I'm inclined to agree that the smaller cans are better than a fixed tank, but am interesting to know how those with fixed tanks get on.

These sound similar to Solar showers - are they as good when it comes to heating up and do they have any fixings on them so that they can be strapped down? Any pics?

We had 20l solar showers in Morocco strapped to the bonnet - the big problem was they could only really be strapped via the handle so swung around a lot and had very flimsy seals on the fill hole so leaked a lot.

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Cheers,

Julian Voelcker
Overland Cruisers - Specialising in Land Cruiser preparation and servicing.

Hi Julian, I've been using on Landys and LC's these from AMR/Carysan
- micropur in the water and never had a problem - cheap and easy...
cheers

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Mario T. - southing

Well Julian, I've got 2 fixed tanks in my Merc truck. One is a 150ltr plastic rectagonal affair just to the side of the entrance steps (it used to be a bus) and the other is a purpose-made 30 gallon stainless steel tank which fits under and is profiled to fit said stairs. The plastic tank has a Sureflo pump which sends water via a Seagull IV water filter (removes all known baddies) to a Truma heater, taps etc. The SS tank has another in-line pump which pumps up into the first tank. I fill this with a hose which has an in-line pre-filter and also have the option of filling it with a bucket and submersible pump if I use wells as a source.

I appreciate this set up is a bit over the top but it works brilliantly. The only downside is that you can be a tad wasteful if you're not careful and of course it does weigh quite a bit. However, weight isn't an issue on a 10 tonne truck. The reason I like a fixed installation like this is that it saves having to manhandle heavy cans which my Mrs would find next to impossible and it allows space which otherwise would be wasted, or at best awkward to use, to have a use. Having the pumps allows me to keep the 'stair' tank full all the time which helps to keep the weight low down and it's amazing even on this truck what the effect on stability is of having the 150 litre full up.

My advice would be keep the weight as low to the ground as possible, make use of wasted space if you can and have a means of filling up your tank(s) without having to take the tank to the water source.

Q

PS the Seagull filter is a great piece of kit. OK it's pricey but it's very quick (7.5 litres a minute) and very effective. It even removes the ghastly taste from our c**p Lincolshire water!

I have two huge (~270L each?) black plastic rectangular tanks under the left hand seats in the front of the camper, opposite from the 270kg battery bank. My advice: mount a fixed tank inside the vehicle (to prevent freezing - don't even think about external mounting with heating); as low as possible, and as far forward as possible since on most expedition vehicles the rear axle gets overloaded first. Make sure you have a hose, a filter is a good idea. I even carry a submersible pump. Also, look into some chlorine dioxide generating tablets. Accepta makes some good for 30L each.

Charlie

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Unimog U500 w/Unicat