know Ian, I haven't missed any one item I thought I needed to keep but ditched, not one. I am more than happy with the way the tug and den perform on the road. I am a full time grey nomad and only really need the things I have now. I have nothing in storage.

I am now in the process though of getting a much better mattress for my bed though but won't effect things that mutch.

Edit.....Oops, forgot. I have a 75lt tank and start looking for a servo between 3/4 and 1/2. I also have 2x10lt jerries in the back if the need arrises and change that every few weeks. I also have 2x10lt plastic jerries for ULP for gene if I ever let her out for a run.

-- Edited by Dougwe on Friday 11th of September 2015 03:11:21 PM

Hey Jim · Guru

Hi Collin,

We have the same problems as you. I can do the lot with a tea cup / mug. Lambie needs a road tanker along side. She'll come round one day. I Hope. biggrin biggrin biggrin

Water 2 x 82 under floor tanks + 4 x 25lt empty. as back up if intend to stay out extra.

Fuel up to 292 diesel in custom tanks if we are doing realy big remote trips + 25 unleaded for the genie.

All rear seat removed as saves on space and extra weight. I use the seat anchor points as tie downs with rachet straps and our Milford cargo barrier can be repositioned directly behind the drivers / passengers seats with their extension arms.

Jim

Bruce and Bev · Guru

biggrin Jim and Collin - at least we can stand safely down wind of your lovely wives without keeling over lol. Beautiful ladies like yours have to be pampered and look their very best to keep the rest of the male population perving on them.

Jim I will get to meet your sweet wife next year - watch out !! hahaha

Muzzlehatch · Senior Member

Dougwe wrote:
<snip>

I am now in the process though of getting a much better mattress for my bed though but won't effect things that mutch.
<snip>

I dont want to hijack the thread. I have been researching that topic myself. I need a king single size. Every time I have been into a showroom or anything, I have staggered out utterly MEGO ( My Eyes Glaze Over) trying to regain my grip on reality. Things like memory foam and, my goodness, this stuff is expensive and HEAVY. Maybe a bag filled with straw? Keep us posted on how you get on with this unfathomable technology.

More back on topic. I have had a bit to do with building airplanes over the years so I tend to go for structure and lightness for strength, over aesthetics. The guy who did my Coaster was into 18mm chipboard big steel brackets and all manner of mass destruction. Why not use cardboard for a wall? Sure the Coaster is superbly equipped for load carrying, because it was designed as a meat wagon but that is no excuse for ditching elegance of engineering.

Regards..

-- Edited by Muzzlehatch on Friday 11th of September 2015 06:25:18 PM

Hey Jim · Guru

Hi Bruce & Bev,

Lambie says to tell Bev That the other bathroom is Reserved for your good wife. smile Ladies only. biggrin

She always thought you and I were like two pesa out of the same pod.

I'll see what I can do for you hmm ........... Wait...... Lambie reckons your tougher then where lead to beleave.

Regards Jim & Lambie

iana · Guru

Boy this thread has gone a bit wonky! But I have got the message, 1x 20lt of diesel and 1 x 20lt water in the vehicle max. Been looking at canopies, one demo unit available for $1000 off the price, 2 meters long.
Have a spread sheet going as an inventory of our stuff to take, and adding up all the weights, ball park figures but it helps.
Muzzle hatch how about texting me with what you got up to with aviation. I ended up with group 2 licences in engines and airframes, with types on PT6 turbine and the 1340 P&W radial.
The rest of you lot, be nice to your wives, they can pack a punch!

Muzzlehatch · Senior Member

Thank you Ian for your kindly interest,

I have done a bit of unlicenced Aircraft mechanising - rebagging . I can fly a Tiger Moth and a Chipmonk to the extent that I can enjoy it. I have flown Glasairs and Sonerias to the extent that I realise terror is not a defect of character but more an acceptance of reality. I built an RV-4 that went skyward just before I joined it for SAAA trials. I could just as easily have followed my beloved VH - LAG into the great beyond, had I not had training and PPE from the Volunteer Bushfire Brigade.. I lost her in a bush fire.

Sort of circumstance where a spoonful of "toughen the **** up" needs to go on the weetbix.

Kindest of Regards...

iana · Guru

Hi Muzzlehatch, I used to help look after a Tigermoth, did 1.5 hours training in it, but the owner got hit and killed by a car, and it all stopped there. Have a look at "Kiwi Beavers" on the web, the tigers rego is ZK-BAL.

And Douge it's my thread and I can go off topic, although it already has!

-- Edited by iana on Friday 11th of September 2015 07:47:31 PM

Muzzlehatch · Senior Member

During the time I had flying the tiger moth my experience of that aeroplane didnt seem to coincide with the popular perception. The scarves and googles "delightful little filly" .

