Water Tank Instead of WaterPort?

Thinking about adding a 7-10 gallon water tank in the space in front of my new Decked system with a 12v RV pump. Thoughts are to have this for water for the dogs instead of having to carry water around with me all the time / instead of something like a WaterPort or DIY pressurized system. I would build a cover box of bed lined 3/4 ply to house it for protection. It would be winterized or removed during winter. Thoughts?

 

Thinking of using something like this maybe

Class A Customs 7 Gallon Water Holding Tank NSF Approved T-700

$72 Class A Customs | T-0700 | One (1) 7 Gallon RV Fresh and Gray Water Holding Tank RV Concession

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0765BCFW7/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_l-VQEb7FFY13C

 

I think that’s a fine idea!

I have a 7-gallon Roadshower there, in the bed of my 2002. It gets pressure charged with a compressor, and I carry a portable water heater, which I haven’t yet found an easy way to transport securely (no Decked) but which you won’t need for your intended purpose. If you don’t get something black and curved, algae and other yuck could be a problem, so you may want to replace the water frequently. Or paint the outside of the tank black— locally, people do this when they use alternate tank options for rain-water collection.

The one you found on Amazon is a lot less money than a Roadshower, and should work great as long as you’re not doing anything crazy off-road. Mine is metal and has held-up well, but the front wall of the truck bed has curved outward toward the cab— I guess the result of frequent movement of all that water weight over big hits off-road. On-board water would be a good use of that space. Keep us posted.

 

That should work fine. I have a poly tank under my Tacoma for expo trips. I found a RV pump that has auto prime feature. Just don’t leave it in there, build it so you can lock it down but remove easy for maintenance. Also get something that blocks UV. Clean up using 75% isopropyl or bleach

 

Cool idea @kparrow

 

Nothing to add just want to see this done. Subscribed

 

Thanks all. Splitting my time between work, camper remodel, building bed rack for kayaks....and life haha. Will take measurements tomorrow probably and see what size tank I can fit

 

Yeah, good idea. Could even use it to wash mud or something off the truck after off-roading. Although pressure will probably be low.

 

Horse people do this all the time and it works just fine.
Most use a plastic tank and an RV junkyard seems an ideal place to find a good one in a shape that you like and either a hand pump or 12vdc will certainly get it done.

 

Don’t give my lady anymore horse ideas. I’ll be keeping this one under wraps haha. (It is a good idea for horses and every other benefit listed above haha). Now I want one too

 

I like the idea, but i have to ask. Did you get the wrong decked unit for your truck? or maybe carry it over from a previous truck? My decked fits flush with the box and doesn't have that big of gap.

 

Used deal, now room for water tank I’m on this site too much haha

@kparrow

 

Spot on @Mountun Goat. @mtTundra got a deal I couldn’t pass up! 1st gen system for a crewmax but was only installed for a month or so, and $400! I paid $200 and traded a AR lower and parts kit I had been sitting on but knew I wasn’t ever going to build. Fits the bed cuts perfect but it’s just shorter. It’s like having a 6.5’ system in an 8’ bed, just some full depth space in front of it


Any idea how to keep UV out of the tank but help NOT to heat the water? Could I just paint it white?

 

Could you make a tank out of 3 or 4" Black ABS pipe, maybe with 2 90° elbows to make a U shaped tank or side by side with some creative T fittings? Not sure how much space you have there.
That would cover the UV light blocking. Then maybe you could wrap or paint it white or silver to keep the heat down.

 

Try these guys, great prices and their tanks are designed to store water outdoors. So they have colored tanks to keep the UV out. No UV and cleaning every few months and you could drink out of it no issue.
https://www.plastic-mart.com/water_tanks.aspx

 

I have built several out of PVC as well. It's very simple to build a custom tank this way. My current one is white PVC painted black with spray can truck bed liner. It works great and blends in. You can also pressurize it if you have on board air.

Black PVC (Actually if black it's ABS, not PVC) is getting harder to find.

PVC tanks hold more water than you think. I have a 4" one now that is 5' long and it holds about 5 gallons of water.

 

All, I think for now I’m going to abandon this idea. I’ve been using the front full depth area for firewood and my generator when camping. I also use it for propane bottles when I take them to get filled. For now I can’t see doing this and loosing that functionality