Best Water Bladder for Dry Camping?

SaltiDawg wrote:

As a retired submariner, where potable water was quite dear, you would have been called a "water waster"

Aye, sir... In a solo kayak trip it's easier... You land every night, don't have to ask permission to go ashore and there is nobody to make you shave when you don't feel like. And plenty of sea to cleanse the body. I don't think I even used a gallon a day, maybe only on a hot day. There are shampoos that work in sea water, and after a day of paddling hands are soft and squeaky clean.

SaltiDawg wrote:

As a retired submariner, where potable water was quite dear, you would have been called a "water waster"

If I had to use that little bit of water, I would be called, "first guy shot from a torpedo tube". :B

Almot wrote:

... my freshwater consumption was about 1 gallon a day. Asked other guys, this seems to be typical norm for potable water for one person. Including washing face and brushing teeth...

As a retired submariner, where potable water was quite dear, you would have been called a "water waster"

A half gallon in a sink basin provided enough to shave, brush teeth, cleanse the entire body, etc.

If you think about it, there is definitely a preferred sequence to accomplishing these tasks! Really, think about it! :B

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
The nearest water was a 27 mile drive. Washed dishes in seawater then rinsed in fresh. It's nice having "enough" water :)

In multiday kayaking trips - back in the day when there really was a wilderness in Baja - my freshwater consumption was about 1 gallon a day. Asked other guys, this seems to be typical norm for potable water for one person. Including washing face and brushing teeth. 65 gallons would last 65 days, but I never carried more than 10 gallons, enough for 7-8 days between re-fills.

Human body doesn't need more than a gallon a day. Most of those 65 gallons will go to sewer, not into meals and drinks.

If I remember right that waterbed mattress held something like 220 gallons. In the bed of my pickup I gravitated (siphoned) water into the rig. Those mattresses came with a biocide and fungicide so I was pretty careful what I did with the water. The nearest water was a 27 mile drive. Washed dishes in seawater then rinsed in fresh. It's nice having "enough" water :)

The Camping World 45 gallon bladder that rv2go mentioned is a nice unit. The Waterboy (recommended by RJsfishin) is very cool; however, it doesn't seem to be widely available online. Also checked Tractor Supply as mbopp mentioned. If I dry camped a lot, I think these hard tanks would be ideal. However, for occasional use, I think the collapsible bladder is the way to go for space and convenience sake.

Decided to go with the 60 gallon Aquatank2. My freshwater tank is about 65 gallons, so it's a good fit size-wise. The Aquatank2 seems to be an especially rugged bladder with nylon material encasing the entire bladder. Also like the standard hose connectors on each end of the bladder. Makes it a lot easier to hookup right out of the box.

I won't be doing a lot of dry camping, so I've decided to use the Harbor Freight 12 vdc 300 gph pump to pump the water from the bladder to my FW holding tank while the bladder sits in the bed of my truck. Connect one RV garden hose between the bladder and pump, another hose between the pump and FW holding tank, connect two alligator clamps from the pump to my battery (and prime it) and I'm hoping I should be good to go.

Did I miss anything?

BTW, anybody have any recommendations on how to store these bladders after use? Does the very small amount of water remaining in the bladder after use pose a problem? Is there a way to air it out?

Thanks!

How far are you from a water source, and how much water do you want to haul?
It's not my favorite store, but Tractor Supply has a range of water tanks.

I bought this last year. Works great

http://discrv.tripod.com/waterboy.html

Camping World has a 45 gallon water tank

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
For non-potble water I bought a used water mattress dirt cheap. Sure held a lot of water.

LOL!! That's an awesome idea! I need something quick, but this is good idea to keep in mind in a pinch.