One of the most important elements of consideration for Jeep Overlanding is figuring out your Jeep water storage. Carrying the right amount of water for your Jeep camping needs can make or break your Overlanding trip.
When we first started with Jeep Overlanding, we used to carry lots of bottled water, but later realized we could get onboard Jeep water storage solutions or have an external Jeep water tank that will carry all the water we would require to keep ourselves hydrated and use some for cooking, showering and cleaning needs.
Here is everything you will need to know about Jeep water storage, and purification to ensure you have enough water for your Overlanding needs.
How much water does an expedition take?
To plan for your Jeep water storage options, you will need to understand how much water you will need for your regular Jeep expedition, it’s important to consider all your water needs, which are more than just drinking water requirements.
We recommend having at least half a gallon of water for drinking, if you plan on an expedition that will last for more than one day, we recommend carrying at least 2-3 gallons of water to cater to your hydration, personal hygiene, cooking, and cleaning needs.
Your off-road water storage should carry enough water for personal hygiene, such as showering, cooking, and washing your kitchenware, among others. Once you understand your water needs you will be able to know the right size of your Jeep water storage tanks and how you will carry the water tanks in your Jeep, including your configuration to automate the process of water flow.
According to Healthline, a single person requires about eight ounces of water per day, which equals to half a gallon per day, however, when Overlanding in your Jeep you will require to double that amount depending on your day-to-day Overlanding activities and the weather conditions of your trip.
Jeep Water Storage Solutions.
There are different Jeep water storage options for your Jeep Overland build, some of the Key things to consider for your Jeep water storage are to keep your water BPA Free, Food Grade, durable, and accessibility options.
Some of the best Jeep water storage options Include:
Jeep water cans.
Jeep water cans are popular among Jeep Overlanding, this is because they are cheap and affordable, and can be purchased in almost all camping accessories shops, the reason we recommend Jeep water cans is that they are good for Overlanding beginners, and are very easy to use.
Some of the best Jeep water cans we use, and some our friends use are recommended below:
Front Runner Outfitters Pro Water Tank
The Front Runner Outfitters Pro Water Tank is one of the top-rated large waters can we recommend for serious Jeep overlanders, this is because with it you can hold enough water to last you for several days in your multi-day Jeep excursions.
The Front Runner Outfitters Pro Water Tank is more of a permanent solution and a consideration when building a Jeep specifically made for Overlanding, it holds up to 11.1 gallons of water enough to last you up to a week of Overlanding in your Jeep, and it comes with a strap that makes it easier to fit it in your Jeep roof rack, the strap makes it easy to remove the water tank from the rooftop and use it on the ground, when refilling and when using it.
LIFESAVER Expedition Jerrycan Water Filter (20,000UF)
We recommend the LIFESAVER Expedition Jerrycan Water Filter because it’s a Jerry can with a water filter, The Jerry can hold 4.9 gallons of water, that according to our estimation of 2-3 gallons of water requirements per day can last up to a week without refilling.
The LIFESAVER Expedition Jerrycan Water Filter is a simple-to-use water can that can easily be refilled and can be used alongside a pressurized water pump to quickly filter your camping water. The LIFESAVER Expedition Jerrycan Water Filter can remove chlorine, viruses, bacteria, cysts, and parasites from your water.
The LIFESAVER Expedition Jerrycan Water Filter has a sprout that we found useful for attaching shower attachments.
BILLET4X4 Scepter 5 Gallon POLYETHYLENE Water CAN – BPA Free!
BILLET4X4 Scepter 5 Gallon water can hold up to 5 gallons of water that can also last you a week in your Jeep Overlanding expeditions, what we like about the BILLET4X4 Scepter 5 Gallon water can is the slim design that makes it easy to mount in your Jeep roof rack, and other mounting positions such as the rear of your Jeep with a Jeep Jerry can mount of your choice, the slim design also makes it easy to store you’re the water can inside your Jeep.
One of the best features of the BILLET4X4 Scepter 5 Gallon water can is the sight line that makes it easy to monitor your water levels, this helps in the management of your water when Overlanding in your Jeep.
RotopaX RX-1W Water Pack – 1 Gallon Capacity
RotopaX RX-1W Water Pack is made in the United States, it’s one of the smallest water storage options you can add to your Jeep Overlanding accessories. The capacity options available include 1 gallon, 1.6 gallons, and 2 gallons which are enough to last you a day of Overlanding.
Despite being a small water can, what we love about the RotopaX RX-1W Water jug is the slim design and mounting options. We recommend buying the RotopaX mounting hardware that will make it easy to mount the RotopaX water jug in your Jeep. The RotopaX mounting gear will help you mount the Water jug on any flat surface, and can be used with any other RotopaX product.
We recommend the RotopaX water jug because it is made with food-grade thick plastic that ensures the water contained in it is safe for drinking.
