Plumbing Systems
Sprinter Van Plumbing: Water Systems That Work Off-Grid
Running water in a van isn't optional — it's what separates camping from actually living on the road. We build plumbing systems that are reliable, easy to maintain, and ready for real use.
A Sprinter van plumbing system includes a freshwater tank (20–40+ gallons), 12V water pump, kitchen sink, greywater collection, and optional hot water heater, shower, and composting toilet. At Emery Custom Builds, we use PEX tubing for all supply lines and design every system for real-world conditions including road vibration and cold weather. Sprinter plumbing costs range from $1,500–$3,000 (Basic cold water) to $5,000–$8,000 (Premium with full wet bath and winterization).
Plumbing is one of those systems that doesn't get much attention until something goes wrong. A leaking fitting under the sink, a frozen line in the mountains, or a greywater tank that fills up too fast — these are problems you don't want to solve on the road.
At Emery Custom Builds, we design plumbing systems that account for real-world conditions: temperature swings, vibration, limited space, and the fact that you can't just call a plumber when you're parked in the backcountry. Here's how we approach every part of the water system in a Sprinter van conversion.
How does the freshwater system work in a Sprinter van?
Your freshwater setup includes the tank, pump, filtration, and all the supply lines that get clean water to your sink, shower, and any other fixtures. Getting the sizing and placement right matters more than most people expect.
Tank Options
We typically install polyethylene tanks in the 20 to 40 gallon range. Tank placement depends on your layout — common locations include under the bed platform, under the van (belly-mounted), or behind a wheel well.
- •20 gallons: Good for weekend trips and couples who are conservative with water. Fits easily under most bed platforms.
- •30 gallons: The sweet spot for most full-time builds. Gives you 3 to 5 days between fill-ups with normal use.
- •40+ gallons: For extended off-grid stays or builds with an indoor shower. Takes more space but gives you real independence.
Water Pump & Filtration
Most of our builds use a 12V demand pump (like the SHURflo or Remco) that activates automatically when you open a faucet. They're reliable, draw minimal power, and maintain consistent pressure.
For filtration, we recommend at minimum a sediment pre-filter to protect your pump. Standard and Premium builds often include a multi-stage system with a carbon filter for taste and odor. If you want to drink straight from the tap, we can install an inline drinking water filter at the kitchen sink.
How do you get hot water in a Sprinter van?
Hot water turns a van from a place you sleep into a place you actually want to live. There are two main approaches, and the right one depends on what else is in your build.
Truma Combi (Heater + Hot Water)
The Truma Combi is a combo unit that heats your van's interior and produces hot water from the same unit. It runs on diesel or propane and is the most popular choice in our builds. One unit, one fuel source, one installation — it simplifies the whole system.
Standalone Tankless Water Heater
If you already have a diesel heater for cabin warmth (like an Espar or Webasto), a standalone propane tankless water heater is a good add-on. These provide hot water on demand without needing a storage tank. Brands like Camplux and Eccotemp make compact units designed for mobile use.
Basic builds usually skip hot water or add a simple solar camp shower. Standard builds get the Truma Combi or an equivalent. Premium builds often include both an indoor shower with hot water and an outdoor rinse station. For more detail on how plumbing fits into the full build, check out our plumbing systems overview.
How does greywater work in a van conversion?
Greywater is the used water from your sink and shower. It needs to go somewhere, and dumping it on the ground isn't legal or responsible in most places. A proper greywater system collects, stores, and makes it easy to dump at designated facilities.
Tank Placement & Drainage
- •Belly-mounted tanks: The most common placement. Mounted under the van with a gravity drain from the sink and shower. Easy to dump via a gate valve. The downside: exposed to cold temperatures, which matters for winter travel.
- •Interior tanks: Mounted inside the van (usually under the bed or in the garage area). Protected from freezing but takes up interior space. We use these when cold-weather capability is a priority.
- •Sizing: Your greywater tank should be at least as large as your freshwater tank. If you have 30 gallons of fresh water, you need at least 30 gallons of greywater capacity — otherwise the math doesn't work.
What toilet options work in a Sprinter van?
The toilet conversation comes up in every build. There's no single right answer — it depends on how long you're on the road, where you camp, and what level of comfort you want.
Composting Toilet
Composting toilets (Nature's Head, Cuddy, Airhead) are the most popular choice for van conversions. They separate liquids and solids, use no water, and don't need a black tank. When maintained properly, they're surprisingly odor-free. Solids get emptied every few weeks; the liquid bottle every couple of days. They're self-contained and simple — which is exactly what you want in a van.
Cassette Toilet
Cassette toilets have a removable waste cartridge that you pull out and dump at an RV dump station. They're less expensive than composting toilets and familiar to anyone who's used an RV. The trade-off: more frequent dumping, you need access to dump stations, and they use small amounts of water and chemicals.
