The pump is the second most critical part of any adventure van's water system, yet many users still overlook it during their build - forgetting that the entire system can fail when pressure is too low.
A good water system is essential in any adventure van. It directly affects how comfortable your van life will be and how long you can stay off-grid before returning to civilisation. That's why it's worth getting everything right during the build.
In today's guide, we'll walk you through seven crucial elements of a reliable water system for any campervan, caravan, RV, or motorhome - from the caravan water tank to the shower head. Many new van owners tend to overlook some of these parts when preparing for their first trip, only to learn their importance the hard way.
What Is a Water System in Adventure Vehicles?
A water system (or plumbing system) refers to the complete setup responsible for carrying water throughout your campervan, caravan, RV, or motorhome. It's just as important as the electrical system because water is something you use every day for drinking, cooking, cleaning, and even maintaining your vehicle.
A well-designed water system is key to achieving the level of self-sufficiency you want while off-grid or on the road. It also ensures proper hygiene practices - such as handwashing, dishwashing, and showering - greatly enhancing your overall travel experience.
When it comes to building a dependable water system for your adventure vehicle, there are three major parts to consider:
- Potable water: Your main source of clean water for drinking, cooking, washing dishes (and clothes), and showering.
- Grey water: The wastewater collected after draining from the sink or shower.
- Black water: The wastewater collected after draining your toilet sewage.
7 Elements of a Good Water System for Campervans, Caravans, and Motorhomes
From the three parts above, we can break down the structure of a reliable off-grid water system into seven critical elements:
Fresh Water Tank
When planning the water system for your campervan, caravan, or motorhome, the very first element to consider is a fresh water tank. As the name suggests, this tank holds your fresh water for drinking, cooking, washing, and cleaning.
Just like with a leisure battery bank, the correct size of fresh water tank depends on your daily water usage and desired days of autonomy.
- Daily water consumption: Consider how many people are in the van and the average amount needed for drinking, cooking, cleaning, washing, and showering. You must also consider the amount of water used for managing your sewage business.
- Days of autonomy: This refers to how many days you want your water supply to last without refilling. It requires calculating your daily consumption and multiplying it by the number of days you'll go without refilling.
When choosing the fresh tank size, you must also consider the installation location. A fresh water tank can be mounted inside or outside the van, depending on the available space and the season you'll be travelling.
Moreover, a proper fresh water tank should include a fill port, water pump port, drain port, and vent port.
- Fill port (also known as the inlet): This is where you add fresh water to the tank.
- Water pump port (also known as the outlet): This is the port that supplies water to your pump, which then pressurises the system.
- Drain port (also known as the drain valve): This is used to empty the tank during cleaning or winterising.
- Vent port (also known as the overflow): This is the part that releases water if the tank is overfilled. It also acts as a breather, allowing air in and out while filling or draining to prevent pressure buildup.
Caravan Water Pump
A pump is the second crucial part of your campervan, caravan, or motorhome water system. It ensures that your system remains pressurised at all times so that all taps run just like they would in a house.
As mentioned earlier, the pump connects to the outlet (water pump port) of your fresh water tank. But the pump you use can be either manual or electric.
- Manual water pump: This pump uses a hand lever or foot pedal to physically move a piston (or plunger), drawing and expelling water through the system.
- Electric water pump: Common in modern adventure vehicles, this pump features a 12V motor that drives a piston connected to a rubber diaphragm. The mechanism pulses up and down to pump water through the system.
When selecting a pump, note that a manual pump does not require electricity, so you never have to worry about draining your battery bank. However, it requires physical effort to operate and often produces a slower water flow rate (depending on user effort).
An electric water pump is much more convenient, as it automatically turns on when pressure drops and shuts off when pressure is restored. This ensures a consistent, strong water flow, although it draws power from your battery system (power usage varies by model).
Water Heater
After leaving the fresh tank, water can be sent directly to your outlets for cold use or heated first. To enjoy hot water from your faucets and shower, you'll need a water heater installed between the water pump and your outlets.
There are several types of water heaters used in adventure vans, with the most common in Australia being:
- Electric tank water heater: This type includes a tank with a built-in heating element and insulation to keep water hot for longer. Two prime examples are the Aqueous (6L 12V) water heater and the Duoetto MK2 Electric Water heater.
- Tankless water heater: Also called an on-demand heater, this system warms water only when you turn on the faucet or shower. It features a built-in heat exchanger and a heat source. The heat source is usually propane or butane gas, though diesel and electric options exist.
Besides these two, you may also heat water directly at the outlet using heater faucets (with an AC plug and built-in heating element) or electric instant hot water shower heads (which include wiring and a heating element).
