Water Tank

Design and Construction

Water tanks need to be fully internally baffled and should have an expansion chamber incorporated in the design of the tank to ensure sloshing noises and extremes of temperature do not make the unit impractical. Each individual tank should be pressure tested by the manufacturer to ensure there are no leaks in the welds.

Practicalities

Look for practicalities in filling your water tank. Is a hose required or can a funnel be used to transfer water from, say a bucket, to the tank and if so is the height and access practical for you to do this?

Likewise, look for practicalities in using your water supply. How easily can you drain a quick cup of water or wash your hands? Does the tank require a pump or power supply or will it work on gravity feed? How secure is the shut-off valve and can you obtain and carry spare parts? How will you know the level of water left in your tank? Is there a level gauge? Does the tank fully drain?

Example - 80 Series Toyota Landcruiser

Typically, the spare wheel bay under the body of the vehicle is used for water storage and some tanks. These tanks are available for this model of vehicle and are specifically intended for that location. However, the spare wheel bay is also the ideal place to install a long-range fuel tank. Unfortunately in this case, there’s only one underbody option left for water storage - being a small recess under the passenger seat area. The limitation being that only a small tank of approximately 30L will fit here.

Now generally, a 40L tank contains just enough water for 2 adults to last a couple of days whilst camping in the bush. If you were to take into account the water needed for drinking, personal cleaning and hygiene, cooking and the minimal washing of dishes, you can imagine how it all adds up. That said, it may be a better option to consider a larger tank such as a 65 Litre water tank.

Internal Water Tank

Opting for a larger tank requires more thought on another installation area of the vehicle. A good option is to install an internal stainless steel water tank. Many manufacturers offer a standard internal design to suit most makes/models of popular 4WDs such as the 80 Series Landcruiser. Please note however, that if you have any storage drawers or cargo barriers, then you may need to work with a manufacturer to design a custom made water tank.