And some can serve multiple purposes while others definitely do not. This is essential because the fresh water is for drinking, and it must remain fresh when stored. As well as know how to evenly distribute the weight. How do you install a water tank in a van? Moreover, the BPA-free and NSF-approved material maintain excellent water quality. It comes with three 1.5 NPT female fittings and two 0.5 NPT fittings, allowing you to orient it the way you want inside your van. Remember, it is vital to calculate the average water consumption and available space before choosing a water tank. As the pumping water moves away from the tank it will then be directed to several appliances, as you so desire, in your van. Freshwater tanks are placed inside the van, and usually, they dont have screw mounts. You can even sit on the bottle after filling it. Fixed water tanks should be mounted securely and in such a way that you account for the weight of the water contained in them. Strong rust, stain and corrosion-resistant body. Subscribers do not see these advertisements. Another benefit of these fixed fresh water tanks is that these tanks can be installed either inside or outside (under the chassis) of the vehicle. 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. A.A 30-Gal is another solid plastic fresh and grey water tank. Class A Custom is another American brand specializing in manufacturing water storage and plumbing fittings for campervans.
Outlet size doesnt match standard plumbing. Moreover, the material is algae, rust and corrosion-resistant. In this way, the weight is distributed safely in all directions. Just as water is important to life, selecting the right fresh water tank that meets your camper van needs is equally critical. It is equally essential to balance the weight in the van.
The tank itself is black and does not have a water gauge which is not user-friendly and requires additional components and installation.
A majority of vans are equipped with a small 7-10 gallon permanently mounted grey tank. If 30 gallons is too much, and it could be with a camper van conversion, there is also a 10 gallon, 16 gallons and 21-gallon option with correspondingly smaller dimensions. The fittings are sealed when arrived, so you simply cut the membrane to attach your plumbing and water pump. You will want to have a vent hole with a smaller hose to allow for air to enter the tank as water leaves and to leave the tank as water enters. 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. Also, be sure that you do not add weight to the top of the tank as this has been known to cause the tank to crack.
This spout makes it SUPER easy to attach a 1.25 ID plastic hose to fill the tank with water. There are stainless steel tanks, which are algae-resistant but come at a hefty price and are not very common in van life. And most importantly, it must be made from food-grade polyethylene. To learn how to install a fixed water tank, with a list of critical plumbing fittings (including an actionable diagram), keep reading below. This site contains affiliate links to products. In this chapter, we will go over four popular methods for fresh water storage, starting from the most affordable and basic and ending with the most costly, but space efficient. Therefore, these tanks are an ideal water storage solution if you intend to install a shower system in your van. Fresh water holding tanks will often come with four prefabricated ports/holes. An air vent is necessary as it allows the air to escape when you fill the tank so that it does not explode from too much pressure. But WaterStorageCube is a durable bottle and can withstand multiple falls. On the downside, at 26 pounds, this tank is heavier than other plastic-made 42 gallons water tanks. But these tanks are expensive and heavy and not very common in van life. 2022 Van Life Movement. Strong, Thick and BPA free plastic construction. Never pour pure bleach directly into your water tanks. The waste hose and vent can be easily removed as required. The amount of fresh water you want to carry is entirely dependent on your daily water usage amount. Or if your fuel tank is on one side, try installing your water tank on the other side. The waste tank has a series of holes drilled in its sides just below the tank top as an overly. 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. So, for instance, if you mount your water tank on your drivers side be sure to install your kitchen on the passenger side. Finding the right plumbing components was one of the most frustrating parts of our van build. We Participate In The Amazon Services, LLC Associates Program, And Affiliate Advertising Program. Silicon and/orhose clamp recommended to seal joints. If you can reasonably hold more, then we believe that more is better. Not all campervan water tanks are created the same. Where is the best place to mount a water tank in a van? On the downside, the Valterra R8030 can explode under a little pressure. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. On the downside of this black water tank is its beefy size. Installing a water tank under the vehicles is more complicated but frees up the camper interior for other purposes. And you may or may not need a black water tank depending on how you choose to dispose of human waste in your van. We hope you enjoy! Compared to standard fixed water tanks, a spouted tank has a 2 spout protruding from the tank. Blackwater tanks will always have a seal and valve to easily dump the waste without creating a mess. A larger fresh water tank will give you the ability to go longer before you have to start the tedious task of finding fresh water. SumoSprings Review For RVs: We Tried Them! Editors Choice: RecPro 40 gal RV Water Tank. But its 9.25 lower profile makes it ideal for mounting beneath the van. If youd also like to build a camper plumbing system using jerry cans, check out our RV water system post. Other common complaints include some manufacturing defects in a select few in which the tank is cracked or ruptured during delivery. Online you can easily find water tanks ranging anywhere between 5 and 75 gallons. Everything you need to know about setting up your own camper water system, including diagrams and product recommendations. When we first received our 10 gallon tank, we had a difficult time sourcing the right components to fit each entry and exit port. 