You wont get the weight balanced exactly 50/50. We hope you enjoy! Wheel well water tanks are perhaps the most space-efficient interior water tanks available on the market today. To fit a 32mm hole needs to be drilled into the waste container cap or top of body. We also like that RecPro offers this style of fresh water tanks in various capacities if you want to go larger or smaller than the 40-gallon size. Compared to standard fixed water tanks, a spouted tank has a 2 spout protruding from the tank. You can use handmade wooden brackets and/or strong cloth belts to secure the tanks in place. For us, the RecPro 40-Gal RV water tank is the best tank for freshwater and the Class A Customs WT-2400 is ideal for grey and black water. Installing a fixed fresh water tank is easier said than done. Convenient to refill (at designated stations), Best space efficiency for all interior water tanks, Maxxair Fan Review: We Love It! This spout makes it SUPER easy to attach a 1.25 ID plastic hose to fill the tank with water. But you cant mix up the purpose of this tank with that of a grey or black tank. And, along that line, you also want to make sure that you dont connect a water hose directly to the tank as it is not pressurized and may crack under pressure. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Does your tank not have an overflow? As mentioned above, the material from which the tank is manufactured is vital for a fresh water tank. A typical problem with collapsible bottles is that they are highly prone to catastrophic damage upon falling. You will need one gallon of this chlorine solution for each 15 gallons of tank capacity. Not what you need? The connector fits snuggly into the waste tank fitting and the included screw cap seals the container for removal and transportation. What does a campervan water system look like? For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. On the downside of this black water tank is its beefy size. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Never pour pure bleach directly into your water tanks. It must be strong enough to hold a large amount of water and withstand pressure when moving. There is a proper overflow arrangement. We also like that the R8030 is very easy to install. The amount of fresh water you want to carry is entirely dependent on your daily water usage amount. All things considered, this is an excellent option for either fresh or grey water systems. Prepare a chlorine solution by mixing cup of household, unscented bleach with one gallon of water. For the most convenient, headache-free fresh water storage solution, purchasing a 5-gallon water bottle is the way to go. Check out this post to learn more. Check out our other listings. It has six standard threaded screw holes (three on each for horizontal installation) to attach it under the van firmly. And then plumb their release valves to a more accessible part of the van. If you do end up mounting a water tank on either side of your van, be sure to offset the weight on that side of the van with weight on the other side. 2022 Van Life Movement. But whether you choose permanently fixed tanks or portable ones is up to you. A majority of vans are equipped with a small 7-10 gallon permanently mounted grey tank. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Water tanks are usually installed near the back of the van. We're Yuko and Eric and we are traveling the Pan-American Highway from Canada to Argentina in our self-converted camper van. Typically you will plumb a water inlet into the tank near the top of the tank so that it can be completely full. Our standard (non-spouted) water tank came with a 1.5 threaded water fill hole, which we found frustratingly hard to locate the right hose fitting to attach to the water tank. Weve learned so much since then and below are our recommendations of what is needed to easily install a fresh water tank in a camper van. On the other hand, permanently mounted fixed tanks are more ideal for the long-term camper. Strong BPA free and FDA approved plastic construction. Where is the best place to mount a water tank in a van? Tasteless, odourless, BPA free, DEHP free build material. Its BPA plastic construction is durable and rugged and can handle the beating sure to come its way in the search for great off-road campsites. From taking a minimalist approach to a portable water tank system to more complex, heavy-duty and permanent installations, well lay it all out for you here. Although black tanks are rare on campervans, we think it is well worth the consideration of this tank if you are thinking about plumbing the urine connection of your composting toilet to a tank rather than a bucket. I have confirmed that the locking cap does actually vent and drilled a hole in the blue filler adaptor which has fixed the problem. This is incredibly useful because the area surrounding the vans wheel wells is often wasted space due to its awkward shape. Installing the tank is not difficult if you have the right place, size, mounts and tools. For larger water storage capacity, fixed water tanks are a popular option. It is equally essential to balance the weight in the van. Jerry cans are possibly the most popular fresh water storage option for budget camper van builds. It is best to mount a water tank as close to the center of the van as possible. Based on living in a van for over 4 years, we do not think you should consider anything less than 40 gallons for your fresh water system. Turn on the water pump and allow chlorine solution to sit in the pipes. And there is more than one water pump port so that you can build your fresh water system to your water pump in a variety of ways. You can run a line from the hot water heater to the sink faucet to deliver hot water for washing dishes and your hands. Wheel well tanks, for instance, can be customized to fit over the wheel well in any of the most common vans for van life. From the water outlet, you will likely have a short hose that connects to your water pump to draw water out of the water tank. How important is it to remove your water tanks to refill? It also must be installed in a horizontal orientation only, which is usually common for grey tank applications. But if you have an indoor shower and a faucet you will need to collect that water in a grey water tank, which can easily be plumbed with a pipe from the sink and/or shower drain to the grey tank. It may not display this or other websites correctly. For a headache free