The Complete Caravanners’ Guide To Carrying Water

Water is life on the road. Get your water carrying wrong and you’ll find yourself rationing showers, hunting for taps every second day, or worse, running dry in the middle of nowhere. Most caravanners start with whatever tanks came with their van, then quickly discover the factory setup rarely matches real-world needs.

The good news? There are proven ways to extend your water capacity, improve water quality, and create redundancy in your system. From simple jerry cans to sophisticated filtration setups, we’ll break down every option so you can build a water system that keeps you independent longer.

Understanding Your Water Needs

Before diving into specific water carrying solutions, you need to understand your actual consumption patterns. The standard assumption of 100 litres per person per day includes drinking, cooking, washing dishes, and personal hygiene. Reality varies dramatically based on your travel style.

Couples who shower every second day and cook simple meals might use 80-120 litres daily. Families with teenagers who shower daily and wash dishes three times a day can easily hit 200+ litres. Solo travellers often use 40-60 litres per day with careful management.

Your camping style dramatically affects water needs. If you’re planning extended off-grid stays in remote areas, you’ll want 5-7 days of water capacity minimum. Park hoppers who stay 2-3 nights between towns can manage with smaller reserves.

Factor in seasonal variations too. Summer travel increases consumption for drinking and cooling, while winter might reduce shower frequency but increase dishwashing from more indoor cooking.

Built-In Water Systems

Most caravans come with integrated water tanks ranging from 80 litres in compact vans to 200+ litres in larger units. These built-in systems form the backbone of your water carrying capacity, but they’re rarely the complete solution.

Fresh Water Tanks

Standard fresh water tanks are typically made from food-grade polyethylene and mounted under the chassis or inside storage compartments. Capacities vary widely: 18-foot vans often have 120-140 litres, while 20+ foot vans might carry 180-220 litres.

The main advantage of built-in tanks is convenience. They’re plumbed directly to your taps, pump system, and hot water service. The water stays clean and protected from contamination. Weight distribution is designed into the van’s engineering.

Disadvantages include fixed capacity, difficulty in cleaning, and vulnerability to damage from road debris or extreme temperatures. If your built-in tank develops a leak or contamination issue, you’re looking at significant repair costs and downtime.

Grey Water Tanks

While not directly about carrying fresh water, your grey water capacity affects how long you can stay put. Standard grey tanks range from 60-140 litres. When your grey tank fills up, you need to find a dump point regardless of your fresh water situation.

Some experienced caravanners install larger grey tanks or multiple tanks to match their extended fresh water capacity. There’s no point carrying 300 litres of fresh water if your 80-litre grey tank forces you to move every three days.

Portable Water Containers

Portable containers offer flexibility that fixed tanks can’t match. You can carry them empty to save weight, fill them selectively based on upcoming travel plans, and use them as emergency backup when your main system fails.

Jerry Cans

The classic 20-litre jerry can remains one of the most versatile water carrying solutions. Military-spec jerry cans like the Wavian 20L Water Jerry Can ($89) offer bulletproof construction with proper sealing gaskets and robust handles.

Plastic alternatives like the Scepter Military Water Can 20L ($45) provide similar durability at lower weight and cost. Both options stack neatly and fit standard jerry can holders.

Two 20-litre cans give you 40 litres of additional capacity for around $90-180 depending on your choice. That’s often enough to extend a 3-day camp to 5 days, or provide emergency backup if your main tank fails.

Large Volume Containers

For serious capacity increases, consider larger containers like the Lifesaver Cube 20L Water Container ($69) or the Coleman 40L Water Carrier ($85). These roll-and-stack designs maximize space efficiency in your storage compartments.

The trade-off is handling weight. A full 40-litre container weighs 40kg plus the container weight. You’ll need two people to lift safely, or a dedicated storage system with tap access at ground level.

Collapsible Options

Space-conscious travellers often choose collapsible containers like the Sea to Summit Watercell X 10L ($35) series. These pack down to minimal space when empty but provide reliable capacity when needed.

The downside is durability. Flexible containers are more prone to punctures and wear than rigid options. They’re excellent for occasional use but less suitable as permanent capacity additions.

Additional Tank Options

When portable containers aren’t enough, additional permanent tanks offer the next level of water carrying capacity. These professional installations can double or triple your water reserves.

Aftermarket Under-Chassis Tanks

Companies like John Guest and Adblue Tanks manufacture custom under-chassis tanks designed to fit specific caravan models. Typical additions range from 100-200 litres, requiring professional installation with new mounting brackets and plumbing connections.

Expect to pay $800-1,500 for tank and installation, depending on size and complexity. The result is seamless integration with your existing system, controlled by your standard taps and pumps.

Consider the impact on ground clearance and departure angles. Large under-chassis tanks can reduce your ability to navigate rough tracks or steep driveways.

Internal Tank Additions

Some caravanners install additional tanks inside storage compartments or under dinette seating. This approach protects the tank from road damage and temperature extremes.

