Water Bladders

[Strop]

Does anyone have experiences with water bladders that can be placed on the rear floor? Or any other locations within the car.

I am a bit concerned with leakage and subsequent damage.

Any advice on brands etc would help.

Thanks

[Milton477]

I often use an 80l Flexitank bladder located in the rear footwell to carry water to the van. Filling is done by connecting the hose to the bladder outlet & then releasing the air via the filling point. Less mess this way but one has to be careful not to overflow. I have never had any leaks but we are careful not to let the bladder rub on the front seat runners. I would recommend using a bladder over jerries.

[Xtreme]

Have a look through this build thread, Alasdair, the MY16 Keswick 110 (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/members-rides/236135-alasdair-my16-keswick-110-a-19.html)

Jon has had quite a lot of experience with water bladders and describes it well.

[cripesamighty]

The threads below are a good place to start. Also, go to the bottom of the page and use the 'left hand side' search box (searches AULRO only), type in 'water bladder' and you will find some good links.

Water Bladder Tanks (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/discovery-2-a/248695-water-bladder-tanks.html)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/general-chat/36897-water-bladder-fit-under-back-seat-110-defender.html#post523763

[rhinosm]

I had a bladder made to fit behind 2nd row seats, in 3rd row foot well.
Cost about $230
Roughly 80L.
Works well, the hose with tap sits on floor near door, easy to get to and use.
Filling is easy thru same hose.

[veebs]

Looks great - does it fit there with the seats down? Did you need to send them a design, or did they work it out themselves?

[TuffRR]

I had a bladder made to fit behind 2nd row seats, in 3rd row foot well.
Cost about $230
Roughly 80L.
Works well, the hose with tap sits on floor near door, easy to get to and use.
Filling is easy thru same hose.

That's pretty cool. If that works with 3rd still in, I'd definitely be interested. Who made it?

[rhinosm]

Found invoice attached.
I have taken 3rd row seats out but I can't see why it won't work with seats in.

[Aussie Jeepster]

Found invoice attached.
I have taken 3rd row seats out but I can't see why it won't work with seats in.

I've just (today) asked the same company for a quote to make me a bladder for my D3 as I've just removed the third row seats and fitted a false floor.
The new bladder will go on the floor immediately behind the second row seats and I figure it will hold about 50L of water.

[Chops]

I had a bladder made to fit behind 2nd row seats, in 3rd row foot well.
Cost about $230
Roughly 80L.
Works well, the hose with tap sits on floor near door, easy to get to and use.
Filling is easy thru same hose.


Do you have a pic of it in place at all.
I toyed with the idea of making a stainless unit up to fit in there. Being steel, it could be made to hold other stuff if needs be,, tools or jack etc.
All up, it's quite a large void under there without the rear seats 💺

[rhinosm]

Sorry Chops, I don't have a photo in situ.
It is a great space that needs to be used.
There is a metal lump from 3rd row seats to work around.
The bladder I had made was based on their standard footwell bladder but made shorter to suit.
Very handy for drinking water.

[Chops]

I might ask to come and have a look. (If it suits you) would like to see just how it fits in exactly. Don't really need much water on board, but it's handy if we're going to do an overnighter somewhere leaving the van behind,, which I'm hoping to be able to do a bit of in the future.

[dukemasterpro]

I had a bladder made to fit behind 2nd row seats, in 3rd row foot well.
Cost about $230
Roughly 80L.
Works well, the hose with tap sits on floor near door, easy to get to and use.
Filling is easy thru same hose.

Interesting I'm thinking about water storage at the moment and had been thinking about a front runner slim tank in the cargo area in my D4 behind the barrier or a 2nd row footwell bladder or tank. I like the idea of using the space under the seat rather than rear passenger footwell as its low and out of the way.

Did you use one of these bladders in the 3rd row footwell space? Or two one each side to get 80 litres??

[RobMichelle]

Oooh 3 year old thread [emoji6]
I used a 100 litre bladder in behind driver seats when we went to tassie other year our D2, worked a treat no leaks I just put some hard rubber up against anywhere I thought it may rub..

[LRD414]

Did you use one of these bladders in the 3rd row footwell space? Or two one each side to get 80 litres??
It's a single bladder. I know because I basically copied it for my setup.
I used it under a platform I made when the second row seats are removed but it also fits in the 3rd row footwell space with the second row seats still in place.
It also fits well in front of the second row on the floor, especially if you don't have second row passengers.
This photo shows it under the seat replacement platform.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/826/40138973620_e0e62bf1ab_c.jpg

This photo shows it test fitting, which gives a better idea of scale.
https://live.staticflickr.com/919/40885328494_e721c64ed8_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/25hTZJN)

It is a tight fit when the second row seats are in place and the bladder must conform around the seat bases and into the 3rd row footwell.

