The Complete Caravanners’ Guide To Carrying Water

Water is life on the road, but carrying enough for extended periods while managing weight, space, and quality presents some serious decisions. You’ll need to choose between fixed tanks and portable containers, decide on capacities that match your travel style, and figure out how to keep it all fresh and accessible.

The right water carrying setup depends entirely on your caravan setup, travel patterns, and how long you plan to stay off-grid. A weekend warrior has very different needs to someone doing a two-year lap with extended remote camping.

Fixed Tanks vs Portable Containers

Your first major decision is whether to rely primarily on fixed tanks built into your van or supplement with portable containers. Most caravanners end up with a combination, but understanding the trade-offs helps you get the balance right.

Fixed Tank Advantages

Fixed tanks integrate cleanly with your caravan’s plumbing system, providing pressurised water to your taps and appliances. They’re permanently mounted below the floor or in a dedicated compartment, keeping the weight low and freeing up storage space inside.

Capacity-wise, you can fit much larger fixed tanks than you could practically carry as portable containers. A 200-litre fixed system would require ten 20-litre jerry cans, which simply isn’t feasible for storage or handling.

Portable Container Benefits

Portable containers offer flexibility that fixed tanks can’t match. You can leave camp to fetch water without moving the entire caravan, and you can carry multiple containers to extend your range between fill-ups.

For remote camping, portables are invaluable. You can scout water sources, carry containers to difficult-to-access taps, and even use them as backup storage when your main tank runs low.

The Scepter Military Jerry Can ~$75 sets the benchmark for portable water containers. Its military heritage means it’s built to withstand serious abuse, and the cam-lock lid creates a genuinely leak-proof seal.

Hybrid Systems Work Best

Most experienced caravanners run a combination system: a reasonably sized fixed tank (100-150L) for convenience and pressurised supply, plus 40-80L of portable containers for flexibility and backup.

This hybrid approach gives you pressurised water for daily use while maintaining the flexibility to extend your range or fetch water from inconvenient locations. You can also leave the portables at camp when day-tripping to reduce weight.

How Much Water Do You Actually Need?

Water consumption varies dramatically based on your lifestyle, climate, and how long you plan to stay off-grid. Getting this calculation right prevents both running dry and carrying unnecessary weight.

Daily Consumption Patterns

Conservative water users (quick showers, minimal washing up) typically consume 30-40L per day for two people. Moderate users with longer showers and more thorough cleaning use 60-80L daily. Luxury users who enjoy long showers and frequent washing can easily consume 120L+ per day.

Solo travellers generally use 20-30L daily for conservative consumption, scaling up proportionally. Families need to calculate per person but can often achieve some efficiency gains through shared activities.

Climate and Activity Factors

Hot climates dramatically increase water needs for drinking, cooling, and more frequent washing. Dusty conditions mean more frequent equipment cleaning and personal hygiene needs.

If you’re planning activities like fishing, hiking, or beach camping, factor in additional water for cleaning gear, washing salt off equipment, and the increased personal hygiene needs that come with active outdoor pursuits.

Capacity Recommendations by Travel Style

Weekend warriors can often get by with 50-80L total capacity, relying on frequent refills at caravan parks and towns. This keeps weight down and maximises payload for other gear.

Extended tourists doing the lap but staying mostly in towns and caravan parks typically need 100-150L capacity to handle 2-3 days between convenient fill opportunities.

Serious free campers planning weeks off-grid should target 200-300L total capacity, split between fixed tanks and portable containers for maximum flexibility.

Tank Materials: Poly vs Stainless Steel

Material choice affects taste, durability, weight, and cost. Each option has clear advantages depending on your priorities and budget.

Polyethylene Tanks

Polyethylene (plastic) tanks dominate the caravan market due to their excellent cost-performance ratio. Quality food-grade poly doesn’t affect water taste, resists UV damage, and handles the constant vibration and flexing of caravan travel.

Weight is a significant advantage. A 150L poly tank weighs around 15kg empty, compared to 40-50kg for equivalent stainless steel. This weight saving becomes critical when managing payload limits.

The downside is durability. Poly tanks can crack from impact, degrade under extreme UV exposure, and may need replacement after 10-15 years of hard use. Quality varies significantly between manufacturers.

Stainless Steel Tanks

Stainless steel offers superior longevity and impact resistance. A quality stainless tank can last the life of your caravan with minimal maintenance beyond periodic cleaning.

Taste and cleanliness advantages are notable. Stainless steel doesn’t harbour bacteria like plastic can, cleans more thoroughly, and never imparts any flavour to stored water.

The weight penalty is substantial though. Stainless tanks cost 3-4 times more than equivalent poly tanks and add considerable weight to your setup. Installation is also more complex due to the weight and thermal expansion considerations.

Which Material Makes Sense?

Polyethylene makes sense for most caravanners, especially those watching weight and budget. Choose marine-grade or caravan-specific tanks from reputable manufacturers to ensure food-grade materials and UV stabilisation.

