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How much water and diesel do I really need?


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#1 ramblinChet

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Posted 30 December 2021 - 05:17 PM

Since we have quite a bit of specialized knowledge here in this forum I am really interested in hearing opinions on how much water and diesel I really need for full time travel. Keep in mind that my RAM is gasoline so the diesel will only be used to power my stove, heater and water heater.

 

Here are some details regarding my initial plans:

 

Diesel: my first though was to install a 30-gallon TITAN tank where my spare tire is. It's a $2k part which isn't bad but when I calculate the numbers I am now capable of running my heater for approximately one month straight, 24 hours per day. To me that sounds somewhat excessive. I figured one to two weeks of intermittent use would be sufficient so five or maybe ten gallons?

 

Water: I drink lots of milk and even more Coke, although I have been working to reduce the Coke side. So drinking water is low on the list but I use it for cleaning plates and showering. The heating system I am in the process of designing will already hold five gallons so that is separate. Most folks seem to opt for around twenty gallons of potable water which seems fine to me. Although most of my water will be filled from a tap I am designing my system so I can pull from a stream, push it though a filter, and store.

 

While in the military, a fair amount of my training was centered on survival so that part of my brain says go for the maximum with reason. I am in my mid-50s now, I enjoy harsh climates, and I go places most don't so if I have a mechanical failure or become stuck I can relax in freezing weather for approximately one month before I even begin to worry.

 

Basic system - 10 gallons of diesel and 20 gallons of potable water.

 

Optional system - 30 gallons of diesel and 30 gallons of potable water.

 

Your thoughts?


Edited by ramblinChet, 30 December 2021 - 05:20 PM.

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#2 heinphoto

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Posted 30 December 2021 - 05:59 PM

I can't help you with the diesel (except 30 gallons does seem like a lot for your use).  For water, we have the 20-gallon internal tank in our FWC and an additional 6-gallons in the water heater.  We also carry 2, 2.5-gallon Scepters with our primary drinking water (although there is no reason we can't drink the tank water).  For longer trips we also have 2 of the 2-gallon Rotopax water containers we can attach to brackets on the outside of the camper.  So, a max of 35 gallons on board if needed.  We seem to use about 3-4 gallons a day, so that would potentially last us 10 days +/-.  However, I have also thought about a pump/filter system that would allow us to refill from any water source - water is one of those survival things that I never want to have to worry about.

 

Aside from drinking/washing/bathing, one other reason to have extra water capacity is for fire suppression.  We almost got caught in a wildfire camping in Mojave National Preseve last spring.  Someone in a nearby dispersed camp must have left a campfire smoldering on a very windy day and it started the surrounding vegetation on fire.  By the time we noticed the smoke, packed up, and checked it out, it was more than I could handle on my own, so we left to find cell coverage to report.  However, it did get me thinking that having easily accessible water for emergency fire fighting might be prudent.  I have even thought about throwing in one of the collabsable Indian fire pumps to use in such an emergency.

 

-Scott


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#3 Vic Harder

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Posted 30 December 2021 - 07:17 PM

Humans need a fair amount of liquids. How much milk/coke do you carry? I’d be inclined to carry way more water than what you are estimating. I built my Puma with a custom 30 gal tank, and have means of pumping from streams and purifying too.

I’d go low on the diesel for heat, maybe carry a wavian can too if you are testing it out until you are sure how much you need.
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#4 goinoregon

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Posted 30 December 2021 - 07:53 PM

i like the idea of water for fire suppression.  i rolled into a FS campground last fall, a week after they started to allow camp fires.  i set up camp, then realized the the fire ring coals were HOT.  last occupant had just left and didnt put any water on fire/coals.  and this was in an area with all sorts of fire signage, and warnings. sheesh.

i lean with vic on diesel volume.  most of the late spring, summer, and early fall, u probably wont need the furnace.

 

i bought a shell last march, and still havent outfitted the interior, and kinda glad i didnt.  with usage, and more thinking, i am changing up my thinking of what i need, and dont need


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#5 Wandering Sagebrush

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Posted 30 December 2021 - 08:32 PM

I don’t know what your water heater burns, but the Wallas is pretty light on fuel.  My thinking is 10 gallons should be sufficient for a couple of weeks (maybe more) of heavy use.  Jay Byers, username Hunky Dory, on CBrats does extended cruises in SE Alaska.  Try joining that group, they’re much like WTW, then contact Jay.  Keep in mind, they’re often away from fuel sources, so he goes a bit more than others.He is a good guy, and very helpful.


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#6 Jon R

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Posted 30 December 2021 - 09:12 PM

If dealing with 5 or 10 gallons is easier I’d be inclined to go that route. 30 gal seems like way overkill - you are likely to be food limited before you’d use that much fuel.

I would definitely add 10 more gallons of water capacity if that’s affordable and easy.
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#7 m5040

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Posted 31 December 2021 - 01:25 AM

I'd go for a diesel powered truck.  Same fuel as heater so you wouldn't need extra and not explosive in a brush fire.


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#8 Jon R

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Posted 31 December 2021 - 01:42 AM

He just bought that truck and had it customized.
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#9 Wallowa

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Posted 31 December 2021 - 02:05 AM

Concur on water being a bigee...but even that can be appropriated along the way or you can go on conservation mode if needed...Diesel can not be 'appropriated' [sources found in BFE] and again, going with the law of the limits, figure out how long, where and what 'got to have' you will run out of first..spread sheet on diesel would be appropriate...not certain if weight or volume [space] will be a concern for you.

 

Humans can live without diesel but not water.....especially drinking water... B)


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#10 AWG_Pics

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Posted 31 December 2021 - 02:33 AM

We have 20 gal of water with the camper and supplement that with four 2 gallon rotopaks. And we still buy a few one or two gallon water containers like Arrowhead. Hate having to go into town just for water.


Edited by AWG_Pics, 31 December 2021 - 02:33 AM.

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