Suggestions for Water Storage in GU with 2 fridges

Submitted: Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 13:42

ThreadID: 32447 Views:2878 Replies:11 FollowUps:3

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Member - Alan (WA)

Hi

Vehicle is GU 2004 3l Turbo Diesel.

Will be fitting Outback Drawer system shortly and ideally placing 2 40l Engels on top for our 6 mth trip at end of year.

Half height cargo barrier will be fitted also.

Issue is water storage. We carry water tank in CT - but also want to carry extra water in car.

Had looked at the Outback Water tank which - holds about 55l - but there is not enough room to fit one of these behind a 40l Engel.

Have looked at dropping size of one of the Engels down to create room - but to get smaller footprint - the size drops down to the 20s - and defeats the purpose.

Also looked at flexi water tank - can't put the big flexi tank available on back seat floor - as we travel with two kids.

Can fit a 20l flexi in rear side pocket on passenger side - but can't do on drivers side due to fuel pipes etc. 20l not really enough.

I have looked at the Engel water tanks - but again don't think they will fit behind.

ARB are not able to suggest anything else - perhaps this is just limited to what they sell.

Is storage under the car an option? Have only heard comments like can't do (due to fuel tanks (just standard main and sub), to not good idea.

Any suggestions from GU owners would be very happily received.

Thanks

Alan

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Reply By: Member - Roachie (SA) - Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 14:11

Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 14:11

Alan,
There is a water tank available for under floor (from TJM or Opposite Lock I think). It goes along the outside of the passenger's side of the chassis rail. I think it only holds about 30 litres, and requires a hole to be cut in the floor behind the "C" pliiar in the rear wheel arch, for filling purposes.

In my case I only have 1 x 40 litre Engel and I also only have a storage drawer (from Dept of The Interior). I have the fridge slide mounted on the floor (driver's side) and I can fit a 20 litre plastic jerry can in behind the fridge; between the Engel and the cargo barrier. It is held in place with an occy strap and I have a hose plumbed to the bottom outlet with a simply tap at the rear near where the jack resides. Also, above the driver's side wheel arch, I have a 10 litre plastic jerry, also with a short hose and tap.

I can't offer any further advice if you think you really must have 2 fridges (I admit we do also have a 80 litre Engel in the camper trailer too). Also, I think it's gunna be difficult if you must have the 2 drawers instead of just one.

Cheers

Roachie

AnswerID: 164381

Reply By: Member - Paul P (Bris) - Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 14:14

Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 14:14

Alan

I use the Outback Water tank and a 39 litre engel.

Suggestions

A smaller engel between the rear seats ( 3rd passenger or on the rear floor)
A slightly bigger engel and only one fridge. ( Internal clearance is a problem with the draws unless you use a draw space to mount the fridge.)

Alternative Brown Davis I believe make under body tanks for the Nissan.

Comment-
2nd battery is not going to run the 2 fridges for very long without being charged !

Regards

Paul

AnswerID: 164383

Reply By: Boo - Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 14:48

Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 14:48

Arvo Alan,

We had a similar dilema when we were deciding on water storage for our upcoming trip as we also use two fridges and carry both in the back of the Trol. We have 150litres under the camper and wanted to carry additional in the back of the GQ just as a safe guard against a hole in the main water tank etc. What we decided on was to carry 3 of those 12litre spring water bottles from Woolworths, fit nicely on the drawer shelf behing the two fridges with a hocky strap holding them to the cargo barrier.
Hope this helps.

Boo.

AnswerID: 164388

Reply By: Notso - Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 14:59

Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 14:59

Met a bloke over in WA who had his side steps made out of aluminium builders planks sealed both ends and used them for extra water, can't recall how much they held but easy enough to calculate I suppose.

AnswerID: 164392

Reply By: Terryfied - Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 15:13

Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 15:13

Alan, why not try Opposite Lock or TJM as they both carry water tanks of different sizes and shapes?. The one I am thinking of is only about 150mm - 200mm deep and sits against the rear seat or cargo barrier in an upright position.
In the back of the Jackaroo I bought for $96.00 a 80litre black plastic water tank from Camecs (I think that is their name) the caravan place on Welshpool Road in Welshpool.

Terry

AnswerID: 164393

Reply By: Emo - Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 16:43

Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 16:43

Rays have a sale on at the moment and they have a plastic 59 litre tank whick might fit between your fridge and cargo barrier (strap it to the cargo barrier). I bought a 25 litre container for $11. Sits very nicely in the rear passenger footwell.

AnswerID: 164409

Follow Up By: Member - Alan (WA) - Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 17:34

Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 17:34

Emo

I am not familiar with Rays - sounds interesting. Can you give me some more ifo - or a web site.

Thanks alot

Alan

FollowupID: 419278

Reply By: Wisey (NSW) - Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 17:19

Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 17:19

Alan

I have pics but cannot paste here so email me.

awise181 at aapt dot net dot au

AnswerID: 164415

Reply By: Member - Ivan (ACT) - Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 18:52

Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 18:52

Alan,

Fit them between the back seats and your drawers. Pics and blurb at Site Link

Cheers,

Ivan
2008 D4D Prado

Member
My Profile My Position Send Message

AnswerID: 164430

Follow Up By: Wisey (NSW) - Monday, Apr 03, 2006 at 17:11

Monday, Apr 03, 2006 at 17:11

Ivan

I had the pics saved but not the blurb, now he knows all. It looks a great setup.

FollowupID: 419484

Reply By: Willem - Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 18:56

Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 18:56

Is there any space available behind the rear seats?

I built my own storage system and moved it as close to the back door as I could. Then I had space between the storage system and rear seats. I built a tray that holds 6 x 10lt water containers bought from Supercheap. I am even able to utilise more space on top of the water containers tpo storage more stuff. Access is easy and 10lt containers are easy to handle.

AnswerID: 164431

Reply By: froomey - Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 23:44

Sunday, Apr 02, 2006 at 23:44

hi alan
maybe you might have to invest in a good roof rack, i did , put extra spare wheel and fuel, tool box,4 x 20ltr plastic water jerry's, that was in a GQ , did the c.s.r. with 3 in vehicle.
sold that now , got myself a 2004 GU cab chas ST TD plenty of room , but only 2 of us now

AnswerID: 164503

Follow Up By: Brew69(SA) - Monday, Apr 03, 2006 at 06:12

Monday, Apr 03, 2006 at 06:12

Heck mate thats a lot of weight on the roof. I thought the GQ roof was rated at 100kgs including the rack? I use a roof rack too but always worry about the top heavyness it can create if packing too heavy items on the roof.

FollowupID: 419360

Reply By: Cammo - Monday, Apr 03, 2006 at 08:19

Monday, Apr 03, 2006 at 08:19

Alan

I haven't tried this (yet), but I was thinking (hoping) of getting one of those long flexible water storage bags from opposite lock (the ones designed to go in the foot weel of the back seats and fitting it behind the back seats and the cargo barrier. There is a little bit of room here and whilst the bag may not get completely full, it may serve the purpose.

Cammo

AnswerID: 164517