Underbody Water Tank
- Thread starter matt12
- Start date
-
- Tags
- tank water water tank
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
Taco2Cruiser
Crazy American Off Road
Funny you mentioned that, I've been thinking through my water situation recently also. The best is to mount low like you said, and between the axles. That only leaves changing the muffler to a thinner design and having a long thin tank mounted next to a new muffler. You still will need to have a pump and fittings routed. That's a pretty good amount of money to make that happen.
Next would be where the spare tire originally is, but the spare would need moved to a tire carrier, and then you would be more inclined to get more out of the tank there and have a 60-80L tank. Again though, that is going to cost a fair amount of money.
So for me at least, I found that if I want to carry 20L, then two MSR dromedary bags on the rear floor board worked pretty well. Plus that only cost $40. I want to run 15 gallons, and while a nice food grade stainless steel tank (properly mounted) with pump and filter installed and ran with power and fittings, it is a lot of money. And for me at least, I found that just putting 3 water cans on a tire carrier made it cost effective, I can easily inspect my water for contaminants, no power or fittings to fail, and I can fill up in stores or rivers that the truck itself cannot get to. For cold weather, I might camp in freezing night temperatures, but the days usually get to 60F or higher and any freezing that occurred melted again. Plus I keep a 5 gallon in the tent. With separate tanks also, I didn't have to worry about designing a baffle design in one large tank. And should a water can/tank fail, I won't lose all my water.
So I would say, you budget and your number of passengers will dictate the options you have.
Next would be where the spare tire originally is, but the spare would need moved to a tire carrier, and then you would be more inclined to get more out of the tank there and have a 60-80L tank. Again though, that is going to cost a fair amount of money.
So for me at least, I found that if I want to carry 20L, then two MSR dromedary bags on the rear floor board worked pretty well. Plus that only cost $40. I want to run 15 gallons, and while a nice food grade stainless steel tank (properly mounted) with pump and filter installed and ran with power and fittings, it is a lot of money. And for me at least, I found that just putting 3 water cans on a tire carrier made it cost effective, I can easily inspect my water for contaminants, no power or fittings to fail, and I can fill up in stores or rivers that the truck itself cannot get to. For cold weather, I might camp in freezing night temperatures, but the days usually get to 60F or higher and any freezing that occurred melted again. Plus I keep a 5 gallon in the tent. With separate tanks also, I didn't have to worry about designing a baffle design in one large tank. And should a water can/tank fail, I won't lose all my water.
So I would say, you budget and your number of passengers will dictate the options you have.
Zzzap
(Old post no longer a thing)
(Old post no longer a thing)
Last edited:
Sounds like you just invented an On Board Air/water tank nacho combo. Just shape it like a spare tire and we're in business.
Taco2Cruiser
Crazy American Off Road
Have you looked at a nemo helio?
Interesting product that helio. Looks like a great solution for showers.
But I'm after serious pressure. -Like the kind you'd want for BLASTING dried mud out of crevasses.
The more I think about it? The more I think I'll just consider finding another water fire extinguisher. I have one, but it's very old (like 1968). It truly BLASTS water..but it's a little leaky. On the other hand, I could carry it without pressure, and simpyl pressurize it when needed. I just tested it with my ARB twin compressor, and it literally pressurized it to just over 100psi in only a few seconds! (Not much air space above the water, so not a lot of volume is needed.
Hmmm... I'ma go look and see if I can buy water fire extinguishers still.
Edit: So there are tons for sale. The problem is that my old one is designed so that you can hand-open/close it for refilling. Super easy. But most for sale seem to require a wrench. Not a huge deal, but it's SO much easier to be able to just hand open it. I'll keep looking, but I think I may be on the right track for what I want. One limitation is they only hold 2.5 gallons...but I tested with my old one that that provides very close to a full minute of very powerful spray. Shoots about 40+ feet! Would work well for heavy mud in hubs, etc.
