Slide In Camper Water Guide: Two Years of Real Experience Shared

Water and electricity, as the two pillars of daily life, directly affect our quality of life. Compared to electricity, water is even more indispensable, because a lack of water directly threatens our basic survival. So, how exactly does a slide in camper solve the water issue? Can you take a shower inside a slide in camper? When water runs low, how do we replenish it? And what other challenges does slide in camper water usage face? Next, let’s dive deep into these water-related questions.

The water tank is the core component of a slide in camper’s water system. Take my slide in camper as an example: it is equipped with a 22-gallon fresh water tank and an 8-gallon grey water tank. The fresh water tank stores clean water to meet needs such as washing up and showering, while the grey water tank collects waste water from washing. These tanks are typically mounted underneath the vehicle and have a certain degree of insulation. But in the cold northern winter, underbelly tanks can easily freeze, so some high-quality slide in campers also install insulated water tanks inside the vehicle to ensure normal water supply during winter.

Most slide in campers, like the one I drive, are equipped with a combined heater and water heater unit. This system has a built-in small tank for storing heated hot water. However, the capacity of this small tank is limited, typically holding only 4 to 5 gallons of water. To maintain water temperature, its insulation performance is usually better than that of the fresh water tank. But please note that in sub-freezing temperatures, the tank can still be damaged. Therefore, the hot water on a slide in camper is generally only suitable for use in above-freezing conditions.

In addition to the fresh water tank, grey water tank, and insulated water tank, a slide in camper is also equipped with a black water tank, which is mainly used to collect and store toilet waste and flush water. Although the capacity of the black water tank is usually not large, it needs to be cleaned regularly to maintain hygiene. However, this also becomes one of the reasons some people are reluctant to use the toilet on a slide in camper, because they have to clean the black water tank themselves.

Furthermore, when using a slide in camper in winter, we need to pay special attention to the anti-freezing issue of the water tanks. When temperatures drop below freezing, not only the tanks themselves but the entire water line system can be frozen and cracked. Therefore, before winter arrives, we need to ensure that all water in the tanks and the entire piping system is completely drained to prevent pipes from bursting. I once had an unpleasant experience: due to lack of experience, I only drained the water from the tank but neglected the entire water line, resulting in a burst pipe during winter. But having learned from that lesson, I now know to fully drain the entire water system in winter, and have smoothly gotten through every cold winter since. slide in campers like the TP06W, which feature fully sealed waterproof construction, also offer an optional winter liner that adds an extra layer of insulation — quite practical for winter users.

Next, let’s talk about water usage on a slide in camper. slide in camper water usage is mainly divided into two categories: first, drinking water, mainly used for cooking and making tea; second, domestic water, such as washing vegetables and showering. Under normal circumstances, we draw water from the tank for domestic use, while for drinking water we choose to purchase purified water.

There are several reasons why we don’t drink the water from the tank. First, the cleanliness of the tank is a key factor. When a slide in camper sits unused for an extended period, the water in the tank may not have been changed for days or even longer, so the water quality naturally deteriorates. Second, the water in the tank is typically filled with tap water or water from other sources, and its quality is difficult to accurately control, so drinking it directly poses certain safety risks. Taking these factors into comprehensive consideration, to ensure the safety and health of our drinking water, we typically choose to purchase purified water as our drinking water source.

The demand for drinking water is not large, typically about 3 liters per day. I usually buy 1-gallon or 3-gallon jugs of water, among which the 1-gallon jugs are reasonably priced at about $2 to $3 and last two days, offering relatively good value. Choosing these two sizes is mainly a consideration of the interior space layout. Behind the driver’s seat, there’s just enough room to place two 1-gallon jugs, and the corner of the shower stall can also fit a 3-gallon jug perfectly, which both saves space and ensures stability during driving.

Daily washing water consumption is not large; aside from showering, other needs such as washing vegetables and brushing teeth amount to about 5 gallons. For convenience, I usually choose a 3-gallon water jug and fill it with tap water. This kind of water jug is very practical in slide in camper life, used not only for drinking but also for washing. Its convenience is mainly reflected in refilling and portability: whether it’s rinsing utensils while cooking or washing vegetables, there’s no need to draw water specifically from the tank — just turn the faucet lightly.

In addition, the two-faucet design on the camper also greatly simplifies the water use process. One is located in the shower stall, equipped with a showerhead, usable for both washing up and showering; the other is at the rear of the vehicle, typically used for water needs at the vehicle’s underside. Since the water tank is mounted underneath the vehicle and the faucets are positioned higher up, water needs to be pumped by a water pump to reach the faucets. Therefore, when you turn on the faucet, the water pump automatically starts, drawing water from the tank to the desired location, bringing great convenience to our lives.

Although the use of a water pump brings great convenience, it is also a relatively fragile component. The water pump on my own vehicle once experienced a malfunction, causing water to flow intermittently — sometimes working, sometimes not — which affected usage. Fortunately, I later replaced it with a new water pump, which is still in use today.

The slide in camper is equipped with a foldable shower stall. Although its space is limited, approximately 36 inches square, it is more than sufficient for simple rinsing needs. Showering requires not only adequate space but also a certain amount of water. Typically, a quick rinse for one person takes about 5 gallons of water. Therefore, the 22-gallon fresh water tank on the camper, along with the few gallons in the water heater system, is sufficient to supply a family of three for showering when water is adequately filled. This is particularly important in the hot summer, because sweating is easy in summer, and being able to take a comfortable shower at night is truly a very pleasant thing.

Although the slide in camper is equipped with a shower stall, in actual use, its frequency is not high. This is not merely because of space or water volume issues, but more because of the cumbersome process. In the limited interior space, the shower stall area often needs to be cleared for other items, so before showering, you first need to clear out enough usable space. And after showering, you also need to carefully wipe down the surrounding water stains to prevent the interior from getting damp, which would affect sleeping comfort at night.

In summer, due to frequent outdoor activities, the shower facility is used most frequently. However, in other seasons, usage is lower due to lower trip frequency and shorter individual driving durations. For extended stays, such as returning home for holidays, we typically choose to go to truck stop shower facilities or gym shower rooms to enjoy a comfortable hot shower, rather than being limited to the on-board shower facility.

To prevent environmental pollution from arbitrary water discharge, the slide in camper is designed with a grey water tank. When we wash up on the camper, the dirty water first flows into the grey water tank. Once we find a suitable dump station, we can then discharge the water from the grey water tank.

Of course, the issue of water replenishment is also worth mentioning. The most convenient method is using water jugs. Each 3-gallon jug lasts us for several days of normal use. If further replenishment is needed, simply find a faucet and easily fill up a jug. In addition, the fill port design also takes convenience into consideration, such as being equipped with a 12V power interface that can work with a portable small water pump for automatic pumping — labor-saving and efficient. Of course, manually lifting a water jug or basin to fill water is also feasible, though slightly more labor-intensive. Additionally, attaching a hose directly to a faucet is also a quick and convenient method. Therefore, we usually keep a 30-foot expandable hose on board for use at any time.

Now, the introduction to slide in camper water usage has come to an end. Do you have any other questions? Feel free to leave a comment in the comments section.