Watercart 1000 litre

One thousand litres of water weighs exactly 1000 kg, and that single fact defines the 1000 litre water cart more than any other figure on its specification. This is the larger of the two liquid bowsers in the range, a run-in braked single axle trailer built to move a full cubic metre of liquid in one trip. TRAILERS SA sells it as a retailer from Hartswater in the Northern Cape, not as the manufacturer. It is the unit for a working water run on a farm, a game reserve, a construction site or a municipal supply round where the smaller cart would need refilling too often.

1000 litre water cart specifications

Every figure below is taken directly from the published builder specification. Where a detail is not published we say so plainly rather than estimate it.

Tank, plumbing and fittings

The larger tank sits on a heavier braked chassis, and the standard build includes the following.

• A UV treated moulded tank rated at 1000 litres
• A 250 mm inlet for quick filling from a bowser or a standpipe
• A 50 mm outlet for a gravity draw or a pump feed
• A run-in brake system on the axle for controlled stopping under load
• Tail lights set clear of knocks and protected
• A ten blade leaf spring axle rated to 1400 kg
• 195 x 14 inch road wheels
• A spare wheel of the same 195 x 14 inch size included

Why the run-in braked axle matters

Published GVM is 1400 kg, which is well above the 750 kg point above which a trailer must be braked, so the builder fits a run-in brake system as standard. A tonne of water behind the tow vehicle carries a great deal of momentum, and the brakes are what keep a fully loaded cart stopping in a controlled line rather than shunting the vehicle in front. The braking, licensing and towing requirements are set out in the National Road Traffic Act, and a combination at this mass needs a tow vehicle rated to match.

Payload and the weight of a full tank

This is the number to plan around. A full 1000 litre tank holds 1000 kg of water, and the published payload is exactly 1000 kg. In other words a full tank of plain water uses the entire load allowance on its own, and nothing else should ride on the trailer when it is brimmed. For anything denser than water, which weighs more per litre, part fill the tank so the mass stays inside 1000 kg. With a tonne of liquid able to surge, ask on order how the tank is baffled and never assume there is spare capacity above a full fill.

Tank material confirmed on order

The published product description refers to a UV treated polyethylene tank. Because the firm tank material and its certified use are not stated as a hard specification, and because that is decisive when the load is potable water, diesel or an agricultural chemical, we confirm the exact tank material and its rating in writing before we build. That is also why the cart is listed under the general water bowser archive rather than a material specific sub category. Tell us what you plan to carry and we will match the tank to the liquid and its use.

How it compares with the 500 litre water cart

The lighter option is the 500 litre water cart, a single non-braked unit at 700 kg GVM on 165 x 13 inch wheels that tows behind a wider range of vehicles. This 1000 litre cart doubles the volume, adds run-in brakes and carries twice the water, at the cost of a heavier trailer and a tow vehicle that must be rated for a 1400 kg gross load. Choose the 1000 when the water run is a real workload and refilling a smaller tank twice as often would waste the day.

Delivery, warranty and ordering

At R60 500 on the current price this cart clears the R20 000 threshold, so free delivery applies anywhere in South Africa, with the detail on the delivery page, and collection from Hartswater is always available. The builder warranty applies and we administer it on your behalf, with the cover set out on the warranty page. See the rest of the range on the fuel and water bowsers archive, or send your water carting requirement through the quote request form for a firm figure including delivery.