Water Tank for Trailer [Archive]

Grouseman

04-07-2006, 02:48 AM

Need some advise on size of water tank for expedition trailer. I have seen the rectangular models and it appears they would be the best shape to put in the trailer, with a 12 volt pump. Typically the wife and I will be camping. We have one of Kirk's Helton Hot water system, and will need water for cooking. Typically we won't be out more than 2-3 days before going to town, etc. So we need water for quick showers, cooking, general clean-up. We will bring bottled water for consumption. I was considering a 15 gallon unit. What do you think? Let's hear from the experts....

Mike S

04-08-2006, 03:02 AM

Steve

I have a welded 3/8" thick polypro water tank ( by all-Rite of Hollister, CA - http://www.all-rite.com/customtanks.html ) in my trailer. It sits below the box and between the frame rails. It is covered underneath with a 1/8" tick steel skd plate. Holds 38 gallons, is vented to the top of the vender wells, and has both a power pump and a 'dog water' gravity spigot. It is more than adequate for a week or 10 days of dry camping, will provide a refreshing shower, and plenty of cooking, drinking, and camp water. I think that 15 gallons is plenty for a 4 or 5 day trip.

Mike

Scott Brady

04-08-2006, 04:26 AM

I am using a 30 gallon unit in the truck, and that lasts nearly a week, even with two shower daily.

The adventure trailer uses a 20 gallon unit, which is in a well protected spot.

60seriesguy

04-08-2006, 05:38 AM

Grouseman

04-08-2006, 01:39 PM

Cman,

Man I just noticed the time of the morning you posted. Very early eh?

Birdman

Mike S

04-09-2006, 04:30 AM

I really like the location of the Adventure Trailer's water tank. Easy access, easy to fill, protected.

Mike, do you have close-up pics of yours? I'm interested in how it mounts, how it vents, where/how the filler is located.

Thanks!

H.

Henry:

No I don't have a decent picture. It's sandwiched between the frame rails, the bottom of the box, and the skid plate. It is vented with 1/8" silicone tubing that runs from the top of the tank to the top of the wheel well and then curves over to face down. The fill is at the rear of the trailer, next to the tailgate - 1" stainless tube with a plug from an aluniminum boat - easy to replace. I am posting a sketch that we used to build the tank, and a picture of the rear of the trailer with the fill pipe.

http://www.hunt101.com/img/394264.jpg

Here's the rear of the trailer w. fill pipe.
http://www.hunt101.com/img/394265.jpg

Steve.

Your 80 is the same year and colors as mine... Just checekd the photo you sent.

Grouseman

04-09-2006, 01:41 PM

Steve.

Your 80 is the same year and colors as mine... Just checekd the photo you sent.[/QUOTE]

Mike,

Sorry to correct you but your 80 is the same year and color as mine.:)
Remember I bought my beautiful truck last year. Great color combination by the way...

SS

Grouseman

04-10-2006, 12:51 PM

Where did you buy your water tanks for your trailers? There are many suppliers on the net, just wanted to go with a company that gave you good service.

SS

Mike S

04-10-2006, 02:57 PM

Where did you buy your water tanks for your trailers? There are many suppliers on the net, just wanted to go with a company that gave you good service.

SS

Steve - here is the url for the guys who made mine - located in Hollister, CA Did exactly what I wanted, good service, and no problems with the tank after 3 + years.

http://www.all-rite.com/customtanks.html

Mike

SAR_Squid79

07-04-2009, 03:16 AM

Didn't want to start a new thread, so I'm bumping an old one...

...I am pretty new to the whole Expedition Trailer thing. There are a lot of you that have taken your trailers a lot more places than me (so far). I like thinking out of the box, and trying to think of a new way to do something.
I was/am pretty sold on buying an AT 19-gallon water tank setup (with the manual pump, and spout). But then I got to thinking...

...What do you guys think of this as an ExPo Trailer water hauling solution?
http://www.grangerplastics.com/watermate/index.html

I was thinking of putting 2 of these Water-Mates in the bottom of the trailer, and then building a faux floor over the top of the water mates, and then securing my fridge, and all of my gear and everything over the water tanks.

Just spitballing... Thoughts? Potential problems or pitfalls?

spressomon

07-04-2009, 04:30 AM

Personally I like the idea of getting the water lower per your plan. And I would opt for a 30-gallon tank or possibly more; you don't always have to fill it ;-). On longer totally self-sufficient runs without opportunity to refill water (~7-days) I carry 28-gallons plus another 6-gallons just for drinking. This would be for 2-people in warmer climes without the ability to re-water along the route.

