Overland Vehicle Drinking Water and Filtration System - Part 1: Design

[@andywilson1117]

Hi Dan, I've adapted your system to suit my Land Rover discovery 1. I had a tank made locally to fit in the rear foot well. I had mine made from black plastic to prevent light from getting to the stored water and causing algae to grow. I've also fitted a UV LED light in the tank by the outlet to kill and pathogens. Thanks for the great advice 👍

[@timdeatherage4465]

Love your design, especially the spray nozzle. I copied your design in a Four Wheel Camper. Now I’m building a Jeep JK with the other Dan Grec edition Ursa Minor top and I plan on using your water system design once again. Thanks for sharing!

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Great to hear!

[@tristanrenaud5087]

Very helpful! I modeled my water system in my rig off your wrangler design with a few little mods. Mainly 2 extra valves to switch where water flows to. I have a tap in the back near the kitchen set up. And another leading to the outside for showers/rinsing equipment before getting stored back into the car.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Very cool!

[@tpseeker3367]

Talk about some Great Well thought out ideas for your & anybody else's water system setups. Going to be looking for that Front Runner backseat water tank myself. Sounds like you already have someone making or made your cabinet already to Not get the water tank that fits against the back of the bed. Thanks for Sharing more great ideas that Anybody can use No Matter which vehicle will be used to get Out & Enjoy the World.

[@questioner1596]

Is your "Great Well" a pun based on wells being water sources? Nice one!

[@tpseeker3367]

Don't forget ""thought out ideas"" @@questioner1596 . Does make a bit of difference with those Three words added on.

[@austingonzalez1148]

If you're using the pump for filling, won't it have nasty water in it when you flip the valves to pour yourself a glass of water?

[@bassmastermatt]

I was wondering this same thing.

[@briangudger3466]

I *think* with his system, the filter is always on the outlet side of the pump, so, the water always passes through the filter (both when filling the tank and when going to the tap).

[@austingonzalez1148]

@@briangudger3466 Right. So filling it goes. Nasty>pump>filter>tank. (nasty>nasty>filter>clean) But then when you go to drink it will be tank>pump>filter>drink (clean>nasty>filter>clean). If the pump is filled with nasty connecting the tank outlet to the pump inlet sounds like you haven't kept the nasty and the clean separate. Imagine you suck in a bird poo from a rainbarrel. The pump'll have nasty all over it's parts. If there's even a drip of back flow, you got a nasty in the tank. Maybe he just runs it for a minute to flush the pump with clean tank water after filling. But you just don't really know if the pump is clean.

[@T25de]

I’ve been considering the water set up on my 100 series lane cruiser. You are spot on regarding the amount of wasted time using Jerry cans for drinking water

[@induction7895]

Totally agree! I have always felt that water is pretty important, not just for camping but also in our daily lives.

[@GATORADDAM]

I think you made the best choice for the tank location. You didn't mention the filtration power of the filter though. 3 microns is necessary (in my book) to filter out nasties like crypto sporadium. Most of those RV filters are good for sediments and the charcoal removes tastes and odors. That's because not to many RVs hook up to rain water or streams etc.

[@clydeb8251]

Hi I love your build. Can you give some details on the UV light you used. Just wondering how robust the light element is. Thanks

[@benkanobe7500]

Sorry if this question was answered somewhere already. Where did you get the tank itself as it seems to be factory and fits so well to the Jeep?

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

It's just a generic tank from an Australian company for any pickup.. not specific to the Gladiator.

[@A11N4TURAL]

Would you plz do a video on your thoughts about the new rubicon 4xe as an overlander? I trust your opinion and it would help alot

[@A11N4TURAL]

What do you think about the 4xe with a solar panel that would charge the 4xe car battery so that you wouldnt need to use gas

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Even with massive solar panels you'd have to charge for 10 hours to get something like 50 miles of range. It just doesn't work out.

[@joshmontgomery4040]

Good stuff!

