7 Tips For Fresh RV Water (Don't Go Thirsty!)

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Ready to master your RV water game? If you’ve ever wondered whether you should rely on your fresh tank, stock up on bottled water, or use a clever combination of both, you’re not alone. We recently ran a poll in our newsletter asking fellow RVers about their preferred water storage methods, and the results were eye-opening!

The overwhelming majority chose a combination approach, showing that smart RVers don’t put all their eggs—or water—in one basket. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a full-time road tripper, understanding your water storage options can make or break your adventure. Clean, accessible water is the lifeblood of comfortable RV living, and getting your storage strategy right means fewer headaches and more time enjoying the open road.

In this article, we’re diving into seven essential tips based on real RVer experiences and expert recommendations. From tank maintenance to filtration systems, we’ll help you figure out the best water storage solution for your unique travel style. Let’s get started!

1. Know Your RV’s Fresh Water Tank Capacity

Understanding your RV’s water storage capacity is like knowing how much gas your car holds—it’s essential for trip planning. Most RVs carry between 20 and 100 gallons of fresh water, but the exact amount depends on your rig’s size and type.

According to industry data, Class B motorhomes typically hold 20-40 gallons, while Class C motorhomes average 35-60 gallons. Fifth wheels and larger Class A motorhomes can store anywhere from 60 to 100+ gallons. Travel trailers usually fall somewhere in between, with most having 30-50 gallon tanks.

Here’s a quick reference guide:

RV Type	Typical Fresh Water Capacity
Class B Motorhome	20-40 gallons
Class C Motorhome	35-60 gallons
Travel Trailer	30-50 gallons
Fifth Wheel	60-90 gallons
Class A Motorhome	75-100+ gallons

The Water Tank Reality Check: You might think your 50-gallon tank means 50 gallons of carefree water usage, but here’s the plot twist—you’ll run out faster than you think! Between showers, dishes, hand washing, and that sneaky toilet flush (which uses about 1 gallon each time), you’ll be surprised how quickly your tank empties. Plan for 2-3 days of water for two people with average usage, or invest in that combination approach our poll respondents love.

2. The Combination Approach: Why 69% of RVers Choose Both

Our poll revealed something fascinating: a whopping 69% of RVers use a combination of fresh tank water AND bottled water. This isn’t just popular—it’s practically the industry standard, and for good reason!

The combination approach gives you flexibility and peace of mind. You can use your fresh tank for showers, dishes, and general cleaning while keeping bottled water on hand for drinking and cooking. This strategy is especially smart when you’re unsure about campground water quality or dealing with tanks that haven’t been sanitized recently.

According to a TechnoRV survey, about 38% of RVers buy bottled water for drinking purposes even when they have filtration systems. This shows that many people prefer having multiple water sources rather than relying on just one method.

Why Two is Better Than One: Here’s the beauty of the combo method—you’re basically a water storage genius with a backup plan! Your fresh tank handles the heavy lifting (goodbye, stinky dishes), while your bottled water stash keeps you hydrated without second-guessing every sip. It’s like having insurance for your thirst. Plus, when you pull into that sketchy campground with questionable water hookups, you won’t be frantically Googling “can I survive on energy drinks?”

3. Sanitize Your Fresh Water Tank Regularly

When was the last time you sanitized your RV’s fresh water tank? If you can’t remember, it’s definitely time! Industry experts recommend sanitizing your fresh water system at least twice a year—once before the camping season starts and once before winterizing.

The sanitization process is straightforward but essential. You’ll need to use 1/4 cup of household bleach for every 15 gallons of tank capacity. Fill your tank with this bleach solution, run it through all your faucets until you smell bleach, let it sit for 24 hours, then drain completely and refill with fresh water several times until the bleach smell disappears.

Key maintenance tips include:

Sanitize before first use of the season
Sanitize after extended periods of non-use (3+ months)
Use only plain, unscented household bleach
Never add bleach directly to the tank—dilute it first in a gallon of water
Run sanitizing solution through your water heater too

The Bleach Situation: Look, nobody wakes up thinking “gee, I can’t wait to dump bleach in my water tank today!” But here’s the thing—skipping this step is like skipping leg day at the gym. Sure, you can get away with it for a while, but eventually, you’ll regret it when you’re dealing with funky-tasting water that makes your morning coffee taste like pond scum. Take the 30 minutes, do the bleach thing, and thank yourself later when your water doesn’t taste like it came from a swamp.

4. Invest in a Quality Water Filtration System

Only 14% of our poll respondents rely solely on filtered tap water, but here’s the thing—they might be onto something! Water filtration systems offer significant cost savings compared to continuously buying bottled water, and they’re better for the environment too.

A quality RV water filter can remove sediment, chlorine, bad tastes, and odors from campground water. Some advanced systems even remove bacteria and heavy metals. Studies show that filtration systems cost pennies per gallon compared to bottled water, which can run hundreds or thousands of times more expensive over time.

Popular filtration options include:

Inline filters (attach between hose and RV)
Multi-stage systems (sediment, carbon, and specialty filters)
Reverse osmosis systems (highest purity level)
Under-sink filters (for drinking water only)

According to research from RVers, having a filtration system protects your RV’s plumbing and appliances from hard water and sediment buildup, potentially saving you thousands in repair costs down the road.