Mike S

07-04-2009, 04:37 AM

Thanks for the link... a good idea if there is no convenient way to put the tank under the floor. I am thinking one of those might fit in the front of my F350 bed, and provide 20 or 30 gallons to augment my other water supply.

I can't see any reason why they would not work as you intend... maybe losing a little bed depth n the trailer? Maybe not so important.

MIGZ

07-04-2009, 05:23 AM

http://www.watertanks.com/category/16/ these people have a really large variety

SAR_Squid79

07-04-2009, 08:27 AM

I might even try to come up with some smooth McGyver way to mount it underneath my trailer...
We'll see...

Hilldweller

07-04-2009, 12:32 PM

The Water Mate looks pretty tough, Jamie; if you can figure a way to mount it low and accessible, I'd say go for it.
We have twin 19 gallon tanks mounted parallel under our trailer; we haven't needed that much on our trips yet.

FlatlinesUp

07-04-2009, 01:14 PM

...snip...Just spitballing... Thoughts? Potential problems or pitfalls?

they are 60 gallons.
2x60=120 gallons
8.3lbs per gallon x 120 = 996 lbs of water.

you fillin a wilderness swimming pool? :)

way (way) too much based on the above reading (30gal more than enough for 10 days)

here's something that might fit the "out of the box" bill and do what you want at a better quantity size (4 gallons each): http://www.kolpinpowersports.com/products/water-and-fuel-packs/water-pack_2.html

Corey

07-04-2009, 01:23 PM

$92 for the 4 gal water tanks?
I have seen them for less from here, I was thinking of getting their fuel ones if they ever finish making the FJ Cruisers spare tire mount for them.
http://www.expeditionone.biz/Geri_intro.htm

They have both fuel and water ones.

Martyn

07-04-2009, 02:32 PM

If you let me know what size you are looking at (LxWxH) and what fitting you want (3" clean out, 1/2" drain etc.) I can quote you cost on a poly tank.

ecameron97

07-05-2009, 08:55 PM

I just went with a 15 gallon sprayer tank from Harbor Freight (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=9583)

It comes with a 12v pump already mounted. I placed it on the tongue and am building a box around it with a kitchen sink and faucet. Here is a picture of what I have so far.

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/8358/2009520005.jpg (http://img20.imageshack.us/i/2009520005.jpg/)

Oh, and I got it on sale for around $80.

spressomon

07-05-2009, 09:36 PM

ecameron97

07-05-2009, 10:39 PM

Plastic films and containers of food grade quality are made from polycarbonate, polyester or polyethylene.

This is made out of Polyethylene, so yes it is safe.

socaljeeper

07-05-2009, 11:42 PM

I put a 19 gal tank in my trailer that I purchased on ebay along with a 2.8 gpm shurflo pump. It is mounted in a custom box with a pull out faucet, easy hose fill and 20' hose. I used the quick connects so I can detach the water supply from the hose and connect it to my portable sink and faucet. The pump and tank cost about $115. Works well and 19 gal is plenty of water for about a 5 day trip.

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg281/boctor12/P1020378.jpg

REasley

07-06-2009, 02:59 AM

Plastic films and containers of food grade quality are made from polycarbonate, polyester or polyethylene.

This is made out of Polyethylene, so yes it is safe.

That's not quite true. A tank built from all virgin low, linear low or high density polyethylene is ok for potable water, but if it contains any reprocessed poly, it is not. If it is built from cross linked polyethylene it is not safe. Check with the molder of the tank to determine the content. Do not assume. A molder will often include repro to lower costs and it would not surprise me that Harbor Freight, in looking for the lowest possible cost, might use a tank of lower quality. This tank was built to be used for spray chemicals where a little repro in the blend wouldn't matter. You can use it if you wish, but I have spent a few years in the polyethylene industry and I would advise caution.

REasley

07-06-2009, 03:27 AM

After taking another look at the photo, I can tell you that that particular sprayer is built by Master Mfg. and is distributed exclusively thru Valley Industries in Paynesville MN. You can call them and ask about the tank, but they don't build the sprayer or the tank or and probably can't tell you exactly what the tank is made of. PM me and I will give you the info on who to talk to.

