Water Tank for Puma

[SVX37]

Hi all,

I have read the threads on here about water tanks and I thank those people for their words and photos.:)

I am looking to purchase the 32L water tank from Opposite Lock - $365 RRP + installation. I am not interested in homemade systems as I do not have the skill nor time.

The following is taken from the Opposite Lock website...
"Fits inside LH Rear Wheel arch area Filler neck extends through floor to rear luggage area for security."

My questions are:
1. Do they have to drill the floor :o when running the hose up to the luggage area or do they use an existing drain hole?
2. How do they waterproof the floor with the hose running through for water crossings?
3. Exactly where is the filler neck installed in the luggage area?
4. Has anyone had trouble with the tap at the back as it looks vunerable to snapping off when off road on rocks etc.
5. Anyone know the cost for installation?

Your thoughts and experience is welcome...:)

[dmdigital]

PM dullbird they have one in their Puma.

I like the location, but don't like the idea of the filler inside the vehicle.

[miky]

You can download the installation instructions from Dolium (http://www.dolium.com.au)

[dane h]

great system. I have one on my Td5.

There are a couple of considerations however.

1. There is a large filler hole drilled into the top of the wheel box inside the rear. If you're water crossing above this level I suspect the defender would have already welcomed water inside in many other places :) . The large surface area of tank around this seems to seal the area and no dust ingress even.

2. The tank is subject to exhaust heat. Fine for cooking etc but can leave a plastic taste when drinking. Only really an issue in summer or up north. Fine for the rest of the year.

3. The tap location is ridiculous. I have moved mine higher on the crossmember using existing holes mostly to protect it.

Overall wouldn't be without it and a useful space saving inside the car.

Dane

[dullbird]

great system. I have one on my Td5.

There are a couple of considerations however.

1. There is a large filler hole drilled into the top of the wheel box inside the rear. If you're water crossing above this level I suspect the defender would have already welcomed water inside in many other places :) . The large surface area of tank around this seems to seal the area and no dust ingress even.
I think we may have had some sicaflex just incase

2.
The tank is subject to exhaust heat. Fine for cooking etc but can leave a plastic taste when drinking. Only really an issue in summer or up north. Fine for the rest of the year.
Yes we found this up north (makes it good for washing yourself though and the dishes)..we have bought a filter for ours to take away taste and was considering a small pump so could move the tap...however got a camper trailer now so not priority
3
. The tap location is ridiculous. I have moved mine higher on the crossmember using existing holes mostly to protect it.Totally agree about the tap...and very dissapointed with the tap quality its wasn't long before the tap and connections rusted....would like to get a new tap just not sure where we get those types of taps from.


Overall wouldn't be without it and a useful space saving inside the car.thats right you only take a small amount of space in the car for the filler otherwise your using just dead space under the car...its great for camping but I also use it day to day to carry drinking water for the dogs when we take them out.

Dane

Would I fit it again knowing what I know now? absolutely great bit of kit:) and was extremely handy to have when camping in areas that didn't have any type of facilities.

[Bushie]

Have a look at the other offerings from Dolium as well

Dolium Pty Ltd (http://www.dolium.com.au/view?command=cman_view_webpage&action=view&webpage_id=82&pkey=dolium)

I've got a 50 litre taper tank sitting up against the load barrier. (Tdi though)


Martyn

[jddisco200tdi]

I have one of the rear quarter tanks in my puma defender. It does let some dust in around the filler, but theres plenty from elsewhere so who cares.
I haven't noticed any plastic taste and we usually save it for drinking rather than drinking river water.
We have done a reasonable amount of high country 4wding since fitting and think you would have to do something silly to damage the tap.

The only hassle is refilling on a trip when you can't use a hose. I decant from a 20l jerry with hose and tap.

But as it uses dead space that it main plus. We travel 3 or 4 up with NO roofrack or trailer so the cargo area is at a premium.

PS match it with a quarter tank for fuel.

Regards

John D - Defender 110 2.4

[BlueWagon]

I had the water tank installed at the same time as the aux fuel tank. It has been extremely useful and I no longer have to worry about a loose water container rolling about in back. Something simple like washing your hands is now ridiculously easy. The internal filler isn't flush and does occupy a small potential storage space because it sticks up, but I haven't noticed any loss of space because it is on the shelf and near the door anyhow. My filler was sealed with sikaflex at installation and is airtight and has withstood a fair bit of abuse by being accidentally bashed with SCUBA tanks, lead weight belts and other heavy loose load ojects.
My tap was originally installed at the small hole to the right of the step.
This (1) caused the hose to be kinked when the step was operated and (2) also became a natural second step for anyone climbing into the back...not good for the longevity of the tap!!
OL cheerfully relocated it to the present location on the other side of the towball when I pointed out the hose kinking issue. The current position seems pretty bulletproof and although I haven't tested it at maximum depature angle the tap can swivel sideways before bending/breaking off.
The only issue I have found is that in the installation process the mudguard is relocated rearwards and the mount isn't as secure as the original system. My mudguard came off in heavy mud after the installation and I will have to keep an eye on it in the future.
I drink all of my water out of plastic...whether it is from the rainwater tanks, plastic bottles or the car tank so the "plastic taste" isn't an issue.

