Keep it low and statched
 

Hi there, it's Lio.

I followed the link you sent me and I'm now logged in under your ID!?

Anyway, here's my 0.2Euro opinion on the water storage subject:

When travelling with kids in a 4x4, the trunck tends to fill really fast (as you know ;o) but it's a strategic place for everyday life on the piste so should be loaded adequately.
In priority, I would use the trunck for things I cannot fit anywhere else on the vehicle and should be easily and quickly accessible (clothing, cookware, food, wine, kid toys, ...). In my case, all the roof is taken by the family rooftent so tools, recovery gear and the like need to find a place in the vehicle - and not under the car as they need to be accessible even if the vehicle is stuck - so they'll end up in the trunck.
This leaves very little palce in the trunck (unless comfort is compromised) an quiet some space under the vehicle. Space to be used in priority for things that are easy to "put" in and out (liquids? ;o) and are heavy (liquids? ;o).
=> For that matter, I'll statch all the liquids I can (water, fuel, oils, more wine ;o) under the vehicle.
It's easy to take it out with a submerged pump or inline pump that will not have to be installed/removed everytime water is needed.
It's a little more difficult to get it in but it's only water so you can poor it as slow as you want (unlike fuel) and can bear spilling a bit. My friend Franck who made his own under-body tank on the opposite side of the front muffler (LandCruiser HDJ80) fills it in thanks to a filer pipe that comes up under the bonnet, by the brake booster. The filler being so high, you could make several small tanks and fill them all up from the same filler. I know some people also use the space available when you remove the main muffler (HDJ80).
If this solution is the best to my eyes, I agree it's not ideal (but is there one ideal solution?) as the tanks are not transportable and not easily washable. That's why I'd still carry with me a empty 10L jerrycan (or the swiss army bags?) to carry the water from the source to the truck if needed.

Hope this help.

Lio
HDJ80 - France

link for swiss army bags
 

I found this link, I think these are the bags, they look a good alternative to the solar showers that I have always used. as someone said they leak. these look very good.

20 Ltr Swiss Water Carrier > Exarmy Ltd

Graeme

Well done graysworld, they're the ones but I paid about £8 .
As I said they are very strong and pack flat when empty which saves loads of space on short legs. I have euro boxes with lids for storage and they are about the same size when full - a ratchet strap over the top and everything stays put.
Try B.A.S.E. in bournemouth 01202 535555
The rope handles at each end can be used to hang it off the side of the car or tie it to the roof - I hang mine in the sunny side window ( no wind chill) in the afternoons and hot water for washing up even in the uk - when the sun shines.
The taps are push for on and close positively, very good and don't leak. With a little ingenuity you could rig up to a shower head.
Cheers
Chris
ps it's worth having your water in a few different containers then if 1 gets contaminated you don't have to dump the whole lot. Remember to fill up in diferent places too.

10 euros
 

water bag 10 euro + postege

Thanks for the info on the Swiss Army water bags - they look a far better replacement to the flimsy solar showers that I have.

The big problem with Solar showers is that you need the sun something you can never really rely on.

Looking at alternative ways to heat water with a 4x4, one of the most common ways is to use a heat exchanger which is fine as long as the engine is running or it is still hot.

My current solution is to go for a heat exchanger, but use it to heat water in an insulated fixed tank somewhere in the vehicle so that the water is still hot/warm some time after you have stopped.

I guess one could use something like a Webasto heater to provide warm/hot water on demand, but these are extremely expensive.

I have been scouring the caravan and boating sites for alternatives, but most seem to point to mains electricity based heaters.

Have any of you come across any alternatives?

cheap n chearfull
 

One off the best solutions I have seen is a converted garden presure sprayer filled with a kettle! I used also fill my solar shower with the kettle.

Graeme

Good idea, although you need a big kettle when there are 6 of you travelling in the vehicle ;-)

H all,

The garden pressure spray bottle is an excellent thing. I've used in on several trips and would not leave home without it. It uses very little water but is great for dish washing, a quick hand wash or for creating a cooling mist. In my experience, using bottled water for drinking plus a spray bottle and wet wipes will reduce daily water consumption very considerably, (no more than 4-5 litres per day for two people).