Auxiliary Water Tank made from PVC fence posts

[peter dragon]

My camping is usually only three or four nights and two gallons of wash water hasn't been quite enough. Added a 4 gallon auxiliary tank on the rack. Used a PVC fence post with caps, valve and an air vent. Adding a 4ft leader hose for filling. It's not really for potable water but it could be if necessary. It will remain empty between trips.

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[Bandit’s Lair]

Nice!!! I was thinking of doing this with 6” pvc tubes. Just for showers and stuff like this. Way cheaper than the stuff that’s already put together for you. Those things are pricey. Never had thought to use one of the fence posts.

 

[CKayaks]

I have seen several like this made of PVC or ABS pipe. Curious why the fence post instead?

 

[peter dragon]

I have seen several like this made of PVC or ABS pipe. Curious why the fence post instead?

The fence posts (sleeve) come in 3,4,5,6" from Home Depot and are solid vinyl, same as PVC pipe. There's others out there that are laminated vinyl. I used the square as its easy to secure to a flat surface like the T slot and tapping it is simple using bulkhead or RO fittings. Since it's not under pressure I don't need a schedule 40 pressure rating. A shot of chlorine with each fill will keep it sanitized. Though not intended to be potable it's good enough to drip into a Britta pitcher for drinking water. Over time it may discolor due to the sun but a 57" beach umbrella cover will prevent that. I used those on the awnings. The whole thing cost <$50.

 

[CKayaks]

The fence posts (sleeve) come in 3,4,5,6" from Home Depot and are solid vinyl, same as PVC pipe. There's others out there that are laminated vinyl. I used the square as its easy to secure to a flat surface like the T slot and tapping it is simple using bulkhead or RO fittings. Since it's not under pressure I don't need a schedule 40 pressure rating. A shot of chlorine with each fill will keep it sanitized. Though not intended to be potable it's good enough to drip into a Britta pitcher for drinking water. Over time it may discolor due to the sun but a 57" beach umbrella cover will prevent that. I used those on the awnings. The whole thing cost <$50.

Nice! Thanks for the info.

 

[BourbonRunner]

I made one out of 6" PVC for my old Taco. I used a bike valve to pressurize it and had a short hose and sprayer, it was great coming off the sand, especially for the pup. I sprayed it black and it got to around ambient air temp decently.

An Assateague park police thought it was cool as hell one time coming off the sand. So there's that.

 

[Dilly’S Willy]

Those posts are NOT rated for ANY pressure FYI. PVC pipe IS rated for between 40 and 80 psi (depending which type of PVC you get). ABS requires "fusing" unlike PVC. ABS is "cleaner" for short term storage vs PVC, but much more expensive.

Was looking into doing something similar, but under the truck along the frame to keep the weight low and the water cool, to help fight off bacteria growth while camping/trailing.

My buddy who owns a water purifier company suggested a small "Bladder" tank from a home, they come in 5-40gal sizes, built in pressure regulation, and can easily be refilled, and they're metal so they're pretty durable. Price and dimensions were my only issue with MY build desires.

 

[A 2]

Well done. Paint it black and you can get a warm shower on sunny days

 

[CKayaks]

My buddy who owns a water purifier company suggested a small "Bladder" tank from a home, they come in 5-40gal sizes, built in pressure regulation, and can easily be refilled, and they're metal so they're pretty durable. Price and dimensions were my only issue with MY build desires.

We are on well water so have one of these in the house. Besides the size, heavy!

 

[peter dragon]

Well done. Paint it black and you can get a warm shower on sunny days

I could always paint it black at some point or any other color (billboard anyone?) but I'm not looking for hot water as paint on vinyl won't age well. Its not intended to be pressurized, just gravity fed as wash water. To protect the vinyl surface, I'll keep it 303'd or cover it with sacrificial beach umbrella cover(which is a black nylon ~$15). I'm an experienced long distance backpacker, use to not taking showers.

 

[Bakerboy]

I built this a few years back and still holding strong, be careful with painting black.... you will get 120F water or hotter

 

[peter dragon]

That’s actually a pretty clever setup for quick trips. PVC fence post tanks are underrated for this kind of thing—light, cheap, and easy to mount up top. 4 gallons extra should make a noticeable difference over a few days, especially for washing up and camp cleanup. Just make sure the vent is solid so you don’t get pressure issues in the heat or when you’re bouncing around on trails.

Simple, practical mod that fits the “use what you need, keep it light” camping style.

Actually the vent is open To relieve the vacuum. It's just 1/4 inch bulkhead fitting used in RO systems. You described it pretty well though. I've use these in my hydroponic system, cutting three inch holes for grow pots. But now that they have the holes in them, they're useless for anything else.

 

[Sweetums]

The fence posts (sleeve) come in 3,4,5,6" from Home Depot and are solid vinyl, same as PVC pipe. There's others out there that are laminated vinyl. I used the square as its easy to secure to a flat surface like the T slot and tapping it is simple using bulkhead or RO fittings. Since it's not under pressure I don't need a schedule 40 pressure rating. A shot of chlorine with each fill will keep it sanitized. Though not intended to be potable it's good enough to drip into a Britta pitcher for drinking water. Over time it may discolor due to the sun but a 57" beach umbrella cover will prevent that. I used those on the awnings. The whole thing cost <$50.

Britta will filter out particulate, but I doubt it would handle chemicals leeching from the vinyl into the water. Some of the stuff used to make vinyl is pretty nasty, not all PVC products are made to be in contact with food or water.
It’s up to you, but I urge caution and maybe doing some research into whether this is safe.

I built this a few years back and still holding strong, be careful with painting black.... you will get 120F water or hotter

All I hear is the sound of a perfect camp shower

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