Sink and Faucet
Another essential element of your camper's plumbing system is the sink. After all, you need a space to wash dishes after meals, prepare drinks, or clean ingredients while cooking.
When choosing a sink, you can opt for either a sink-only design or a sink + faucet combo kit. A sink-only design includes only the sink, requiring you to install a faucet separately.
Meanwhile, a sink + faucet combo kit includes everything needed for immediate installation and use. Modern kits offer hot/cold faucets with internal cartridges that regulate flow and mix water to the desired temperature.
Shower Head
Alongside the galley sink and faucet, your van's water system should also include a shower head. Not all places will have access to a gym or community showers.
Your campervan, caravan, or motorhome can have either an indoor or outdoor shower. The shower head may also be handheld (detachable) or fixed permanently.
Furthermore, showers can be cold or hot. However, a hot shower is more hygienic (better at removing oils and dirt) and more relaxing. This is why many van builders now consider adding a water heater or an electric instant hot water shower head to the plumbing system.
If you choose a water heater, you'll typically need a shower head with a mixing valve, which blends hot and cold pressurised water to achieve the desired temperature.
On the other hand, an electric instant hot water shower head (or tankless electric shower head) features a built-in heating element. When pressurised cold water enters, it activates the element and instantly heats the water passing over it.
Grey Water Tank
A grey water tank is a wastewater management system that collects dirty water from dishwashing, handwashing, and showering. These tanks usually feature an inlet that connects to the drain hose or pipe from your sinks and shower.
Like a fresh water tank, a grey tank may also have a drain port and an air vent. Nonetheless, grey tanks are typically smaller, with common sizes ranging from 5 litres to 45 litres. The size you choose depends on your daily washing needs and your desired days of autonomy.
Also, grey tanks can be mounted inside or outside the van, depending on space and the season you'll be on the road.
Black Water Tank
A black water tank is another essential element of a campervan, caravan, or motorhome plumbing system. It holds wastewater from your toilet until you reach a dump point.
Unlike grey water, black water tanks require special chemicals after emptying and cleaning. These chemicals help control odours and break down waste for easier dumping. The chemicals may be "Blue" treatments (strong and fast-acting) or eco-friendly enzyme/biological treatments.
That said, the size of your black water tank depends on usage (number of people) and days of autonomy. It can also be mounted inside or outside the van, often under the floor.
For convenience and space-saving, though, many van owners now prefer portable cassette toilets over fixed black tanks. Portable cassette toilets are smaller and easier to empty. A good example is the Thetford Porta Potti 565E, which even includes a battery-powered electric flush and waste-level indicator.
Pipes, Fittings, and Electrical Components
While the seven elements above are the core of your water system, they must all be interconnected to function. This requires pipes, fittings, and electrical wiring (for components that require power).
Just like in a traditional home, the required piping, fittings, and electrical elements will vary depending on the components used. Some items include their required fittings, while others will need to be purchased separately.
DIY vs Professional Plumbing Installation
A good water system is essential for a comfortable home-away-from-home experience. The seven elements highlighted above support that goal, and we recommend including all of them (or their alternatives) if your budget allows.
If your budget is limited, DIY installation can save substantial labour costs, which are often the most expensive part. All components are fairly simple to install if you have the right tools, time, and confidence.
However, if you're not comfortable with tools or want a fully guaranteed, leak-free system, you can hire a professional plumber. They will build your water system correctly - but at a higher cost due to labour.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size caravan water tank do I need?
The correct fresh water tank size depends on your daily water usage and desired days of autonomy. Consider how many people are in the van and the average amount needed for drinking, cooking, cleaning, washing, and showering, then multiply your daily consumption by the number of days you'll go without refilling.
Should I choose a manual or electric caravan water pump?
A manual pump does not require electricity, so it won't drain your battery bank, but it requires physical effort and often produces a slower flow rate. An electric water pump with a 12V motor is much more convenient - it automatically turns on when pressure drops and shuts off when pressure is restored, ensuring consistent, strong water flow.
How big should a grey water tank be?
Grey tanks are typically smaller than fresh water tanks, with common sizes ranging from 5 litres to 45 litres. The size you choose depends on your daily washing needs and your desired days of autonomy.
Do black water tanks need special chemicals?
Yes. Black water tanks require special chemicals after emptying and cleaning to help control odours and break down waste for easier dumping. These may be "Blue" treatments (strong and fast-acting) or eco-friendly enzyme/biological treatments.
Ready to add hot water to your build? Check out the Duoetto MK2 Electric Water heater and start planning your complete caravan water system today.
