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        As more and more people choose to travel by car, the need to transport large volumes of water to distant destinations continues to increase. WaterPORT Weekender may be just the solution you’ve been looking for.

        There are already plenty of suitable options such as jugs and jars, but they can take up a lot of space in an already small space. You always have the option of installing these types of containers on the outside of your vehicle, but you are usually limited by the number and location you can install them.

        So why not go further? Why not just attach a large water tank to the roof rack? seriously.

       For most outdoor enthusiasts, the idea of ​​attaching a auxiliary tank to a vehicle is an expensive convenience, but for those who travel overland and live the van life, it’s a necessity.

       There are many water tanks on the market that hold 5 gallons or less, but the one that seems to be best suited for life on and off the road is the WaterPORT Weekender.

        The Weekender has a capacity of 8 gallons, which is enough to satisfy your cleaning and drinking needs for a week. But the second part is that the water that comes out of the Weekender is drinkable – a very important thing. The only other common large capacity water tank on the market is the Yakima RoadShower, and they don’t want you to drink the water – it’s only for cleaning and washing.

        In short: For people like me, the WaterPORT Weekender is a nice accessory, but it’s not a necessity. However, I don’t know how those who prefer to live on four wheels can survive without them. Yes, it’s an investment, but the benefits may be worth the money spent.

       *Your vehicle may require additional mounting plates and a trip to the hardware store to purchase the necessary nuts and bolts to secure the Weekender to the rack.

        The Weekender is a large unit built to last. Right out of the box, it comes with almost everything you need to install and configure so you can use it. I say almost everything because the mounting hardware that comes with the Weekender and the available mounting kits you can purchase may still require additional hardware. We’ll discuss this later, but it can be challenging.

        Like anything made of plastic, sitting in the sun day after day, year after year will take its toll on a holidaymaker’s integrity, but how long it will take to notice is anyone’s guess. Food-grade plastics are known for their resistance to temperature changes. Just look at the leftover food in the Tupperware you’ve stuffed in the back of the refrigerator! So I won’t have to worry about it breaking or falling apart for at least a few years.

        The fact that you can consume water from a tank makes a big difference. So much so that it practically renders Yakima’s RoadShower irrelevant. Of course we all need to stay clean, but we need to drink more water than we need to smell good. Plus, these tanks aren’t cheap, so the best investment is obviously one that can do more.

        I’m looking forward to spending the weekend on my roof. It took some time to measure everything, since there was very little space there. But even though the tank looks big, once it’s in place, it’s actually not that big anymore. I was able to slide the cargo box a few inches toward the canopy and then sandwich it between the cargo box and the Maxtrax.

        Installing Weekender is not intuitive, and the included instructions might as well be written in the ancient language of a lost civilization. If you’re the kind of person who needs step-by-step installation instructions, this won’t be much fun for you. But if you’re the kind of person who likes to put things together, this is all you can hope for.

        If you have a fairly empty roof rack, it will be easy to find a way to attach the Weekender to it. But if your shelves are full, be prepared to move some things around.

        I have no hesitation in admitting that the Rhino Rack Pioneer platform on top of my 4Runner is not the easiest thing to install accessories on. But when the platform installation instructions clearly state that the mounting hardware is for the Prinsu platform, you’re in for an adventure. Luckily, WaterPORT was happy to send me various information to help me on my journey.

        The mounting plate kit that WaterPORT sent me was designed to mount into a platform rack, and it would work if I had nothing else on my platform. However, with these plates the output will have to be mounted on the side, which I am not happy with.

       It feels like there is a lot of pressure on the platform channels as well as the board itself.

       I ended up using the original mounting plate that came with the Weekender, flipping it over, and purchasing the mounting hardware from Home Depot.

        Important tip: If you need to purchase your own equipment, make sure it is made of stainless steel. I can’t stress this enough.

        Besides installing the platform, after some online research, it appears that anyone with standard factory or aftermarket cross bars will be able to easily install the Weekender. I’m going to go out on a limb and recommend that you keep an open mind and be willing to go to your local hardware store and buy the right equipment.

        This is where my 10 years of experience developing rack-mount equipment came in handy. This is one of those things where things can change quickly, especially when you hit the road with a full tank of gas. So if you have any questions, be sure to contact WaterPORT.

        While most Weekender owners will likely attach it to a roof rack, there is also a tow-mount option. I think this is a viable approach for those who don’t need a gas tank all the time or who are looking for other options to keep it off the roof of their car.

        There is also a bed post underneath the mount that is designed to attach to the bottom of the bed rather than to the truck bed post on top. This is a pretty crazy design because it takes advantage of the empty space under the counter that is not normally used. If you have a lot of gear, this is a valuable location.

        Generally speaking, racks are expensive, so none of this should shock potential buyers. Keep in mind that the $550 price will get you a tank and everything you need to use it, but not necessarily everything you need to install it.

        Anything you install on your car can change how your car behaves and reacts while you drive. Large accessories can also affect your gas mileage by ruining your car’s aerodynamics.

