Rooftop Water Storage

Good morning. Does anyone have thoughts or experience with any of the roof mounted water storage systems? I see Yakima, Roam, Water PORT, and others online. I like the idea of an aluminum container as opposed to plastic. Does anyone use one of these or a different one?

Thanks,

C

 

Why does the water have to go on the roof? It's heavy AF.

I'd be trying to put the lighter stuff up there, and the water problem has been perfected with the 5-7 gal HDPE jugs you can toss in the back.

To answer your question: no, I have no experience with rooftop water storage, this is just my first thought.

 

I appreciate your answer and perspective. My primary use is as a shower. I like the idea of the container being exposed to the sun to increase the water temp. For cold days, I also like the idea of being able to heat water and add to it if it is a metal housing and not plastic. I am sure there are other ways to accomplish the same thing but for my use this is the most practical.

 

I’d buy the knock off version from Amazon

$289 EASEORD 4.5 Gallon Pressurized Water Tank for Camping Shower, Off Road Shower for Overlanding Portable Water Storage Mount on Bumper,Roof Rack Mount for Vehicles,Trucks,SUV

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CH9QV9M1

 

An aluminum tank would be a pretty slick idea. Not sure I’ve actually seen any though any of the “overland” companies.

Saw this 5.5 gallon tank (with straps) after a quick search:



Shows out of stock, but that means stuff like this is probably available somewhere. Paint it black and figure out a good mounting solution, and it would probably be all right. If one were worried about center of gravity during driving/off-roading, you could always run it empty and fill it up at camp.

 

for shower, a pvc black pipe, 4-5" dia, 4-5' length should give you around 4 gals, would still earm the water up in the sun, and retain it better than any conductive metal.
Did I mention it would be cheap?
I was actually going to build thay for myself but I already have some stuff on the roof and do not want to exceed toyota's 120lb limit.

 

Dang…didn’t need to see that. That looks pretty neat. I’ve seen cheaper plastic versions of this that weren’t much less money.

 

I’ve heard the 8 gallon is a waste if you can refill it. Plus that’s twice the weight in metal & water. More & more knock offs are on Amazon. They just require you replace the cheapo accessories & plumber tape the threads too

 

The bag is super cheap

$8 DkOvn 1 Pack Solar Shower Bag, 5 Gallons/20L Camping Shower Bag, Portable Shower Bag with Removable Hose and On-Off Switchable Shower Head for Camping Beach Swimming Outdoor Traveling(1 Pack)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BPG33P2L

I wouldn’t expect quality

$90 sjcdicnj Road Camping Shower Pressurized Water Tank, Portable Camping Showerhead Handheld with Storage Bag Device for Overlanding, Water Store, Outdoors Activities Compatible (4.76Gal)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DK8YYN6H

 

There's a lot of camping / travel (I hate the word "overlanding") accessories that seem useful but the actual application of them is anything but.

I briefly had a Waterport back when Costco was running a sale on them; and up until I actually installed it on the roof, it was cool AF. Actual use case scenario with it was pretty meh though.

I've been just fine with a 6 G Igloo container, and I also recently got a Dometic 11 L container and the USB powered faucet which is nice for cooking. I think if I absolutely had to go water on roof route again, I'd do a home built PVC pipe setup.

 

I’ve been doing a bit of research and in my many discussions with an outfitter in Reno, NV have come to the understanding that while the aluminum variety have a certain appeal, doesn’t make them any better than some of the plastic types. It mainly comes down to pressurization and how well do these types of tanks hold up to pressure cycles. Plastics can blow out a seam if not constructed well, the fittings depending upon how they are attached to the tank body (or is it one piece construction?) can also be a leak point...so I would recommend that in the case of any plastic types that you carefully look at those regions. Are they a one piece blow molded design or split shells that are ‘welded’ together?

For Aluminum extrusions it’s how the end caps are attached and sealed. Does it use O ring seals or are they lapped joints with something between (aka RTV, glue, ??). I originally looked at Waterport (too expensive IMHO at the time), Roam, Yakima and a few other aluminum and plastic types.

Since most of the time I'm camping where there is either a lake or mountain stream, I don't need to store just use a filter when I need water. Out in the desert I just use two of these 5-gal collapsible jugs for potable water so I've managed to not need to buy a rooftop tank and in the meantime I have a few water storage ideas that I'm persuing.



If I ever get a rear bumper with swing outs I am considering merging a filter and jug in one unit.

 

Solar shower bag takes no room when not full. Easiy to fill and store. I could put a cool off road sticker on it and sell it for, maybe $200, if you're interested?

 

I went through this same thought process as I do a lot of camping, Mtn Biking, etc.

I like a sturdy solar shower and a 5 gallon black plastic bucket, (which is good for a lot of things) and one of these portable rechargeable shower heads from Amazon.

These things also work great for washing off the dog when she gets dirty.

If you get a black plastic bucket, with a water tight screw on lid, set it in the sun or in a car in the sun, or heat up the water using the solar shower or camp stove, then just dump the warm water in the bucket.

So for about $50 you get a lightweight portable system that you don't have to have bolted to your rig all the time.

Ivation Portable Outdoor Shower, Battery Powered - Compact Handheld Rechargeable Camping Showerhead - Pumps Water from Bucket Into Steady, Gentle Shower Stream. $35

GAMMA2 Gamma Seal Lid - Pet Food Storage Container Lids - Fits 3.5, 5, 6, & 7 Gallon Buckets, Black, Made in USA $13