T5 Water Tanks

[MultiplexMan]

I am looking at installing a fresh water tank on the Beach.

I'd appreciate it if anyone with an onboard (under vehicle) tank could post some photos. I'm interested in the mounting detail - filler placement, breathers and mounting arrangement.

I've contacted Atlas Tanks who do a poly tank. I have also had a look at a couple UK installs for ideas.

I am currently using plastic containers in the "living space" and hand pumping. It's OK but I'd like to be able to load up when inland.

Any recommendations and experience would be appreciated.

Cheers,
MM

PS I have used a poly pipe (painted black) capped at both ends on the work ute for "hot water" storage. Water was used for washing hands and clean up when in field. Works a treat, cheap if rather inelegant...

[Transporter]

Can't give you much advice on water tank but I use for years Jabsco 12V 11L/min automatic marine water pump, it can run 3 shower outlets and it cost me just a bit over $100, specs in here.

[Seano]

Consider bladder tanks mounted in the body frame or under cupboards or storage boxes.

Have a yarn to Flexitank www.flexitank.com.au for some options or check out the stock stuff at Whitworths or BIAS Marine ship chandlery outlets

[jimmyd]

I have an 80l stainless steal tank fitted under the vehicle, was fitted by Discoverer campers in Sydney. Don't know the price etc. as it was part of the conversion I had done, but they will just fit a tank if you want.

[MultiplexMan]

Transporter - thanks for the recommendation on the Jabsco. I have only used Shurflo pumps in the past on various projects. I've noted the Jabsco units get good reviews.

Seano - I have an account with Whitworths. I was hoping to learn from others actual experiences with their tank installations. The chandlers is like a "candy store" for me - so many different gadgets & nick nacks... I find their prices can be very competitive on some items - like their high intensity LED fittings on sale and some of the electrical panels.
I'm not really keen on a bladder in the van - concerns of having to fix inlet/outlet/breather whilst the overall shape of the bladder changes with fill I'd rather fabricate a rigid tank to suit.

Jimmyd - I will be giving Discovery a call

I have already spoken to a number of campervan fitters - only Kampacons quoted a water tank - fresh water only (grey water gets dumped straight out). I have yet to inspect their installation.

I & D Industries was recommended by a couple outfitters. They are on my list for my next R&R.

Cheers, MM

[gregozedobe]

I had some stainless steel water tanks made for a custom camper I had built some years ago. Some things I found out (mostly before I had them made):

Custom SS work costs a lot !

SS is brittle and water is heavy, so needs some thought when designing attachment brackets etc.

Consider future maintenance, things like easy to access and use drain plugs. and maybe an access port to both get to the pump when it needs to be worked on as well as physically clean out the inside of the tank (eg build up of scum, algae etc).

It is better to have two smaller tanks rather than one large one, so when you get a batch of "lesser quality" water you may still have one tank with drinkable water still.

You may want to fill from containers (eg jerry cans, jugs, bottles etc), at other times it will be a lot easier to fill from a garden hose, so allow for both inputs.

Normal garden hoses taint drinking water (it tastes funny after a few days), either black poly pipe or special drinking water hoses are needed).

If you have your own water you can rig up a heat exchanger from your engine to supply hot water for showers, which are sometimes really appreciated.

Hope that helps

[ozjimbo]

I have an ex-ambo T5 auto (not 4-motion) converted by Frontline. Watertank is a poly one fitted under the car ahead of and just inboard of the rear tyre on the passengers side. Mounting method is to screw wooden blocks to the chassis (floor?) which contact the upper side of the tank to give clearance around various VW underfloor bits, and to use one longitudinal and one transverse steel bars looped under the tank, fixed with threaded rod with upper ends bent and located in holes in the chassis. I got to see this in detail because the tank is low and was protected underneath only by a ply sheet, which I replaced with checkerplate aluminium bent up on the leading edge - the ply was being eroded on dirt/gravel roads and gave no protection on the leading vertical face. Checkerplate also gave another 12 mm clearance compared to the ply.
Frontline are a friendly bunch, at Brookvale - you might be able to see a van being converted there. I'm at Thornleigh so send me a PM if you would like to have a closer look at mine. Bit arkward to photograph without disassembly.
Cheers,
Jim

[MultiplexMan]

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the info. I'm on R&R this afternoon and I'll be doing the rounds again. I've sent you an email re having a look as I'm just down the road from you

Cheers, MM