5Gallon Onboard Water- Cheap

I was seeking an easy/cheap onboard water option for my dogs and struggled to find an ideal fit. So I wanted to share my solution. FYI, these anchors are a game changer. I used 1” anchors intended for a Jeep hardtop, but they fit the factory bed box screws perfectly. Slapped a cheap rechargeable dispenser on a 5 gallon water cooler jug and ratcheted it in. Here is the end product.




Filled 5 Gallon Jug: $11
Amazon Water Dispenser: $17

$13 Water Bottle Pump 5 Gallon Water Bottle Dispenser USB Charging Automatic Drinking Water Pump Portable Electric Water Dispenser Water Bottle Switch (White)

https://www.amazon.com/Charging-Aut...refix=water+dispenser+5+,aps,115&sr=8-1-spons
Anchors: $10

$12 DEDC 8 Pack Hardtop Quick Removal Fastener Thumb Screws and Nuts, 8pcs Tie Down D-Rings Anchors Replacement for 1995-2017 JK YJ TJ JKU Sports Sahara Freedom Rubicon X & Unlimited (8 Packs Anchor Set)

https://www.amazon.com/DEDC-Fastener-Replacement-1995-2017-Unlimited/dp/B079DQ55SH

 

Love solutions like this. I often see people getting overly complicated when something like this does the job just as good if not better and easier to deal with (not to mention cheaper)

 

Seems a lot faster than building your own water port to fit. And more movable/portable.

I wonder at what point stored water becomes problematic.

Idk what heat temps the bed reaches from sun. Shells don’t come factory insulated.
I haven’t tinted the windows on mine 10% ceramic yet

unless it’s a BPA-free container

like a regular container with water sitting for an extended period of time especially with heat probably leeches in toxic chemicals

or making your own water port, likely metal (rust) or PVC, same shit
If you plan to drink it

 

Nice looking pup!

 

Great solution to keep your K9 buddy hydrated. That pooch looks very fit and fast. I'm sure the water replinished quick enough that you don't have to worry about leaching toxins. BTW - I have a shell very similar to yours (if not the same) and it gets a lot hotter in the cab that it does in the cap.

 

These days, some startup would come out with a $2500 bracket that holds NATO water cans and the average "vehicle enthusiast" would go bonkers trying to pull out their credit card to pre-order it.

 

Love it. Simple yet very effective

 

Then give it a silly name like the Tactile Hydration Unit.

 

Like others have said easy, simple, inexpensive and effective. Only piece of advice I might offer is to run the strap through the handle in case of an accident or something.

 

i picked up one of the surecan water dispensers, and quite like it. Built like a tank

been meaning to jerry rig it up to gravity feed to the back of my camper w/ pex or something

$59 Surecan Portable Camping Water Station - Versatile 5 Gallon Water Utility Tank with a Rotating Spigot, Ideal Camping Water Container (White, SUR5SU1)

https://www.amazon.com/Surecan-SUR5SU1-Camping-Portable-Station/dp/B088MMY3HM?th=1

 

You can buy these little water pills to treat the water or just drop a teaspoon or less of bleach in (there's a ratio if you research) every few months and you're good

https://www.clorox.com/learn/water-purification-how-much-bleach-purify-water-for-drinking/

 

I've seen many bird dog guys use this while hunting/trialing. A friend of mine used this idea and built his own using parts he bought at Home Depot. Just another design to consider......
https://www.lcsupply.com/collections/feed-and-watering-supplies/products/lcs-water-tube

 

I’m not sure on this but what he’s talking about is chemicals in the plastic that are released when the jug is heated. It’s not a bacterial thing you can purify out with additives or more chemicals.

 

Oh I see yeah that's a whole nother animal

 

did something similar for a while, but saw one of those military style water cans with a hand pump and that might be the change i go for to keep it from moving around more, but use mine more for hand washing and dish clean up and occasionally topping off a rad on trail

 

OP, may I recommend a bed mat? Keeps my pup from slipping and sliding back there when he rides in the bed. Also keeps my gear from sliding and really saves the knees when crawling around back there!

 

not a bad idea. They’re cheap, easily removable, washable, and can have holes drilled/cut with a hole saw for access to cargo tie down hooks if you add any like from a sprinter van/D-ring mod from MOPAR dealer

BedRug is another option. Harder to find used. May cost more new than the mat alternative

 

Ha! Yeah, I don’t have a shell, only occasionally have a soft topper on. Bed rug would get hopelessly ruined. And right quick

 

bed rug is durable and cleanable but yes is more common to have when kept covered
In that case if uncovered the mat is probably better
If you ever switch to a rug later on you can always easily sell the mat