Jeep Jerry can mount
The Jeep Water cans mentioned above from LIFESAVER, BILLET4X4, Front Runner Outfitters Pro Water Tank, and RotopaX can easily be mounted on your Jeep with a Jeep Jerry can mount. If you already own a Jeep jerry can mount that you use with your Jeep gas cans, the water cans mentioned above can make use of your existing Jeep jerry can mounts.
If you are looking for a way to hold your Jeep water cans safely and securely, we recommend the following Jeep Jerry can mounts, with high-quality construction and finish, that you can use to mount your water cans and gas cans.
As experienced Jeep Overlanders, we recommend having a Jeep Jerry can mount whether you are an experienced Jeep off-roader or a beginner planning on what Jeep Overlanding gear they require to improve their Jeep Overlanding experience.
We have used the Jerry can mount suggested above, and we can attest to their durability and ability to withstand abuse from your day-to-day Overlanding and off-roading activities. The Jerry can mount does not fade in color and is powder coated to prevent corrosion when they come into contact with water.
Reliance Products Aqua-Tainer 7 Gallon Rigid Water Container (Pack of 2)
If you are looking for a cheaper option that will hold lots of water for you and your family during a Jeep expedition, having an aquatainer is one of the popular water storages for overlanders. Reliance aquatainer holds seven gallons of water that can last up to a week using 2-3 liters per day, which is the maximum amount of water you will need when Jeep camping.
We recommend the reliance aquatainer because it’s made of BPA-free polyethylene material, and the design of the aquatainer is easy to carry with a sprout that can be customized for easier access or when using a water system during your Jeep overland build.
If you are in the market for a cheap Jeep water storage solution, the Reliance is one of the highest recommended water storage options.
Where can I fill up my water tank?
When Overlanding with your Jeep, you will find that you will need to know where to fill up your Jeep water cans after every few days, this is a bit of a challenge for beginners, this is because they don’t plan their water use, and water management for beginners can be a challenge.
We recommend installing applications such as iOverlander, Freeroam, and The Dyrt which offer fresh water refill stations near your locations, the applications will not only offer you water refill stations near you but also camping spots, shower spots, road closure information among other Overlanding information you will need to know regarding your Jeep Overlanding trip.
Which method is best for water purification?
You might have doubts regarding the water you will refill during your Jeep excursion, we recommend refilling your water on stations marked portable water, if no portable water is available in the refill station, we recommend planning on how you will purify the water in your Jeep water storage tanks.
You can purify water through the three main water purification methods such as boiling, chemicals, or using purifiers. Having used all the methods of water purification we have settled on purifying the water since it’s fast and ensures the water is free from bacteria, viruses, and other parasites.
Some of the best water purifications methods we recommend and use include:
Survivor Filter Pro Water Purification System
Survivor Filter Pro Water Purification System is one of the best methods to purify your water when Jeep camping, the water pump works by pumping water through a filter that will remove bacteria, viruses, and other parasites that can make you sick when Overlanding in your Jeep.
Our Survivor Filter Pro Water Purification System takes a minute to fill one liter of drinking water, this means if you drink the recommend half a gallon a day, the filter will filter the water in minutes, we have used the Survivor Filter Pro Water Purification System to filter water from streams and lakes when camping, and the water tastes well compared with natural water.
LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
The LifeStraw Personal Water Filter is one of the simple and smallest water filtering systems bought by most experienced Overlanding beginners, this is because it’s cheap and easy to fit in your Jeep Overland storage boxes.
The LifeStraw Personal Water Filter boosts removing bacteria, viruses, parasites, and microplastics that are harmful and found in natural water sources such as lakes and rivers that will likely be your water-filling stations when camping off the grid in your Jeep.
Potable Aqua Water Purification Tablets
We use the Potable Aqua Water Purification Tablets on our large Jeep water storage tanks and wait at least 30 minutes before drinking the water.
We recommend Potable Aqua Water Purification Tablets because they are easy to use and can be used to purify large quantities of water without the hustler of using a water purifier. We don’t recommend using the tablets every day on your Jeep expeditions but pack them in your emergency kit just in case your water purifier is not working and you need an emergency solution to purify your water for drinking.
Conclusions.
Preparing for your Jeep overland excursion is mandatory to ensure everything goes on smoothly, and fun at the same time without the hustle associated with a lack of road trip planning. If you are new to Jeep Overlanding, we have specifically made a beginner guide to Jeep Overlanding that breaks down everything you will need to know during your Jeep expedition.
With this information, we believe you can make a decision when it comes to Jeep water storage options for your Jeep Overland Build, check out the list of the water cans and containers suggested in our post and choose the right one for you!
About the Author: James Ndungu
James Ndungu is a seasoned automotive professional with a deep passion for Jeeps. With 40 years of experience in owning, testing, and reviewing various Jeep models, James has gained extensive first-hand knowledge and expertise. He shares his insights, tips, and advice through his engaging writing, helping fellow Jeep enthusiasts navigate the exciting world of Jeeps.
Last update on 2024-12-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
