How to Install Water Systems in Your Minivan Camper
Are you considering van life in a minivan? Then you’ll want to know about the minivan-camper conversion water systems you will need in your setup.
What are Minivan-Camper Conversion Water Systems?
Simply put, these water systems are responsible for providing clean drinking and cooking water. Additionally, these systems help you keep yourself and your cooking gear clean.
What are the different components of Minivan-Camper Conversion Water Systems?
There are typically just a few components to these systems: water storage container, water pump, and grey water collector.
- Water Storage Containers – Just as the name implies, these containers store your freshwater
- Water Pump – you can opt for a manual style that will require your foot or hand action to work, a battery-powered and rechargeable style, or an electric style
- Grey Water Collector – The water that’s left after you wash dishes, brush your teeth, or bathe yourself is called grey water. You will want to collect this grey water and dispose of it properly. Much grey water may have food particles that will attract pests, rodents, and wild animals. Water left from doing dishes or bathing will have soap not suitable for the environment. You can switch to bio-degradable soaps and toothpaste to avoid the need to collect your grey water.
Types of Water Storage Containers for Minivan-Camper Conversion Water Systems
- Military-style water container:
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- BPA-free collapsible water container:
- FOOD-GRADE ODORLESS GREAT TASTE: PE plastic made with highest quality USA raw material. Environmentally friendly non-toxic, No BPA PVC or DEHP, No plastic PVC odor and water taste will not be...
- LIGHT, COMPACT, PORTABLE AND REUSABLE Foldable space saving design store away easily. Remains soft and flexible even when cold yet retains shape and is easy to fill, dry, drain and reuse. Soft molded...
- WORRY-FREE AND LEAK-PROOF Custom made lid and spigot with gasketless design means no leaks or parts to replace. Good spigot water-flow. Thicker lid to withstand heavy pressure. Easy on/off spigot with...
- EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND DAILY USE Enables you quickly and safely store all the water your family needs in the event of an emergency or natural disaster like hurricane, tornado, earthquake, fire,...
- SATISFACTION GUARANTEE AND EBOOK INCLUDED If for any reason within 30 days you're not satisfied, simply return for a refund or replacement. THANK-YOU BONUS: Cubey wants you and your family to Be...
- 5 Gallon Water Jug:
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Other components to supplement your Minivan-Camper Conversion Water Systems
Now that you have learned about the main components of your water system, I will talk about some of the other components I include in my minivan-camper conversion water systems.
Water Purifying Components for your Minivan-Camper Conversion Water Systems
There are a few additional items I carry with me to be prepared. These items are not required to enjoy a fun and safe camping experience in your minivan-camper conversion. However, in an emergency situation, these items can be life-saving.
- Water purifying tablets:
- One Bottle Of 50 Potable Aqua Water Purification Tablets And One Bottle Of 50 Potable Aqua Pa Plus Tables
- Water Purification Tablets Make Questionable Water Bacteriologically Suitable To Drink In Emergency Water Situations
- These Water Purification Tablets For Drinking Water Leaves No Iodine Taste Or Color In Your Emergency Water, When Used Correctly.
- Portable Water Treatment Tablets Are Effective Against Bacteria And Giardia Lamblia, For Trusted Emergency Water Purification
- Water Treatment Tablets Offer Emergency Water Purification For Hiking, Travel, And Natural Disasters, And Ideal To Keep With Camping Accessories
- LifeStraw:
- Removes Bacteria & Parasites: The Microfiltration Membrane Removes 99.999999% Of Waterborne Bacteria (Including E. Coli And Salmonella), And 99.999% Of Waterborne Parasites (Including Giardia And...
- Removes Microplastics: Removes The Smallest Microplastics Found In The Environment (Down To 1 Micron), And Reduces Turbidity Down To 0.2 Microns
- Rigorous Testing: All Claims Are Verified With Laboratories Using Standard Testing Protocols Set By The Us Epa, Nsf, Astm For Water Purifiers
- Long Lifetime: The Microbiological Filter Will Provide 4,000 Liters (1,000 Gallons) Of Clean And Safe Drinking Water With Proper Use And Maintenance
- Make An Impact: For Every Lifestraw Product Purchased, A School Child In Need Receives Safe Drinking Water For An Entire School Year.Bpa Free Materials
- Gravity Fed Water Filter:
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Kitchen in a Minivan-Camper Conversion Water Systems Components
I add the following components to complete my minivan-camper conversion kitchen setup:
- Collapsible dish basin with drain:
- 【Plug & Drainer Design】The portable kitchen sink and camping sink basin come with a removable drain plug that you won't lift to drain. The collapsible dish drainer is suitable for washing dishes,...
