r/overlanding • u/dirtydevil_riv • 2h ago

Water Container Placement Question

I was considering moving my 20L water containers up to my roof rack. I've always carried them in the cargo area inside, but they take up a lot of space, and I've got room up on the rack. I was concerned, however, that having them up in the sun all day would cause the water to taste too much like plastic. Can anyone who has their water up on their rack let me know if this is a valid (or hopefully invalid) concern? Many thanks!

0 Upvotes

33% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

3

u/Geebee_r1 2h ago

With each 20L container full, that’s 44lbs per container. Be sure to double check the rack’s dynamic loading so you don’t inadvertently overload it along with other items you may have up there. In my FJ I travel with water containers in the rear footwell(s) to keep the weight low and centered.

•

u/dirtydevil_riv 6m ago

I’ve got 400 pounds dynamic and 700 static, so given what else I carry up there, weight is not a problem.

0

u/confusedseas Back Country Adventurer 2h ago

You can try it. I’m guessing foisting 50 lbs up and down when you want access to water is going to be a bummer, especially if your vehicle is lifted or otherwise awkward.

-1

u/ninjawinch 1h ago

Water in a plastic can is just going to taste like plastic. Not much you can do about it, in the sun or not

•

u/dirtydevil_riv 31m ago

Agreed, but there are degrees of plastic flavoring. As I mentioned, I’ve been using them, but keeping them inside during transport. In those conditions I find the plastic flavor only slight and manageable. I’m trying to get at whether or not having them in the sun during transport makes the plastic flavor untenable.