The Tiger Moth is an aircraft that will not kill you if you dont know how to fly. It will make it plainly apparent that you cant fly if you cant fly a Tiger.

Nomes · Senior Member

Iana,

Make sure you check the locking system in any canopy, I had quite a few items stolen from out of the back of my old Bravo's canopy.

This time I went for a hard lid but I am solo.

rvmad · Member

Hi Bruce, just read your thread saying that you use a bilge pump for water transfer. I have not hit the road yet so still learning, but I have tried all sorts to get water into the tanks of our yet unused caravan which is patiently waiting to be liberated from a friend's shed. Jiggle syphons, pump syphons with the little red squishy thing, a power drill operated pump from Aldi, all to no avail. What brand is your bilge pump and where can I buy one? it sounds like the solution I've been looking for.

Linda, Virgin Caravanner

KFT · Guru

rvmad wrote:
Hi Bruce, just read your thread saying that you use a bilge pump for water transfer. I have not hit the road yet so still learning, but I have tried all sorts to get water into the tanks of our yet unused caravan which is patiently waiting to be liberated from a friend's shed. Jiggle syphons, pump syphons with the little red squishy thing, a power drill operated pump from Aldi, all to no avail. What brand is your bilge pump and where can I buy one? it sounds like the solution I've been looking for.
Linda, Virgin Caravanner

Hi Linda

I bought a 12v bilge pump from BCF, Love it cause it pumps water very well.

I also have a Karcher filter to fit in line with it about $17 at bummings.

frank

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Water and fuel is kinda taken for granted till you don't have any ?. On hilly roads I tend to travel light.. Here in Sydney .. If I go west over Blue mountains I drain water etc and fill up at Lithgow, Bathurst .. As soon as I go off track I fill things up ...
I hate the feeling you have to travel 200 kms to next town with 10 litres of fuel!!!

iana · Guru

Hi Aus-Kiwi, I'm just trying to work out all up weights and volume requirement's for the caravan ute set-up. I will settle for 20 litres each of fuel and water, but that doesn't stop me from carrying a couple of empty containers Justin case.
The weight is getting up there, close to max. Had a look at Boston canopies last week, very nice, can get the module that just bolts onto the existing tray. Dust, water proof and has an integral floor. Door locks look adequate to keep the innocent out.

Baz421 · Guru

rvmad wrote:
Hi Bruce, just read your thread saying that you use a bilge pump for water transfer. I have not hit the road yet so still learning, but I have tried all sorts to get water into the tanks of our yet unused caravan which is patiently waiting to be liberated from a friend's shed. Jiggle syphons, pump syphons with the little red squishy thing, a power drill operated pump from Aldi, all to no avail. What brand is your bilge pump and where can I buy one? it sounds like the solution I've been looking for.
Linda, Virgin Caravanner

There is a limited range of inline water pumps and here's a link to some. I use a small inline or my spare Shurflo pump I carry. Transfer H2O from truck to van and from rivers etc into truck/van in some places.

http://caravansplus.com.au/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1335

Baz421 · Guru

iana wrote:
Hi Aus-Kiwi, I'm just trying to work out all up weights and volume requirement's for the caravan ute set-up. I will settle for 20 litres each of fuel and water, but that doesn't stop me from carrying a couple of empty containers Justin case.
The weight is getting up there, close to max. Had a look at Boston canopies last week, very nice, can get the module that just bolts onto the existing tray. Dust, water proof and has an integral floor. Door locks look adequate to keep the innocent out.

I work on what range I'm aiming for. I have 600km "normal" range for diesel and keep 1/4 in each tank for unforseen circumstances so have a towing range of 800km. IF I knew fuel was tight I would slow down 10-15kph to suit.

As far a water goes - like Aus-Kiwi we empty and fill as required to maximise economy but I can carry 180l in truck internal tanks so no great problems when bush, plus we plan ahead and fill from rivers etc if absolutely necessary.

So in summary - IMHO it's about planning with X (what you have) and what you can do with it. It doesn't matter if you carry 80 or 200l of diesel you still need to plan a bit if you are getting down to say 25-30% of your capacity on a bush trip.

Fuzzball · Veteran Member

We carry enough water for about four days for three people, ie 164 litres in the caravan tanks and an extra 70 litres in ten litre bottles. We don't usually use the extra 70 litres, though, unless we need to do washing. As far as fuel, we only carry the generator full, plus an extra five litre Jerry can. We haven't had a problem with getting fuel for the diesel Land Cruiser, but we're pretty much only on bitumen roads.