[@Appalachia02]

Since this video is nearing a year old, I was hoping you could tell me what American company is building the water tank over the wheel well fort the Gladiator? I am building a water system and currently have a 12 gallon tank that I have all the in the back of the bed but this tank I think would be better.

[@michaelmcphee2930]

I thought this would be a good way to go and found a company in Queensland that makes just one model. I have a 75 series Landcruiser Troopie and apparently people have adapted them to suit a troopie. I think I'd go for one each side so one for potable water and the other for showering and general cleaning. QUESTIONS Would the tank need to have baffles so there's no water sloshing about? I'm thinking of going to a wreckers and getting a dipstick to calibrate it for water volume. Is there another method?

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

I did not have baffles in mine, I don't think it was enough volume to be a problem. When I mounted mine, there was a light behind it and I left a strip visible, so I could physically see how much water was in there when the light shone through. It worked great.

[@michaelmcphee2930]

@@TheRoadChoseMe thanks for the reply Dan. I'm a bit OCD, for me, seeing how much is in the tank would be one thing, I'd have to know within a litre how much I had left. I've got a mate who does CAD who'll draw it up and fabricate for me. I really enjoyed your videos. Great work. Well done

[@juliussigurorsson3509]

I plan similar you do, but I intend to extend the front bumper forward and get around 100 l tank there. For great weight distribution, and space saving. But we will see later if I succeed. Also it provide extra help in front end collision.

[@georgejulien3286]

Why would you destroy your approach angle?

[@juliussigurorsson3509]

@@georgejulien3286 I am going to build overlander - not of road vehicle in that sense. Before I have 28°+ bigger tires. And If I need all that, I am most likely going somewhere I shouldn't be going. Around 15 cm thick tank should give me around 100 liters It is not going to be problem.

[@georgejulien3286]

@@juliussigurorsson3509 just drive a golf then. Much better fuel economy.

[@georgejulien3286]

@@juliussigurorsson3509 also what are 28 degree tires?

[@juliussigurorsson3509]

@@georgejulien3286 the approach angle on the car I intend to use.

[@SasquatchBunyan]

I keep thinking about how often I reach over the sides of the bed of a pickup to get at things in the bed, particularly if they are near the front of the bed. An easy opening door or window allow that. What are your thoughts on that with your current canopy setup? Are you designing around that to force all of those needs to the back gate/window? Just curious.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

To be honest, even at 6'2" it's hard to reach over, and basically impossible without leaning on the side and getting muddy. It will only get worse when I add a mild suspension lift. So for me, I don't think it makes sense

[@thegranddestination]

Nice system! I have a question: Is the water pump rate of gallons per minute compatible with the Activated Carbon Filter flow rate? If yes, then great! If not, then you may risk getting water pushed through the filter too fast and not being filtered adequately and also risk damaging the filter membranes.

[@TechnikMeister2]

Go to a ships chandlers like Whitworths. Boaties have to solve the exact same problem.

[@grantpratt299]

How do you determine how much water to have with you?

[@blurglide]

11 gallons will only be good for 2-3 days if you have a couple passengers. A good option for reserve tanks could be to have a series of PVC pipes that run along the frame rails. 4" pipe holds 2 gallons per meter and 6" pipe holds 5 gallons per meter. I'd have perhaps 4 separate tanks. That way if you break one, you don't lose all of your water. Once you get back to civilization you'll be able to find the replacement parts in any town. Perhaps just have a way to pump it into your main tank and when it starts to run low, you fill it up from your pipes. They wouldn't need any plumping at all that way- just a bung on the end you can stick your pump feed hose into.

[@promenteryrobbins]

If you put a Y connector after the filter, you could have your flexible hose with the spray, and a fixed tap mounted on the Jeep - you’d then have best of both worlds.

