Traveling With Water: Camper Essentials And Rules

Whether you can travel with water in your camper depends on your camper lifestyle. If you're headed to a campground with full hookups or a known good water supply, you can fill up or hook up on arrival. However, if you're boondocking or camping in an area without easy access to water, it might be better to travel with water on board. Some campers choose to carry a full tank of water, while others only partially fill their tanks to reduce weight and improve fuel efficiency. Regardless of your preference, proper water management and treatment are crucial to ensure potability and responsible waste disposal.

Water weight impacts fuel costs and vehicle weight limits

Water is heavy, and it can impact your fuel costs and vehicle weight limits. At eight pounds per gallon, a 30-gallon freshwater tank will add almost 250 pounds to your vehicle's weight. With the price of fuel, this is a significant consideration. If your RV is already near its gross vehicle weight limit, dumping this water can be a quick way to lighten the load.

On the other hand, if you're travelling to a remote location without access to water, you may have no choice but to travel with a full water tank. It's essential to plan your water usage and be mindful of your vehicle's weight capacity.

Some RVers choose to carry only a few gallons of water to use in case of emergencies, such as repairs or water supply issues at their destination. Others opt for filling up their tanks at gas stations or grocery stores along the way.

When it comes to towing stability, opinions vary. Some people suggest that towing with a half-full water tank can cause instability due to water sloshing. In contrast, others claim that they haven't noticed any difference in stability regardless of the water level.

Ultimately, the decision to travel with water in your camper depends on your specific needs and circumstances. It's crucial to consider factors such as your destination, water availability, vehicle weight limits, and personal preferences.

Water can be filled at RV parks, campgrounds, gas stations, grocery stores, or at home

Water is heavy, and it's important to consider the weight of your vehicle when travelling with water in your camper. A typical 30-gallon freshwater tank will add almost 250 pounds to the weight of your vehicle, which is a significant amount and will impact fuel consumption.

However, if you are travelling to a location without water hookups or water sources, you may have no choice but to travel with water on board. It's also useful to have some water on hand in case of emergencies, such as breakdowns or repairs, so it's a good idea to keep a few gallons in your tank.

If you are headed to an RV park or campground with water hookups, you can fill up your tank when you arrive. Many campgrounds offer dump stations for waste and wastewater, and some also offer fill stations for freshwater. You can also ask gas stations or grocery stores if you can use their outside spigot to fill your tank. As a last resort, you can fill up 5-gallon jugs at the water fill stations found in many grocery stores and pour the water into your freshwater tank.

Water is essential, and every drop counts when you're camping or travelling in an RV or camper. It's important to plan ahead and consider your water needs and how much water you will use.

Water filtration and purification methods include boiling, UV treatment, and chemical treatment

Water is heavy, at eight pounds per gallon, so it's important to consider how much water you need to carry in your camper. If you're travelling to a campground with a good water supply, you may not need to carry much water on board. However, if you're boondocking away from utilities, you may have no choice but to travel with water in your tank. It's always good to have a few gallons in the tank in case of emergencies.

Water can be emptied at RV parks, campgrounds, or dump stations

Water is essential for camper van life, and every drop counts. Water management is a delicate art, balancing conservation and supply.

When it comes to emptying your water tanks, it's important to do it properly and not dump wastewater just anywhere, as it can harm the ecosystem. Most RV parks and campgrounds have dumping stations where you can get rid of wastewater and sewage. Here are the steps to empty your tanks:

• Put on rubber gloves and grab your sewer hose.
• Connect the hose to the sewer hookup.
• Secure the other end to the black water tank.
• Open the valve and let the contents drain.
• Close the valve.
• Empty the grey water tank and let the wastewater drain.
• Close the grey tank valve.
• Flush and rinse the tanks to clean them.

If the campground doesn't have sewer hookups at your site, you'll need to find a dump station. Many campgrounds offer dump stations, but if yours doesn't, you can use public dump stations, some of which are free, while others charge a small fee. These stations should offer a way to dispose of wastewater properly and may also have potable water available for filling your tanks.

Water is heavy, and a typical 30-gallon freshwater tank can add almost 250 pounds to your vehicle's weight. This extra weight can impact fuel consumption, so if your rig is already near its gross vehicle weight limit, you may want to consider travelling with less water on board. However, if you're boondocking or camping in remote areas without access to water, you may have no choice but to travel with a full tank.

The decision to travel with water in your camper ultimately depends on your specific needs and camping style. Some campers prefer to travel with full tanks for convenience and peace of mind, while others choose to empty their tanks before hitting the road to save weight.

Water conservation methods include shorter showers, basin washing, and mixer taps

Water conservation is essential to protect the environment and natural resources, and it can also reduce costs for consumers. There are several methods to conserve water, especially when travelling in a camper or RV.

Firstly, shorter showers can significantly reduce water usage. Older showerheads can use up to 8 gallons of water per minute, while newer, water-efficient models use around 2 gallons per minute or less. Reducing shower time from 15 minutes to 8 minutes can save up to 90 gallons of water, and choosing a water-efficient showerhead can save over 16,000 gallons of water annually. Additionally, shutting off the water while soaping or shampooing can further conserve water.

Another water conservation method is basin washing, or washing with a basin of water rather than running water. This practice ensures that only the necessary amount of water is used, reducing waste. This is particularly useful when travelling, as it helps to conserve water in the camper's tank.

Mixer taps, or single-lever mixer taps, are also an effective way to conserve water. These taps allow for quicker and more convenient adjustment of water temperature and volume compared to traditional two-handle mixer taps, reducing the amount of water that flows down the drain while waiting for the desired temperature. Mixer taps with hansgrohe CoolStart technology only allow hot water to flow when deliberately turned on, further reducing energy and water consumption.

Other water conservation methods include rainwater harvesting, using water-efficient appliances, and fixing leaking taps. When travelling in a camper, it is essential to consider water weight and availability when deciding how much water to carry. Carrying a full water tank can increase fuel consumption and weight, but it ensures access to clean water, especially when boondocking or camping in areas without hookups or reliable water sources.

Frequently asked questions