If you’re goal is to build an camper van sink system then this installation guide is for you. In this step-by-step tutorial, we will show you how to build you’re own sink plumbing system. This will include:
- Fresh & grey water tanks (under-sink)
- Electric water pump (with switch)
- Great sink & faucet recommendations
- Every required teeny-tiny component
In fact, by the end of this post you will have the knowledge to put together the very same sink plumbing diagram you see below.
Final Sink Plumbing Diagram
So if you’re ready, let’s get to it!
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Step 1:
Modify The Fresh Water Tank Cap
One of the most challenging parts of building a sink system is integrating the fresh water tank to the entire system. We like using jerry cans because they’re space efficient and easy to take out and refill. However, jerry cans were not manufactured with the intention of being connected to a camper van sink system. Therefore some creativity is needed.
Our Specific Jerry Can: The instructions we give below is specific to the unique jerry can we used in our camper van. If you select a different fresh water tank, the products we recommend may not fit.
So the first step is to modify the fresh water tank cap so that it can be integrated into the rest of our total system system.
Fig 1.1 - Modifying The Fresh Water Tank Camp
Required Materials
Below is a table listing all the products you’ll need to complete Step 1.
Product | Purpose | Where To Find |
Reliance 7-Gallon Water Tank | Fresh water holding tank. IMPORTANT to use this specific tank (or other "Reliance" brand water tanks if you will be following our guide. | |
1/2" PEX Pipe | Acts as water straw in water tank. (PEX is also used in other plumbing instances) | |
1/2" PEX to 3/4" Male NPT | Connects PEX pipe to quick release. | |
Quick Release | Allows you to easily disconnect the water tank so you can fill it with water outside the van. | |
Helpful Tools | ||
PEX Crimping Tool Set | Critical tool set when using PEX pipe system. | |
Installation Steps
- Cut a piece of PEX pipe the length of the water tank. Ideally, you want the PEX pipe to reach ~1″ above the bottom of the tank.
- Fit the top of the PEX pipe over the 1/2″ PEX to 3/4″ Male metal fitting.
- With the crimper tool, crimp a copper ring over the PEX pipe and metal fitting.
- Remove the spigot that is included in the Reliance water tank. There should be a threaded hole in the cap.
- Thread the 3/4″ Male NPT from the bottom to the top of the cap.
- Take the bottom half of the quick release (female end) and thread it onto the Male NPT on top of the cap.
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Step 2:
Connect Fresh Water Tank To Water Pump
The next step is to connect the water tank to the water pump. Below is the diagram that we will be focusing on.
Fig 2.1 - Connecting Water Tank To Water Pump
Required Materials
Below is a table listing all the products you’ll need to complete Step 2.
Product | Purpose | Where To Find |
Quick Release | Same product as in Part 1. | |
3/4" Female NPT to 1/2" PEX | Attaches to quick release. | |
1/2" PEX Pipe | Water pipe. | |
1/2" PEX to 1/2" Male NPT | Connects water pipe to pump silencer. | |
Pump Silencer | Reduces water pump vibration to reduce sound. | |
Water Pump Filter | Filters out particulates before water enters pump. | |
12v Water Pump | Electric water pump. | |
On/Off Switch | Switches pump on & off. | |
14 AWG Electric Wire | Connects water pump to batteries. | |
Helpful Tools | ||
PEX Crimping Tool Set | Critical tool set when using PEX pipe system. | |
Installation Steps
- Attach the top half of the quick release to the 3/4″ female to 1/2″ PEX fitting.
- Cut an appropriate length of PEX pipe and attach one end to the 3/4″ female to 1/2″ PEX fitting.
- Attach the other end of the PEX pipe to the 1/2″ PEX to 1/2″ Male fitting.
- Attach the 1/2″ PEX to 1/2″ Male fitting to the water pump silencer.
- Attach the water pump silencer to the water pump filter.
- Attach water pump filter to 12v water pump.
- To connect water pump to batteries, check out our camper van 12v system set up post.
Step 3:
Connect Water Pump To Faucet
The next step is to connect the water pump to the faucet. Below is the diagram we will be focusing on.
Fig 3.1 - Connecting Water Pump To Water Faucet
Required Materials
Below is a table listing all the products you’ll need to complete Step 3.
Installation Steps
- Attach the water pump to the pump silencer tube.
- Insert the 1/2″ male adapter (included with the pump silencer) into the other end of the silencer.
- Attach the other end of the 1/2″ male adapter into the stop valve.
- Affix the water faucet into the sink.
- Attach the stop valve to the faucet’s cold water supply hose.
- Whether or not you intend to use a hot water heater, you will need to attach another stop valve to the end of the hot water supple hose.
Building a camper van? Download our free e-Books with intuitive electrical, solar, and plumbing diagrams.
Step 4:
Connect Sink To Grey Water Tank
The next step is to connect the sink to the grey water tank. Below is the diagram we will be focusing on.
Fig 4.1 - Connecting Sink To Grey Water Tank
Required Materials
Below is a table listing all the products you’ll need to complete Step 4.
Product | Purpose | Where To Find |
Sink | Read our Ruvati sink review | |
Camco Sink Drain Hose | Attaches sink to grey water tank. | |
Grey Water Tank | Collects grey water from sink. |
Installation Steps
- Attach the Camco sink drain hose to the drain under the sink.
- Stick the other end of the drain hose into the grey water tank.
- Easy!
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Conclusion: Building A Camper Van Sink System Is Easier Than You Think
And there you have it! We hope you found our camper van sink setup guide informational and insightful.
If you followed our diagrams piece-by-piece, we’re sure you’ll have set up your camper sink in no time. For other useful plumbing articles, be sure to check out the links below.
Happy plumbing!
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