- 【Multifunctional】The collapsible washing basin is versatile for all your household tasks. It can use as a dish tub, RV sink, rinse basin, or storage basket. Perfect for camping, hiking,...
- 【Space-Saving and Foldable】The dish basin feature a foldable design so that you can adjust the size as needed. It collapses easily for storage and takes up very little space.Expanded size:12.4 x...
- 【Easy to carry】Water basin, dishwashing tub has a dual carry handle for raising your sink and convenient use. A non-slip design at the bottom can keep the collapsible dishpan steady and firmly....
- 【Durable Material(BPA FREE)】The collapsible dishpan comprises flexible thermoplastic rubber (TPR) + food-grade premium PP material and is dishwasher safe. Which is not easily deformed and durable.
- Plastic spray bottle:
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- Silicone dish scrubbers – Mold-resistant dish scrubbers to clean all your dishes.
- High Quality Materials: Dish sponge is made of high quality food grade silicone sponge. The shape of the bone makes the hand easier to control and more flexible to use.
- Double-sided Cleaning: Silicone sponge is double-sided design, easy to clean and easy to operate.
- Ease Of Use: You can safely use it for kitchen tools because the brushes on the sponge are soft and scratch-free. And it won't stick to the oil! No matter how much oil you wash, as long as you wash...
- Convenient Suspension: With hole design, fast dehydration suspension, easy to hang anywhere to dry.
- Uses: Food-grade silicone scrubber can clean everything from utensils to dirty pots, and it is also very suitable for washing dishes, fruits and vegetables.
- Microfiber dish towel:
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- Drying mat: – Many designs available!
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- Bottlebrush:
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- Biodegradable dish soap:
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Shower Options 💦
When traveling and living the van life in my minivan-camper conversion, I definitely have a solid solution that I use while I’m on the road. However, there is definitely more than one solution to keep you clean.
Shower Option #1 – Planet Fitness
For me, the solution has been a relatively inexpensive one. I decided to join Planet Fitness. I have the Black Card Membership which allows you to access all Planet Fitness locations across the United States.
There is an annual membership fee of $39.99 and the Black Card Membership runs me $24.44/month or $293.28 per year. This works out to $.91 per day.
Benefits of a Planet Fitness Black Card Membership
- Nationwide locations
- Gym membership
- Tanning
- Infrared booths
- Massages chairs/tables
- Showers
- Lockers
- You don’t need shower water storage in your camper
Shower Option #2 – Solar Shower Bag
If you are set on having a portable shower while you’re out boondocking, then the cheapest option is likely this solar shower bag. With a bag of this type, simply fill it with water from a nearby water source and then place the filled bag in the sun.
These bags are typically black or a dark color which will attract the sun’s heat. As the bag sits out in the sun, the water inside heats up. After a few hours, hang the bag from a tree or your rear hatch/door.
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What about privacy? 👀
Concerned about privacy? Then you will definitely want to pick up one of the privacy pop-up shower tents. Be wary of the type that cost less than $100 as these typically do not last more than one trip nor do they hold up in windy conditions.
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Your best bet is to invest in a pop-up privacy tent that has strings to tie the tent down to stakes in the ground. Also, look for those with a floor to keep critters out.
Shower Option #3 – Portable Camp Shower w/USB Rechargeable Batteries
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This option is essentially a small water pump that you drop into a bucket of water. The pump has a hose attached and a showerhead attachment on the end. With two batteries included, you should always be ready to take a shower. There are many brands of this style so I suggest doing your homework by reading the reviews. I have not purchased one of these units yet, however, I know many nomads who use this option.
Other shower solutions great for boondocking
- POMO High Pressure 5L Portable Shower, Outdoor Shower – This reminds me of a Hudson sprayer except modified to take a hose attachment with a shower head. I’m not seeing a way to heat the water either.
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- WaterPORT:
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- Dr. Prepare Portable Camping Shower, 5 Gallons/20L Collapsible Bucket with Pump
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- Portable Propane Tankless Water Heater – For this solution, you will also need a propane tank and a way to store it in a vented compartment. Also, you would need a carbon monoxide detector and water storage to hook up to it. Honestly, for a minivan camper, this is the last option I would ever choose due to the space requirements for it.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, there are only a few components necessary to complete your minivan-camper conversion water systems setup. As long as you have a way to store & access water while you travel, you will be prepared for your next adventure.
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Last update on 2025-02-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