The Dometic FreshWell 100L Tank Kit ($450) provides everything needed for a DIY internal installation, including tank, fittings, and level monitoring. Professional installation adds $300-500 depending on plumbing complexity.

Internal tanks consume valuable storage space and add weight in sometimes inconvenient locations. Calculate the impact on your van’s weight distribution and storage capacity before committing.

Auxiliary Tank Systems

Advanced setups use auxiliary tanks with dedicated pumps and switching systems. The REDARC Total Vehicle Management System can manage multiple tank inputs with automatic switching when the primary tank runs low.

These systems cost $2,000+ installed but provide true redundancy. If your main tank fails, the auxiliary system keeps you operational without manual intervention.

Water Filtration Systems

Carrying more water is pointless if the water isn’t safe to drink. Filtration systems let you confidently fill from questionable sources and extend your independence from known clean supplies.

Inline Filtration

Basic inline filters like the Camco TastePure Inline Water Filter ($25) remove chlorine taste and basic sediments. These screw directly onto standard taps and require no permanent installation.

For comprehensive filtration, the Puretec Hybrid-R13 Whole System ($380) removes bacteria, cysts, chemicals, and heavy metals. Professional installation costs $200-300 but provides peace of mind when filling from unknown sources.

UV Sterilisation

UV systems like the Puretec UV-1GPM Steriliser ($540) kill bacteria and viruses without chemicals or taste changes. These work best in combination with sediment filters to ensure UV light penetration.

UV systems require 12V power and regular globe replacement ($60 annually), but they’re extremely effective against biological contaminants.

Reverse Osmosis

For the ultimate in water purity, reverse osmosis systems like the Katadyn PowerSurvivor 40E ($2,850) remove virtually all contaminants including salt, making them useful for coastal areas with brackish water sources.

RO systems are expensive, slow, and waste significant water (3-4 litres wasted per litre produced). They’re overkill for most Australian conditions but valuable for extended remote travel or areas with poor water quality.

Water Monitoring Tools

Knowing how much water you have left prevents the anxiety of running dry unexpectedly. Modern monitoring systems provide accurate, real-time information about all your tanks.

Digital Tank Monitors

The BMPRO BatteryPlus35 ($380) combines battery and tank monitoring in one unit, showing fresh water, grey water, and black water levels on an easy-to-read display.

For comprehensive monitoring, the REDARC Manager30 ($650) handles up to four tanks plus battery, solar, and electrical systems. The smartphone app lets you check levels remotely.

Flow Meters

Flow meters track actual water usage, helping you understand consumption patterns and identify leaks quickly. The Caravanland Digital Flow Meter ($145) installs inline with your pump and displays total flow and flow rate.

This data proves invaluable for planning. When you know you use 80 litres per day typically, you can confidently plan 4-day stops with a 350-litre total capacity.

Water Quality Testing

Simple TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) meters like the HM Digital TDS-3 ($25) help assess water quality before filling your tanks. High TDS readings indicate potential contamination or excessive minerals.

Bacterial test strips provide quick assessment of biological contamination. The Industrial Test Systems WaterWorks Complete Test Kit ($45) covers the most common contaminants affecting taste and safety.

Water Carrying Options Comparison

Our Recommendations

Your ideal water carrying setup depends on travel style, budget, and technical comfort level. Here’s what works best for different scenarios.

Budget-Conscious Travellers

Start with two quality 20-litre jerry cans for an additional 40 litres of capacity. The Scepter Military Water Cans ($90 for two) provide excellent value with proven durability.

Add a basic inline filter like the Camco TastePure ($25) for better-tasting water, and a simple TDS meter ($25) to assess source quality before filling.

Total investment: $140 for 40 litres additional capacity plus basic filtration. This setup serves most couples well for 3-5 day camps between towns.

Extended Off-Grid Families

Families planning week-long remote stays need serious capacity. Combine your existing tank with a professional under-chassis addition (150-200L, $1,200 installed) plus two 40-litre roll containers ($170) for backup.

Install a comprehensive filtration system like the Puretec Hybrid-R13 ($580 installed) to safely fill from questionable sources. Add the BMPRO BatteryPlus35 monitor ($380) for accurate level tracking.

Total investment: $2,330 for 280+ litres additional capacity with comprehensive filtration and monitoring. This setup supports 4-5 person families for 7+ days off-grid.

Technical Enthusiasts

Go all-in with a dual-tank auxiliary system managed by the REDARC Total Vehicle Management System ($2,800). Add UV sterilisation ($540) and RO capability ($2,850) for complete water independence.

Include redundant monitoring, flow meters, and automated switching for bulletproof reliability. This professional installation costs $8,000+ but provides expedition-level water security.

Solo Travellers and Couples

The sweet spot combines reasonable cost with meaningful capacity increase. Add one under-chassis tank (100L, $900 installed) plus two jerry cans (40L, $90) for 140 litres additional capacity.

Install mid-level filtration ($380) and digital monitoring ($380) for confidence and convenience. Total investment: $1,750 for professional-grade capability without breaking the bank.