First off, its BPA, BPF, and BPS free. If youre traveling somewhere particularly hot, consider bumping 3.5 up to 4 or even 4.5 to account for this extra water usage. Should I bring a camping water container if there is drinking water at a campsite? On the other hand, if the container wont be leaving your car often maybe you want to go for something larger. This heavy-duty container can hold up to 5 gallons (19L) of water and is burly enough to last throughout years of very frequent use. With this in mind, wed recommend at least 3 gallons (11 liters) of water per person per day of camping if youre good at rationing your water. This is especially helpful if you want to leave your container in the car while your fill it. Youll have to lift and pour the water out yourself and that can get pretty heavy. Or when you need to run to the fill station. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. The affordably priced UST Roll-Up Water Carrier had the smallest packed size of any water container I tested. This may sound like a lot, but if you consider how much water we often use at home, 3.5 gallons (11 liters) for a single day of camping is nothing. Weve seen prices around 37 cents per gallon if you bring your own jug. Size, construction quality and portability are all important factors. As an Amazon associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks to its durable shell, the Aqua-Tainer is strong enough to hold up even through frequent use. 3. Rigid containers are more durable than collapsible ones but they also tend to be slightly more expensive. A few other things we love about the jug is the overall shape and design. You can buy Barker water tanks in a variety of sizes and dimensions to fit your rig. Spouts are the simplest mechanism, generally little more than an added tube or rubber insert that gives you greater control over how fast the water flows out of the camping water container when the lid is unscrewed. Water jugs have larger openings at the top but that also makes them easier to clean. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. We like to look for containers that have straight edges and are more square for packability purposes. They should be able to direct you to the nearest potable water spigot. While there is the option to purchase the additional water faucet for the Dometic GO Hydration Water Jug, my experience is that the spigot is simple enough to use that there is no need for this additional accessory.
This is our favorite app for finding free campsites. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Its always a good idea to pack more water than necessary because you never know how far youll have to travel between refills. The Dometic GO Hydration Water Jug is one of the best camping water containers for balancing storage size with capacity. This water container comes with built-in spigots to allow for easy, hand-to-mouth drinking from a straw. Size matters when it comes to camping water containers. Its like the camping water container version of origami. SurVivv Collapsible Water Container with Spigot, BPA Free, Food Safe Camping Water Storage Cube Jug for Outdoor Hiking Hurricane & Emergency Survival Kit, Portable Foldable Canteen (5.3 Gal -1Pk). Price and other details may vary based on product size and color. Fresh from their packaging, folding cubes always look so petite, their corners neatly bent and tucked. Many have water fill stations inside where you can purchase water by the gallon. Of course, all of the containers we reviewed are BPA free and food safe. As such, its worth checking to see whether your vessel is BPA freeand ideally also BPS and BPF free. A water bandit is a rubbery connection that will fit your hose on one end and almost any size outlet on the other. When I first started camping, it was in a four-door sedan. Knowing what features to look for will help you decide on the best portable container for you.
