Water - Don't Leave Home Without It

From the comfort of our own homes, many of us take water for granted, but there is a lot for the Teardrop adventurer to consider about H2O before hitting the great outdoors.

Plumbed water into any trailer requires a certain amount of maintenance to prevent the development of bacteria and other contaminants that can develop in stagnant water tanks and pipes. Further, water lines, tanks, and pumps can freeze in cold weather, causing substantial damage. It’s essential to establish a maintenance plan long before you hit the road.

That being said, for those headed to a full hookup RV park with a clean tank, water is pretty much a no brainer. You drive in, hook up, and there you go.

But for many, the Teardrop experience is a chance to leave behind modern amenities and get off the grid, camping in places where electric and water hookups are unavailable. So, what’s a Teardrop camper to do? Mostly, you have two options: bring water with you (onboard) or find it at your destination.

Hauling enough water can be a viable option, especially if you only plan to camp for a few days or if you’re going to stick close to a gas station, truck stop, campground, or town. To ensure water is suitable for human consumption, the best solution may be to haul in bottled water or to purchase storage containers, such as RotoPak, made from food-safe plastic to make water safe for drinking.

The most significant advantage of onboard water is that it eases concerns about contamination and waterborne illnesses.

The downside is that campers often underestimate their water needs and end up having to frequently head back to civilization to refill – diminishing their “away from it all” experience.

Water is also weighty and carrying it for long distances can compromise the safety of your rig on the road. For that reason, purchasing a good supply of bottled drinking water and filling storage containers as you near your destination is often enough to ensure a comfortable camping experience.

But what about campers who want to have a more remote or lengthy adventure with little to no interaction with civilization?

Water can be found in the wild for sure, but now more than ever, even the cleanest looking water from natural sources can pose significant health risks. Lakes and streams often contain chemical contaminants, bacteria, and viruses from critters in the wild, and more recently, with climate changes, algae blooms in lakes and streams threaten humans and animals more than ever before. Let’s be frank – gone are the days of drinking untreated water straight from the stream!

Fortunately, there are reasonable water treatment solutions for campers. To be safe, bring plenty of safe drinking water. For cleaning and bathing, water from a natural source can be used IF it has been boiled, chemically treated, or run through a sufficient filtration system (of which there are many on the market). This will help to avoid contaminants that may enter the system through the skin, eyes, or mouth. It won’t eliminate contaminants such as heavy metals or chemicals that may have entered the water, so always use caution and learn as much as you can before utilizing a natural water source.

Whatever you do, NEVER use or drink untreated water from a lake, river or stream! Even the cleanest looking sources may contain bacteria, viruses, or contaminants that could pose a dangerous and potentially deadly health risk.

To help with your water needs, Colorado Teardrop offers an affordable 11.6-gallon fresh water tank, faucet, and collapsible sink that can be installed on an exterior mount. It requires an electric pump and wiring that will work as long as your batteries are charged – and can also run an instant hot water shower system, always great after a long day of activity in the outdoors.

Clean water is essential to the success of any outdoor adventure. Contact one of our Colorado Teardrop experts to help devise an effective plumbed water maintenance plan, for your camping needs, or to explore safe water storage and management options.