Space Cab Water Tank

Submitted: Sunday, Jul 19, 2009 at 21:03

ThreadID: 70816 Views:3426 Replies:3 FollowUps:7

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kwk56pt

I am looking to install a water tank about 1000 to 1300mm long by about 350mm wide by about 200 to 300mm high in the cabin of a Rodeo Space Cab. The main reason is to get some more weight forward as I mount a spare vertical in the tub with two agm batteries along side and some draws behind that. I plan to put a shelf over it for the storage of soft and light items

Has anyone done this and where did you source a tank or did you have to have one custom made. I have done a search for vehicle water tanks and boab is the brand sold by 4x4 shops but there must be some roto moulding firms that make vehicle tanks as well as rain water tanks.

I am in Perth but it is probably worth sourcing one from other states rather than having one custom made. So any ideas on where to look for one ?
Thanks Peter

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Reply By: WYSIWYG (Bundaberg Qld) - Sunday, Jul 19, 2009 at 21:19

Sunday, Jul 19, 2009 at 21:19

Hi Peter,
Have a look at the water tanks from this site. They have many and varied as far as sizes go. I did see one in their list that was close to your requirements

Cheers

http://www.caravansplus.com.au/catalog/index.php

AnswerID: 375272

Follow Up By: kwk56pt - Sunday, Jul 19, 2009 at 23:34

Sunday, Jul 19, 2009 at 23:34

Thanks, wow I have been searching for a while, the 1200 x 400 x 200 is a reasonable match, 85litres what I had in mind. The floor is flat for 350mm before dropping off into the footwell, that is to the same level as the seats so it would either need support for 50mm or I wonder unsupported for 50mm as I note the tank is 6mm thick. Probably need to get a base bent up to support it, starting to get messy but iits something to work around as I did not expect to find a poly tank such a close fit but 350mm wide would have made the installation a lot simpler

FollowupID: 642528

Reply By: Rhys - Sunday, Jul 19, 2009 at 22:03

Sunday, Jul 19, 2009 at 22:03

Google Flexitanks they make bladder style water tanks of all different shapes and sizes and get good reviews, Rhys.

AnswerID: 375287

Follow Up By: kwk56pt - Sunday, Jul 19, 2009 at 23:39

Sunday, Jul 19, 2009 at 23:39

Thanks, keen to get a rigid tank. I had a opposite lock bladder, I can tell you when it springs a leak its not a nice job cleaning up 40 or 50 litres that have stealthily leaked into the cab. It did last quite a few years I might add and was a quick cheap easy solution

FollowupID: 642529

Follow Up By: Richard Kovac - Sunday, Jul 19, 2009 at 23:45

Sunday, Jul 19, 2009 at 23:45

Yes we had a Flexitank bladder in the Troopy and it split. the windows were fogging up on the inside.. :-(

Had to pull seats and carpet out to dry off..

Cheers

Richard

FollowupID: 642530

Reply By: Member - Michael J (SA) - Sunday, Jul 19, 2009 at 22:25

Sunday, Jul 19, 2009 at 22:25

Hi kwk56pt,

When I looked for a specific size for my Troopy I ended up at our local tank maker. Gave him the measurements and had it made c/w a set of baffles and lugs to bolt it down.

Cost was cheaper than buying one 'off the shelf'

I figure that the average rain water galvanised tank lasts for a bluddy long time so this one should be good for a few years at least..

Cheers
Michael

AnswerID: 375292

Follow Up By: kwk56pt - Sunday, Jul 19, 2009 at 22:40

Sunday, Jul 19, 2009 at 22:40

"local tank maker" are we talking sheet metal fabricators and I assume you had it made from galvanised steel ?

FollowupID: 642523

Follow Up By: Member - Michael J (SA) - Sunday, Jul 19, 2009 at 22:58

Sunday, Jul 19, 2009 at 22:58

kwk56pt,

Yes to both, we have a very good company here that makes galvanised rain water tanks -they also repair radiators too-.

As stated I worked out the size I needed and had it made exactly as required, size/filler/exit etc.

I then made a 16mm mdf box to fit over it and it sits midships in the Troopy, holds 150lt.

Cheers
Michael

FollowupID: 642525

Follow Up By: kwk56pt - Sunday, Jul 19, 2009 at 23:56

Sunday, Jul 19, 2009 at 23:56

sounds like yours has been a success story having stood up to the rigours of off road travel. What gauge material was it made from do you recall just so that if I go this way I know it is being made from a heavy enough gauge material ? Did you sit it on any rubber or just bolt to the floor ?.....Thanks Peter

FollowupID: 642534

Follow Up By: Member - Michael J (SA) - Wednesday, Jul 22, 2009 at 14:44

Wednesday, Jul 22, 2009 at 14:44

Hi Peter,

Sorry for the delay in replying. Just checked with the tank maker and it is 1mm gal.

As stated I asked for two baffles, had the inlet and outlet put where I needed them and had 4 lugs 'sweated' onto the base. One on each corner.

I put a 16mm mdf base in the Troopy and bolted the tank directly to the mdf through the lugs.

I then made an mdf box to fit over the tank with a hinged lid. That box in turn was securely attached to the base.

Just completed 7000+km trip which included quite a bit of 'rough' stuff -CSR/Kidson Track etc and nary a problem.

I realise that this application would not suit all vehicles but worked for me, 150lt of good water sitting amidships in the Troopy and helped keep the C of G down low.

Cheers
Michael

FollowupID: 643000