On Board Water

[Roy Park]

I felt like we were blowing up Cole’s build thread with OBW discussions so I decided to finish my thoughts over here.

I used a poly tank for a while but I found it to be less convenient than Jerry cans to get drinking water into it. I too, like Cole, like to carry drinking water in the tank so I can drink it in a pinch. I found Jerry cans were easier to throw on a shopping cart and wheel into a water store.

What I settled on was Scepter water cans with the JAGMTE modified cap:

Modified Cap for Suction pump - MWC

I attached a quick connect to that so I can switch water cans easily without taking the cap off and contaminating my water.

I use the shurflo 2.9GPM self priming pump with a side sprayer with the flow reduced. The system has served me well in the Tundra and I’m in the process of hard wiring the same setup in the LC.

 

[ckkone]

My low tech setup is a 7 gallon Aqua-Tainer, I just set it on the tail gate when camped.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Reliance-Aqua-Tainer-Water-Container-7-Gallon/872426

 

[Roy Park]

My low tech setup is a 7 gallon Aqua-Tainer, I just set it on the tail gate when camped.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Reliance-Aqua-Tainer-Water-Container-7-Gallon/872426

I did that in the past. When my buddies got OBW with heaters I thought they were lame. Then I took a hot shower after a long day of wheeling, under the stars and changed my mind. Then I did dishes on a cold morning with warm water and confirmed that glamping is the life for me. Hahaha.

 

[ckkone]

Then I took a hot shower after a long day of wheeling, under the stars and changed my mind.

Yes, hot showers are a must.... I had a kamparoo a while back and previous owner gave me a Zodi shower with it, I've sold the kamparoo but kept the Zodi shower. Its not the best hot water shower but it does the job, never used it for dishes but I guess you could.

 

[TonyP]

For drinking, call me crazy, but I prefer just a bunch of 80 cent one gallon jugs. They do take up space though.

I used this with a scepter for cleanup

Scepter Military Water Can Spout - MWC Dispenser - MWC Nozzle https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00U415MGW/?tag=ihco-20

Worked OK.

A flow regulated 3.0 SureFlo pump fed from an HDPE tank to feed a shower, faucet, drinking, ect... Will probably be the next setup. The reason for using the high flow pump is I want a way to pump water into the tank (from a stream, well, ect) as well.

But water pump out-flow regulation is a huge concern. Like I said in the other thread, my 3.0gpm pump will empty a 5gal Jerry in seconds.

Yeah, a hot camp shower is damn amazing. Camping purists be damned. Being fresh, clean, and not smelling like campfire is beyond phenomenal. However, the first three days of no shower are awful. After that, it isn't that bad.

 

[Markuson]

Agree with @TonyP on drinking water. A small pile of Costco 1-gallon bottles for drinking does the trick...and tap (ok to drink if needed of course) for everything else like shower, etc.

Those Costco bottles fit nicely into my Ali-box units, too, so no worries if they leak.

 

[Roy Park]

Oh I bring bottles too but I like to carry potable water just in case.

 

[TeCKis300]

A 3.0 Shurflo would seem to be overkill for a small overlanding tank. I'm actually looking to replace the pump in my travel trailer. Shurflo makes a similar pump rated at 2.3 GPM. I'm considering this one for my 40 gallon travel trailer tank as my kids don't know how to meter their water usage. Pretty confident 2.3 GPM would even be competent for that application.

Less flow and less energy use makes both resources last longer is how I see it. Especially for longer term boondocking.

Probably the only situation that I'd want the higher rated 3.0 pump is if I were transferring fluid or trying to empty the tank for maintenance.

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

Over the years I have been everywhere when it comes to water and systems. Just recently I have been able to do some equipment comparison. With Maltec you have pressurized ~20gal fresh and ~2gal hot and found it to be not to my liken the way I fly. Its very nice to have temperature controlled pressurized water at any time in a few spots, just ask my wife. For me personally I found it very inefficient with a lot of water waste. You use a ton of water waiting for the ideal tempdoing dishes with a spray nozzle, and used a ton washing your hair or more.

On the flip side in my 80 poptop I carry 13.5 gal in 5 different containers all filter and purified. If I need temperature water I mix in hot from my JetBoil. I have one 3.5 gal supply with a Camelbak hose hook up to it long enough to hang over my tailgate. Low flow perfect for washing your hands, wetting a towel, rinsing off dishes, or filling the JetBoil. For a shower/hair I use a 20oz Fiji bottle (heavy duty) with a spray attachment temperature by JetBoil. With one bottle you can do your hair complete. I like simplicity, efficiency, with nothing to fail. If a container goes bad or if I find I need one for something else I have it and I dont worry.

In the end no one set up is right and you need to find what works for you. With threads like this you see and hear a lot of options.

 

[Whiskerz]

Here is another source for the 5 gallon military cans. They used to do free shipping if you order more than $75 worth. You are being redirected...

 

[TonyP]

I don't think those are legit Scepters. I know they're water, but legit Scepter fuel cans are over twice that price for used cans. Real ones are the cats ass. Super stout.

 

[Roy Park]

I don't think those are legit Scepters. I know they're water, but legit Scepter fuel cans are over twice that price for used cans. Real ones are the cats ass. Super stout.

For sure they’re not. They’re the LCI knock offs. I use the LCI for water. Not fuel though.

 

[ckkone]

LCI used to sell the fuel cans as well many moons ago.

 

[Whiskerz]

For sure they’re not. They’re the LCI knock offs. I use the LCI for water. Not fuel though.

On another forum I am on they contacted Scepter. These are the same material and thickness as the fuel cans. The problem selling fuel cans is the EPA spout requirements. I use race gas cans because they are nice and tough

 

[TonyP]

The big ass opening for the MFC gas cans are the second best thing about them, next to the build quality. With the big donkeydick spout, you can dump 5 gallons into your tank in 10 seconds.

 

[Markuson]

The big ass opening for the MFC gas cans are the second best thing about them, next to the build quality. With the big donkeydick spout, you can dump 5 gallons into your tank in 10 seconds.

I tried to obtain those cans...but alas...California makes it really tough.

Amazingly... ROTOPAX suddenly can no longer be shipped to CA!!! -Never mind that they are the most leak-proof can I’ve ever seen... It’s some technicality that Rotopax is now trying to remedy.

Let’s see...
-Syringes and feces legal on the sidewalk officially fine & dandy...
-Rotopax illegal.
Nutsville!

Get me outa here!!