The Complete Caravanners’ Guide To Carrying Water

Water is the foundation of comfortable caravan life. You’ll need it for drinking, cooking, washing dishes, showering, and filling your grey water system. Yet many caravanners underestimate how much water they actually use or struggle with the complexity of modern water storage systems.

The average Australian family uses around 340 litres of water per day at home. On the road, you’ll use significantly less, but your storage and supply options become critical. Understanding your water carrying options will determine where you can camp, how long you can stay off-grid, and how comfortable your travels will be.

How Much Water Do You Actually Need?

Before diving into tanks and pumps, you need to understand your actual water consumption. This varies dramatically based on your travel style, group size, and comfort preferences.

Conservative caravanners typically use 50-80 litres per day for two people. This covers basic drinking, cooking, and minimal washing. Families with children or those who prefer longer showers can easily use 120-180 litres daily. Grey nomads who enjoy their creature comforts might push 200+ litres per day.

Here’s the realistic breakdown:

• Drinking and cooking: 8-12 litres per person per day
• Dishwashing: 15-25 litres per day (depending on meal complexity)
• Personal hygiene: 20-40 litres per person per day
• Toilet flushing: 5-8 litres per person per day
• General cleaning: 10-20 litres per day

Your water needs also determine your freedom camping capabilities. A couple with 200 litres of fresh water storage can comfortably free camp for 3-4 days with conservative usage, or 2 days with normal habits. Families need to plan more carefully or invest in larger storage systems.

Water Storage Systems Explained

Modern caravans use three main water storage approaches, each with distinct advantages and limitations.

Built-In Tank Systems

Most caravans come with integrated water tanks mounted under the floor or in dedicated compartments. These systems typically range from 80-200 litres and include pumps, filters, and hot water systems. The tank connects directly to your caravan’s plumbing, providing pressurised water to taps and shower.

Built-in systems offer convenience and integration but limit your flexibility. You’re locked into the manufacturer’s tank size and mounting location. Tank replacement requires significant work, and you can’t easily increase capacity without major modifications.

Portable Tank Systems

Portable tanks give you ultimate flexibility. Popular options include the Dometic FreshJet 40L ~$180 and larger Thetford 100L Fresh Water Tank ~$320. You can fill them separately, swap them out for extended stays, or use multiple tanks for extra capacity.

The downside is manual handling. A 100L tank weighs 100kg when full, making it challenging for many caravanners to move. You’ll also need separate pumps and potentially gravity-fed systems.

Hybrid Systems

Many experienced caravanners combine both approaches. They maintain their built-in tank for convenience but carry additional portable tanks for extended off-grid periods. This gives you the best of both worlds: integrated plumbing for daily use and extra capacity when needed.

Tank Materials: Poly vs Steel vs Stainless

Tank material affects durability, taste, weight, and cost. Each material suits different caravan styles and budgets.

Polyethylene (Poly) Tanks

Poly tanks dominate the caravan market for good reasons. They’re lightweight, affordable, and don’t affect water taste. Quality poly tanks resist UV damage and can handle temperature extremes without cracking. They’re also flexible enough to absorb road vibrations without developing stress fractures.

The downside is durability. Cheaper poly tanks can become brittle over time, especially in harsh Australian sun. They’re also more susceptible to puncture damage than metal alternatives.

Stainless Steel Tanks

Stainless steel offers premium durability and completely neutral taste. These tanks can last decades with minimal maintenance and handle significant impacts without failure. They’re the choice for serious off-road caravanners who need bombproof reliability.

The trade-offs are weight and cost. Stainless tanks weigh 2-3 times more than equivalent poly tanks and cost 3-4 times as much. They also require proper earthing to prevent galvanic corrosion in marine environments.

Mild Steel Tanks

Traditional steel tanks are becoming rare in modern caravans. While strong and affordable, they’re prone to rust and can impart metallic tastes to water. Most manufacturers have moved to poly or stainless options.

Sizing Your Water Tank System

Tank sizing depends on your travel patterns, group size, and camping preferences. Bigger isn’t always better when you consider weight, cost, and mounting constraints.

Small Systems (80-120L)

Perfect for couples who stick to caravan parks or don’t mind frequent water top-ups. Small systems keep your caravan lightweight and are easier to fill. You’ll get 1-2 days of comfortable usage, making them ideal for touring caravanners who move frequently.

Medium Systems (150-200L)

The sweet spot for most caravanners. Medium systems provide 2-4 days of water for couples or accommodate small families. They offer reasonable freedom camping capability without excessive weight penalties.

Large Systems (250L+)

Essential for families or extended off-grid camping. Large systems provide a week or more of water independence but add significant weight and complexity. You’ll need stronger chassis components and careful weight distribution.

Pumps and Pressure Systems

Your pump system determines water pressure, flow rate, and reliability. Modern caravans use either demand pumps or accumulator tank systems.

Demand (Pressure Switch) Pumps

Demand pumps activate automatically when you open a tap, providing water on demand. The Shurflo Trail King 10 ~$280 is the industry standard, delivering 10L per minute at good pressure. These pumps are simple, reliable, and affordable.

