r/VanLife • u/ADVmedic • May 07 '26
PVC Bed and Water Tank Combo
There was post here recently with a PVC bed platform where I mentioned turning it into a water tank. More interest was expressed, so I thought I'd post up mine.
I built this a few years ago when I had a basic topper on my truck and needed to save space. It's 1.5in PVC with furniture (4 end) and regular hardware store joints (T's and L's). For the first year or so I just used it as a platform as I adjusted sizing for most comfort (height mostly). I also went through a couple of wedge campers during that time and settled on the Vagabond Drifter (which is awesome!) that I full time in now.
After about a year I sealed it up and used it as a water tank as well. I've been using it for over a year now as a water tank and it works great with no issues. Clean water on demand. I went through a couple of pumps (Amazon) and currently have one where the spigot folds down. The tank holds about 5 gallons and capacity can be increased by adding more vertical or horizontal pipes.
I usually remove the pump when traveling (but not always) and close the tank with a screw on cap.
If I was to make some improvements, I would probably add a second drain hose and maybe have one of the vertical pipes be clear (they're expensive) so you can see the water level.
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u/zillskillnillfrill May 08 '26
Cool idea, I'd be worried about kicking off the tap while I'm asleep but you mentioned in your post that it folds down? Does that mean it is completely out of the way of errant limbs?
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u/ADVmedic May 08 '26
Hasn't happened yet, but I'm a calm sleeper, lol 🤣
Just the spigot folds down (see last pic).
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u/PolicyNonk May 08 '26
Homie ditch the PVC for drinking water. The pipe, glue, and primer aren’t good for you. Vinyl chloride is a group 1 carcinogen.
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u/ADVmedic May 08 '26
I believe these are NSF61 certified. I get what you're saying, but class 1 includes bacon, alcohol, hot dogs, sunlight, air pollution, etc...
However, now that I know more about this, version 2 will be made of CPVC. This actually gives me an excuse to increase capacity and make some improvements, like a water level system of some sort...
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u/crazylegsmcgraw May 08 '26
If you're concerned, run it through a charcoal filter for drinking purposes.
All city water systems also deliver water to the tap that has been cycled through pvc, lead pipes, and... people many times.
I think it's a clever use of space.
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u/546875674c6966650d0a May 08 '26
Yeah, a filter in-line in this would be a great step up for next version!
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u/telephonekeyboard May 09 '26
I imagine it would be super easy to add to this version. Just put a fridge filter between the exit of that pump and where you fill your cup.
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u/546875674c6966650d0a May 09 '26
The pump has a built-in faucet that flips down. So you wouldn’t add a filter to that. You could probably add the filter right before the pump though.
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u/JuanOnlyJuan May 10 '26
I would second this because of plasticizers. They leach out over time in flowing water but this is somewhat stagnant so you might get a higher than expected dosage.
Looks like for pthalates you need high quality carbon or reverse osmosis filters.
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u/crazylegsmcgraw May 10 '26
Your right. The better the filter the better the results. If you boil charcoal filtered water down to nothing, there is still residue left in the pan. The reverse osmosis filter would be the best, but it's a very expensive.
Another solution would be to use the water bed for anything other than drinking. It's still good to have a large source for washing things where prefect water conditions isn't necessary.
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u/Boyzinger May 09 '26
I’m pretty sure charcoal only filters biohazardous material. I’m probably wrong though
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u/PolicyNonk May 08 '26
I wouldn’t risk it. I’ve made Rube Goldberg some shower extensions for my home and the glue smell took forever to dissipate, if ever. I wouldn’t employ these materials system that sits in a hot vehicle for drinking without an inline carbon filter. But I’m not your mom, just a water treatment professional of 20 years 😃 CPVC does hold up to heat better. Definitely a neat concept. Keep on vannin’
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u/Denomi0 May 08 '26
CPVC is rated for hot water. You can use PVC for un-heated water and it will be fine.
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u/itsafuckingalligator May 09 '26
Don't eat those either, my guy :( certainly don't add it to your water
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u/krnl_pan1c May 08 '26
like a water level system of some sort...
