The AquaTank water bladder is an essential tool for RV boondocking and camping! It allows you to extend your time out in the backcountry. This water bladder helps fetch and store potable water without having to pack up the RV to go fill your water tank.
As boondocking RVers, we needed to find a way to procure potable drinking water without having to pack up our fifth wheel to find a clean potable water source.
After a little research, we found the AquaTank water bladder. This is a complete game changer allowing us to stay off grid longer without having to relocate our RV.
AquaTank Water Bladder for RV Boondocking & Camping Off Grid
To be honest, we don’t really think about how much water we use while hooked up to campground utilities.
However, when we’re boondocking off the grid, that’s a totally different scenario. We have to manage our water usage more closely.
In our article How to Conserve Water While Boondocking in Your RV, we talk about how we manage our water while camping off the grid. We share points on how to minimize water waste without sacrificing cleanliness, thirst, and flushing our toilet.
But, we still need water to live. We also fear of losing our primo boondocking spot every time we have to take our RV in to fill our tank. And, it’s a pain to pack up all of our camping gear.
What’s a girl (or guy) ta do? Keep reading!
Ironically, while we were boondocking in Quartzsite, Arizona a few years ago, we took notice of another RVer replenish his water tank with what looked like a big, green, jiggly pillow that was full of water setting in the back of his pickup truck.
We watched him connect a hose to his water bladder leading it to a water pump that led to the water inlet fitting on his coach. And just like that, he replenished his RV water tank with 60 gallons of water. That big, green, jiggly pillow shrunk down flat and that was that.
So, we asked him when he finished (never distract an RVer who is doing stuff like that) what that big, green, jiggly pillow was. And just like that, Dan muttered under his breath, ‘I gotta git me one of those!’.
It was a 60 gallon AquaTank water bladder made for situations just like this; boondocking and camping. They are also instrumental in storing water for emergencies or preparing for natural disasters.
We absolutely couldn’t wait for our shipment to arrive!
About the AquaTank Water Bladder
First, it’s quite surprising how cool this thing compacts when not being used. Also, it’s kind of amazing how much the AquaTank water bladder expands without busting the seams or fittings (within reason, we’ll get to that later).
The AquaTank water bladder is made with an odorless food-grade liner that wont give your water strange taste or smell like PVC, plastic tanks or bladders. The water storage vessel has a puncture-resistant outer shell. And, when empty, it folds and weighs less than a small paperback novel.
There four different sizes depending on which one suits your RV’s water tank capacity. The 60 gallon bladder fits perfectly between our fifth wheel hitch and the truck tailgate when closed.
The AquaTank water bladder comes in different sizes and capacities. You can see the measurements and how much each weighs when filled to full capacity.
- 15 Gallon – 24″ x 36″ x 8″ = 125 pounds
- 30 Gallon – 36” x 48” x 14” = 250 pounds
- 60 Gallon – 36” x 48” x 16” = 500 pounds
- 150 Gallon – 48” x 72” x 12” = 1251 pounds
- 300 Gallon – 54” x 144” x 12” = 2502 pounds
The AquaTank water bladder is ideal for water storage for emergencies, camping, boondocking, overlanding and to store in the bed of your truck if water isn’t easily accessible for off grid purposes.
I learned later it’s also great for filling with water with your garden hose and then carting it around to water your flower pots or garden that’s far away from your house. But, since this is about RVing, let’s stick with that.
What you will need to pump water from your AquaTank water bladder into your RV
Now, there are important components that you’ll need to extract the water from the water bladder to put into your RV’s water tank.
Generator
If your RV doesn’t have ample power through its’ energy management system to power the water pump, you’ll need your onboard generator or portable generator.
It will power the electric water pump to suction the water from the bladder to the RV.
✰✰ READ MORE ✰✰ Top Portable Generators for RV and Camping
Electric Water Pump
To pump water into your RV, you’re going to need to get a non-submersible transfer pump. The one we bought comes with a 3’ green hose.
However, since we’re using it for drinking water, we actually replaced it with a piece of white potable water hose to be food grade compliant. (Dan DIY)
Two (2) 10’ Potable Water Hoses
It’s important to use ONLY a marine or RV water hose (white or blue) for your potable drinking water.
You should never use a green water hose as they may contain algae and toxins from baking in the sun. They’re not manufactured with food grade materials. They also leach chemicals from the hose into the water. And who wants that?
One end of the hose connects to the bottom valve of the bladder and to one side of the electric water transfer pump.
The other water hose will connect from the other side of the electric water transfer pump to the RV’s water intake receptacle.
You’ll probably will want to hook up your external water filter system or even a small RV water filter before allowing water to enter your water bladder.
Two (2) Hose Connectors
The water bladder has connections ready to hook up. You will need one male and one female ¾” standard water hose connectors.
Small Spray Bottle of Bleach
You should never trust any water sources to be sanitary.
Therefore, before hooking up your hoses or connectors to any water source, spray it all down with regular liquid unscented household chlorine bleach straight (not diluted). Do not use any other so-called disinfecting cleaning products or the bleach gel.
Spray down the entire water spigot; including the threads you’re going to screw your water hose onto, up inside where the water comes out and the handle or knob.
Bleach helps to kill any contaminants that could harm you and your pets. Don’t be afraid to spray everything liberally.