The downside is cycling. Demand pumps start and stop frequently, creating pressure pulses and reducing pump life. They also struggle with simultaneous tap usage and can be noisy.

Accumulator Tank Systems

Accumulator systems use a pressure tank to store pressurised water, reducing pump cycling and providing smoother flow. The pump charges the accumulator tank, which then supplies water pressure. Systems like the Jabsco Par-Max 4 ~$420 with accumulator tank provide superior performance.

Accumulator systems cost more and require additional space, but they deliver consistent pressure, quieter operation, and longer pump life. They’re essential for larger water systems or caravans with multiple bathrooms.

Variable Speed Pumps

Premium variable speed pumps like the Grundfos SQFlex ~$650 adjust flow rate based on demand. They provide excellent pressure control and energy efficiency but cost significantly more than standard pumps.

Water Filtration and Treatment

Australian water quality varies dramatically by region. What tastes fine in Melbourne might be undrinkable in remote Queensland. Your filtration needs depend on your source water and quality expectations.

Basic Filtration Systems

Most caravans benefit from basic sediment and carbon filtration. The Camec Single Stage Filter ~$85 removes chlorine taste and basic sediment, improving water palatability from town supplies.

Multi-stage systems like the Puretec Tripla T3 ~$245 provide sediment, carbon, and scale reduction. They’re ideal for caravanners who frequently use varying water sources.

UV Sterilisation

UV sterilisation systems kill bacteria and viruses without chemicals. The Puretec Hybrid-G13 ~$485 combines filtration with UV sterilisation for comprehensive water treatment. Essential if you’re sourcing water from bores or untreated supplies.

Reverse Osmosis Systems

RO systems provide the ultimate in water purification but are complex and expensive. They’re overkill for most caravan applications but useful if you’re travelling through areas with very poor water quality or high mineral content.

Monitoring Your Water Supply

Knowing your water levels prevents the inconvenience of running dry and helps you plan refill stops. Modern monitoring systems range from simple sight gauges to sophisticated digital displays.

Sight Gauges and Dip Sticks

Basic sight gauges provide visual water level indication. They’re simple and reliable but require you to check manually and can be difficult to read in poor light. Dip sticks work similarly but require tank access.

Analogue Gauge Systems

Traditional analogue gauges use float senders to display tank levels on dashboard-mounted gauges. The CBE MT600 Tank Gauge ~$125 provides basic level monitoring for single tanks.

Digital Monitoring Systems

Digital systems offer precise level readings and often monitor multiple tanks. The Setec STCE916 Digital Display ~$280 monitors fresh water, grey water, and black water levels with percentage readouts.

Premium systems like the BatteryPlus35 Tank Monitoring ~$450 integrate with battery monitoring and provide smartphone connectivity for remote monitoring.

Tank Maintenance and Cleaning

Regular tank maintenance ensures safe, pleasant-tasting water and extends your system’s life. Neglected tanks can harbour bacteria, develop biofilm, or suffer premature failure.

Regular Cleaning Schedule

Clean your fresh water system every 3-4 months or whenever you notice taste changes. Start by draining the system completely, then fill with a chlorine bleach solution (1 tablespoon per 40 litres). Run the solution through all taps and let it sit for 2-4 hours before draining and flushing thoroughly with fresh water.

Deep Cleaning and Sanitising

Twice yearly, perform a deep clean using commercial tank cleaners like Puretec Tank Cleaner ~$25. These products remove biofilm buildup and mineral deposits that regular cleaning misses.

For stubborn taste issues, use specialised products like Aquatainer Fresh Water Treatment ~$18 which neutralises odours and maintains water freshness during storage.

System Winterisation

If storing your caravan through winter in freezing conditions, drain all water systems completely. Residual water can freeze, cracking tanks, pipes, and fittings. Add food-grade antifreeze to P-traps and water heater systems if complete drainage isn’t possible.

Our Water System Recommendations

After considering all factors, here are our recommended approaches for different caravan styles and budgets.

Best for Most Caravanners: Integrated Poly System

A 150-200L polyethylene tank with demand pump and basic filtration suits 80% of caravanners. This combination provides good capacity, reasonable weight, and reliable performance without excessive complexity or cost.

Key components: 150L Poly Tank ~$285, Shurflo Trail King 10 ~$280, Puretec Single Stage Filter ~$125. Total system cost: approximately $690.

Best for Off-Road Touring: Premium Stainless System

Serious off-road caravanners need bombproof reliability. A stainless steel tank with variable speed pump and comprehensive filtration handles harsh conditions and questionable water sources.

Key components: 200L Stainless Tank ~$950, Grundfos SQFlex Pump ~$650, Puretec Hybrid-G13 UV System ~$485. Total system cost: approximately $2,085.

Best Value: Portable Tank System

Budget-conscious caravanners or those with existing small built-in tanks can supplement with portable tanks. This approach maximises flexibility while minimising upfront costs.

Key components: 100L Portable Tank ~$320, 12V Transfer Pump ~$95, Inline Filter ~$45. Total system cost: approximately $460.