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. Ours has a similar vent in the neck but the lockable cap doesn't block it. You are using an out of date browser. But wheel well tanks eliminate this wasted space by hugging the wheel well area and eliminating wasted air gaps. You can also refill fresh water more conveniently when you do not have a fixed tank. Fresh, or drinking water, is a necessity. All things considered, this is an excellent option for either fresh or grey water systems. And be sure to vent it. Most black water tanks are low-profile, meaning they are longer and wider but not very tall. 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. I would say having that breather the filler IS the overflow. Moreover, the body is rust and corrosion-resistant. Happy days, Some of the add-ons on this site are powered by. Youll also want to be sure to wash it out thoroughly as shreds of plastic are common in new water tanks. And for how many days, ideally?
Do more expensive water tanks fit in-line with your budget. Check out our van Plumbing category page for more similar content. It is best to mount a water tank as close to the center of the van as possible. You can tell this when you drain the water tank and hear the air rushing in around the cap. Once every 3-4 months, we like to sanitize our fresh water tanks (fixed tank & jerry can) by flushing chlorine solution through our water tanks, pipes, and pump. Best Product // Our Top Picks at a Glance. 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. 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. When planning what type of fresh water tank to purchase, we recommend thinking about how you plan to use your camper van. Dometic 12v Fridge Review: The Best Fridge For RVs, Victron Solar Charge Controller Review (Smart Solar). Faucets For Campers: Which Are The Most Practical For RVs? I use a watering can to top up though so venting isn't a problem. Weve included the tank on our shortlist because of its ergonomic underslung design that perfectly fits under the vehiclekeeping the tank hidden under the chassis and making it easy to empty. 5 Reasons Why A Camper Van Shower Stall Is A Terrible Idea. It has six standard threaded screw holes (three on each for horizontal installation) to attach it under the van firmly. But there are portable options for every type. Enjoyed reading? 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. Most van lifers will have a permanent freshwater tank with a capacity anywhere between 20-40 gallons. Pour the diluted chlorine solution into your water tank and fill the remaining capacity with water. We Dont! 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. It is carved from a single piece of plastic, so you will not find any flaws and weak points on the body. And in our 2+ years of traveling in our van, we would not use any other water storage system for our sink system. Never drill into the tank, for obvious reasons. Prepare a chlorine solution by mixing cup of household, unscented bleach with one gallon of water. Installing a fixed fresh water tank is easier said than done. Youll also want to install the water outlet near the bottom of the tank such that you can use all of the water in your tank before refilling. So, thoroughly clean the tank with a damp cloth and water. With dimensions of 39 x 18 x 14 inches, it is relatively easy to mount in the early stages of your van build. Convenient to refill (at designated stations), Best space efficiency for all interior water tanks, Maxxair Fan Review: We Love It! Jerry cans are possibly the most popular fresh water storage option for budget camper van builds. 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. Grey water tanks are usually small as not all fresh water you store results proportionately in grey water. (These drills - spade bit or holesaw - are available from any hardware store), 1 metre of 25mm waste hose is available separately for $8.40. 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. In fact, all of the fresh water tanks and grey water tanks on our list are interchangeable in your campervan water system. The tank is not suitable for drinking or freshwater as it is made from medium-density polyethylene resin. 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. 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. If possible, consider placing the water and fuel tank on the opposite sides to balance the vehicle. This optimizes the use of space inside your van. Likewise, look for similar mounting options when installing a black water tank if you happen to use one. After 3 hours, drain and flush with fresh water. A wholly filled 42-gallon tank will weigh 350 pounds or more including the weight of the tank itself. Water flow from a fixed tank will typically be drawn by a 12-volt electric pump then drawn into a hot water heater or directly into the sink, shower and/or toilet. Class A Customs WT-2400 is made to fit under the campervan. The first and most important type of water tank in your campervan water system is a fresh water tank. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
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. This water tank is an exceptional tank that can be used both for your freshwater and grey water.