Either way, youll want a proper seal. Not only do you want something that can last several days, but you also want to keep in mind your personal carrying capacity. Since you can pack them down when theyre not filled with water, theyre easier to fit in the back of your car or in your backpack when heading to your campsite. 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We use two of these for storing dog food in our van during road trips. Its also an essential part of everyday life as a part of cleaning, cooking, bathing, and even in homes' comfort. These are especially good for backpacking, walk-in campsites or when you simply dont want deal with the hassle of a large container at the end of a trip. In fact, the USGS estimates that we use between 80-100 gallons (302-378 liters) of water a day at home, the majority of which goes to flushing our toilets. TakeOutdoors.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. With a tap, you must have one hand free to press down on the top lever, but very little water will be spilled out while in useuseful if you are camping somewhere where water is scarce. Round containers look nice, but they dont pack as well into a camping vehicle. The collapsible design ensures its easy to transport and keep in a backpack. Some camping containers come with spigots and others do not. The Ultimate Beginner's Guide to Backcountry Camping. But dont be fooled: your folding cube will never be that small again. The Reliance Products Fold a Carrier is the collapsible version of the companys Aqua-tainer. The Drom is one of the most durable foldable water containers on the market and can pack down to an impressively small size for use while backpacking. Its worth mentioning a few items that may make your water containers easier to fill. This is a 7 gallon water container that will weigh just under 60 pounds when full. Nearly every campground is going to have a water spigot on-site, but here are some other locations you may not have considered: Visitor centers: National Parks, State Parks, Forest Service Offices and City Visitor Centers often have a water spigot outside to use. Purchasing 5 Gallon Water containers is a good route to take if you travel infrequently or if youre already using them at home. WaterBrick makes our favorite water containers and we bring them along on every camping trip. That being said, there is a time and a place for both collapsible and hard-sided containers. Packing space was tight, so if I was going to bring anything more substantial than a nalgene, it had to fit in my camping box. The Reliance Jumbo-Tainer came closer to the Igloo in performance, but the spigot was unusually difficult to use, making it less functional overall. Growing up, my familys water supply strategy while camping was to fill up a dozen nalgene bottles at one of the campground water spigots and then carry them all back to camp. Instead, they have hose inlets and come with a few hose clamps, tubes and supplies to hook up your water system. Per the Center for Disease Control, you should following the following steps to clean a camping water container: 1) wash the storage container and then rinse with water, 2) mix one teaspoon of unscented liquid household chlorine bleach in one quart of water and add add to your camping water container, 3) screw the lid back onto the open cap and shake the camping water container until the bleach solution has coated the inside of the container, 4) wait 30 seconds before pouring the bleach solution out of the camping water container, and 5) rinse the empty water container with tap water. Hello! These are going to be especially useful if you stay anywhere with a walk-in campsite. This container from WaterStorageCube also has an integrated handle for transportation to and from your car. I liked that it had a large cap that was easy to position under a spigot, but also a smaller one to use back at camp for filling up water bottles or cooking pots. ump Body, 4 tubes, sprout and cleaning brush. Thankfully, at this point, you have all the knowledge you need to select the perfect water jug for your outdoor adventures. This worked fine, even if it was annoying (I now use a camping water container). We like these containers because they are compact and easy to carry. The water container is also very easy to carry and is an outstanding option for hiking. If youre planning on doing some dry camping, preparedness is key to ensure you have enough water for drinking, bathing, and washing your dishes. But, should you buy just one container that can fit all the water you need for a weekend of camping? Its also worth spending a bit of time cleaning out this water can before its first use, as it had the most significant chemical smell out of the box of any camping water container in my test. Waterbricks are rectangular with extrusions for cross-stacking multiple bricks. We are Kate, Ian and Harper. Youll want to make sure that theres a rubber gasket seal on every opening of the container. Complete your base camp or overland rig with a water storage solution that meets your needs. Weve already discussed how much water youll need when camping, but this information will directly impact the size of the container that youll want to buy. Or, you can more easily pour the water through the smaller spout when trying to fill up your water bottles at camp. You will want to go camping after watching this! Aqua-tainers are square but they dont stack because the handle will get in the way. Happy trails! Some campers prefer to use steel or metal containers rather than plastic. You should not just grab any container off the shelf. If you spend enough time at dry campgrounds, youll probably see some fellow campers with the Reliance Products