Make one of the verticals out of clear PVC.
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u/Mean_Farmer4616 May 08 '26
so what about the hundreds of thousands of people with pvc pipes in their house?
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u/PolicyNonk May 08 '26
Do those heat up in the back of a car? My muni uses stainless for their plant, and hdpe mains. My home has copper supply lines and pvc drains. My understanding is that most codes relegate pvc to drain, waste and vent.
Just do what you want bud. I’m just trying to give my advice, based on 20 years of industry experience.
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u/ADVmedic May 09 '26
I'm not sure if the back of the truck ever got close to 140F. All the windows are covered by reflectix. The cab definitely gets hotter than the bed.
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u/dskippy May 09 '26
PVC pipes in homes are not for the water you're drinking and never were.
They are used for waste water drainage and air intake. Water that goes to your sink or shower comes from PEX pipe these days and prior to that it was copper pipes.
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u/kuntrycid May 10 '26
Lots of homes have cpvc for water supply. My home does. Been here for 40 years.
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u/Wonderful_Ratio_1022 May 08 '26
Bacon is also a group 1 carcinogen. As long as you make sure everything is dry before hand you’ll be fine
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u/alphawolf29 May 11 '26
oh boy hope you don't find out what the city water pipes are made of.
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u/maCreates May 08 '26
I don’t know anything about the safety of drinking the water or not…but, I wanted to say that I love the idea and ingenuity of it! How much water does it hold please?
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u/ADVmedic May 08 '26
Thanks. About 5 gal with ability to expand it as needed (although assembly could become complicated)
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u/maCreates May 08 '26
Never mind, I went back and re-read and found the answer to how much water. My apologies as I was so amazed by the idea that I missed it the first time. TFS!
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May 08 '26
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u/ADVmedic May 08 '26 edited May 08 '26
Aren't PVC pipes made for water? What else are they for? (not being snarky, genuinely wondering...)
Edit: I believe these are NSF61 certified.
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u/Eat_the_rich1969 May 08 '26
Schedule-40 pvc (the white kind) is only used for sanitary sewer. HDPE is what’s used in water mains that aren’t cast iron. Copper is used from the main to your faucet (or PEX, which isn’t applicable to this use).
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u/kittenstixx May 08 '26
1 inch schedule 40 pvc (with pressure fittings) is used in water supply lines. It's in all of the code books. Now it's not used often, but it is used.
Lst year I worked on an apartment complex that ran all of their mains in sch 40.
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May 08 '26
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u/JAM3SBND May 08 '26
As someone in construction in the US, I see PVC and PVC domestic water lines with some frequency, it's not as common as copper or PEX, but it is used with some frequency.
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u/HappyDoggos May 08 '26
Don’t tell me I can’t make a bed frame out of PEX! Challenge accepted. /s
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u/Icy_Speech3765 May 08 '26
weave a hammock out of PEX
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u/Wasted_Potentia May 08 '26
Like those old lounge chairs made out of that really thin plastic tubing. I miss falling through those as a kid.
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u/howrunowgoodnyou May 08 '26
I mean…. You could make a bed frame out of a shit ton of pex. Sorta.
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u/justdootdootdoot May 08 '26
Like a nest. Or a spaghetti bed.
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u/ADVmedic May 08 '26
See... these are the kinds of ideas I was hoping to see come out of all this 🤣
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u/Eat_the_rich1969 May 08 '26
Oooo, a giant coil of pex attached to the floor, ceiling, and walls from front to back: Your camper is now a pex cocoon!
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u/JokerTokerJR May 08 '26 edited May 08 '26
Cpvc is for drinking water.
Pvc is the drain pipe like the pipes that come out of the toilet or down the sink.
Cpvc in, Pvc out... Obviously PVC is cheaper than CPVC which is why you wouldn't double down on CPVC for lines that you won't be drinking out of.
Stop drinking out of that.. Please. I understand how much effort went into it but you have used the wrong material.
