Along with power, water is the other resource that decides how many days you can go without depending on anyone else. Drinking, cooking, washing up and washing yourself: it all runs through your camper's water system. Setting it up isn't complicated once you understand the components and the order they go in. Let's go from the basics through to the optional extras, so you only fit what you'll actually use.
The basics: tanks, pump and tap
The minimum water system in a camper has four elements:
- Fresh water tank: where you store your drinking water. Its size determines your water range; 50 to 100 litres is typical depending on your usage.
- Water pump: pushes water from the tank to the tap. There are submersible ones (inside the tank) or pressure pumps (outside). They run on electricity, so they add to your consumption, although not by much.
- Tap and sink.
- Grey water tank: collects the waste water from the sink, which you shouldn't tip straight onto the ground. Empty it at designated points.
With this, you already have water for drinking, cooking and washing up. For a lot of people, this is enough.
Hot water: when it's worth it
Hot water is a real comfort upgrade, especially in winter, but it adds complexity. The most common options:
- Water heater built into the heating system: some diesel or gas systems heat water too. It's efficient because you're making the most of a single unit. See heating for a camper van.
- Standalone gas water heater: heats water on demand using the gas bottle.
- Electric water heater: simple, but uses a lot of power; realistic mainly when plugged into mains hook-up.
- Simple solutions: a solar shower (a bag that heats water in the sun) is cheap and enough for summer getaways.
The shower: indoor or outdoor
You don't need a full bathroom to have a shower. Many campers fit an outdoor shower: a water outlet (sometimes hot) at the back or side, ideal for rinsing off sand from the beach or mud from a trail. It takes up zero interior space. An indoor shower gives more privacy and is more usable in winter, but it eats into your space and means you have to manage humidity carefully (remember condensation).
Maintenance tips
- Disinfect the tank periodically: if the water tastes or smells odd, it's usually down to a lack of cleaning in the system.
- Drain the system in winter if freezing temperatures are likely: frozen water can burst pipes and the pump.
- Carry a spare container: there isn't always a filling point nearby.
In summary
A camper's water system can be as simple as tank, pump, tap and grey water, and can grow to include hot water and a shower depending on your comfort needs. The step to take today: work out how many litres you use per day (drinking, cooking, washing up) to size your tank correctly; 50–100 litres covers most people for several days. And plan it alongside your bathroom, since the pipes need to go in before you close up the walls.