Aqua-Tainer. The Scepter Military Grade Water Jug is a solid choice for campers that prioritize durability over everything in their water storage container. Read more about us. The US National Park Service recommends that campers drink at least 1/2 gallon (2 liters) of water every day. ITRAZ Collapsible Water Container Water Storage Carrier Jug BPA-Free with Spigot, Portable Water Canteen for Camping RV Outdoors and Emergency. Always use a potable water hose when filling from any spigot. Caps tend to be more durable, particularly for long-term use, but they are harder to use when pouring water into smaller bottles or for handwashing. This container comes with a handle and a spigot so its especially easy to pour. Its made of durable, shatterproof plastic and can hold up to four gallons of water. If youve ever arrived at a campground with nothing but a nalgene bottle only to find that the nearest potable water is a quarter of a mile down the road, then the case for purchasing a camping water container will seem clear. This water container is an ideal way to carry water for camping trips with friends or family. Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in, REDCAMP 2.1/2.8/3.2/3.4/4/4.9 Gallon Portable Water Container with Spigot, Water Storage Camp Water Jug for Camping Outdoor Hiking. And while it doesnt collapse down as much as it was straight out of the packaging, its easy enough to get this one down to a quarter of its size, saving plenty of room in your car and your gear closet for the rest of your camping supplies. Beaches and Parks: Some beaches and parks will have free water available. The trick is figuring out which one is best for your needs. While I was impressed with the functionality of the Arrow Oasis Dispenser, it neither collapsed down for easy storage nor was sufficiently durable for more than a season (at most) of use. Indeed, this portable water container for camping is one of the most popular models around because it is made from a durable hard-sided BPA-free polyethylene plastic. They also have removable metal handles that swivel down so any number of bricks can be stacked side-by-side maximizing space. This is a great place to look if you happen to be near onejust make sure that its a potable spigot. Also pay attention to where the spigot is located. Contemporary thinking tells us that a burly piece of hard plastic is going to hold up to more use than even the most robust flexible plastic material. That can save a lot of space in your trunk. A steel container will be more durable than plastic; but plastic has come a long way. Additionally, this water jerry can has a molded plastic handle which allows for easier transport to and from your car. The shape of a water container also plays a big role. Typically, the thicker the plastic, the sturdier the camping water container will be and the longer it will last. Whether you choose a camping water container with a spigot or a spout is largely a matter of personal choice. Manually operated. Its also important to consider precisely how much water you can actually fit in your car or backpack. The plastic of the Specter water container was the thickest of any in my test. Collapsible containers are one of the best ways to save weight and space when youre finished camping. This makes it a convenient option for transporting in the back of a vehicle where space is limited. It should go without saying, but purchasing a water container intended for potable water should be the number one factor on your list. The tradeoff for durability is almost always cost (with the exception of my best overall pick, the heavier duty camping water containers tended to be more expensive) and packed size, as the thicker the plastic is the less likely it is to collapse. Installing a camper van water system [sink and plumbing diagrams], over two years living in a DIY camper van, Large lid and removable metal carry handles, Lightweight materials with large capacity. However, this amount can increase substantially, to about 1 gallon (3.9 liters) of water in a hot climate. Not all water spigots are the same diameter so these are handy to have while you travel. This collapsible water container will keep your food cool and safe. Opt for something smaller instead. With that out of the way, there is a lot to like about the GSI Folding Cube. Modern water containers will come with either a spigot or a cap. Over 1 million campgrounds reviewed. To get you started, weve put together your ultimate guide to the best camping water jugs, complete with reviews of our five favorite models. Additionally, unlike many other water containers, the Aqua-Tainer has a spigot for easier water dispensing. The CDC recommends washing out all water storage containers with a bleach solution and then letting them air dry completely. As mentioned earlier, bigger is not better if the container is too big for you to move out of the car. They manufacture a variety of water products and accessories just for RV travel. Additionally, the container has a multi-functional cap with three different spout options for pouring water, filling it up, and washing your hands. Shop products from small business brands sold in Amazons store. Next, youll need to bring along some rope or twine to tie this to a tree branch, as this is easiest to use when hung up, but the attached handles dont lend themselves to hanging without additional reinforcement. Most camping water containers are made from plastic. Our favorite water jug, the WaterBrick has a spigot attachment you can use in place of the water cap when you get to your destination. While the inexpensive UST Roll-Up Water Carrier didnt impress me with its functionality, I was very impressed with its small size and low cost. Top subscription