The Complete Caravanners’ Guide To Carrying Water

Water is the most critical resource on your big lap. Get it wrong and you’ll find yourself rationing showers, queuing at taps, or worse, running dry in remote areas. But get your water system right and you’ll have the freedom to camp anywhere for weeks.

The challenge? There are dozens of water storage options, from basic jerry cans to complex tank systems, each with different capacities, installation requirements, and price points. Most caravanners end up with a mix-and-match approach that doesn’t work well together.

This guide cuts through the confusion. We’ll break down the four main water carrying methods, explain when each makes sense, and give you specific product recommendations so you can build a water system that matches your travel style and budget.

How Much Water Do You Actually Need?

Before diving into tanks and containers, you need to understand your water consumption. Most caravanners wildly underestimate how much water they use, leading to constant anxiety about running dry.

A typical couple uses 80-120 litres per day when camping with full amenities (shower, washing dishes, cooking, drinking). Add kids and you’re looking at 150-200 litres daily. Solo travellers can manage on 40-60 litres if they’re careful.

These numbers include everything: drinking water (4 litres per person daily), cooking (10-15 litres), basic hygiene (20-30 litres per person), and washing dishes (15-20 litres). If you’re planning 3-4 days between water fills, multiply your daily usage accordingly.

Your water system needs to handle three scenarios: normal camping (3-4 days autonomy), extended remote stays (7-10 days), and emergency reserves. Most successful big lappers aim for 400-600 litres total capacity across all storage methods.

Built-In Caravan Water Tanks

Every modern caravan comes with at least one built-in freshwater tank, typically 80-200 litres depending on van size. These tanks are your foundation water source, integrated into the 12V pump system and connected to all taps and appliances.

Built-in tanks have major advantages: they’re protected from theft, don’t affect your towing setup, and maintain your van’s centre of gravity. The water is immediately available through your existing plumbing, and most tanks include level gauges so you know exactly how much remains.

The downside? Limited capacity and awkward refilling. Most built-in tanks fill through a single inlet, often located in an inconvenient spot. When you’re dry, you’re stuck until you reach a water source that can physically access your fill point.

Tank materials matter. Polyethylene tanks are standard and perfectly adequate for most uses. Some premium vans use stainless steel tanks, which resist algae growth and don’t impart plastic flavours, but they’re significantly more expensive and heavier.

If your caravan has insufficient built-in capacity, aftermarket tank upgrades are possible but complex. You’ll need professional installation, new mounting brackets, and potentially modified plumbing. Expect $2,000-4,000 for a major tank upgrade including labour.

External Add-On Water Tanks

External tanks mounted to your caravan’s chassis or drawbar dramatically increase water capacity without internal modifications. These tanks range from 60-200 litres and can often be plumbed into your existing pump system.

Drawbar-mounted tanks are the most popular option. They’re easily accessible for filling, don’t impact internal storage, and keep weight over the axle for better towing balance. Quality drawbar tanks include their own taps for direct access plus connections to feed your main system.

Chassis-mounted tanks offer larger capacities but require professional installation. They’re mounted underneath the van between the wheels, protecting them from damage while keeping the centre of gravity low. Installation typically costs $800-1,500 depending on complexity.

The main challenge with external tanks is freezing. Unlike internal tanks that benefit from caravan heating, external tanks can freeze solid in cold conditions. Most quality tanks include drain valves for winter storage, but this means losing your water when temperatures drop.

External tanks require regular maintenance. Check mounting brackets for looseness, inspect for crack development, and clean algae buildup from transparent sections. Most external tanks last 8-10 years with proper care.

Portable Water Containers

Portable containers are the most flexible water storage option. Jerry cans, water cubes, and collapsible containers let you carry exactly the water you need and transport it to exactly where you need it.

Standard 20-litre jerry cans are the workhouse of portable water storage. They’re stackable, fit in most storage compartments, and easy to carry when full. Quality food-grade jerry cans cost $25-40 each and last decades. You’ll want 6-8 cans for serious remote camping.

Water cubes offer better space efficiency than round jerry cans. The Scepter 20L Military Water Can ~$45 is the gold standard, with thick walls, secure seals, and a spout design that actually works. Cheaper cubes often leak or develop stress cracks.

Collapsible containers save storage space when empty but sacrifice durability. They’re ideal for occasional use but won’t withstand constant handling on a long trip. The Sea to Summit Kitchen Sink ~$35 doubles as a wash basin and water carrier.

The biggest advantage of portable containers is flexibility. You can leave empties behind to reduce weight, carry water to remote campsites your caravan can’t reach, and have backup supplies if your main system fails. The downside is constant lifting and handling – 20 litres weighs 20 kilograms.

For families or couples planning extended remote camping, a combination of fixed tanks plus 8-12 portable containers provides maximum security and flexibility. Store the containers in external storage boxes or dedicated racks to keep them accessible.

Combining Systems for Maximum Capacity

The most effective water systems combine multiple storage methods. Your built-in tank provides pressurised water for daily use, external tanks extend your autonomy, and portable containers offer emergency backup and transport flexibility.

A proven combination for extended remote travel: 150L built-in tank, 100L external tank, plus 160L in portable containers (8 × 20L jerry cans). This gives you 410L total capacity with multiple redundancy levels.

Connect external tanks to your main system using a simple Y-valve setup. This lets you switch between tank sources without replumbing. Install a valve near your water pump so you can isolate tanks for maintenance or if one develops contamination.

Gravity-fed systems work well for basic camp use. Mount a 20L container above your outdoor kitchen area for washing dishes and hands. This preserves your pressurised water for drinking and showering while providing convenient access for messy tasks.

Weight distribution becomes critical with large water capacity. Water weighs 1kg per litre, so 400L adds 400kg to your setup. Spread this weight across multiple locations – some over the caravan axle, some in the tow vehicle, some in external tanks. Check your legal weight limits before loading up.

Water Carrying Options Compared

Our Water System Recommendations

Your ideal water system depends on your travel style and group size. Here’s what works for different scenarios:

Weekend Warriors (2-3 day trips): Your built-in tank plus 2-4 jerry cans provides plenty of capacity. Focus on water conservation rather than additional storage. Total capacity needed: 200-300L.

Extended Tourists (1-2 weeks between towns): Add an external drawbar tank to your built-in capacity, plus 6-8 portable containers for emergency backup. This combination handles most tourist routes with occasional remote camping. Total capacity: 400-500L.

Remote Adventurers (weeks in the outback): Maximum water security requires multiple systems. Large built-in tank, chassis-mounted external tank, drawbar tank, plus 10-12 portable containers. This setup handles Cape York, the Canning Stock Route, or extended Kimberley exploration. Total capacity: 600-800L.

Families with Kids: Children dramatically increase water consumption. Plan for 200L+ daily usage and prioritise systems that provide immediate access (built-in tanks) over portable containers that require constant refilling of smaller vessels.

Solo Travellers: You can manage with lower capacity but need redundancy for safety. Built-in tank plus 4-6 jerry cans covers most scenarios while keeping weight manageable for one person to handle.

Budget considerations matter. A comprehensive water system represents a significant investment – $2,000-5,000 for serious remote capability. Start with portable containers to understand your usage patterns, then add fixed tanks as your needs become clearer.