installation, we recommend getting these exact fittings to attach to the spouted water tank. On the downside, the Valterra R8030 can explode under a little pressure. Moreover, the convenient bottle has a comfortable and thick handle that perfectly fits our handsmaking it easier to pick up the 5-gallon bottle. Ours has a similar vent in the neck but the lockable cap doesn't block it. Grey water comes out of the sink and shower drain and should be stored in a grey water tank. However, when it comes to planning for our next van build, were putting our entire water system at the front and center of our decisions. You can also refill fresh water more conveniently when you do not have a fixed tank. You will want to account for a source of fresh water and a place to store dirty water at the least. it would appear that the tank is not actually vented at all when either of these are used. While it is not feasible to install it perfectly in the center of your living space, a good rule of thumb is to keep it centered between the passenger side and driver side and as close to the rear axle as possible. There is no single best fresh water tank. So, for instance, if you mount your water tank on your drivers side be sure to install your kitchen on the passenger side. If possible, consider placing the water and fuel tank on the opposite sides to balance the vehicle. Virtually nobody in van life (aside from higher-end, nicer Class B Leisure Vans) has a black tank as most van toilets are not plumbed RV toilets but rather composting, cassette, portable or bucket options. Do You REALLY Need A Camper Van Toilet? But as we all know, you cant live without drinking water for more than a few days, regardless of how Instagrammably beautiful it is wherever you are camping and how great it is to be out in the wild away from everyone. That filler should have come with two seals there are vented and non vented filler caps available, the one you have appears to be non vented. It is carved from a single piece of plastic, so you will not find any flaws and weak points on the body. It is rust, stain and corrosion resistant and carved from a single piece. Conversion Van Floor Plan Guide: Create Your Own Layout, Camper Van Insulation: The Ultimate Guide, How To Build Strong Camper Van Walls Using Furring Strips, How To Create A Stunning Campervan Interior, 7 Must Have Items For A Photogenic Campervan, DIY Camper Van Electrical System: An Epic Off-Grid Setup, RV Water System & Plumbing (Diagrams & Advice). You can tell this when you drain the water tank and hear the air rushing in around the cap. Check out our van Plumbing category page for more similar content. In this post, we will go over the popular methods for storing fresh water in camper vans, and the pros and cons for each method. You need fresh water when you live in a van and we believe that having the largest possible fresh water tank inside your van that you can reasonably install will serve you in the long run. A wholly filled 42-gallon tank will weigh 350 pounds or more including the weight of the tank itself. One of the largest benefits of these fixed tanks is total capacity. The hose connector fits snuggly inside the cap attachment and when the waste tank is removedthe screw caps ensure no accidental spillage when emptying or inside the vehicle. In this section, well discuss each of the three types of water tanks you need to consider for your van and get into the details that will help you make the best purchasing decision. This is especially true for more expensive, professional camper van builds. Strong, Thick and BPA free plastic construction. Most black water tanks are low-profile, meaning they are longer and wider but not very tall. That filler should have come with two seals, one for vent tanks and one for unvented tanks, this one has castlations so it can breath. The waste tank has a series of holes drilled in its sides just below the tank top as an overly. On the downside, at 26 pounds, this tank is heavier than other plastic-made 42 gallons water tanks. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. They are mounted on hanging brackets, and their placement must not interfere with the inlet and outlet. AFFILIATE DISCLAIMER: This post contains affiliate links for products and services we recommend. What we like is that the tank itself is made from seamless plastic with 1/8 inch thick walls to ensure it is the lightest and most durable. Of course, you can plumb these tanks to both the shower and kitchen sink for a long hot shower from time to time or to wash the dishes. From there it is a mix. In addition to our recommendations for fixed water tanks in this post, there are several companies that will build a custom tank to the specifications of the type of van you are converting. Below, we list our approximate daily water usage. On the downside, the most common complaint is that the outlets are designed at but the most common plumbing size for most appliances with vans and recreational vehicles is so you may need to adapt your plumbing along the way. The R8030 is made from solid ABS plastic, weighs only 3lbs and measures at 30 x 16 x 8 inches, which is great for a 15 gallons water tank. How big of a water tank do I need for a campervan conversion? Youll also want to be sure to wash it out thoroughly as shreds of plastic are common in new water tanks. When we purchased our most recent motorhome, one of the first things we considered was replacing the drinking water tank that held our fresh water. But on the flip side, a 40-gallon water tank will weigh close to 350 pounds and should be installed in a place that distributes that weight evenly. And RecPro leads the way with their 40-Gal model. Or if your fuel tank is on one side, try installing your water tank on the other side. Strong BPA free and FDA approved plastic construction, Outlet size doesn't match standard plumbing, Strong, Thick and BPA free plastic construction, Can be mounted in any orientation you desire, Can explode if over-pressurized during fill, Must create a vent hole (not included in manufacturing), Great design flawlessly fit under the van, Must be installed with horizontal orientation only, Class A Customs WT-2400 24 Gal Black Tank. And they are typically made of a lesser quality plastic which is not safe for storing potable water. The feature that we liked most is the 3-inch female pipe adapter which allows you to easily attach the drainpipe to dump the waste water in RV dump