boxes right to your door, 1996-2022, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. The containers have thick walls made with high density polyethylene (HDPE). WaterStorageCube Funnel Spout 2-Pack Accessory for Collapsible Water Containers, Jugs & Carriers with Spigot, Great for Camping, Outdoor, Hiking, Backpack & Home Use. Its double-handle design made it easy to lift and pour even when it was relatively full, and the spout (which would work well for RV campers) allowed me to control the direction and flow volume of the water. If you plan to fill the Scepter Military Water Container before hitting the road for your next car camping trip, be sure that it is stored vertically in your car, as the cap leaked during testing when stored horizontally. First off, the same characteristics that make it easy to roll up also make it excessively difficult to fill, as the back of the water container must be pulled away from the front side to create space for the water to flow into the container. Aqua-tainer makes larger containers that come at the best value. This had the smallest packed size of anything I triedabout the size of a mostly used paper towel roll. We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases. Look for containers with thick walls that can withstand high heat and freezing temperatures. This water storage container is easy to transport and use in the wilderness. For campers who want the flexibility of a collapsible water jug with the same amount of durability as a jerry can, the WaterStorage Collapsible Container is a solid option. If the big blue water containers seem like a bit of overkill for your camping setup, this is a great alternative. Water is one of the most common substances that humans live on the planet. Its recommended that campers drink at least 3 liters of water per person per day. We hope this site can help you plan your next road trip. The Scepter Military Water Container was by far the sturdiest in my test. In addition to the 1/2 gallon (2 liters) people need for drinking each day, campers also need to factor in how much water theyll need for cooking, cleaning dishes, and washing their hands. There may also be a connection with increased blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. Youve probably seen these jugs at Walmart or your local grocery store. In over three years of use weve yet to experience any leaking issues. Doing Maths hurts your brain? Spigots on the side of the container are great for pouring but they can also leave a mess in your trunk if not properly closed. Which Backcountry Water Treatment is Right for You? Its also clear so you have a good visual of exactly how much water is left. A camping watercontainer offers the ideal solution to keep your mouth healthy and clean when youre exploring new landscapes, hiking through new locations, or taking a day trip to a different part of the country. The downside to this container is that the spigot opening is fairly small. Before you go out and grab a water jug for your trip, theres a few things to focus on. There were additionally a number of plastic shards leftover in the container from the manufacturing process, which was not the case for other camping water containers in my test. If your sole concern is durability, then the comparatively expensive Scepter Military Water Container is the right pick for you. We recommend this large, 20 gallon tank to anyone traveling in a camper van or RV that doesnt plan on removing the tank on a frequent basis. With all of that said, this is the best bang for your buck product. Before we get too far ahead of ourselves here, lets talk a bit about how much water you actually need for camping. Often the difference between a water jug and a water tank is the size of the opening. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Consider multiple, smaller water containers that can be easier to carry than one large tank. Now that you know how much water you need for camping, lets talk a bit about what you need to think about when buying a water container: The biggest decision youll have to make when buying a water container is whether or not you want a collapsible or a hard-sided model. This foldable water container can carry 5.3 gallons (20L) of water and is made from food-grade BPA-free LDPE plastic, which allows it to be both durable and collapsible. Since this one is made from plastic that is meant to fold and crease, it will eventually wear out. Thats because they are extremely durable. The only time I switched to using a different camping water container was when I needed to rinse my hands, as the lack of spigot or tap makes this impossible for one person to do single-handed. The carrier itself is very lightweight, tipping the scales at just 10.4 oz (294g). Finally, the position of the spigot is high enough up the carrier that its difficult (although not impossible) to get the last liter or so of water out. Up next, well walk you through everything you need to know to find the best camping water jug for your outdoor adventures. In addition to considering price, capacity, and materials used, I tested camping water containers both at home and on a series of car camping trips, where they were evaluated on the following criteria: In addition to the above picks, I also tested the Coleman 5-Gallon Water Carrier, Reliance Jumbo-Tainer Water Container, and Arrow Home Products H2O Oasis Dispenser. This sturdy camping water is made of high-quality plastic and is an excellent option for storing water in the wilderness. Theyre designed to be banged around when rock crawling. Extremely lightweight and portable. WaterStorageCube Collapsible Container, Buyers Guide To The Best Water Containers, Key Considerations For Camping Water Jugs.
