Complete Guide to Our Van Life Plumbing System | DIY Van Conversion

Van Build

Apr 16

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Today I'm taking you behind the scenes of one of the most critical (and complicated!) parts of our build: our plumbing system.

This has been one of our final major projects before we hit the road—and let me tell you, it’s been a journey. So if you're planning your own DIY van conversion and wondering how to tackle plumbing in a van, I hope this post gives you clarity, inspiration, and maybe a little confidence too.

Our Van Plumbing Setup: The Basics

Our system was designed to be simple but functional, providing us with cold and hot running water, a kitchen faucet, and an outdoor shower—all powered by a 34-gallon fresh water tank.

Here’s the general flow of our water system:

Freshwater Tank (34 gallons)
Installed over the passenger-side wheel well.
Water Pump + Accumulator + Strainer
Pressurizes water and smooths out flow.
Camplux 4-Gallon Electric Water Heater
Provides hot water to the faucet and shower.
Outdoor Shower Hookup
Connected via a hose and quick-release fitting.
5-Gallon Grey Water Tank
Captures all wastewater from our sink.

Fresh Water Tank Installation

We mounted a 34-gallon over-the-wheel-well tank (yes, 34 gallons, which is around 280 pounds when full) that fits snugly along the side of our van. Although this tank was originally designed to bolt directly onto the van ribs, we bought it a little late in our process, so Jason got creative and built a custom attachment setup.

Important Notes:

We added a vent line to prevent tank swelling.
The tank is sealed and supported underneath with a 2x4 for added stability.
We also installed a shut-off valve near the outlet for maintenance and safety.

💡 Pro Tip: Always include a vent that allows air both in and out. Initially, we used a Steuder vent, but it only allowed air in—not ideal! Thanks to a helpful Facebook group, we created a custom fix using flexible vinyl piping through the back door and to the outside of the van.

Plumbing Components and Connections

We used ½” PEX tubing throughout our van water system. It's affordable, easy to install, and super durable. Here’s what we used to bring everything together:

Water Pump & Accumulator: Balances flow and handles pressure changes automatically.
Camplux Water Heater: A small but mighty 4-gallon electric heater.
Filter/Strainer: Prevents debris from entering the pump.
PEX Clamps & Fittings: Mostly brass—avoid plastic parts (ask us how we know!).

Why We Chose an Electric Water Heater

We debated propane vs. electric for a while. While electric heaters aren't usually designed for mobile use, we preferred to avoid propane for safety reasons. We stabilized the Camplux as best as we could and are ready to see how it holds up!

Outdoor Shower & Sink Setup

The water lines split into three directions:

To the sink faucet (hot & cold).
To the Camplux water heater.
From the heater to both the faucet and the outdoor shower.

We added a quick-connect hose and mount for our shower, and used manual valves to control water flow if needed.

And yes, there were a few leaks along the way (RIP to the plastic valve that exploded on Jason), but we fixed them all.

Grey Water Tank

Our 5-gallon grey water tank sits right in front of the water heater, strapped down with 200-lb ratchet straps. It connects to the sink drain, and we made sure to include a secure shut-off valve in case of spills or maintenance.

Lessons Learned: Plumbing in a Van Isn’t as Scary as It Seems

We didn’t plan out our plumbing system from the start (which we don’t totally recommend), but it worked out thanks to some luck and a lot of problem-solving. Here’s what we’d tell anyone starting their van life plumbing journey:

Use metal fittings whenever possible—plastic WILL fail.
Give yourself extra time to work through leaks and learning curves.
Join van life communities—Facebook groups helped us SO much.
Test everything in stages—we found leaks we wouldn’t have seen otherwise.

Next Up: Adventure Awaits!

Now that our van plumbing is fully installed and working, we’re getting ready for a big test run through the Great Smoky Mountains—right in time for my birthday! Paddle boards, waterfalls, and hot showers in the van… what more could I ask for?