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Camping has come a long way in recent years. What used to be a bare-bones experience can now feel more like glamping thanks to clever gear innovations that bring convenience without sacrificing the rugged, nature-immersed experience. One such innovation is the Dometic GO Hydration Water Faucet and the Dometic GO Hydration Water Jug. These two pieces of equipment are designed with portability, simplicity, and practicality in mind, making them a top choice for both car campers and those with small camper trailers or teardrop campers. In this review, we’ll break down the pros and cons of both the water faucet and the water jug, highlighting how well they work separately and as a unit.
Dometic GO Hydration Water Faucet
Pros of the Dometic GO Hydration Water Faucet:
- Built-in Light for Nighttime Use: One of the most thoughtful features of the Dometic GO Faucet is the built-in LED light. Whether it’s late-night hand washing or dish cleaning, the faucet’s light shines just enough to illuminate the task at hand without being too bright or intrusive.
- Solid Water Flow Rate: The water flow on this faucet is surprisingly good. It dispenses at a rate that is perfect for tasks like washing dishes, cleaning hands, or filling water bottles. It’s efficient enough to conserve water but effective enough to get the job done quickly.
- Double Tap Feature: If you’re camping with young kids, the double-tap to turn on is a nice feature. This is a great safeguard to prevent curious hands from wasting water unintentionally, and it also helps to conserve the water supply.
- Magnetic Base for Stability: The magnetic base adds a lot of flexibility in terms of where you can place the faucet. It can even attach to the top of the Dometic GO Water Jug (which we’ll discuss later), creating a convenient water dispensing station.
Cons of the Dometic GO Hydration Water Faucet:
- Touch-Sensitive Button: While the touch-sensitive button is sleek, it can be finicky at times. It’s not a physical button but rather a touch sensor, which means it occasionally takes more than one attempt to activate, especially if your hands are wet or if it’s particularly cold outside. A traditional physical button might provide a bit more reliability.
- Lack of USB-C Charging: One somewhat surprising oversight is the lack of USB-C charging. Most modern devices use USB-C, and not having this standard in the Dometic GO Faucet feels like a missed opportunity. Instead, it uses an older Micro-USB, which can be an inconvenience if you’re trying to minimize the number of cables and chargers you bring along on your trip.
- Short Hose: While functional, the hose on the faucet could stand to be a bit longer. If your setup requires placing the water jug or another container on the ground, the shorter hose can sometimes make the water flow a little awkward or limiting, especially if you’re trying to keep everything at an ergonomic height.
Dometic GO Hydration Water Jug: Durable and Versatile
Pros:
- Sturdy Design and Build Quality: The first thing you’ll notice about the Dometic GO Water Jug is how well-built it is. Unlike the standard blue jugs you often find at big-box stores, this jug feels robust and designed to last through years of use. It has a rugged, well-engineered feel, making it a piece of gear you can rely on for the long haul. You won’t have to worry about cracks or leaks after a few trips.
- Easy to Carry with Good Handles: This water jug has thoughtfully placed handles that make carrying it a breeze. Even when it’s full, the handles are well-positioned and comfortable to grip, making transport easier on longer walks from fill-up to vehicle and vehicle to campsite.
- Multiple Dispensing Options: Versatility is key when camping, and the Dometic GO Water Jug excels in this department. It comes with a spigot for easy pouring and a wide mouth that makes filling and cleaning it a simple task. The wide mouth is particularly great when you need to get inside the jug for a deep clean or to add ice.
Cons:
- There aren’t many downsides to the water jug. Some campers might prefer a jug that’s translucent to easily gauge the water level, but the rugged, opaque design of the Dometic GO Jug seems to focus more on durability and longevity than ease of monitoring water levels.
Together as a System: A Great Alternative for Small Campers and Car Camping
The true beauty of the Dometic GO Hydration Water Faucet and Water Jug shines when they are used together. While the water jug is great on its own, the faucet is really only designed for use with it. For car campers, the pair provides a level of convenience that previously required more bulky or complicated setups. The faucet’s compact size and the jug’s sturdy design make it easy to transport them, whether you’re going for a weekend in the woods or a more extended road trip.
For those with small camper trailers or teardrop campers, these two items present a fantastic alternative to a built-in water system. Installing a full water system in a small trailer can be a costly and complicated endeavor, requiring pumps, plumbing, and tanks. With the Dometic GO Faucet and Jug, you get much of the same functionality—running water for washing dishes, brushing teeth, and more—without the need for permanent installations or electrical wiring.
The magnetic faucet base attaching to the jug turns this setup into an easy-to-use, portable water station that doesn’t require a counter or table to function. It also comes with a few extra metal plates you can attach to surfaces you will typically have the faucet on. This combination is great for washing dishes without wasting water, cleaning hands, or brushing your teeth, especially when space and resources are limited.
Final Thoughts on the Dometic GO Hydration Water Faucet and Jug
Overall, the Dometic GO Hydration Water Faucet and Water Jug are a well-thought-out system that brings convenience to car camping and small trailer setups. The faucet’s touch-sensitive button and short hose are minor drawbacks, but the magnetic base, water flow rate, and built in battery more than make up for these shortcomings. Meanwhile, the water jug stands out for its durability, multiple dispensing options, and compatibility with the faucet. Together, they create an efficient, portable water solution that feels like a luxury upgrade for any camping adventure. For more info or to check out this set for yourself, visit dometic.com or amazon.com.