Stainless steel suits buyers planning long-term ownership, those prioritising water quality above all else, or anyone who’s experienced poly tank failures and wants a permanent solution.

Pump Systems and Water Pressure

Your pump system determines water pressure, flow rate, and overall convenience. The right pump makes the difference between city-like water pressure and a frustrating dribble.

12V Pressure Pumps

Modern 12V pumps provide excellent pressure and flow rates while running efficiently from your house battery. Quality units deliver 30-60 PSI pressure with flow rates of 10-20L per minute.

The Shurflo 4008 Series ~$280 represents the gold standard in 12V water pumps. Its diaphragm design handles intermittent use well, while the built-in pressure switch automatically starts and stops the pump based on demand.

Self-priming capability is essential for caravan installations where the pump may sit above the tank level. Quality pumps can pull water from 3+ metres below the pump location.

Pressure Tank Systems

Adding a pressure tank to your pump system dramatically improves performance. The tank stores pressurised water, reducing pump cycling and providing instant pressure when you open a tap.

A 20-24L pressure tank suits most caravan installations, providing enough capacity for quick hand washing or teeth brushing without the pump running. This reduces noise, power consumption, and wear on the pump motor.

Pump Placement and Installation

Mount pumps as close to the tank as possible to minimise suction lift requirements. Keep them accessible for maintenance but protected from road spray and debris.

Inline strainers prevent debris from damaging pump internals, while accumulator tanks smooth out pressure pulses for more consistent flow. Both are worthwhile additions to any serious water system.

Filtration and Water Treatment

Water quality varies dramatically across Australia, from excellent city supplies to questionable bore water and everything in between. A good filtration system ensures safe, palatable water regardless of source.

Point-of-Use vs Whole-System Filtration

Point-of-use filters treat water at individual taps, typically focusing on drinking water quality. They’re cheaper to install and maintain but require separate filters for each use point.

Whole-system filtration treats all water entering your tank, protecting appliances, improving shower water, and ensuring consistent quality throughout your plumbing system.

Filter Types and Applications

Sediment filters remove particles and debris, essential for protecting pumps and appliances. Carbon filters address taste, odour, and chlorine issues common in treated town water supplies.

UV sterilisation systems kill bacteria and viruses without chemicals, ideal for treating suspect water sources. They require clear water to work effectively, so combine with sediment filtration.

Reverse osmosis provides the highest quality filtration but requires high pressure and wastes significant water. Most caravanners find simpler systems adequate for their needs.

Water Treatment Chemicals

Aquatainer sterilising tablets prevent bacterial growth in stored water, essential for long-term storage or questionable source water. Follow dosage instructions carefully to avoid taste issues.

Tank cleaning products remove biofilm and scale buildup that develops over time. Schedule thorough tank cleaning every 6-12 months depending on use patterns and water quality.

Monitoring and Management Systems

Knowing your water levels prevents both running dry and carrying unnecessary weight. Modern monitoring systems provide accurate, real-time information to optimise your water management.

Tank Level Monitoring

Basic tank gauges use float switches or mechanical indicators to show approximate levels. They’re cheap and reliable but provide limited precision.

Electronic level sensors offer digital readouts showing exact quantities remaining. Quality systems integrate with 12V monitoring panels or smartphone apps for convenient monitoring.

Leak Detection Systems

Water leaks can cause catastrophic damage before you notice them. Simple moisture alarms placed in vulnerable areas provide early warning of plumbing failures.

More sophisticated systems monitor pump cycling to detect continuous small leaks that might not trigger obvious symptoms. These systems can shut off water supply automatically when problems are detected.

Flow Monitoring

Understanding your actual water consumption helps optimise tank sizing and predict refill needs. Flow meters integrate into your plumbing system to track daily and cumulative usage.

This data proves invaluable for planning extended off-grid stays and identifying consumption patterns that might indicate leaks or wasteful practices.

Our Top Recommendations

After testing dozens of water carrying solutions, these represent our top picks for different caravan setups and travel styles.

Best Overall Setup

A 120L polyethylene fixed tank paired with two 20L military jerry cans provides the optimal balance of capacity, convenience, and flexibility for most touring couples. The fixed tank handles daily needs while the portables extend range and provide backup.

Add a quality 12V pump with pressure tank, basic filtration, and electronic level monitoring for a complete system that rivals permanent housing for convenience.

Budget-Conscious Option

Start with a 100L fixed tank, basic 12V pump, and one 20L portable container. This minimal setup covers essential needs while keeping costs under $600. Upgrade with additional portables and filtration as budget allows.

Premium Off-Grid Setup

Serious free campers should consider dual 150L tanks (300L total) with multiple portable containers for maximum capacity. Add whole-system filtration, UV sterilisation, and comprehensive monitoring systems.

This setup supports weeks off-grid but requires careful payload management and significant budget investment. The convenience and capability justify the cost for committed off-grid travellers.