SAR_Squid79

07-06-2009, 04:06 AM

they are 60 gallons.
2x60=120 gallons
8.3lbs per gallon x 120 = 996 lbs of water.

you fillin a wilderness swimming pool? :)

LOL! I hadn't even thought of that, yet. I guess I didn't notice the capacity...

*EDIT*:After re-reading it, I think that the WaterMate is only sold in pairs, and is vehicle specific. So I think they're saying that if you got the biggest model (say for an F-250 truck), and filled both tanks, you'd have "UP TO" 60 gallons.

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/1619/watermate.jpg (http://img339.imageshack.us/i/watermate.jpg/)

If you let me know what size you are looking at (LxWxH) and what fitting you want (3" clean out, 1/2" drain etc.) I can quote you cost on a poly tank.
I'm probably going to pull my trailer up to your shop at some point when I get back. We can take a look at it then. One of your standard 19 gallon tanks might still be the easiest, and most trouble-free setup.

If I mount the water tank under the trailer, I'd have to get an electric pump, and IMO - that's just one more thing to fail. I really like that the AT tank has the manual pump.

Martyn

07-06-2009, 01:42 PM

I'm probably going to pull my trailer up to your shop at some point when I get back. We can take a look at it then. One of your standard 19 gallon tanks might still be the easiest, and most trouble-free setup.

If I mount the water tank under the trailer, I'd have to get an electric pump, and IMO - that's just one more thing to fail. I really like that the AT tank has the manual pump.

We offer both the on chassis tank with mechanical pump, and the under chassis tank with electric pump. Below chassis requires a skid plate.

FlatlinesUp

07-06-2009, 02:09 PM

I like to design stuff with "extra" capicity etc as well, but with a liquid tank, IMHO esp with a horizontal configuration, I'd think that having it half empty would add poor handling characteristics to the trailer, ie jerking round when the water moved fwd/side to side etc and possibly cause issue with that much weight moving around in the trailer.

If you are having one built like that, you might want to consider internal baffles if it's possible to build them into your design.

tdesanto

07-06-2009, 03:02 PM

We offer...the under chassis tank with electric pump. Below chassis requires a skid plate.

Details?

Will it fit the Horizon?

Is the placement fore or aft of the axle?

shogun

07-06-2009, 05:39 PM

I must be confused about this water tank thing. I have been sitting back for months waiting for someone to mention the location issue.

One of the large benefits of going to a trailer is to remove weight from the vehicle by supporting it with another axle. The oft-violated rule of not exceeding the GVW rating.

Some of the items to be trailered are of fixed weight (and size). However, gas/fuel, and water are variable and also probably the densest item to carry. This is where I must be missing something; It seems to me that I would want to located the densest (heaviest) items directly over the axle (and also as low as possible). Other less-heavy items can be used to trim the cg if needed, thus avoiding a heavy tongue. Why would I put my heaviest item where it will load the tongue, to say nothing of its variable nature?

I have not found any factual discussion of tongue weight either. Rules of thumb, yes, but nothing that seemed based on engineering data. This may have some bearing on the issue, but still doesnt change the seemingly unadvisable practice of carrying water on the tongue.

What am I missing?

R_Lefebvre

07-06-2009, 08:15 PM

That's a good point. When I designed my trailer, the water tank is sitting on the floor between the frame rails, the floor is welded to the bottom of the frame, thus no skid plate is required. So it's as low as it can get and light weight. It's also central to the trailer so it doesn't slosh side to side. It is located 60/40 over the axle so that the CG of the trailer doesn't change as the tank is emptied.

The only issue is... and I question some of the reports on water usage... We went camping for 4 days, and I figure we used 10 gallons per day. And that's without showers. That's just 3 people drinking, cooking, and doing dishes. Now, we weren't conserving as if our lives depended on it but weren't being wasteful either... what am I missing? Dishes takes about 2 gallons by itself, 3 times a day, that's 6 gallons right there. We had a small typical dish pan, probably about 3 gallons, and we filled it half way. I'm starting to think we're going to need a second 19 gallon tank on the trailer.

MrNoPrintz

10-22-2009, 07:21 PM

I have a couple of sets of The Water Mates and they work great!

Your idea of building the flooring over the Water Mates is a great idea, wished I would have read that about a year ago!!

But I can haul my Harley Davidson on Top of The Water Mates either in the back of my truck or in the trailer... empty or full!

they're a great little product...

and yes, it's actually a little over 60 gallons on the 2 tanks total weight...

you can check em out at

www.water-mates.com

or

www.pickuptrucktanks.com