The Real Off-Grid Essentials: What You Actually Need for Water, Grey Water & Power Hook-Ups on the Road

When people think about “off-grid caravan essentials,” the conversation nearly always jumps to solar, batteries, inverters and electrical systems.

But here’s the truth every real off-grid traveller eventually learns:

You may live off-grid, but you still rely on water, grey water and power hook-ups at some point, every single trip.

Whether it’s:

• Topping up drinking water
• Managing grey water responsibly
• Plugging into a caravan park for a reset
• Connecting to a generator in remote locations

…these essentials keep your travels comfortable, compliant and stress-free.

This guide is the no-nonsense breakdown of the real gear you need for smooth caravanning, not the marketing fluff, not the overhyped gadgets.

Just the essentials:

Water in. Grey water out. Power in.
Simple. Reliable. Essential.

Why Water, Grey Water & Hook-Up Power Still Matter for Off-Grid Travellers

The dream of “never seeing a caravan park again” is fun to imagine, but not how real travel works.

Even the most dedicated off-grid explorers follow a natural rhythm:

Long off-grid stays → A quick reset → Back into the wild

During that reset, you depend on:

• Clean, safe drinking water
• A controlled grey water system
• A safe 15A power connection

These systems are not optional.
They’re the backbone of every caravan setup, off-grid or not.

Without them, your trip becomes shorter, messier, or more stressful.

The Water Essentials You Actually Need

Despite what you see online, off-grid water doesn’t need to be complicated.

You only need a system that keeps water:

• Safe
• Clean
• Easy to access
• Easy to store

Let’s break down the real essentials.

1. A Food-Grade Drinking Water Hose That Won’t Kink (or Taste Like Plastic)

The fastest way to ruin clean water is a low-quality hose.

Cheap hoses:

• Taste bad
• Kink constantly
• Crack in the sun
• Take up too much space

The Flat Out Drinking Water Hose Reel has built a cult following because it solves all of that:

• Winds out flat
• Winds back in seconds
• No tangles
• No plastic taste
• Lasts for years

It’s a simple product that eliminates one of caravanning’s most annoying jobs.

2. A Filtration System That Actually Protects You (Not Just Looks Fancy)

When you’re filling up from:

• Caravan parks
• Roadhouses
• Bore water
• Station stays
• Town taps

…the quality varies massively.

This is why a reliable inline filter is a must, not a luxury.

The B.E.S.T. Inline Water Filter is one of the most trusted in Australia because it’s:

• Rugged
• Reusable
• Easy
• Highly effective
• Designed for harsh Australian conditions

It removes sediment, chemicals, bad tastes and harmful contaminants, giving you confidence no matter where you're filling up.

3. A Reliable 12V Water Pump

We don’t need to deep-dive specs here, that’s for another day. But it’s worth mentioning:

A good pump = good water pressure + good showers + less strain on your system.
A bad pump = holiday frustration.

This is an important part of the overall water system, even if it’s not something you replace often.

4. Fittings, Connectors & Jerry Cans: The Unsung Heroes

These are the things travellers wish they had remembered, usually when they're far from home.

• Tap fittings (you will encounter every type imaginable)
• Snap-on connectors for speed
• Food-grade jerry cans for remote top-ups or awkward fill points

Small investments, big convenience.

Grey Water Essentials - Managing “Used Water” From Daily Life (NOT Toilets)

Let’s clarify this straight away:

We are NOT talking about toilet waste.
That’s a completely separate system with its own solutions and its own category.

This section is only about grey water, which includes:

• Shower water
• Dishwashing water
• Handwashing water
• Laundry water
• Sink water

Basically, any used water that isn’t from the toilet.

Why Grey Water Matters (More Than You Think)

Grey water has become one of the most regulated parts of caravanning.

Depending on where you travel, you may be required to:

• Capture it
• Direct it to a proper drain
• Prevent it from pooling around your campsite

Even if you’re not required to contain it everywhere, responsible management is key.

This is where a good sullage hose becomes essential.

The Sullage Hose: The “Unsexy Essential” That Makes Life Easier

A poor-quality sullage hose is one of the most frustrating pieces of gear on the planet.

They twist.
They stink.
They crack.
They coil wrong.
They NEVER pack away neatly.

The Flat Out Sullage Hose Reel

is the opposite:

• Packs flat
• No tangles
• Quick to deploy
• Easy to clean
• Fits neatly into the caravan storage bay

It’s a small product that solves a surprisingly big problem.

Power Hook-Ups: The Most Misunderstood Off-Grid Essential

Here’s the part that surprises many new off-grid travellers:

Off-grid caravanners use power hook-ups more than most people realise.

Why?

Because you WILL eventually need to:

• Plug into a caravan park
• Connect to a generator
• Recharge at a showground
• Run your van off home power
• Reset your system between off-grid stretches

This is not about batteries, solar or inverters.
This is about safe, compliant 240V connection.

Why Caravans Must Use 15A Leads

Caravans draw more current than a normal household appliance, hence the heavier-duty, 15A requirement.

A proper caravan lead:

• Handles higher loads safely
• Reduces overheating
• Meets Australian standards
• Protects your appliances

A cheap cord is a false economy.

The Flat Out 15A Extension Cord Reel: Safe, Clean & Tangle-Free

This reel solves every frustration caravanners have with power leads:

• No tangles
• No mud
• No awkward wrapping
• No broken plastic spools
• No guessing if the cord is damaged

Just tidy, reliable, safe power; every time.

The Flat Out Trifecta: Water In. Grey Water Out. Power In.

Flat Out’s system is simple but brilliant:

✔ Drinking water reel
✔ Sullage reel
✔ 15A extension cord reel

Everything winds flat.
Everything packs tight.
Everything works.

This is why so many travellers say these reels are the best quality-of-life upgrade they’ve made.

The Essentials vs The Noise (A Straight-Shooting Breakdown)

Actual Essentials

• Drinking water hose
• B.E.S.T. inline water filter
• Sullage hose (grey water)
• 15A power cord
• Tap fittings & connectors
• Working water pump
• Jerry cans for backup water

Nice to Have

• Spare hoses
• Extra tap fittings
• Filter upgrades

Not Necessary

• Over-engineered filtration towers
• Cheap hoses and cords
• Multi-purpose reels that fail at everything

Why These Essentials Make Off-Grid Travel Better

Because the less time you spend:

• Fighting with hoses
• Managing grey water
• Wrestling extensions cords

…the more time you spend actually enjoying your trip.

Reliable systems = more confidence.
More confidence = longer stays.
Longer stays = the off-grid lifestyle you came for.

Ready to Build a Setup That Just Works?

Every product in this collection was chosen because it’s proven, by real travellers, in real Australian conditions.

If it’s here, it’s because it makes life easier, cleaner and more reliable on the road.

👉 Explore the full range:

Caravan Water, Grey Water & Power Hook-Ups

Shop the essentials travellers trust

Water in.
Grey water out.
Power in.
Sorted.