[@boondoggler9677]

Hello Dan, been learning a lot from you about design decisions for longer term overlanding. Can you talk a little bit about how to settled in on the filter needs based on having to substantially use "surface water" on your journey. Determining which filters are necessary can be quite confusing, and I am curious why you decided the UV is no longer needed to make surface water safe to drink.

[@michaelfrymus]

Link to Tank?? Im trying to find one for a 4th Gen 4Runner. So I'm curious on this size & price

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

I got this one (in Australia, in Australian dollars) trailerpartsdirect.com.au/shop/water-tanks/automotive-ute-tray-water-tanks/wheel-arch-water-tank/

[@hle6]

Hi Dan, in the video you mentioned an American company is making the same tank. Can you tell us which company is it?

[@TheKypshak]

Amazon links are not working, any plans to fix them?

[@ricoman7981]

There is an easy to use and lightweight UV light called a Steri-pen that will kill all the bad stuff in a minute or two. I use mine for local backpacking and have used it for international travel. Mine is rechargeable using 110 volt but you can also get 12 volt models or converters. For full time travel Dan’s Africa set up would be far better but the steri-pen is not expensive, portable and weighs almost nothing.

[@michaelmcphee2930]

I'm in WA and hike. I was thinking steri pen too.

[@overlandsubaruinternationa2378]

Look very like mine finally

[@fzj8022]

You should think about running a pair of these tanks, one om either side of the bed. Doubles your capacity and it evens the load from side to side

[@007oli]

The same company provides a storage option in exactly the same shape, 2 sections and lockable, this could be another option.

[@johnfitzgerald5158]

Hi Dan, Something I've been curious about. You discuss this as drinking water. I don't think you've touched on before what you do about showering. Do you just use the same water system? If so, is that enough gallons for say 3 adults for showering, cleaning dishes and drinking. Perhaps you could elaborate in the next video if you haven't already finished editing it..

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

I talk about my basic shower in this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXLTm5KIaMt-ldU

[@johnfitzgerald5158]

@@TheRoadChoseMe thanks Dan. I probably saw it and forgot. Will watch again. Can I give another thumbs up...lol.

[@ryancrouch3238]

Any hint on that American company name? I need one for my Gladiator

[@manimalworks7424]

Hi, Dan: great video and I like your setup. Question for you, what are you doing to get hot water for a nice shower in the wild? I was looking at using a heat exchanger and tap into the hot air part of the engine pipe but it requires permanent modifications in the engine compartment, which I don’t like. Now I am thinking about getting a 25 ft copper tube and wrapping around the exhaust pipe as heat source, install a 5 gallon aluminum tank and pump water through the copper tube. What do you think of this idea?

[@tpseeker3367]

There are plate heater core heat exchangers, @PrimalOutdoors-CampingandOverlanding just did a vid on his Glind Heat Exchanger. I'd get the Seaflo Diaphragm Pump - 12V DC, 5.5 GPM, 60 PSI which is the Quietest water pump out.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Given I'm in Australia (and Africa last time), I'm just using a black bag that I put in the sun for a few hours. It's the perfect shower at sunset to wash away the dust.

[@manimalworks7424]

Many thanks to both of you.

[@tpseeker3367]

Always a pleasure to try & Help others with an idea @@manimalworks7424. There's so many ways to heat up water & use gravity sprayers or pressure sprayers. Just depends on which tickles your fancy.

[@adamj1299]

@@TheRoadChoseMe there is always the stainless steel bucket by the fire....multiuse

[@danberns2406]

Need the part number for the water tank you use. I got a F150 with a 5.5 ft bed. Please send me the part number.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

I bought it in Australia

[@briangudger3466]

Really liked hearing you walk through your decision-making process on this one. Looking forward to the "build" video. Is that tank baffled or is the volume of water not enough for "sloshing" to be a concern?

[@errhka]

generally you don't want baffling on any food or food grade liquid tank due to issues with cleaning - if the tank is above 20 gallons mounted front to back it might be more noticeable when stopping but the way this is set up sloshing shouldn't really be an issue.

