Running water in a van is genuinely nice to have — but there's a wide range of options from a $15 water jug to a fully plumbed pressurized system. Here's how to figure out what actually makes sense for your build, and use our water calculator to plan the details.
As I write this, I'm on a 10-day trip in our van without a functional sink. It's not ideal, but it's completely workable — we fill water bottles at spigots, wash dishes in a basin, and it's honestly fine. I mention this because running water is one of those things that's easy to overthink and over-invest in early on.
A full plumbing system is a nice comfort upgrade, not a necessity. Plenty of people camp happily for years with nothing more than a water jug. If you're on a budget or building in phases, this is a great system to add later once you know what you actually want.
That said, if you do install running water, you'll probably use it more than you expect. The options below go from simplest to most elaborate — pick the level that matches your budget and how you'll actually use the van.
From simplest to most elaborate:
A blue 5-7 gallon water jug with a built-in spigot. Set it on your tailgate, countertop, or a camp table and use it to fill bottles, wash hands, or rinse dishes. This is what a lot of people start with, and some never move past it because it just works.
A faucet and sink connected to a portable water jug via a manual foot pump. You press a pedal to pump water up through the faucet. This technically gives you running water with zero electrical draw.
This is the sweet spot for most builds. A small 12V electric water pump connected to a portable water jug or container, feeding a sink and faucet. The pump turns on automatically when you open the faucet and shuts off when you close it — it feels like a normal sink.
A permanently mounted fresh water tank (10-30+ gallons) with a demand pump that maintains constant pressure throughout the system. This is what you'd find in a traditional RV — turn on any faucet and water flows at consistent pressure.
If you're installing a sink, go bigger than you think you need. This is one area where people consistently wish they'd sized up. A tiny bar sink seems logical in a small space, but when you're actually trying to wash a pot or a cutting board, you'll want the room.
A bigger sink doesn't have to mean less counter space. Many larger van sinks come with (or can be fitted with) a cover — a cutting board or flat insert that sits flush over the basin. When you're not using the sink, you get that footprint back as usable counter space. When you need to wash up, remove the cover. You get the best of both worlds.
Water is heavy — 8.3 lbs per gallon. A 20-gallon tank adds 166 lbs when full. So there's a real tradeoff between capacity and weight. Our water calculator can help you figure out the right tank size based on your actual usage patterns.
5-7 gallon (portable jug): 1-3 days between fills for 1-2 people. Easy to carry and refill anywhere. The sweet spot for most builds.
10-15 gallon tank: 3-5 days between fills. Good for extended boondocking. Adds 83-125 lbs when full.
20+ gallon tank: A week or more between fills. Full-time territory. Heavy and takes up significant space.
If you go with an electric pump system, the plumbing itself is simple — a single line from tank to pump to faucet, with a drain line from the sink to a gray water container.
Noise tip: Water pumps can be surprisingly loud in a small van. Mount the pump on rubber isolators or a piece of foam to dampen vibration. Some people build a small insulated box around the pump.
Gray water is everything that goes down your drain — dish water, hand washing, etc. You need to collect it and dispose of it properly.
A 2.5-5 gallon jug that sits under the sink and catches drain water via a hose. When it's full, dump it at a dump station or restroom sink. This is what most van builds use — simple, cheap, and works fine.
A permanently mounted gray water tank with a drain valve. Larger capacity and more convenient to dump, but more complex to install and exposed to the elements.
Disposal etiquette: Don't dump gray water on the ground in campgrounds, parking lots, or natural areas. Use designated dump stations, campground sinks, or public restroom sinks.
If you'll be in freezing temperatures, water in your lines and tank can freeze, potentially damaging your pump and cracking fittings.
For most builds, option 3 — an electric pump with a portable tank — is the sweet spot. A 12V demand pump, a 5-7 gallon jug, a medium sink with a cover, a faucet, and PEX tubing. Total cost: $120-230. Installs in an afternoon.
But if you're on a budget or building in phases, start with just a water jug. You can always add plumbing later, and you might find you don't need it as much as you thought. Get out and use the van — that'll tell you what upgrades are actually worth your money.
And if you do install a sink, get a bigger one with a cover. You'll never regret having a sink that can fit a pan, and the cover gives you the counter space back when you're not using it.