Before hooking up your hoses and connectors, allow the water source or water spigot to flush for a good 30 seconds to eliminate backfill toxins that may harbored at the spigot exit point.
DIY Water Replenishment Accessory Kit Shopping List
While you may have some of these items already, we recommend keeping most of your water replenishment accessories together so you’re not having to hunt for them.
How to fill the AquaTank water bladder with water
The AquaTank water bladder is super easy to use. After sanitizing and flushing the water spigot, you’re going to hook up one end of your potable water hose to the spigot.
We do recommend testing the water pressure though before hooking it up to the water bladder to ensure you don’t blow out the seams.
For high pressure water sources, use a good quality water pressure regulator so you don’t damage your water bladder, your hose and any fittings.
Once you’re happy with the water pressure, then hook up the other end to your AquaTank water bladder.
Slowly fill it with water until it looks like a tought pillow. But don’t overfill it. If you fill it too full that may cause the seams to split. When it’s full (or too full), simply disconnect the hose and let some of the water out.
Now, before I go on, you’ll need to make sure there’s enough room in the bed of your truck or back of your vehicle to transport your full water bladder.
Also, make sure there’s a smooth surface under where the bladder will be filled and transport. You want to avoid transporting your bladder near sharp objects.
✰✰ RV BOONDOCKING PRO TIP ✰✰
Anytime you boondock, keep your RV’s position in mind when parking near trees, large rocks, ditches or washes that may prohibit getting your vehicle close to your RV.
How to transfer water from the AquaTank water bladder into your RV water tank
Since your water bladder is probably going to be in the rear of your vehicle or truck bed, you’ll need to get as close to your RV water intake port as possible. Remember, your water bladder is heavy. It’s not like you can move it out of your vehicle.
Once you park your vehicle on the utility side of your RV, attach one of the potable water hoses to the bladder. Connect the other end of the water hose to the electric water pump.
Then connect the other hose from the electric pump to your RV water intake port.
If you’re RV has a Anderson Kantleak water service panel (or similar), you’ll need to turn the valve handle from Boondocking to Fill.
After hook everything up, do your standard leak test to ensure you don’t waste any water. It will take anywhere from 10-20 minutes to completely empty your AquaTank water bladder into our RV’s water tank depending on capacity.
Another great tip, leave about a quart of water in the bladder. Add about a tablespoon of straight bleach to slosh around inside to help prevent mold, mildew and other uninvited things that might want to grow inside your water bladder.
Then, dump and squeeze all residual water out completely. Seal it shut so nothing crawls inside. Neatly fold the water bladder and stow away properly where nothing can cut, tear or puncture it. Then, store it in a cool dry container in your RV with your other water replenishment assembly kit.
The 60 gallon AquaTank water bladder folds up small which is essential for RVers who are constrained by space and weight.
Where do we get potable water for our RV?
There are several different options on where to procure clean potable water for your RV or to fill your portable water jugs.
- Campgrounds or RV parks
- Friends or family homes
- Businesses
- Cemeteries
- Truck Stops
- Rest Areas
- Dump Stations
NEVER use water at any dump station unless it is designated and/or labeled “POTABLE WATER”!
If you’re bold, I guess you could ask nearby residents or businesses if you can fill your water bladder. But ALWAYS do so kindly and offer money or compensation of donation or purchase. Refrain from filling anything over 50 gallons unless they otherwise permit.
That said, if we’re given permission to fill our water bladder or water jugs, we always sanitize all water sources, including spigots and handles. We also use our own potable water hose.
Also always mindful of questionable water sources. Some are not for drinking or even showering. Never just hook up to any water spigot and assume it’s safe for drinking.
NEVER steal or help yourselves to water from any place of business, residence or building without asking. That’s totally against recreating responsibly. But also, it’s theft and that can land you in some deep water (no pun intended).
✰✰ PRO TIP ✰✰ If you’re not sure where to get water for your RV or to fill your water bladder, here’s a great resource that will point you in the right direction: Where to Find RV Dump Stations and Water on the Road.
Wrapping up the AquaTank Water Bladder and how to use it
Using the AquaTank water bladder is a creative way to lengthen your time off the grid. You can use your tow vehicle or toad to fetch water using the water bladder. No more having to relocate your whole RV and losing your prime boondocking site!
More Boondocking How-To’s:
Conserve Water While Boondocking in Your RV
Empty Your Black Tank Without Moving Your RV
Prepare your RV for Boondocking Off the Grid
Absolute Must-Have RV Boondocking Gear
How to SUCCEED at RV Boondocking
This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
Great, but here’s the thing: what about the other side of the equation? That water has to go somewhere. What do you do with all the water in your grey and black tanks? You’ve used up all your fresh water (hence the need for the additional water in your 60-gallon bladder), which means your tanks are probably full, or very nearly so. And you’re away from a dump station (otherwise you wouldn’t need the bladder — you could just fill up your fresh water tank while you’re there), so what do you do? It seems like having all that extra fresh water doesn’t do you much good if your tanks are full and you can’t easily dump them.
Captain Quirk, thanks for reading and following along. We get rid of our gray and black tank waste by doing this…. https://alwaysonliberty.com/2018/02/rack-jack-tailgate-pulley-system-product-review.html/
Is the 150 gal Aquatank 12″ tall when full?
Jim, thanks for reading. We only have the 60 gallon and 30 gallon. The 60 gallon, when full, is about 14″ tall. -Dan