Depending on how much water you want to carry these bags might be a better option.
20L bladder inside tough PVC bag, great quality and can be fitted into a lot of differently shaped spaces.
Hang upside down when in camp and use the supplied tap.
https://live.staticflickr.com/786/40337374594_78231faff3_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/24stA8L)

https://live.staticflickr.com/1832/29190792907_98ae67d2b7_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/LturJT)

Cheers,
Scott

[dukemasterpro]

Oooh 3 year old thread [emoji6]
I used a 100 litre bladder in behind driver seats when we went to tassie other year our D2, worked a treat no leaks I just put some hard rubber up against anywhere I thought it may rub..

Old threads are like the gift that keeps on giving [emoji1319][emoji3] so much knowledge on the site it’s brilliant!

[dukemasterpro]

It's a single bladder. I know because I basically copied it for my setup.
I used it under a platform I made when the second row seats are removed but it also fits in the 3rd row footwell space with the second row seats still in place.
It also fits well in front of the second row on the floor, especially if you don't have second row passengers.
This photo shows it under the seat replacement platform.
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/826/40138973620_e0e62bf1ab_c.jpg

This photo shows it test fitting, which gives a better idea of scale.
https://live.staticflickr.com/919/40885328494_e721c64ed8_o.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/25hTZJN)

It is a tight fit when the second row seats are in place and the bladder must conform around the seat bases and into the 3rd row footwell.

Depending on how much water you want to carry these bags might be a better option.
20L bladder inside tough PVC bag, great quality and can be fitted into a lot of differently shaped spaces.
Hang upside down when in camp and use the supplied tap.
https://live.staticflickr.com/786/40337374594_78231faff3_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/24stA8L)

https://live.staticflickr.com/1832/29190792907_98ae67d2b7_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/LturJT)

Cheers,
Scott

I like the look of those Blu bags, at least if you get a leak in one it’s not a whole lot of water from a single bladder that’s lost. Spread the weight around and not have one large “tank” sloshing around.

We’ve always bought those 10l spring water containers from Coles before specifically for drinking but that’s seems a waste if the container is food safe, clean and filtered and available anywhere.

Did you use any kind of in-line filter Scott with your setup? Or filter the water for drinking after?

[LRD414]

I like the look of those Blu bags, at least if you get a leak in one it’s not a whole lot of water from a single bladder that’s lost. Spread the weight around and not have one large “tank” sloshing around.
Good points, however the larger bladder has the convenience of being easy to draw from without getting it out thanks to the drain hose c/w tap.
But of course a similar hose arrangement could be fitted to the BluBag too if you wanted to locate it behind/under seats.
I like having the flexibility of both options for different types of trips.


Did you use any kind of in-line filter Scott with your setup? Or filter the water for drinking after?
We have a BEST in-line filter and also a smaller Sawyer squeeze filter that's more for emergency use because we tend to plan ahead for water usage/top-up.

Cheers,
Scott

[dukemasterpro]

Good points, however the larger bladder has the convenience of being easy to draw from without getting it out thanks to the drain hose c/w tap.
But of course a similar hose arrangement could be fitted to the BluBag too if you wanted to locate it behind/under seats.
I like having the flexibility of both options for different types of trips.


We have a BEST in-line filter and also a smaller Sawyer squeeze filter that's more for emergency use because we tend to plan ahead for water usage/top-up.

Cheers,
Scott

How much food grade hose did you find was sufficient when topping up? Thanks

[Phil B]

Just my preference but I found that a bladder made the water taste rubbery. I carry drinking water in plastic disposable bottles as my water at home is rainwater tanks as well. Not enviro friendly I know but I drink water a lot. I use the bladder water for everything else.

[LRD414]

How much food grade hose did you find was sufficient when topping up? Thanks
Approx 1 metre.

Cheers,
Scott

[dukemasterpro]

Approx 1 metre.

Cheers,
Scott

That’s what I was thinking, never far from a tap you pull beside. Although from outside my garage to fill up on departure the other 9m will come in handy. Not keen on what’s inside my garden hose.

[cripesamighty]

Just my preference but I found that a bladder made the water taste rubbery. I carry drinking water in plastic disposable bottles as my water at home is rainwater tanks as well. Not enviro friendly I know but I drink water a lot. I use the bladder water for everything else.

I found that if I clean my 85L bladder a couple of times with Miltons sterilising solution (same stuff you clean baby bottles with) before a trip, it gets rid of the most of the rubbery taste. It's not perfect, but improves the quality quite a bit.