No Toilet
Some people skip the built-in toilet entirely and use public restrooms or a portable emergency toilet. It frees up space but limits where you can comfortably camp. We'll talk through the trade-offs during your consultation.
Why is PEX the best plumbing material for a van?
We use PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) tubing for all our van plumbing, and here's why:
- •Flexible: PEX bends around corners without rigid fittings, which means fewer connection points and fewer potential leaks. In a van where everything vibrates, fewer joints is better.
- •Freeze-tolerant: PEX can expand slightly if water freezes inside it — it won't crack the way rigid PVC or copper will. That's not a free pass to skip winterization, but it gives you a margin of safety.
- •Lightweight: Every pound matters in a van. PEX is significantly lighter than copper and easier to route through tight spaces.
- •Easy to repair: If something needs replacing down the road, PEX fittings and tubing are cheap and available at any hardware store.
Some builders use braided stainless steel lines or copper for specific applications, but for general supply lines in a van, PEX is the industry standard and the right call for durability and maintenance. For a deeper look at our plumbing approach across all platforms, see our guide to van plumbing.
How do you winterize a Sprinter van plumbing system?
If you plan to travel in cold weather — ski trips, mountain passes, winter camping — your plumbing system needs to be designed for it from the start. Retrofitting freeze protection is expensive and messy. Here's what we do for cold-weather builds:
- •Interior routing: We run all supply lines through heated interior spaces whenever possible. Pipes in the floor or belly are the first things to freeze.
- •Insulated tanks: Freshwater and greywater tanks get insulation wraps, and belly-mounted tanks can be fitted with tank heater pads for below-freezing conditions.
- •Low-point drains: Every plumbing system we install includes low-point drains so you can gravity-drain all lines and tanks for seasonal storage or emergency freeze protection.
- •Heat tape: For builds that will see extended sub-freezing use, we can wrap exposed lines and tank fittings with thermostatically controlled heat tape.
- •PEX advantage: As mentioned above, PEX tubing has some inherent freeze tolerance that gives you an extra margin compared to rigid plumbing materials.
How much does Sprinter van plumbing cost?
These are rough ranges for the plumbing portion of a Sprinter van conversion. Actual cost depends on tank sizes, fixtures, hot water setup, and winterization needs. Every build is custom — tell us what you want and we'll give you exact numbers.
Plumbing by Build Tier
Basic: $1,500–$3,000
Cold water only. Single sink with a 12V pump or foot pump. 20-gallon freshwater tank. Simple greywater collection. Portable or no toilet. No hot water.
Standard: $3,000–$5,000
Hot and cold water. Kitchen sink and shower. 25 to 35 gallon freshwater tank with matched greywater. Truma Combi or standalone water heater. Composting toilet. Basic filtration.
Premium: $5,000–$8,000
Full plumbing with larger tanks (35–40+ gallons), multi-stage filtration, outdoor shower, winterization package, premium fixtures, and composting toilet with a dedicated bathroom enclosure. Everything built for extended off-grid living.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many gallons of fresh water can a Sprinter van hold?
Most builds carry 20 to 40 gallons of fresh water. A 20-gallon tank covers weekend trips and light daily use. If you're showering regularly or traveling with a partner, 30 to 40 gallons gives you more range between fill-ups. We size your tank based on how you actually use water — not a one-size-fits-all number.
Do I need a water heater in my van?
If you want hot showers or warm water at the sink, yes. The Truma Combi is the most popular option because it handles both heating and hot water in one unit. Standalone tankless water heaters are another option if you already have a separate heater. Either way, hot water makes a huge difference in daily comfort.
What kind of toilet works best in a Sprinter van?
Composting toilets (like the Nature's Head or Cuddy) are the most common choice. They're self-contained, don't need a black tank, and have minimal odor when maintained. Cassette toilets are simpler and cheaper but need more frequent dumping. We'll help you pick the right option based on how you travel.
Can Sprinter van plumbing freeze in cold weather?
Yes, and it's one of the most important things to plan for if you travel in winter. We use PEX tubing (which has some freeze tolerance), insulate all supply lines, and route plumbing through heated interior spaces wherever possible. For extended cold-weather use, we can add heat tape and insulated tank covers.
How much does Sprinter van plumbing cost?
Plumbing typically runs $1,500 to $3,000 for a Basic setup (cold water only, simple sink, manual or foot pump). Standard builds with hot water and a shower run $3,000 to $5,000. Premium builds with larger tanks, filtration, an outdoor shower, and winterization features range from $5,000 to $8,000.
Plan Your Plumbing System
Tell us how you use water on the road. We'll design a plumbing system that fits your travel style and build budget.
Tell Us About Your Build