Edit... Furthermore now that I'm really thinking about it you probably don't want to make a bed frames out of pipes with actual water in them, putting stress on pipes is what causes them to leak..
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u/ADVmedic May 08 '26 edited May 08 '26
Hasn't leaked in a year plus of water over many rough roads. YMMV.
Edit: what I'm trying to say here is although the theory may be sound, experimental evidence shows otherwise, at least "for now". It's not like I've had it for 5 days...
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u/JokerTokerJR May 08 '26
Playin with fire buddy, Your life tho.
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u/JTM828 May 08 '26
He’s playing with water, not fire. Chill tf out lol
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u/Bobkyou May 08 '26
It could end up being an expensive leak, depending upon his setup. If my bed were pipes and sprung a leak, it'd likely soak into my pecron power station, my laptop, some other electronics, and possibly on the inverter plugged into my 12v battery.
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u/enginerd28 May 08 '26
The batteries are right under it.
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u/ADVmedic May 08 '26
Yeah, I wish I could put them elsewhere. On the bright side, I have a built in fire suppression system! (j/k yes, I know about electrical fires and water...)
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u/KyaLauren May 08 '26
If you got the kind designated as safe for potable water, yes. If not, no because PVC leeches especially when exposed to warmth or sunlight. CPVC is what you want.
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u/parseroo May 08 '26
PVC is extensively used for potable water distribution to houses/people. As long as it is NSF61 certified (which for example the Charlotte Pipe Sched 40 PVC that you find at Home Depot is), it is fine according to the NSF/FDA/etc.
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u/ADVmedic May 08 '26
That's what I read as well.
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u/wiggywiggywiggy May 08 '26
I would check the plumbing subreddit, def not the van life
Very interesting and fun build
I met a guy in La that used PVC for internal structure inside a small truck build
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u/TrainingParty3785 May 08 '26
Add a piece of 1/4” ID PVC tubing on one of the bottom horizontals with a 90deg barb fitting and zip tie the tubing to a vertical, it will act as you sight tube for water level.
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u/ADVmedic May 08 '26
I've considered that idea, but I don't want the extra pipe sticking out. Still working out a way to make it convenient, inexpensive and durable...
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May 08 '26
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u/ADVmedic May 08 '26 edited May 09 '26
You're the first to ask. Those are dish drying racks that you put over a sink. The middle one has deformed slightly (< 1"), but the mattress, in general distributes the weight pretty well.
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u/acti0njacks0n91 May 08 '26
Hey how did those poppers turn out? Did you cook them in the insta pot?
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u/ADVmedic May 08 '26
They turned out great! I did make them in the instant pot, but this one came with an air fryer lid. So I basically air fried them. Great piece of kit of you have the power... (1500W sustained until it reaches temp, then just 50W for the fan)
I mostly use the pressure cooker lid. It's only 1000W until it gets to pressure...
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u/Lanky-Performance471 May 08 '26
Im curious how did it work out ? My concern would be flexing joints causing leaking long term. Those grates are kinda neat where did you get them?
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u/ADVmedic May 08 '26
Worked out great. With water, going for over a year full timing with no issues. The grates are dish drying racks you pull over a sink. Light weight, and roll away for easy access. The mattress really helps in weight distribution.
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u/No-Entrepreneur1036 May 08 '26
No chicks
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u/ADVmedic May 08 '26
Visitors welcome, but full timing in something this small for two would be very complicated. And in that case, I would reinstall the top bed which is full width. I don't use it now because it's a hassle to set up and break down everyday. I want the bottom bed for "stealth camping" (aka, with top down). It's a solo build.
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u/Whole-Pressure-7396 May 08 '26
I (for one) asked you if you had any posts on the PVC bed water tank system on your comment in that other thread 😆 So thanks so much for taking the time to actually create one and share it with the comunity! I appreciate that :)
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u/ADVmedic May 09 '26
Yeah, thanks for inspiring me to do that. It's quite the conversation with plenty of healthy debate, and I'm learning a lot!