Last edited:
Do you need it pressurized? What about using a plain water tank with an electric pump to supply moderate water pressure and an ARB on-board air compressor to blast it. Think pressure washer.
I'm thinking about trying https://www.frontrunneroutfitters.c...-mounts/front-runner-footwell-water-tank.html.
Between that and Slee's 3 can bumper, should be able to go off grid for a while.
Between that and Slee's 3 can bumper, should be able to go off grid for a while.
Let's get fancy and add a Helton hot water system to the mix, so that tank/OBA/Helton work together. Might need one tank but w/ separate reservoirs for hot/cold? Pressure can do a lot, would try there and not add pumps to the mix if you don't have to.
If you had a water tank under the vehicle, you just need a 12V RV-type water pump. My trailer has one of these. They're about the size of the Toyota LC factory jack. The inlet just drops into the tank, you can run them dry, and they will push nearly as much PSI as your faucet at home. Stick a good garden spray nozzle on a hose on the end and I'd bet it will work fine.
Shurflo Water Pump 12V 2.8 GPM RV Camper - S058-868125
12V, 7.5A, 3.0GPM, 55PSI.
indycole
GOLD Star
I use this tank — photos in my build thread. It's a bit quirky but short of a custom tank it's the best you're going to find for the footwell area. It's also a tad close to the console controls but there's not really a problem once it's tied down.
I do wish there was room to mount a tank between the axles under the vehicle.
Yea. Thanks. Now I see what I never knew I couldn’t live without!
This is why I try to avoid your build thread 
A single continuous space is obviously pretty hard to come by under body. There are two substantial voids though. Right behind each rear tire, under the bumper cover. Outside, but alongside the frame rail. There's likely space enough for 5 gallons to each side if there were such a thing as a fitted container.
There's various size water bladders for industrial and military use out there. Perhaps that might be a way to get a form fitting vessel in there?
Just a note for any built in water storage. As an RV'er, there's some routine maintenance that needs to be done. Annual sanitization (shock with bleach or chlorine). And winterizing tanks (purge with air or fill with antifreeze) when the whether gets cold.
There's various size water bladders for industrial and military use out there. Perhaps that might be a way to get a form fitting vessel in there?
Just a note for any built in water storage. As an RV'er, there's some routine maintenance that needs to be done. Annual sanitization (shock with bleach or chlorine). And winterizing tanks (purge with air or fill with antifreeze) when the whether gets cold.
Last edited:
If you want a metal tank, you can have one built.
It won't be cheap.
www.boydwelding.com
A plastic tank mounted underbody would be sketchy in an off-road vehicle.
Be sure to get a tank with baffles if it's a larger capacity.
And, as mentioned, be sure to keep it maintained. Otherwise you'll have a leaking tank or drinking/showering with swamp water.
It won't be cheap.
#1 Source for Custom Aluminum Tanks and Accessories
High quality custom aluminum tanks, tank parts and accessories for any tank application.
www.boydwelding.com
Be sure to get a tank with baffles if it's a larger capacity.
And, as mentioned, be sure to keep it maintained. Otherwise you'll have a leaking tank or drinking/showering with swamp water.
I was curious enough to go looking. There's different types and sizes out there and it would take more looking to find one that fits ideally. Plumb it up with T-fitting and vinyl hose. Use low pressure air, foot pump, or water pump to deliver water.
Amazon product ASIN B01NAHE86W
One could encase it with metal for protection, but bladders are pretty tough and more likely to still hold water after an impact. More so than a non-conforming metal vessel. It's not the be all solution, but a possible one for certain uses. Could locate it in an irregular interior cubby too.
Amazon product ASIN B01NAHE86W
One could encase it with metal for protection, but bladders are pretty tough and more likely to still hold water after an impact. More so than a non-conforming metal vessel. It's not the be all solution, but a possible one for certain uses. Could locate it in an irregular interior cubby too.
Last edited: