collapsable/foldable buckets, .... Any good?

[cruisindub]

Hi all,

The missus reckons that she wants one of these collapsable/foldable square buckets. She thinks it would be good for washing the dishes, washing the underwear, washing the feet etc, and using at the sinks to clean the plates. Then would fold up flat to save space.

I reckon the thing would collaps at the most inopportune time and drop water everywhere.

Any comments/Ideas?

Thanks all in advance,

Cheers Cruisindub

[POD]

She thinks it would be good for washing the dishes, washing the underwear, washing the feet etc

Would certainly save time! ! !

[griz066]

http://www.collapsiblebucket.com/collapsible-camping-bucket

We have this type. They are awesome don't collapse but wouldn't be big enough to wash large items in.

$6 off eBay

[Silvo]

I had one of these but they just didn't hold their shape for me to get the job done. I was always fixing it instead of doing what I needed. As a bucket, or for carrying water it was perfect.

[jimsiron]

Ours is about to be retired and not replaced! Handle now falls out of the plastic rim and bucket collapses when you don't want it to. I will replace it with a rectangular plastic bucket and use it as a storage unit for other non breakable items(wheel chocks, etc) when travelling, and it still fits in the boot.
regards
jimsiron

[toad]

 Collapsible buckets seemed like a good space saving idea. Until the metal handle pulls out of the plastic rim and your boot fills with water. Ask me how I know.

[LC]

We have one in the boat, becasue we are required to, it does not take up much space, would be useful for bailing water out of the boat. Dont think it would be big enough to wash dishes etc in.

As for washing clothes - get a 20 litre handy pail from bunnings, put your clothes, water and detergent in it. Strap it to your trailer somewhere and do the washing while you are driving - works particularly well over corrugations!

[Manjimike]

As for washing clothes - get a 20 litrte handy pail from bunnings, put your clothes, water and detergent in it. Strap it to your trailer somewhere and do the washing while you are driving - works particularly well over corrugations!

x2
we used to use a nappy bucket back in the 80's with our littluns

Cheers Mike

[Redback]

Hi all,

The missus reckons that she wants one of these collapsable/foldable square buckets. She thinks it would be good for washing the dishes, washing the underwear, washing the feet etc, and using at the sinks to clean the plates. Then would fold up flat to save space.

I reckon the thing would collaps at the most inopportune time and drop water everywhere.

Any comments/Ideas?

Thanks all in advance,

Cheers Cruisindub

Remind me never to borrow one of your plates

[Alloy C/T]

Great idea ,but in actual use are about as useless as an ashtray on a motorbike.

[griz066]

Great idea ,but in actual use are about as useless as an ashtray on a motorbike.

Ummm they are a bucket to carry water, I put the water in the bucket and carry it to camp no problems. You must be doing something wrong

[gibbo301]

Washing underware then dishes hmm probably alright if you were eating fish   

[POD]

Now for something constructive!:

How about one of these or something similar? A little more robust for mine.

http://www.infrontcampinggear.com.au/prod66.htm

[Gunna Do]

We have one in the boat, becasue we are required to, it does not take up much space, would be useful for bailing water out of the boat.

Lindsay, I have a folding bucket which I use in the boat for bailing also.  Do you think it covers the requirement for something to bail with?  Or is it a bit dodgy to think that?

[mark40]

We have used foldable vinyl bucket from the cheapie shops for a couple of years now and have not had a failure. They pack in anywhere, they cost about $2, the handle is stitched in and holds about 7 litres. Murphy's law now dictates that next time I use it it will break.

[Kit_e_kat9]

http://www.collapsiblebucket.com/collapsible-camping-bucket

I have 2 of these as well.  For carrying anything they are great.  When you put them on the ground ... like the name suggests ... they collapse.  However you can modify them, rather well.  Firstly you need to buy some metal.  Make a round piece, then a round bottom and weld them together, grab the handle off the collapsile bucket and attach.  Throw the collapsible bucket away.  Use handmade bucket.   

Kit_e

[LC]

Lindsay, I have a folding bucket which I use in the boat for bailing also.  Do you think it covers the requirement for something to bail with?  Or is it a bit dodgy to think that?

Gary, have just dug out my boating safety handbook, because I cant get onto the NSW Martime website for some reason, and under the section for safety equipment it states that:-

"depending on the size of the vessel, at least one solidly constructed metal, robust canvas or plastic bucket....."

So depending on your definition of "robust" I would assume that the collapsable canvas buckets are adequate. When we bought our boat brand new it was equipped with the bucket so I just always assumed that it was acceptable, and no I'm not planning on replacing it with a steel or plastic one!

[Gunna Do]

I'd say mine is robust canvas as well.

[SpoonyAU]

We use one, mainly for soaking the kids clothes in nappisan and they work well for that ... no way you could do the dishes in the one we have (too small).  If you fill it up stand next to it then press down on the top plastic ring you can wash your feet as it spills onto the ground

[Matto]

We've got a yellow 15L one from Rays that's about 2 yrs old now, and still going strong. As the other have said, when it's completely full it will hold it's shape if sat on the ground. I find that if you start taking water out of it though, the top quickly dips down and the water spills out. Likewise if you heat the water and the plastic goes soft and warm. 

We use it for showering with - I've made a hanger that slots into the bullbar, and the bucket is suspended from that by it's handle. Drop the hose from the pump in, and away you go. Works a treat. You can use it to get the water from any nearby source, carry it back, then drop it on and shower away. Means you can't use too much water if you get carried away in the shower.

If you want one to transport water, they're great. If you expect to be able to store water in it on the ground, better to look elsewhere.

Good luck!
Matto

[bb6]

We have a collapsible rectangular one. It's made of silicon and holds its shape even when full of water. It is perfect for washing dishes (about the same size as many old washing up tubs) would fit feet too
Not cheap...bought it on a camper trailer high but "should" last a while.