stations. Yes. Most grocery stores sell purified water refills by the gallon and you could rely on a water spigot at nearly any business or residence if you were in a bind. Online you can easily find water tanks ranging anywhere between 5 and 75 gallons. But wheel well tanks eliminate this wasted space by hugging the wheel well area and eliminating wasted air gaps. Installing a water tank under the vehicles is more complicated but frees up the camper interior for other purposes. While this can be seen as a hassle, it also means that you can do these dumps and refills in more places than those van lifers with fixed water tanks. Then we can worry about which type of campervan toilet we want, where to place our tankless water heater and which sink and faucet we prefer to match the decor of the build. Likewise, the grey water system should account for a grey water tank located as close to the center of the van to keep the weight distributed evenly. And as it is a plastic tank, it will also have some scuffing and debris on both sides. Best Overall:RecPro 40 gal RV Water Tank, Runner Up:Class A Customs | 42 Gallon RV Fresh, Best Grey Tank:AA 30 Gal Fresh Water/Grey Tank, Best Black Tank:Class A Customs 24 Gal Black Tank, Best Portable Tank:WaterStorageCube Collapsible Container. In this way, the weight is distributed safely in all directions. Keep in mind, dont over tighten the adapter and pipe as it can damage groves. With 34 x 18 x 12 (L x H x W) inches dimensions AA is a thin and long 30-gallon tank making it a suitable option for grey water storage. The leakproof bottle also has a one-piece design to ensure rigidity. We Participate In The Amazon Services, LLC Associates Program, And Affiliate Advertising Program. But WaterStorageCube is a durable bottle and can withstand multiple falls. From there you will be responsible for collecting grey water. According to A Customs, the tanks are built in a warehouse and do not come in a retail box. For under van grey water tanks, look for a place where there is no moving part nearby. Likewise, look for similar mounting options when installing a black water tank if you happen to use one. This optimizes the use of space inside your van. We Dont! So, you have to get creative with the design choice and placement of the tank. The Valterra R8030 defines quality by checking all the boxes of an excellent Grey water tank and is an exceptional product for campervans and RVs. Sometimes these holes will already be open and sometimes youll have to drill open the holes yourself. On the downside, the AA tank is only suitable for fresh water and greywater applications. This spillproof kit connects a 25mm grey waste hose to your 25 litre removable grey waste container. Suitable for internal or external portable tanks including caravan rollaway tanks. You are using an out of date browser. On the rare occasion I have filled my tank it overflows under the van, not from the filler. The first thing is the material. You may run one line to the hot water heater to deliver an instant hot water shower. When we first received our 10 gallon tank, we had a difficult time sourcing the right components to fit each entry and exit port. So, avoid using it with a water pump. The important thing is to measure the space twice because mentioned measurements are approximate and the size can be slightly bigger or smaller. Are They Worth It? At 24 gallons it should hold enough wastewater to handle the entire plumbing system of a campervan for a week or more. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. As it is FDA approved and BPA free, which is why we are able to store clean water that can be used for drinking and washing. Lastly, to prevent the water tank from sliding around while driving, getting some sturdy straps is a good idea. Also, the tank is non-pressurized, so you will have to drill a vent hole or use one of the additional NPT connections for a vent hose if you plan to use a water pump. A.A 30-Gal is another solid plastic fresh and grey water tank. It features an actual capacity of 42-gallons, which is enough to store water for drinking, shower and other essential tasks for 7 to 10 days with normal use. The largest drawback of these style fresh water tanks is the cost. Even the smallest tank will cost around $300. Along with the design, there are many things to consider before getting a fresh water tank. Black and grey water tanks are mounted beneath the van using a horizontal bracket. Likewise, you will likely move cold water to the sink as well. Good to know: Underbody water tanks are also slightly different in shape, so make sure youre buying the right tank type for the location you want. Dometic 12v Fridge Review: The Best Fridge For RVs, Victron Solar Charge Controller Review (Smart Solar). And some can serve multiple purposes while others definitely do not. More info in our disclaimer. (These drills - spade bit or holesaw - are available from any hardware store), 1 metre of 25mm waste hose is available separately for $8.40. But there are portable options for every type. Hopefully, by now you know how to choose the best water tanks for your van conversion. Do you need the connection fitting to the caravan / campervan or the vehicle watse outlet kit? Faucets For Campers: Which Are The Most Practical For RVs? One of the largest drawbacks is that these tanks can take some time to install and finding the right components and accessories to fit around these containers can be frustrating. For more information, read our full affiliate disclosure here. Large tanks may have a small impact on your engines fuel consumption and economy due to the weight of water you carry. Fresh water tanks are an essential component of any camper vans water system. JavaScript is disabled. And for how many days, ideally? If you can reasonably hold more, then we believe that more is better. Weve also listed an option for portable water tanks in the event you do not want to install a permanent tank. They are usually mounted in a tight space with braces to prevent any sliding and jumping. Betweena robust battery bankand an incredibly powerful and efficientsolar panel system,the only thing holding us back from weeks of camping off-grid was our tank system. Additionally, if you are interested in installing a fixed water tank, which is popular for large water capacity storage, we will discuss HOW to install these tanks (with critical accessory recommendations) and WHICH specific tank makes installation the easiest.