water tank? Anyone using a rather large water tank on their DIY built trailer?

  • HTML tutorial

Purpony

Rank I
Member

Member I

233
CT
First Name
Marc
Last Name
C
Member #

27180

Working on a 4x6 trailer and looking to add a large thin water tank to have water for a hot water shower.

Just wondering if anything has a rather large tank? how much water do you have onboard?
 
  • Like
Reactions: Road

Road

Not into ranks, titles or points.
Launch Member

Advocate III

3,379
On the road in North America
First Name
Road
Last Name
Dude
Member #

6589

22 gal water tank here, under the trailer, above the axle, armored.

watertank-from-underneath.png

Tank is baffled to keep water from all sloshing to one side if off camber, maintaining center of gravity more than without.


xv-2-cargo_2216-700.jpeg
- Fill spout cap is inside the trailer (forward of wheel well in image above); overflow tube comes out underneath the trailer there.
- On demand propane fired water heater in trailer rear of wheel well, armored from cargo.
- 12v pump adjacent to the water tank underneath, access plate through armor at rear.
- Easy to drain and winterize or sanitize, with central drain plug through armor.
- Water lines all mil spec pex style.
- Plumbed to front right with single line from water heater for shower hookup. Adjust temp/pressure at the heater.
- Plumbed to left rear with separate hot/cold for faucet.

water-hookups-rtrear_5105-700.jpg
Water lines hook up with quick-release fittings, plugs when not using.

sink.jpg
Faucet mounts through fender step.

Been a dream to have, especially when off-grid for long periods. Having hot and cold running water in camp changes the way I cook, clean, relax, and stay out longer.

I'm planning on adding a similar system to my van for those times I'm away from, or not using, my trailer, and for when I'm out working or shooting somewhere.


.
 

ChrisEllsworth

Rank II
Member

Contributor III

327
Gainesville, Virginia
First Name
Chris
Last Name
Ellsworth
Member #

28071

Working on a 4x6 trailer and looking to add a large thin water tank to have water for a hot water shower.

Just wondering if anything has a rather large tank? how much water do you have onboard?
I have a 21gal tank and water pump on my M416 build. I keep it in the tub. Works well as long as temperatures are a over freezing.
 

Attachments

  • Like
Reactions: freak4life and Road

smritte

Rank V
Launch Member

Member III

2,827
Ontario California
First Name
Scott
Last Name
SMR
Member #

8846

Ham/GMRS Callsign
KO6BI
My M-100 has a 15 gal and my teardrop has an 11 gal. Both have very good water filters on them.
I opted for smaller tanks to keep the weight down. I've gone a bit more than a week on my 15 gal still doing a quick shower when I feel I need it. I also carry 6 gal of water on my rig. In my opinion, worse case is topping off water as I go. I spent 5 days in Death Valley two months ago in my teardrop and had to drain the tank for the trip home.
Ask yourself how much water do you use on a trip? Even though I have a filter, my drinking water tends to be bottled water. If you have a shower and a water heater, don't leave the water running and do a quick shower. You will be surprised how little water you use if you conserve.
 

64Trvlr

Rank V
Launch Member

Member III

2,827
Northern AZ
First Name
Kevin
Last Name
Trvlr
Member #

20466

Ham/GMRS Callsign
KK7NAZ
Service Branch
MM1 US Navy
Working on a 4x6 trailer and looking to add a large thin water tank to have water for a hot water shower.

Just wondering if anything has a rather large tank? how much water do you have onboard?

I guess the first question I have is what does a rather large tank mean to you?

I have a 22 gal under the frame on my little yellow trailer, a 52 gal in my tent on wheels (camper) and 850 on the trailer I haul water on.
 

Purpony

Rank I
Member

Member I

233
CT
First Name
Marc
Last Name
C
Member #

27180

I guess the first question I have is what does a rather large tank mean to you?