Cheers
Mark

[Rock Doctor]

Hi,
over many years in the bush with a variety of external water tanks I came to the conclusion that an internal tank was best consequently my last two Defenders have had a 57 litre plastic tank from Engel that fits snugly along the LHS between the rear seat and rear window. Filler is near door and outlet is down low and with a length of flexible hose with a small tap INSIDE the vehicle means that that the tap is never dirty of clogged with mud or whatever comes off the road. 57 litres of water more than compensates for the weight of the 35 litres of fuel in my auxiliary on the other side. Best part is that it can be moved to another vehicle or out when you need the extra space.
Good luck with your deliberations.
Rock Doctor

[Ian Bavin]

Hi,
over many years in the bush with a variety of external water tanks I came to the conclusion that an internal tank was best consequently my last two Defenders have had a 57 litre plastic tank from Engel that fits snugly along the LHS between the rear seat and rear window. Filler is near door and outlet is down low and with a length of flexible hose with a small tap INSIDE the vehicle means that that the tap is never dirty of clogged with mud or whatever comes off the road. 57 litres of water more than compensates for the weight of the 35 litres of fuel in my auxiliary on the other side. Best part is that it can be moved to another vehicle or out when you need the extra space.
Good luck with your deliberations.
Rock Doctor
Hi Rock Doctor, I realise this is a few years past your original post, but i was wondering how did you fit the Engel tank, i measure the clearance between the back seat and rear as 1100mm?
Thanks
Tank

[Ian Bavin]

Have a look at the other offerings from Dolium as well

Dolium Pty Ltd (http://www.dolium.com.au/view?command=cman_view_webpage&action=view&webpage_id=82&pkey=dolium)

I've got a 50 litre taper tank sitting up against the load barrier. (Tdi though)


Martyn
Hi Bushie,
Can you please tell me which 50 litre tank from Dolium fits between the Defender 110 SW rear seat and the cargo barrier? and which cargo barrier are you using?
Thanks Tank

[DazzaTD5]

Bare with me, there is a point...

One thing that really bites me is manufacturers/suppliers that fob over or fail to mention some things about a accessory they make/sell...

On my Sh*t list is the side mounted poly water tanks made by Front Runner in South Africa, BUT I do say once they have been installed they are a useful product.

THINGS TO CONSIDER:
*Has the manufacturer even installed one into a Defender TDCi (puma)?
*Incredibly difficult to fit in position, and even with great care u might put a crease in the side panel.
*The threaded insert on the top of the tank are always at an angle.
*The die cast tap supplied is rubbish and needs to be replaced with a quality brass tap.
*The stone guard that also supports the poly tank is bolted through the single sheet of alum floor using two small bolts/washers. A plate on the top to spread the load is needed to prevent the bolts ripping through the floor.
*Once you have drilled the hole through the floor, with the tank loosely in place you will need to screw in the filler neck, then finish mounting the stone guard.
*You will need to use sealant between floor and neck of filler.
*No real thought or mention where to mount the tap.

PROS:
*Great idea, makes use of a dead area without overly added excessive weight.
*Poly tank seems highly durable.

Ideally I try and mount the tap sideways above the end of the chassis line so 1. it doesnt get broken off when off road and 2. people dont walk into it, which will mean you will need to make a bracket to suit.

Regards
Daz

[RVR110]

In addition to Dazza's comments, from memory there is a strengthening rib in the wheel arch that needs to be removed in order to fit the tank. The 7 seat version of the puma also has some strengthening brackets that I think (but I'm not sure) might need attention during the installation.

I didn't like the idea of having the filler inside the car due to the possibility of spillage whilst filling and inconvenience if trying to fill the tank with the back fully loaded. I agree with Dazza that the location of the tap is not well thought out, but I appreciate the problem that FrontRunner faced when choosing a tap location. I went to a lot of extra trouble with mine to relocate the filler and tap and to add a gauge. There's a bit of info in this post (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/members-rides/217951-yet-another-defender-build.html#post2344916) on my build thread.

You also need to consider cold climate use. We had frost on the first camping trip that after installing the tank. Overnight temperatures dipped to about -2 and the exit hose on the tank froze, leaving us without coffee until it thawed. Since then we have always had additional water in the car if overnight temperatures are likely to head to zero.

Having said all that, it it a great modification that I would repeat if I had my time over again. It saves a lot of space in the cargo area and water is readily accessible at any time which is great for quickly refilling water bottles at rest stops.

For longer trips we keep a water hose with several tap fittings in the car, along with a tap key. We also keep a funnel and a modestly sized water jerry can for filling the tank in locations where the hose won't reach the car.