8 Supplies for Building a Mobile Pig Waterer on Skids

Raising pigs on pasture is incredibly rewarding, but hauling fresh water to shifting paddocks can quickly become a backbreaking chore. A mobile waterer built on skids solves this problem by allowing a utility vehicle or tractor to easily tow a reliable supply right to the herd. With the right heavy-duty components, this DIY project saves hours of labor and ensures livestock stay hydrated in any weather.

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Why Mobile Waterers Work Best for Pastured Pigs

Rotational grazing keeps pastures healthy and pigs thriving, but it also means their water source must move with them. Stationary troughs quickly turn the surrounding soil into an eroded, muddy wallow that ruins the pasture and breeds disease. A mobile waterer on skids allows for quick relocation every time the electric fencing is shifted, protecting the sod and keeping the herd’s drinking area clean.

Dragging heavy hoses across acres of uneven terrain is exhausting and highly susceptible to freezes or punctures. By mounting a self-contained tank on a durable wooden skid, water can be transported in bulk using an ATV, side-by-side, or small tractor. This setup minimizes daily chores, making part-time farming manageable even during busy workweeks.

Pigs are notoriously destructive animals that love to root, nudge, and overturn anything in their paddock. A lightweight, unanchored water container will inevitably end up flipped over, leaving the animals thirsty and the pasture flooded. A heavy, skid-mounted system provides the necessary low center of gravity and structural weight to withstand constant rubbing and bumping from curious snouts.

Choosing the Right Skid Design for Your Pasture

The foundation of any mobile waterer is the skid frame, which must endure constant dragging over rocks, mud, and thick pasture grasses. A simple double-runner design works best, utilizing two parallel wooden runners with angled "skis" cut into the front ends to prevent the frame from digging into the turf. Cross-members should be recessed or securely bolted to keep the overall profile low and stable.

When designing the skid, matching the footprint to the water tank’s dimensions is critical for preventing tipping. A 55-gallon tank filled with water weighs over 450 pounds; this concentrated weight requires a wide, stable base that distributes the load evenly across the ground. Building the skid slightly wider than the tank provides a protective bumper that keeps pigs from directly damaging the plumbing fittings.

A common mistake is failing to plan how the skid will connect to the towing vehicle. Adding heavy-duty eye bolts or a wrapped tow strap to the front cross-member ensures the pulling force is distributed evenly across the frame. This prevents the wood from splitting under the sudden tension of a tractor pull, especially when dragging the waterer through deep mud.

Water Tank – Class A Customs 55 Gallon Tank

The water tank serves as the heart of the mobile watering system, holding the bulk supply that keeps pigs hydrated for days at a time. It must be strong enough to handle sloshing water during transport and resist cracking under intense summer sunlight. A high-quality tank eliminates the need for daily refills, giving the farmer peace of mind.

The Class A Customs 55 Gallon Tank is an exceptional choice for this project due to its medium-density polyethylene construction and seamless, one-piece design. This tank is NSF approved and BPA-free, ensuring the herd drinks clean water free of chemical leaching. Its compact footprint fits perfectly on a standard DIY skid without taking up excessive space.

• Capacity: 55 gallons (ideal for small herds of 4 to 8 market pigs)
• Material: Food-grade, UV-stabilized polyethylene
• Ports: Built-in 1.25-inch female NPT fill port and 0.5-inch drain ports

Before installation, note that while the tank comes with pre-threaded outlets, spinning a heavy brass bulkhead into plastic threads requires careful alignment to prevent cross-threading.

This tank is perfect for small-scale homesteaders raising a seasonal batch of feeder pigs. It is not suitable for large commercial operations requiring thousands of gallons of daily water, nor is it meant to be left empty in freezing conditions where residual moisture could expand and stress the plastic joints.

Skid Lumber – Severe Weather 4×4 Pressure Treated Wood

The skid runners bear the brunt of the friction, moisture, and weight as the waterer is dragged across the farm. Using standard untreated lumber will result in rapid rot and structural failure within a single season of exposure to wet grass and pig manure. Heavy-duty, ground-contact lumber is essential to ensure the frame lasts for years.

Severe Weather 4×4 Pressure Treated Wood provides the rugged durability needed to survive constant contact with damp soil. Treated to resist rot, decay, and wood-boring insects, these thick posts can handle the immense shearing forces of being towed across rough terrain. The dense southern yellow pine construction holds lag screws tightly, preventing the frame from loosening over time.