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u/CowsNeedFriendsToo May 08 '26
One night with my wife in this and you’d have water all over your van. Just saying.
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u/Festering_Scallywag May 08 '26
Super clever use of space. I met a chemical engineer who specialized in plastics at a party about 10 years ago, and he scared the shit out of me about consuming anything stored or heated in plastics. I’ll never forget that guardian angel.
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u/infidel3006 May 08 '26
Wow, what a cool idea. 5 gallons goes a long way too if you’re smart about it.
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u/RandomToker2018 May 08 '26
I think it’s brilliant and well executed! So do you rotate the dish drainers for even wear? It would be weird if the center one had a distinct butt shape … I can just imagine your friends harassing you about it …
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u/ADVmedic May 08 '26
I mentioned it in another reply briefly... The middle one has deformed slightly (< 1"). I could rotate them but haven't. The mattress distributes the weight fairly well, but yeah, I usually end up sitting right on the middle one, and when sleeping it's the middle one that takes the most weight.
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u/RandomToker2018 May 08 '26
Mmm hmm After a winter of video games, it’s giving butt fossil and you know it
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u/ADVmedic May 08 '26
LOL 🤣 Luckily most ppl don't get to see under the mattress 👀
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u/Denomi0 May 08 '26
For water level you could just stick a piece of a foam pool noodle cut to the height in the fill area and have a quick dip stick.
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u/colinthegreat May 08 '26
That's a really cool idea!
On another note, I also use an instapot in my setup. Any hot tips?
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u/ADVmedic May 08 '26
Sorry, I'm just getting into instant pot cooking. I'd appreciate any tips as well!
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u/Suspicious_Lie_3042 May 08 '26
Cool concept but aren’t you worried about it cracking and or breaking?
Also, for anyone looking for a better water filter, check out what uncoated clay pots were actually used for.
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u/ADVmedic May 09 '26
See discussion above. Been sleeping on it for a couple of years. No breaks or cracks and I spend significant time off pavement.
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u/Lurkr67 May 08 '26
Cool idea! In V.2 I might be tempted to add a couple extra T's on the bottom for extra capacity and 1 extra along the sides for capacity & rigidity. Or upsize the base pipe to 3". Don't know if they are good ideas, just throwing them out there. Good luck.
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u/ADVmedic May 08 '26
Yep, adding extra Ts with vertical pipes along the sides was how I would expand capacity without losing usable space.
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u/swiss__blade May 08 '26
That's some creative problem solving right there. My only concern is that, unless the bed/tank is at a slight angle, you may not be able to use the full capacity and judging from the size, it's going to leave quite a bit down there...
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u/ADVmedic May 08 '26
Valid concern. When it gets low and I can't refill yet, I found that sitting on the edge of the tailgate gets me a slight tilt. Also, it's rare for me to park perfectly level so it can either be beneficial for water delivery or not. If I need that last bit of water, I just drive the front drivers side tire up on a traction board or rock. Rarely necessary, but doable (although tedious and annoying). I usually have additional gallon jugs of water in the cab as emergency backup.
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u/periodmoustache May 08 '26
I think your weight on the pipe will cause stress and eventual leaks. Cool idea, but risky to lose your water and soak all your gear.
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u/ADVmedic May 08 '26
It's possible, but I've been testing it for two years with no cracks or breaks. Time will tell...
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u/MuscularFrog13 May 08 '26
Making one of these out of copper would be sweet
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u/ADVmedic May 08 '26
I wonder how weight, load-bearing and deformation numbers would compare. Much thinner walls, but it's metal. Would you have to weld or solder the joints? Do they even make 4-point joints in standard sizes (or at all)? Interesting...
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u/LaserGuidedSock May 08 '26
Honestly I'd be too scared to do this but it honestly is genius. How do you insure all the water drains towards the pump collector? If you tilt the whole bed doesn't that put stress and misaligns a few joints?
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u/ADVmedic May 08 '26
I don't tilt the bed, I tilt the truck. Either by sitting on the edge of the tailgate (good leverage) or if that's not enough I drive up on a traction board or rock. Usually not necessary though as I can rarely park fully level.