The Plastic Problem: If you’re still hauling cases of bottled water into your rig, let’s talk about your storage situation—or lack thereof. Your RV isn’t a Costco warehouse, and those plastic bottles are hogging prime real estate that could be used for important stuff like snacks, board games, or more snacks. Plus, you’re basically paying premium prices for fancy tap water (seriously, 64% of bottled water in America is just municipal tap water in a prettier package). Get a good filter and reclaim that cabinet space!

5. The Bottled Water Strategy (For the 17% Who Swear By It)

Seventeen percent of our newsletter subscribers prefer bottled water as their primary drinking water source. While this method costs more and creates more waste, it does offer some distinct advantages that make it worth considering as part of your water strategy.

Bottled water provides instant access to clean drinking water without worrying about tank sanitization, filtration systems, or campground water quality. It’s convenient, portable, and you know exactly what you’re getting. For short trips or weekend camping, the convenience often outweighs the cost.

Bottled water works best when:

You’re taking short trips (2-3 days)
You have limited fresh tank capacity
You’re dry camping without water hookups
You’re unsure about local water quality
You need a reliable backup water source

However, the costs add up quickly. A family drinking 3-4 gallons of bottled water per week can spend $600-800 annually, compared to just $50-100 for a good filtration system over the same period.

The Heavy Truth: Want to know the secret workout routine RVers never talk about? Hauling 40-pound cases of water from the store to your rig! You’ll develop biceps like a bodybuilder, but your back might have a different opinion about this “fitness plan.” And let’s be honest—nothing says “living the dream” quite like playing Tetris with water bottles in your already-cramped RV storage. But hey, at least you’ll never question if the water’s clean!

6. Keep Your Tanks Clean and Monitor Water Quality

Here’s something most RVers learn the hard way: fresh water doesn’t stay fresh forever. Even in your sealed tank, water can develop bacteria, algae, and unpleasant odors if left sitting too long. Experts recommend not storing water in your tank for more than two weeks without use.

Important water quality practices:

Drain and refill your fresh tank every 2 weeks during active use
Add water treatment drops to prevent bacterial growth
Keep tank caps tightly sealed to prevent contamination
Use a clear section of water line to visually inspect water quality
Test water periodically with quality test strips

The two-week rule applies even if your tank is properly sanitized. Stagnant water creates the perfect environment for microorganisms to multiply, especially in warm weather. If you’re storing your RV for extended periods, it’s best to completely drain all water tanks rather than leaving them partially full.

According to maintenance experts, keeping your freshwater system clean helps prevent mold, mildew, and biofilm buildup that can permanently contaminate your water supply and damage your RV’s plumbing system.

The Forgetful RVer’s Nightmare: Picture this—you return to your RV after a month away, turn on the tap, and the water smells like a science experiment gone wrong. That’s the “I forgot I had water in my tank” smell, and it’s unforgettable for all the wrong reasons! Your tank isn’t a wine barrel—water doesn’t get better with age. In fact, it gets funky, grows things that shouldn’t exist, and turns your fresh water system into a biology lesson nobody signed up for. Empty it, clean it, or use it. Those are your options!

7. Plan for Emergency Water Storage

Smart RVers always have a backup water plan. Whether it’s unexpected dry camping, a contaminated water supply, or equipment failure, having emergency water storage can save your trip from disaster.

Emergency water storage options include:

Collapsible water containers (5-10 gallons)
Additional portable water jugs
Water storage bags designed for RVs
Cases of bottled water as backup supply

Experts recommend keeping at least 1 gallon per person per day for emergency drinking water. For a family of four on a week-long trip, that means having 28 gallons of emergency drinking water accessible—separate from your regular fresh tank supply.

Your fresh tank capacity plus emergency storage gives you true peace of mind. If you have a 40-gallon tank and 20 gallons of emergency water, you’ve got serious flexibility for extended boondocking or handling unexpected situations.

The “What If” Strategy: You know what separates RV rookies from seasoned road warriors? The veterans have more water containers than Amazon has delivery trucks! They’ve got collapsible jugs, backup bottles, and probably a secret water stash nobody knows about. Why? Because they’ve been there—stranded at a campground with broken water hookups, watching their tank gauge drop like the stock market on a bad day. Don’t be the person rationing water like you’re on a desert island. A few extra gallons in storage means you can actually enjoy your trip instead of calculating if you have enough water to brush your teeth.

BONUS TIP: Mix and Match Based on Your Travel Style

The beauty of the combination approach that 69% of our readers prefer is its flexibility. You can adjust your water storage strategy based on where you’re going and how long you’ll be there.

For full hookup campgrounds: Use your fresh tank and trust filtered city water connections

For boondocking: Maximize fresh tank capacity and bring backup bottled water

For questionable water sources: Rely more heavily on bottled water or advanced filtration

For short weekend trips: Bottled water might be most convenient

The key is understanding that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Your water storage strategy should evolve based on your specific needs, destination, and comfort level.

Final Thoughts: Stay Hydrated, Stay Happy

Water storage might not be the most exciting part of RV life, but it’s definitely one of the most important. Whether you choose fresh tank water, bottled water, filtered tap water, or a combination approach, the goal is the same—ensuring you have safe, clean, and accessible water throughout your journey.

Based on our poll results, the combination method is clearly the crowd favorite for good reason. It offers flexibility, backup options, and peace of mind. But remember, the best water storage solution is the one that works for your unique situation and travel style.

Keep those tanks sanitized, invest in quality filtration, plan for emergencies, and you’ll never have to worry about your water supply again. Now get out there and enjoy the open road—fully hydrated!