I have a 22 gal under the frame on my little yellow trailer, a 52 gal in my tent on wheels (camper) and 850 on the trailer I haul water on.
Valid question... I was thinking of 40 to 60 gals. Im looking to do a trip to the outer banks and spend some time at cape lookout. I havnt verified it water is radially available there or not yet. I was looking to install a long thin tank in my trailer, but the more i was thinking about it, it make make more sense to install a few smaller tanks mated together. This way i could have a couple valves and if i want to carry a smaller amount of water i could, or have a small amount in all 3 and it would act more like a baffled tank. Water would be mostly used for washing, rinsing dishes, hands, and quicky showers/rinse downs.
 

NMBruce

Rank V
Member

Advocate II

1,808
Pagosa Springs, CO, USA
First Name
Bruce
Last Name
Cooper
Member #

27527

Ham/GMRS Callsign
KE0NBD
Service Branch
U.S. Air Force
I have been thinking of doing this to my trailer, as I start to redo the inside, thought it would be great to add in some water.
I think i have a UP TO of 3’ wide by 5’ long and 3-5” high area I could use, but I want baffles to keep water from sloshing around. Haven’t found the tank I am looking for.
 
Last edited:

Hysteria

Rank 0

Contributor I

I have a 21gal tank and water pump on my M416 build. I keep it in the tub. Works well as long as temperatures are a over freezing.
I have the same tank in my m416 (mine has a top on it) and insulated the tank with rigid foam and then put a 12v RV tank heating pad under it. Runs off the trailer batteries and keeps it from freezing at night.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Road

64Trvlr

Rank V
Launch Member

Member III

2,827
Northern AZ
First Name
Kevin
Last Name
Trvlr
Member #

20466

Ham/GMRS Callsign
KK7NAZ
Service Branch
MM1 US Navy
I've had good luck getting tanks off of Ebay in the past.
 

Alanymarce

Rank IV

Trail Mechanic III

1,392
Colombia
I have a 22 gal under the frame on my little yellow trailer, a 52 gal in my tent on wheels (camper) and 850 on the trailer I haul water on.
850 gallons? That's 3 tonnes...?

We carry a 44 L Frontrunner tank across the floor behind the front (and only) seats, when we're on a "big trip".
 

lugantom

Rank III

Pathfinder II

633
Peru, IL
First Name
Tom
Last Name
Jagiella
Member #

30594

Ham/GMRS Callsign
KD9PTL
Service Branch
USMC
Working on a 4x6 trailer and looking to add a large thin water tank to have water for a hot water shower.

Just wondering if anything has a rather large tank? how much water do you have onboard?
I have an M416 military surplus trailer. I use four (4) five (5) gallon jerry cans, one in each corner of the trailer. Two are old steel military surplus cans - I use those for non-potable water. Two are plastic Scepter plastic cans - I use those for potable water. So far it has worked out. I use the non-potable for dishwashing, showers, etc. I use the potable for cooking, drinking, etc. More water is more weight, so I'm happy with this approach. If I'm ever in the desert I may grab a couple of more cans.

I like to winter camp, so I also bought a couple of military surplus jerry can insulated blankets/covers. They have worked out nicely.
 
  • Like
Reactions: jeepers29

grubworm

Rank V
Launch Member

Member III

2,358
louisiana
First Name
grub
Last Name
worm
Member #

17464

Service Branch
USN-Submarines
@Purpony are you still needing a tank? i used to design hydroponics and used tanks up to 300 gal and i used US Plastics who has a great selection. i have a 5x8 camp trailer with a 30 gal tank. that is a decent size that lasts the two of us for a few days. if you have the room, go with a 30 gal and you just dont have to fill it up all the way if you dont need to. might be nice to have the extra 10 gal versus a 20 gal tank. only thing i noticed is that my tank has a flange around it and that sits in between the frame members and when full, the bottom bows out a LOT. i took ratchet straps and made an X under the tank to give the bottom support. i'm sure it was designed to hold OK, but with bouncing and rough roads, i really wanted that bottom support. you will need a drain on the bottom, so i would find one with a drain port molded in at the bottom versus getting a drain kit and doing it yourself...doing it after is a better chance of leaking.
good luck with your build!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Road