        I’m happy to report that I don’t see any negative consequences from having the WaterPORT on the roof empty or full. I’ve had enough of this bullshit to safely assume that any changes in ride, handling or gas mileage have already occurred. But it’s worth noting that in my case, WaterPORT Weekender had no effect on my car.

        Now, if you drove a Honda Civic and added a 100 pound water tank to the roof, I’m sure you would feel it. Especially if you want to experience your own Fast and the Furious moment on the highway – slamming on the e-brake like a barbarian – so keep that in mind.

        Filling the reservoir is as simple as tightening the included fill valve and connecting it to a garden hose. This will simultaneously fill the reservoir and pressurize it. This makes it convenient on the go, since almost everyone has a hose at home or work.

       But when you need a boost in the field, you can use a bike pump to pressurize the Weekender, or buy a pump cap.

        Remember, only clean drinking water can be poured into the container. The last thing you want to carry around is a magic elixir that will cause a zombie apocalypse there.

        The Weekender features a 16-foot spool with a high-pressure quick-release nozzle with five different settings. I won’t say publicly that this head produces the same pressure as the shower head I have at home, but it does. This makes removing dirt from your gear and refilling your water bottles easier and making removing dirt from your body a luxury.

        I detach the hose and nozzle when traveling, but the WaterPORT has a nozzle holder. It can be left in place to secure the nozzle while traveling, or adjusted to an angle suitable for a roadside shower. I haven’t picked up this accessory, but now that I’m addicted to the occasional roadside shower, usually after a muddy walk, I might.

        For those hopeless romantics who don’t mind taking their time, there’s a premium package with shower and sink. This kit is truly hands-free and motion activated. It’s too rich for my blood, but I think it’s a good upgrade for people who like earthly comforts.

        What I really like about WaterPORT is that they have a wide selection of replacement parts. Bad things happen, and when they happen, it usually happens when you’re in the middle of nowhere.

        The WaterPORT Accessories page lists all accessories except replacement tanks. The rest of what you need can be bought at a hardware store, but I don’t think there will be a breakdown in the near future. However, I do see people pulling into garages and the like, so it’s worth mentioning again.

       The downside to the WaterPORT Weekender, or any type of water container mounted on the outside of your vehicle, is that the water can get very hot in the summer and freeze in the winter.

       To minimize the possibility of sous vide at camp, I recommend parking in the shade or covering the water tank to keep the water at a reasonable temperature.

        In winter, I recommend running a hose into the car and letting the faucet run. This isn’t a foolproof method, but it’s worth a try and you’ll be able to keep refilling your water bottle.

        If you decide to live the life of a car nomad, you can potentially save a ton of money on rent or mortgage. So, if you plan well, investing in an event like the WaterPORT Weekender won’t be a big deal. But if you are a young person just starting out in this life, or you don’t have a lot of savings, you should consider such an investment before purchasing.

        I’ll tell you right away – if the water is undrinkable, then it is at best a luxury. However, since you can carry 8 gallons of drinking water, the Weekender becomes a necessity for anyone who is away from home for an extended period of time.

        This is my professional opinion. I come from a “self-help” and “self-sufficiency” mindset, especially now that I have two little girls to care for. For people living on the open road, finding water is not difficult. But if you’re stuck midway or just want to spend a little more time outdoors, the WaterPORT Weekender is what you need.

        You may remain hydrated and clean, and may have to barter when you get back to town and use someone else’s hose to replenish your water supply. But in the end, you can only own the most valuable goods yourself.
        Road Shower Hit the nail on the head by calling it “RoadShower”. In fact, since Yakima acquired them, to the people you talk to about RoadShowers, they’re still just “RoadShowers” when you’re out and about. Even though I have a WaterPORT Weekender on top of my truck, I have to call it RoadShower to make it click.

        But what happened, Yakadu? I understand that you bought the company – a smart move – but don’t you see the need to modernize it so that people can drink water from it? This makes me a little sad because your product is made of aluminum and is probably more durable than the Willie Nelson!

        We took a look at three of the best and most common above-ground water storage tanks to find out what they’re used for. read more…

        Nick LeFort is a staff writer for GearJunkie and has also appeared as a guest in several other craft beer publications. He is also the author of his own blog, The Tribe of Flannel, and co-owner of Ragged Mountain Knife Works.

        LeFort has been writing for over 30 years, but has spent 10 years writing professionally about knives and tools, off-roading, overlanding, and outdoor living. Before joining GearJunkie, Lefort was the director of knife and tool testing at the Gear Institute.

        LeFort lives in Connecticut and is an avid traveler who enjoys spending as much time outdoors as possible with her two daughters. This included trying to find all the best mud ruts in all of New England to see if he could give his 4th gen 4Runner some trouble. So far, so good.

       He helped open a brewery in Connecticut in 2017 and is an active supporter of local breweries, helping them successfully market themselves in a real bear market.