News

One of the things that confuses new caravan owners more than almost anything else is the water system. Hoses, pumps, filters, waste connections and power leads all compete for attention and it is not always obvious how they fit together. The good news is that a functional caravan water system is simpler than it looks once you understand the four jobs it needs to do.

The good news is that a functional caravan water system is simpler than it looks. Once you understand the four key jobs it needs to do, the components make a lot more sense.

You can browse our full range of caravan water, waste and power connections at Campalot or follow this guide to understand what each component does before you start building your system.

The Four Jobs Your Water System Needs to Do

A complete caravan water setup handles four things:

• Bringing clean water in from an external source or your on-board tank
• Filtering that water so it is safe to drink and use
• Distributing it through your van at the right pressure
• Getting waste water out safely and in compliance with park rules

Every component you add to your system is doing one of those four jobs. Keep that in mind as you work through this guide and it will be much easier to see why each piece is there.

Step 1: The Drinking Water Hose

When you pull into a caravan park with a powered or water site, the first thing you connect is a drinking water hose from the tap to your van's inlet. This sounds simple but it matters more than people realise.

A standard garden hose contains plasticisers and chemicals that leach into the water, particularly in hot weather. In an Australian summer, the water sitting in that hose can reach temperatures that accelerate this process significantly.

Always use a food-grade, potable-rated drinking water hose. Flat Out hoses are the most widely recommended in the Aussie caravanning community. They are kink-resistant, UV-stabilised, compact to store and certified safe for drinking water. The taste and safety difference is real.

Standard park connection lengths are 10 to 18 metres. If you are not sure of your site layout, 18 metres gives you the most flexibility.

Step 2: The Water Filter

Even from a treated town supply, caravan park water can carry sediment, chlorine taste and other contaminants that affect the way your water tastes and potentially your health if you are travelling in areas with variable water quality.

A good inline water filter sits between your tap connection and your van's inlet. The B.E.S.T filter range is purpose-built for Australian caravanning use. They remove sediment, chlorine and other common contaminants without restricting flow.

Filters have a service life measured in litres. Keep track of your usage and replace the cartridge as recommended. A filter that is past its service life can actually harbour bacteria rather than removing it.

Step 3: The 12V Water Pump

Unless you are always connected to mains water pressure, you will need a 12V pump to move water through your van when you are off-grid or on tank water.

12V pumps are rated by flow rate (litres per minute) and pressure (PSI). For a standard family caravan with a single bathroom and kitchen, a pump rated at 11 to 15 litres per minute at around 35 to 45 PSI covers most needs comfortably.

The pump draws power from your 12V battery system, so factor it into your daily power budget. Most 12V pumps only run when a tap is open, which keeps consumption low.

Make sure the pump is installed with a pressure switch and appropriate fusing. A pump that runs dry without protection can burn out quickly.

Step 4: The 15 Amp Power Lead

Your van's 240V systems, including battery chargers and appliances, connect to a powered site via a 15 amp caravan extension lead. This is not the same as a standard household extension cord.

Caravan 15 amp leads are designed for outdoor use, UV-resistant, and have a heavier-duty construction than household leads. They carry a 15 amp current load safely across the distances involved in typical park setups.

Never use a standard household extension cord in place of a proper caravan lead. It is a safety hazard and in many cases a breach of park rules.

Step 5: Waste Water Management

Every drop of water that goes into your van comes back out as grey water through the sullage outlet. Managing this properly keeps caravan parks clean, keeps you compliant with park rules and is simply good practice as a traveller.

Sullage Hose

A sullage hose connects your van's grey water outlet to the park's sullage drain point. Like your drinking water hose, use a proper caravan sullage hose rather than a garden hose. They are designed for waste water and include the right fittings for standard park connection points.

Flat Out sullage hoses are the go-to choice in Australia. They are flexible, pack down small and hold up to regular use.

Portable Grey Water Tank

At free camps and bush sites without drainage, a portable grey water tank captures your sink and shower water so you can dispose of it properly at a designated dump point. This keeps you legal, keeps campsites clean and is now expected practice at most free camps across Australia.

Size your tank to your stay length and usage. Most couples free camping for two to three days need a 20 to 25 litre tank. Families or longer stays call for something larger.

Putting It All Together

A complete setup for a caravan pulling into a powered site looks like this:

• Drinking water hose from tap to van inlet
• Inline water filter between tap and inlet
• 15 amp power lead from power post to van
• 12V pump active for off-tap or tank water delivery
• Sullage hose from grey water outlet to drain point

For free camps, remove the drinking hose and power lead, swap to your on-board tank, and add the portable grey water tank to the outlet.

That is genuinely all there is to a functional, compliant caravan water system. Each component has one job, they all work together, and none of them need to be complicated.

A Note on Compatibility

Fittings and thread types vary between van brands and some older vans have non-standard connections. Before you buy, check what inlet type your van uses. Most Australian caravans use a standard Camco-style bayonet fitting, but it is worth confirming before you invest in a full hose kit.

If you are not sure what you need, get in touch with us. We can help you identify the right fittings for your specific setup.

  Shop caravan water connections at Campalot; drinking water hoses, filters, pumps, sullage hoses and grey water tanks.  campalot.com.au/collections/caravan-water-waste-power-connections