Overlanding is a great way to explore new parts of the world, but it can be tough to keep your water supplies topped up.
From dealing with plumbing problems to figuring out how much water you’ll need while Overlanding, this blog post has everything you need to know about Overlanding water storage. And if you’re interested in storage solutions for Overlanding water, be sure to check out the accompanying article!
Before we go any further, we also have an article about Overlanding water storage on our blog. Go to: The 5 Best Overlanding Water Tanks
Overlanding Water Storage: The Importance of Water
Water is essential for both human and animal survival. We are aquatic organisms since we originated in an aquatic world; the average human body contains roughly 60% water.
We’re taught as children that we need to drink eight glasses of water each day to stay healthy, and it’s true that most individuals require roughly two liters (or half a gallon) of water to stay hydrated. What that water actually does and why we require so much of it are things that many people are unaware of.
When cells are healthy and effective, they can accomplish their responsibilities of keeping you alive. Water in the human body plays a major role in controlling cell function. It accelerates your metabolism, which aids with food digestion. You have more energy and are able to think more clearly as a result.
However, you’ll use water for purposes other than drinking. Overlanders use water for a variety of purposes, including food preparation in the overland kitchen, meal cleanup, and personal hygiene in a portable camping shower.
How Much Water do You Need
Each person uses water differently, based on how much they’ll drink (which varies by age, body size, degree of exercise, and environment) and how much water they’ll need for cooking and personal hygiene.
When traveling overland, it’s a good idea to bring 1-2 liters per person per day. Although every person is unique, approximately half of the water will be used for drinking and the other half for cooking and cleaning (both dishes and yourself).
Realistically, you’ll need enough water to comfortably cook, drink, and bathe, but not so much that it burdens your car (a gallon of water weighs about eight pounds).
Storing Water in Your Vehicle
You might go days without coming across a freshwater source while Overlanding. In case of an emergency, you should be ready and have extra water on hand.
The daily water requirement for the average person is 1.5 to 2 gallons. Depending on their size, your dog will likely need between 0.5 and 1 gallon each day if you’re traveling with them. Having enough water on hand to last a week is a smart idea.
You should have plenty of fresh water in your vehicle’s water tanks. Water can be transported in any container, and it’s always a good idea to recycle. Old milk jugs and growlers are wonderful water storage containers.
You should equip your car with a water tank in addition to your ample supply of water jugs. The Frontrunner’s 45L water tank is among the best water tanks for overlanders. It can hold 11.5 gallons, which should be enough water for you for 6 to 8 days.
The Frontrunner 45L water tank is composed of polyethylene that is BPA-free and is incredibly simple to fill. It includes a metal strap kit so you can fasten it to your car’s roof racks. Regular straps can also be used to secure it.
If you are just starting your overlanding journey, you might think about purchasing a water tank of the same size and quality. On the road, you should never run out of water.
Water Purifiers
When overlanding, you will probably come across water sources like rivers and lakes. Since it might be challenging to determine whether the water is safe, it is best to be on the safe side and always filter your water.
When you’re camping, there are numerous ways to purify your water. Here are some of the most straightforward solutions.
- Boiling. Your water will be safe once it has been heated to a boil. This is crucial if you obtain your water from a natural source, like a river or a rainwater collection system.
- Basic filtration Drinkable water can be made safer by putting it through numerous layers of contaminant-catching material, especially if you boil it afterward.
- Distillation. Water is evaporated, collected, and then condensed during the distillation process in order to simultaneously remove pollutants and microorganisms. The process can be carried out very easily using a solar still (which can be created with two bowls, some plastic wrap, and a small rock) or more complex and large-scale distillation equipment.
- Purification Tablets. To fast and safely cleanse water for personal use, you can use tablets prepared with either chlorine or iodine. Similar to how boiling kills bacteria and pathogens, these chemicals do so far more quickly. Typically, one tablet is used for every quart of water.
The Plumbing Problem
There are some issues that will unavoidably come up as you travel.
One of the main worries of Overlanders is the plumbing issue. You might go for days (or even weeks) without seeing any plumbing, restrooms, showers, or freshwater. Making the most of your Overlanding trip will depend on your level of preparedness.
It’s part of the game to give up some luxuries, but there are gadgets available to make your journey more bearable. You can wash and refresh yourself with the use of portable showers. Some of them even have solar panels so you can take a hot shower while you’re traveling.
Water Storage Solutions for Overlanding
The amount of water you can carry will depend on how far you plan to travel overland and how big your vehicle is. We’ll concentrate on water storage containers for larger vehicles because built-in water storage tanks are typically seen in RVs and truck campers.
Water Cans
Given their affordability, portability, and durability, water cans are an excellent choice for storing water during overland travel. The majority of portable water containers for camping are constructed of plastic and have a capacity of two to seven gallons.
Jerrycans are a common type of water container that has long been used by military and expedition specialists to transport fuel and water into remote areas. Water jerrycans are now commonly composed of food-grade plastics in more recent times.
Collapsible Water Containers
Small vehicle journeys benefit greatly from collapsible or camping water containers since they are a terrific way to reduce weight and space once they have been used.
Collapsible containers have the advantage of being simple to store when not in use, which means they won’t take up much space in a cramped garage or camping gearbox.
The most popular kind of collapsible water bottles is constructed of food-grade polyethylene, a clear plastic that is significantly more durable than plastic milk cartons and is BPA-free. Both Reliance and GSI Outdoors produce tough containers.
More recently, producers have begun producing water containers using various plastic-coated laminated textiles, similar to those used to make thin sleeping pads for hiking trips. Compared to plastic-only collapsible containers, these materials often fold down more neatly and are lightweight and strong.
Large Water Tanks
You should think about acquiring a water tank if you’re taking a longer trip or driving a bigger car. These may contain between 10 and more than 45 gallons of water at once and are typically also composed of thick plastic. For simple access to your water, think about purchasing a container that already has a spout connected.
Some businesses provide water tanks that can be fitted into a wide range of automobiles. For example, Front Runner Outfitters creates 10-, 13-, and 17-gallon plastic water storage containers.
The drawback of having a big water tank in your car is that carrying a lot of water will significantly increase the weight of your cargo. You’ll need to strike a balance between your water supplies and usage and your vehicle’s ability to support the weight as well as your requirement to transport other goods, such as passengers, camping gear, recovery gear, and other gear.
Do you have insufficient time to wash your automobile, even though it is difficult? You may clean your automobile with Car Wash Mitt in just one swipe, saving time and energy, because you do not have to wash and dry your hands numerous times. Use the mitt to clean something if you want to. The vehicle’s paint looks to be extremely clean thanks to the soft fleece material.
Conclusion
Water storage is one of the most important considerations you’ll make while Overlanding. By understanding how much water you’ll need, where you can store it, and how to purify water if necessary, you’ll be well-prepared for any water emergencies that may arise. Make sure to read through the blog post to get a better understanding of the different water storage solutions and how to use them while Overlanding. We hope you find this information helpful!
