How to use your caravan water tanks

As well as fresh or drinking water tanks, many caravans are sold these days with a grey water tank, or a separate holding tank (usually 50-100 litres' capacity) for the sudsy, dirty water that heads down the drain when using the sinks and shower.

But what regular maintenance and checks, if any, are required when it comes to using your caravan's water tanks?

Adelaide RV which sells Supreme, Leader and Goldstream caravans and campers, recently provided some handy water-tank tips for beginners, from how to fill them up without splashing water everywhere, to how to keep the tanks from going mouldy...

Adelaide RV dealer principal Jeb Grose, said it's most important to opt for a drinking water or food grade hose when filling fresh water tanks, to prevent that rubber-tainted water taste you get from using a regular garden hose.

He says there are a number of attachments available from caravan accessory suppliers that make it easier to fill the water tanks through the fillers located at the side of the van, and prevent unwanted splashing. You can also save a few dollars by making one using a few items form the local hardware store, including incorporating a shut-off valve that makes it easier to shut off the mains water flow when the tanks are full.

As far as 12V water pumps go, it's normal to get some 'pulsing' of the pump after the tap is turned off, which helps pressurise the line and ensure minimal delay when the taps are turned back on.

"But if you hear your pump kicking in and out in the course of a night, it may indicate you have a slight water leak or you're losing pressure somewhere in your caravan... it may potentially be a fitting that's a little bit loose, or a pinhole in one of the water pipes underneath the van," he says.

When it comes to 'grey water' holding tanks, he suggests flushing the tank periodically using a multi-purpose tank cleaner concentrate that can also be used for the toilet cassette. These are available as either a harsher chemical liquid or in a more environmentally friendly non-toxic form. You can either wait for an unusual smell to develop from the grey water tanks before flushing them out, or do it every 6-12 months as part of a regular maintenance program.

For the full rundown of tips and tricks when it comes to using the water tanks on your caravan, watch the video below...