The connector fits snuggly into the waste tank fitting and the included screw cap seals the container for removal and transportation. Just fitted a filter on our G600L for drinking water and came across an issue that may or may not pose a problem when filling the fresh water tank with one of these: My tank vents through an overflow fitted direct from the tank top. For more information, read our full affiliate disclosure here. All Rights Reserved, 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, How to Choose the Best Campervan Water Tanks. We want to use this website to share our travel stories and van life experience to inspire our readers. There is no single best fresh water tank. Check out this post to learn more. Keep in mind, dont over tighten the adapter and pipe as it can damage groves. They are usually mounted in a tight space with braces to prevent any sliding and jumping. Weve also listed an option for portable water tanks in the event you do not want to install a permanent tank. We have gathered a list of the best campervan water tank options for each of the three types of water tanks in your van water system. TheRecPro 40 gal RV Water Tankis ideal for any camper purely because of its 40-gallon capacity. They have terrific high-quality NSF-approved products including this model in a variety of capacities. Typically you will plumb a water inlet into the tank near the top of the tank so that it can be completely full. Thin and extended to fit in tight spaces. You will, however, want to secure the tank so that it does not move during transit. 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. This makes it easier to fit beneath the van where they will not be impacted by ground clearance. AFFILIATE DISCLAIMER: This post contains affiliate links for products and services we recommend. Since most camper van conversions dont include plumbed toilets you are likely not to include a black water tank in your van. I have confirmed that the locking cap does actually vent and drilled a hole in the blue filler adaptor which has fixed the problem. Once you build around your selected water tank, it can be difficult to go back later and change the configuration.
Portability makes it easy to fill in a variety of places, Tasteless, odourless, BPA free, DEHP free build material. Does your tank not have an overflow? It also must be installed in a horizontal orientation only, which is usually common for grey tank applications. Moreover, the convenient bottle has a comfortable and thick handle that perfectly fits our handsmaking it easier to pick up the 5-gallon bottle. A good fresh water tank has a fill port, drain port and air vent. Along with the design, there are many things to consider before getting a fresh water tank. At 24 gallons it should hold enough wastewater to handle the entire plumbing system of a campervan for a week or more.
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. Not what you need? 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. You may need to have these custom-built to accommodate your specific van and tank options. So, avoid using it with a water pump. 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. 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. Class A Customs 42 gallons RV water holding tank is a strong product and comparable to its RecPro counterpart in many ways. Turn on the water pump and allow chlorine solution to sit in the pipes. On the downside, the AA tank is only suitable for fresh water and greywater applications. Looking to install a fresh water tank in your camper van? The tanks are typically positioned outside the van directly beneath the toilet to easily dump the waste at a facility. 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 leakproof bottle also has a one-piece design to ensure rigidity. Camper Van Shower Plumbing Diagrams & Installation Guide, Install A Camper Van Sink System (With Diagrams). More info in our disclaimer. We also like that the R8030 is very easy to install. 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. 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. Wheel well tanks, for instance, can be customized to fit over the wheel well in any of the most common vans for van life. There is one fill port for both dispensing and filling. 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. For a headache free installation, we recommend getting these exact fittings to attach to the spouted water tank. They can be used as an emergency resort or you could build your entire campervan water system around the portability of different containers. And they are typically made of a lesser quality plastic which is not safe for storing potable water. So minor scratches are normal, but they dont affect the build quality of the tank. The image shows the fitting going into the cap of the rollaway but this can be fitted to the top of the rollaway / tank bodysaving 30mm in height. 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. If you are concerned about either the size or weight of the water tank then you should consider a smaller tank as part of your water system.
Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Water tanks are usually installed near the back of the van. These tanks help you to store water to drink, to prepare meals, wash dishes, and even shower. Youll need a waste water tank for your grey water system as well as one for your black water if you have a toilet. 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. Additionally, the fitting requirements are almost the same as the fresh water tanks.
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