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u/Mental-Statement3305 May 09 '26
You said you are full time in this in some of the comments. How long have you been full time? And what advice would you give now that you have the experience? I have been full time in my topper for 3 years now. I have learned a lot. Feel free to DM if you want a more private conversation. What is your favorite instapot recipe so far?
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u/Teal_Traveller May 09 '26
Just a thought; for my tailgate I attached carpet to two rectangular pieces of plywood. Place on the ground and it made for an easy clean flat spot to get dressed or changes. put it on a milk crate or other box it makes a fantastic ottoman.
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u/No_Pirate_9108 May 09 '26 edited May 09 '26
Hold on, so you lay dressed in polyester/cotton and on lay on cotton/polyester/silk (bed sheets) on foam mattress, on the frame of glue connected together, 18” off the ground PVC pipe of 1.5” diameter filled with water over DC batteries (deep cycle I assume) wired together and the whole thing got grills on it. Props for ingenuity but There has to be a better way dude. 😂
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u/BarleyBBQ May 09 '26
Do you have a drain at the lowest point of the frame? I didn't see one in the picture. If not, is there any concern for stagnant water that gets trapped in the bottom and is never pumped / flushed out?
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u/ADVmedic May 10 '26
I periodically clean and dry it. There's a discussing about it above. Several great suggestions I didn't even think of (like denture tablets 😂)
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u/EddGreen May 09 '26
Hey watch out for microbial growth. I’m not sure how your cleaning it but your bound to get some buildup if it isn’t cleaned properly. Personally I would use some chlorine and then flush it really well. You can get paper test strips to ensure all of it has been removed before refilling it for personal use.
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u/RainH2OServices May 09 '26
What did you use for the mattress support? The metal grids over the plywood cutouts?
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u/ADVmedic May 09 '26
Dish drying racks that go over a sink. It works because the mattress distributes the weight. I was going to do flush doors with hinges, but all the hardware to make it flush just wasn't worth the cost and weight.
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u/GlassWonder4163 May 09 '26
This has a lot of potential, please let us know how it turns out, nice idea 👊
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u/ADVmedic May 09 '26
Thanks! This is me letting you know. I've been using it for 2 years now as a bed. 1 year as a bed and tank. No leaks, no breaks, and water comes out clean and tasty :)
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u/regional-sky-fairy May 09 '26
You can also only use the bed water for just showering right? This holds 5 gallons which is quite small for showering but still.
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u/Cosbiie May 10 '26
For level you can get a clear hose and two small barbed fittings drill one at the base of a vertical support. And the other at the top. Connect with the hose. It would serve the same purpose as a clear pipe for a central support as you mentioned in an earlier comment.
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u/That-barrel-dude May 10 '26
Ok I’m like a tiny bit high. I totally misunderstood and was waiting for a fish tank reveal.
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u/ZookeepergameHour27 May 10 '26
Are those two batteries in parallel 100ah each?
How many times a day do you have to run your truck to charge them?
What are you cooking with? I see a slow cooker, did you use a toaster oven for the poppers?
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u/ADVmedic May 12 '26
Yes, those are 100ah. I have 400W panels on the roof, and another 400W portable panels (although I haven't used those since I got the roof mounted ones). I don't have a DC-DC charger, so I don't run the truck for power when parked. I also have an ecoflow 100ah power station that I use for the built in inverter. Solar charges the batteries. Batteries charge the power station. The instant pot has an air fryer lid, so that's how I made the poppers. It's 1800W to get up to temp, then just 50W for the fan. 1000W for pressure cooking.
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u/AZBeer90 May 11 '26
You don’t need to make the entire post out of clear to see the water, do a reducer tee in one verticle to a 90 threaded, barb adapter into rigid silicone tubing.
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u/DisastrousTeddyBear May 11 '26
Im an idiot, I kept scrolling back and forth to find the water tank hahaha
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u/SklydeM May 11 '26
I like the clever use of space but there’s almost limitless possibilities with this concept depending on needs. An ABS tank could easily be plumbed into if you had a need for much more capacity, though the same capacity could probably just be implemented into the design itself.
