Overland Water Storage Guide For Trail Rigs

How Much Water Do You Really Need

Overland water storage starts with honest math. A typical driver needs three to four liters a day for drinking, and double that when heat, altitude, or long rides are in the plan. Add five to ten liters for cooking and washing per person, per day. That quick estimate guides capacity and tells you whether a compact overland water container or a larger vehicle water tank makes sense.

Short trips can lean on an overland water jug or modular jerry can set. Longer journeys benefit from fixed automotive water tanks that stay plumbed, vented, and ready on arrival. Whatever you choose, pack a safety margin so you are not rationing on the second night.

Calculate Daily Use

Map your itinerary, climate, and group size. Multiply drinking and hygiene needs by days between refills, then add a cushion for trail delays. If you plan to shower, count two to five liters per person. Families and pets will push the number up.

Balance Weight And Space

Water is dense, so placement matters. Keep mass low and centered. Underfloor or frame rail solutions improve handling compared to roof or rear swing mounts. In small platforms a shaped tank that tucks behind a panel beats loose containers that shift.

Plan The Refill Strategy

If you resupply often, a smaller tank with quick connections and a fast filter is efficient. If you roam remote regions, step up capacity and carry a pre filter to protect the system at public taps.

Mounting And Materials For Vehicle Tanks

Vehicle water storage tanks come in food grade polyethylene, stainless steel, and in rarer cases aluminum. Polyethylene is common because it is light, resilient, and can be molded for tight spaces. Black or opaque material reduces light exposure and discourages algae. Stainless tolerates heat and abrasion but adds weight and cost.

Mounts need to distribute load and resist vibration. Use formed brackets, load spreading plates, and cushioned straps so the tank cannot walk on washboards. Baffles inside the tank limit slosh. Vent lines must be high and secure so water does not burp out on climbs.

Fitment Examples

A water tank jeep often uses wheel well tanks, rear quarter shapes, or compact underbody tanks to preserve departure angle. Vans can run long sill tanks or a pair of slim tanks parallel with frame rails. Trucks can use bed mounted boxes that pair water with gear storage.

Insulation And Freeze Protection

Insulate lines near the exterior. In cold regions add a low draw pad heater and a bypass to drain quickly. For shoulder seasons, a removable tank blanket and short runs of PEX inside the cabin go a long way.

Safety And Serviceability

Secure every tank with graded hardware and locknuts. Add an accessible drain, a clean out port, and unions where you may need to disconnect. Serviceable systems get used more because they are easy to maintain.

Pumps, Plumbing, And Filtration That Work

An overland water tank with pump brings home style convenience to camp. Twelve volt diaphragm pumps in the one to three gallon per minute range are quiet and reliable. Use food grade hose or PEX, add flexible sections to absorb vibration, and clamp every barb twice. Quick disconnects let you swap from sink to shower head in seconds.

Filtration is a two stage game. Pre filter at the source to keep sediment out of the tank, then use inline filters or a gravity purifier for drinking water. A carbon block improves taste. Sanitize tanks a few times per season with a measured bleach solution, then flush with clean water.

Vents, Fills, And Spills

Vent the tank above the highest fill point. A loop high in the cabin helps prevent drips on steep descents. A proper fill with a cap and strain relief saves hoses from fatigue.

Jugs, Containers, And Hybrids

An overland water container or overland water jug still shines for flexibility, backup storage, and hauling gray water. Many travelers run a hybrid setup, using fixed capacity for daily use and jugs for overflow or special tasks like showering.

Parts Checklist

Pressure switch pump, accumulator for smooth flow, inline shutoffs, sediment pre filter, carbon post filter, food grade hose, PEX elbows, stainless clamps, and a drain tap. Label valves so anyone in camp can operate the system.

Where OZK Customs Comes In

Trail ready plumbing rewards good design. Our crew can spec capacity, route lines that will not rattle, and integrate a compact sink or outdoor sprayer that actually gets used. We build systems around your platform, whether you want slim underbody tanks, a tucked vehicle water tank with a concealed shower, or a compact galley built for quick meals.

If you are planning a full rig, explore Overland Rigs to see how water, power, and storage work together. For tailored plumbing, brackets, and system routing, our Custom Overland Upfit page outlines options for partial or complete installs. Curious about our approach and craftsmanship standards? Visit Why Choose OZK Customs.

Get Your Water System Dialed

You bring the route, we map the details. From automotive water tanks to compact pumps and filters, we turn a parts list into a clean, quiet system that feels effortless at camp. Whether you drive a midsize truck, a long wheelbase van, or a water tank jeep build, we size the system, protect it from freeze and trail abuse, and make maintenance simple.

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