To set the stage, let’s go back to this post.
I wasn’t expecting any packages, so I was rather curious about what were the two large boxes sitting on my porch.
Cracked ’em open and…behold:
Years and years ago, Century Arms was selling, of all things, a ton of surplus NATO fuel cans and UK MOD water containers. I wound up buying about a dozen of each. The Brit water containters were actually pretty nice but good luck finding more of them. Plus, being somewhat milsurp they had a few hiccups with minor damage, keepers missing, etc. But…enough of them were in good enough shape that 2 of the 5-gallon (or is it 20-liter?) cans were tucked in the back of the truck ‘just in case’.
Flash forward a decade, and it’s probably time to replace them. While I have no interest in their fuel jerry cans, I fgured Scepter was the place to go for the water jerry cans. (They are apparently referred to as Military Water Cans [MWC] so I’m just gonna run with that.)
The boxes on my porch were from LC Industries. One of those military contract outfits that utilizes the labor of a struggling demographic…in this case, the blind. (And in the WTF Department, it appears that LCI is the owner of the TAG web commerce portal.)
Since I didn’t have to pay for these MWC (at least, I don’t think I do…it’s always a little sketchy with this person) I’m more than happy to examine them and see how they hold up. More importantly, I have samples (so to speak) to examine and evaluate to see if it’s worth going a little long on these. See, for my water storage I have a buncha 15-gallon ‘blue barrels’ which are just at the edge of man portability. (8#/gallon x 15 gallon = 120# weight) A five-gallon MWC is going to clock in at around 40# which is manageable by pretty much anyone who can hold a rifle. In a perfect world, maybe a dozen of these would fit the bill for my anticipated needs. For static emplacement, I like the 55-gallon blue barrels and I *really* like the IBC-type containers… especially since many times you can get them used on Craigslist. (Although you’ll probably use them to store non-potable water for things like gardening, firefighting, etc….why? ‘Cause you have no idea what used to be in that IBC.. coulda been pesticide for all you know.) But for portable water…well..these might be just the ticket. On that dreadful day when you gotta grab what you can and go, go, go it’ll be nice to know you can sling a few of these into the back of the vehicle and hightail it.
It occurs to me that this must be an early Paratus gift. I’ll need to generate a proportionate response. In the meantime, if these work out, I’ll probably order another ten for storage.
Commander, you might want to consider ordering one of these “cap wrenches” for your new water cans. Although not necessary, it does make securing the cap a lot easier to get it completely tight. The caps do have o-rings but the aggressive thread pitch may not let it seal completely with out this tool. But, once secure, I have not had any of them to come loose. This is the only issue I have noticed with these cans.
CapWrench MWC – CWMWCB Cap Wrench for Your Scepter, LCI or Skilcraft Brand Military Water Can
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ZD3R6SI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Although I ordered mine new, I used a solution of plain Clorox bleach and water to sanitize mine before filling them.
One last suggestion, I went to YouTube and found several videos of folks making spigots with tubing in order to be able to rest the can on its side to be able to control the water while dispensing. This appears to be much more convenient than having to lift the can each time you need water.
One of the local Army-Navys hereabouts does these all the time, so I’ve knocked them off two-at-a-time for some good period.
There is no higher rating than “Marine-proof” and they are, and then some.
FWIW, if you take the time to make a carrying yoke, out of a length of 2″x6″ lumber or one of the stouter 2″ diameter garden stakes I see at the big box garden departents (I’m assuming you don’t have 155mm howitzer shell dunnage handy), and pad it in the neck/shoulder zone, even with something as simple as towels, or scraps from a furniture pad, it’s one helluva lot more fun to carry 2 or even 4 full cans at a time that way than using your hands. (Ask me how I know; they always parked the water bull 300 yards from the gun line, and 11 guys in the desert go through a lot of water.)
A long game gambrel would suffice in a pinch, but the lumber is generally quicker and cheaper.
For the DIYer, a swivel block on the ends, Velcro strap, or a couple of stapled-down lengths of nylon rope will secure the load quite well. For short trips, one just carries one can. But if someone ever has to move a multi-can truck stash to some many-steps-away camp, cache, or bug-out location, the carrying yoke is a boon. It will also do in the unfortunate event of having to tote the load a lot farther, while keeping you much more balanced, without numb hands, and while leaving your hands more free for other tasks.
Ten thousand sherpas sincle Stanley & Livingston can’t be wrong.
And for regular usage, if you can glom onto a few of the 2.5 gal/10L versions, I higly recommend getting a couple.
Some webbing(2in) with a towel(over body armor)for padding works and takes a lot less space. They always parked the water buffalo next to FDC(fire direction control) well back from the gun line(1/2 mile or more to #1 or #6 gun)
Those plastic MWC are fantastic, they put everything else to shame. Bought a couple from LCI a few years ago, lent them to a former friend who “forgot them” at the campground they were staying at never offered to replace them. Just a couple months ago went to buylci where I bought mine now want almost $66 to ship the pair when it was around $50 to ship them before. Still on TAG two for $58 shipped vs getting the aqua tainers from Walmart at roughly $15ea plus tax, it’s kind of comparing a Ford Escape to a Ford Expedition. Thanks for the heads up on other site that sells them.
Sportsmans warehouse has both the twenty liter and 10 liter (Aesop -recommended ).
10 liter rides in the truck everyday; best cans going.
Marine grunt 22 years. These cans never failed. I have 3 in my basement. I want more but expensive. I can remember when you could get them for 19.99.
Very nice. You just reminded me that I really need to increase the amount of water and fuel I store. I’ve been lucky with being able to pick up 2 of the blue Scepter 5 gallon water containers and 4 of the green Scepter 5 gallon fuel containers. They’re great for when we are off the beaten track car camping.
Can’t say enough good about them. Have 4 I’ve picked up over the years and no problems. The Kalispell and White fish army navy usually have them.