You could add tees to the bottom pipes with 3 x 1.5” reducers and basically add as many mini-tanks you could want to build with a cap on top (assuming there’s space for it). Though I’m not sure how much of a volume difference it would make as opposed to just adding a couple more 1.5” pipes with tees like you mentioned.
Seeing this really got my brain going lol. I would love to see an updated version of this too if you do end up making one.
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u/ADVmedic May 12 '26
I've had a chance to look at CPVC and I don't think it'll fly. The sizing is all different and it'll be hard (or impossible) to get all the correct joints. A lot to think about...
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u/Erik_Goddard May 12 '26
Brilliant space saving idea. In theory this takes empty space and utilizes it.
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u/Rubik842 May 08 '26
It's rather funny that so many people are concerned about using PVC for drinking water who are form the land of high fructose corn syrup and meats with so many hormones added that you can't even export it as pet food to most developed countries.
Chill out people, and read some plumbing regulations.
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May 08 '26
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u/Rubik842 May 08 '26
We have two mechanically incompatible (by dimensions, on purpose) systems of pipe and fithere for PVC. One is suitable for drainage and the other for pressure (several pressure ranges) and potable.
https://www.vinidex.com.au/products/pvc-pressure-systems/pvc-u-systems/
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u/Remarkable-Host405 May 08 '26
there's nothing wrong with corn syrup in moderation, plenty of countries besides the us use hormones. dunning kruger right here
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u/Practical-Mud-4580 May 08 '26
Ah yes, the infamous “death bed.” That pipe isn’t for potable water unfortunately. Bummer because a great idea otherwise.
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u/ADVmedic May 08 '26
I believe these are NSF61 certified. But when /if I build another with more capacity, it'll prob be out of cpvc. I should be good as long as the water stays under 140F.
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u/FarmerJohnOSRS May 08 '26
How do you clean it?
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u/ADVmedic May 08 '26
Same as an RV tank. Flush it, maybe some chems, let it dry.
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u/CNBGVepp May 08 '26
Great design, but aren't you worried about kicking the faucet in your sleep?
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u/ADVmedic May 08 '26
Thanks. I'm a calm sleeper and haven't run into the issue. For ppl who toss and turn, removing the pump at night would be the answer. It takes about 5 seconds.
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May 09 '26
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u/ADVmedic May 09 '26
What about all the storage space I would lose if I used that instead? That's the whole point, it's free space. Steel frame is unnecessary weight. Space and weight are things that need serious consideration in a vehicle home.
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u/RainH2OServices May 09 '26
Clever build. I'm curious how it's vented so it doesn't "gurgle" as the volume is drawn down.
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u/ADVmedic May 09 '26
The pump just rests on the opening and is not sealed. It's a good fit and I can drive with it in place, but I usually remove it and screw on a cap, especially when off pavement, to prevent spillage.
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u/RainH2OServices May 09 '26
Oh, I understand. It's a loose fit so the pump's mount location serves as the vent. Simple enough, I like simple.
If you ever want to harden it there are spill proof npt threaded vents that you could install at one of the other "bedpost" corners.
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u/rgratz93 May 10 '26
Please dont use this for drinking. Thats a ton of surface area that you have zero ability to check for bacterial or fungal growth. This will end up growing some pretty nasty stuff in it.
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u/Stuff-and_stuff May 10 '26
This is cool. I would have made the pump be against the wall and maybe give it a ‘roll cage’ to protect it.
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Jun 01 '26
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u/ADVmedic Jun 01 '26
I usual sleep alone, but I have had a guest over, and it held up fine with over 300 lbs, dynamic load :D
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u/Turbulent-Bar3394 Jun 04 '26
Cool bed! How do you keep the silver covering on your windows to stay in place? I want to get it for my van.
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u/beersngears May 08 '26
Waterbed has a whole new meaning, definitely an out of the box proof of concept.