[Milton477]

That’s what I was thinking, never far from a tap you pull beside. Although from outside my garage to fill up on departure the other 9m will come in handy. Not keen on what’s inside my garden hose.

You can buy a roll of food grade hose from Bunnings. It is light blue in colour.

[jon3950]

I found that if I clean my 85L bladder a couple of times with Miltons sterilising solution (same stuff you clean baby bottles with) before a trip, it gets rid of the most of the rubbery taste. It's not perfect, but improves the quality quite a bit.

After trying everything I now use these:

CleanOxide 4g Tablets - Natural Water Solutions (https://nwsolutions.com.au/product/cleanoxide-4g-tablets/)

They seem to work better with a bit of an air gap in the bladder to get some off-gassing. Stinks of chlorine but the water tastes fine.

Its important to use food grade hose all the way to the tap as garden hose can make the taste worse and I also use a BEST water filter. I've also found that the worst bit of water sits in my drain hose as it is in the sun. Once that runs off the water from the tank tastes fine.

Cheers,
Jon

[HarryO]

Have almost finished 80L storage where the 3rd row seats used to be - it only raised the Internal floor Level about 80mm and made a much bigger storage area behind the 2nd Row.

162042162043

Yes it’s a permanent installation that will form the foundation for my fridge slide / drawer setup.

[josh.huber]

Have almost finished 80L storage where the 3rd row seats used to be - it only raised the Internal floor Level about 80mm and made a much bigger storage area behind the 2nd Row.

162042162043

Yes it’s a permanent installation that will form the foundation for my fridge slide / drawer setup.

That's awesome

[Aussie Jeepster]

After a less than enjoyable experience with a water bladder on the floor in front of my second row seats, I went for a solid tank.
Today, I finished the plumbing of the unit and I can access water from either side, and I get cross feeding from each side.
It fits as tight as a glove with the Engel in place.
I'm also lucky that I will never be carrying anyone in the back, as the removal of the unit is somewhat complex with the fridge in place!!!!
162084162085162086162087

[TB]

I’ve just received the info pack for a tagalong tour I want to do this winter, and they want me to carry 100L of water (an allowance for two people) for the longest remote leg. Hmm, that’s gonna be interesting. I have a 40L Frontrunner rack tank already that I inherited from a mate, but I think that’s too heavy for a D4 roof especially with the other things I have to carry up there. Was gonna do 3x 20L water Jerry’s behind the front seats but that’s not enough.

Glad this thread came to the top just now... much needed inspiration!

[josh.huber]

I’ve just received the info pack for a tagalong tour I want to do this winter, and they want me to carry 100L of water (an allowance for two people) for the longest remote leg. Hmm, that’s gonna be interesting. I have a 40L Frontrunner rack tank already that I inherited from a mate, but I think that’s too heavy for a D4 roof especially with the other things I have to carry up there. Was gonna do 3x 20L water Jerry’s behind the front seats but that’s not enough.

Glad this thread came to the top just now... much needed inspiration!

I've got a drifta water bag hanging off my cargo barrier, I think it's 35l might be more takes ages to fill up. With that amount of water you might need to combine a few options

[Hoges]

After a less than enjoyable experience with a water bladder on the floor in front of my second row seats, I went for a solid tank.
Today, I finished the plumbing of the unit and I can access water from either side, and I get cross feeding from each side.
It fits as tight as a glove with the Engel in place.
I'm also lucky that I will never be carrying anyone in the back, as the removal of the unit is somewhat complex with the fridge in place!!!!
162084162085162086162087

I am impressed with the storage set up above the tanks...are the individual bags attached with Velcro for easy removal...is it a complete setup or did you fab. it yourself?

[Aussie Jeepster]

I am impressed with the storage set up above the tanks...are the individual bags attached with Velcro for easy removal...is it a complete setup or did you fab. it yourself?

The 2 seat panels came from Wilde Custom Gear in the US - MOLLE Seat Back Panel – Wilde Custom Gear | Tactical Nylon | Built For Battle (https://wildecustomgear.com/collections/accessories/products/molle-seat-back-panel)
I went and visited them after a visit to MCAS Miramar in San Diego and the range of gear they have is mind blowing. The seat backs can be unclipped in 60 seconds if needed.
The pouches are standard molle pouches that I've collected for various things.
They will ship to Oz.

[cripesamighty]

After a less than enjoyable experience with a water bladder on the floor in front of my second row seats, I went for a solid tank.

When I bought my bladder I thought about rub points and protection, so I rolled/folded the rubber mat that I use in the rear of my D1 around the bladder. Works a treat, especially on corrugations!