To help you choose the best camping water container for your next outdoor adventure, I checked out eight of the most popular models available: While some car campers and overlanders are looking for a giant blue jug that can hold all the water they will need for the weekend, others will be carefully testrising everything into the back of their car along with sleeping bags and camping stoves, hoping they wont have to leave their camping chairs at home for lack of space. If you have a very small vehicle, though, youll need to factor in how much space you realistically have before committing to a water container. At one campground, where there was nothing other than an old-fashioned style water pump, it was impossible for a single person to fill it up. At 26.5 liters this jug should keep two campers hydrated for about four days. You can find dump stations outside many marine and RV retailers, some gas stations like Flying J and Pilot, or check out this website to find a dump station near you. Collapsible water containers are also a good option if youre tight on space. Two compounds that are sometimes used instead of BPA are BPS (bisphenol S) and BPF (bisphenol F). Reliance Products makes some of the least expensive rigid water containers on the market; but they dont come with spigots. Discover more about the small businesses partnering with Amazon and Amazons commitment to empowering them. Copyright ParkedInParadise.com | Disclosure: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. A solution of 1 tsp (4.9mL) bleach to 1 quart (about 1L) of water is sufficient for sanitizing most camping water containers. Waterbricks were built for the over landing community and are popular survivalist water jugs. The easy-to-fill Dometic GO Hydration Water Jug was the only water container in my test that came with both a spout and a tap (as well as the option to purchase a compatible faucet). Van lifers and RV travelers may benefit from traveling with a water tank that holds 20 gallons or more! Spigots seem straightforward, but in practice some are much easier to use than others, (I had to brace one hand against the water container to get a spigot in my test to move) and the strength of their flow can vary. It can hold up to five gallons of water, which is sufficient for an overnight camping trip at a dry campsite or for everyday use around the campground. Barker tanks are heavy duty and weigh 14 pounds dry. Includes pump Body, 4 tubes, sprout and cleaning brush. That also makes them good for storing other items besides water. Water containers are large and awkward. If youre looking to upgrade your camping setup with one of the best camping water containers available, the Igloo 6-Gallon Camping Water Container is an excellent, easy-to-use choice that balances price with durability. Camping water containers typically cost between $10 and $80, depending on their size and the durability of the material used. In many ways, this is true, but there are certainly some durable collapsible water containers out there that could give hard-sided jugs a run for their money. If youre interested in learning more about how to hook up a water system in your camper van, we recommend reading these links: Hand pump that fits most 2-6 gallon water coolers. TakeOutdoors.com is built for all types of campers by regular campers. Check Current Price: Coghlans Camping Container. Download offline maps with Public Lands, National Forest, and Bureau of Land Management boundaries. If you dont see one, just go inside and ask! This is our favorite app for finding free campsites & public campgrounds.
The Coleman was both significantly more expensive than the comparable Igloo, and, due to its boxy size, harder to carry back to base after filling it up at the campground faucet. We spent over two years living in a DIY camper vanand visiting 48 US states. Dump Stations: Not all dump stations have potable water but many do, and they will be marked accordingly. In fact, such a container would likely be so heavy and large that itd be difficult to transport to your campsite. Some containers are built to stack together. A professional mountain guide and experienced outdoor educator, Gaby enjoys traveling and exploring the worlds most remote locales.