[@rschuurman7615]

Consider the use of check-valves for your water suction system; with 1 check valve and a switch/relays to revert pump polarity you do not need any valves!

[@rschuurman7615]

Simplest method I can think of: split the hose AFTER the pump, adding the inlet hose, put a check-valve in there, and reversing pump polarity will do the rest :)

[@guylneedham]

Mate I think you forgot to add the link to your old blog in the description.

[@adamj1299]

Its likely that you will be filling your tank from a tap somewhere 80% of time. roadhouse, fuel stop .. your dads house bf you leave . Will you carry extra hose say 10M with clip on fittings for this purpose ?

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

No, I don't want to carry anything that bulky and annoying - you have to roll it out, get mud on it, etc. etc. I'll just have a multi-use tub that will serve the purpose, so it can be used to wash clothes and fill the tank and for storage. No single use items.

[@adamj1299]

@@TheRoadChoseMe Ok..good to have dual function...

[@yorkchris10]

I'd be putting in full length bad drawers and underbed fuel reserve. Not much choice for water placement.

[@hooligantimes9132]

Lifesaver Jerry Can when 7 gallon Aqua-tainer filled from home isn't enough.

[@woolengrappler]

I’d like to see some food grade stainless steel tanks in the market. I would pay more for the lack of plastic.

[@T25de]

Water 💧 matters!

[@t0m33r5]

What state are you in mate?

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

I'm in Victoria

[@es.design]

This is all good info. Thank so much. Liked as always and long time subscribed. I'm debating doing a similar setup in my pickup. May I make one suggestion though? Can you please stop blaming things on Covid and blame the real problem, the Covid RESPONSE?

[@daveybernard1056]

Overlanding Tetris

[@blueelectricfusion]

an reverse osmosis system can be had for ~$100... why not choose that path?

[@Triple259772]

Jeep engineers: “you don’t want a lot weight behind the rear axles” Also jeep engineers: *makes 2/3s of the truck bed behind the rear axle*

[@JeremyPetho]

That is the sacrifice you have to make with a dual cab ute/pickup. A typical dual cab will have most or even all of the weight behind the rear axle, the Jeep is one of the better ones.

[@jimsnow8004]

I use 5% hydrogen peroxide (occurs naturally in the human stomach) in water to clean out my camelbak system. Swish it around the bladder, hose brush the hose, let it sit overnight and rinse.

[@MUDMAD83]

You can flush out a water tank with baking soda

[@davidthomas7651]

after watching your channel for a while I've decided to add my 2 cents - I think you might want to rethink your overall plan - a pop up slide in (jack off) might be something to consider. your build seems a little to piece mill from what I'm seeing. this is not a criticism of your ideas just my observation.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Thanks David. Slide ins like that are virtually non-existent in Australia, so it's not really an option here.

[@davidthomas7651]

@@TheRoadChoseMe didn't know about availability problems. hopefully you will be able to get out some in the next few months.

[@GATORADDAM]

If half of what I'm hearing about what's going on in Australia I'd be selling that rig and catching the first flight the hell out of there! I hear Eastern Australia is pretty much under martial law. They're efforts to keep the vir*s out has failed miserably and they're in a panic. "Run Forest, run"!

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

That would be giving up, Tom, and I'm just not built that way. Also this is excellent practice for when I head back to regions of the world that have real limitations like civil war, famine, etc. etc.

[@overlandsubaruinternationa2378]

Oups I look the wrong video order lol

[@chopperchuck]

going through all the work to hook up a first class water system and not put in a uv light seam's kind of silly , like a welder fitting up pipe to weld but not cleaning it first , just saying

[@jasper287]

If Asgaurd is flat why can't the Earth be flat?

[@kellstat]

A water system is not the question, it's the jeep? Why, especiallyin Australia& Africa? It's like choosing a harley davidson motorcycle for world touring, it's just a bad option for the job...