• Dimensions: 4-in x 4-in nominal sizing
• Treatment Grade: Ground contact (UC4B rating)
• Material: Pressure-treated southern yellow pine

When working with treated lumber, always use hot-dipped galvanized or stainless steel fasteners, as the chemicals used in the wood treatment will rapidly corrode standard steel screws.

This lumber is the gold standard for anyone building a durable, long-lasting skid that will spend its life outdoors. It is not intended for indoor projects or areas where livestock might chew on the wood, though pigs generally ignore the treated runners once the waterer is operational.

Drinking Nipples – Trojan Model 75 Stainless Steel

Standard water bowls or troughs quickly fill with mud, feces, and debris, requiring constant cleaning to keep the water potable. Drinking nipples solve this by delivering clean water directly into the pig’s mouth only when activated. This gravity-fed or low-pressure design eliminates water waste and keeps the supply pristine.

The Trojan Model 75 Stainless Steel nipple is widely regarded as the most reliable option for pastured pig setups. Made from high-grade, corrosion-resistant stainless steel, it features a dome-shaped trigger that pigs of all sizes can easily operate with their snouts. The internal spring mechanism is robust, preventing the annoying drips and leaks common in cheaper brass alternatives.

• Thread Size: 0.5-inch male NPT connection
• Material: 304 Stainless Steel
• Design: Non-clogging orifice with adjustable flow

Ensure the nipples are mounted at a downward angle of roughly 45 degrees, which matches the natural drinking posture of a pig and prevents water from spraying past their mouths.

This nipple is ideal for farmers raising hogs from weaners to market weight, as the adjustable flow accommodates different growth stages. It is not suitable for freezing winter temperatures unless paired with a heating element, as ice will freeze the internal valve shut.

Bulkhead Fitting – Banjo TF075 Double Threaded NPT

Getting a watertight seal on a curved plastic tank is notoriously difficult without the right connection. A bulkhead fitting creates a secure, leak-proof pass-through port in the tank wall, allowing the plumbing to connect to the internal water supply. Without a high-quality bulkhead, the constant vibration of towing will quickly cause slow leaks at the tank’s exit point.

The Banjo TF075 Double Threaded NPT bulkhead fitting is a professional-grade solution made from glass-reinforced polypropylene. It features a heavy-duty EPDM gasket that compresses tightly against the tank wall, sealing out leaks even on slightly curved surfaces. The double-threaded design allows for secure connections on both the inside and outside of the tank.

• Size: 0.75-inch NPT threads
• Material: Glass-filled polypropylene with EPDM gasket
• Installation: Requires a 1.625-inch hole saw for installation

When tightening the bulkhead, remember that it features left-hand threads on the locking nut to prevent it from loosening when outer fittings are screwed in.

This fitting is perfect for farmers who want a permanent, leak-proof connection that won’t crack under the stress of rough pasture travel. It is not designed for thin-walled milk jugs or flimsy containers that cannot support the weight of attached PVC pipe.

PVC Pipe – Charlotte Pipe Schedule 40 PVC Pipe

The plumbing manifold must transport water from the high-mounted bulkhead down to the drinking nipples at the pigs’ eye level. This conduit needs to be rigid enough to maintain its shape under gravity but tough enough to withstand accidental impacts. PVC pipe provides a clean, smooth pathway that prevents algae buildup and maintains consistent water flow.

Charlotte Pipe Schedule 40 PVC Pipe is the industry standard for reliable agricultural plumbing. Its thick walls resist crushing, bending, and cracking, making it highly durable under the physical pressures of a pasture environment. The smooth interior surface minimizes friction loss, ensuring that even a low-pressure, gravity-fed system delivers adequate water to the nipples.

• Diameter: 0.75-inch or 1-inch options
• Material: Rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
• Rating: Schedule 40 for high-pressure and structural use

Always use a primer before applying PVC cement to ensure a chemical weld that won’t blow apart when the waterer is dragged over bumpy ground.

This pipe is ideal for DIY builders looking for an affordable, easy-to-work-with plumbing material that can be customized to any skid height. It is not suitable for long-term exposure to extreme UV light unless painted, as raw PVC can become brittle over years of direct sunlight.

Thread Sealant – RectorSeal T Plus 2 Paste

Plastic-to-metal threaded connections are notorious for developing slow, annoying drips over time. Thread tape can bunch up or shred during assembly, especially on coarse plastic threads. A high-quality thread sealant paste fills the microscopic gaps between threads, ensuring a completely airtight and watertight seal that holds up to pasture vibrations.

RectorSeal T Plus 2 Paste is a Teflon-fluoropolymer formula that provides an immediate, leak-free seal on plastic, galvanized steel, and brass fittings. Unlike some industrial sealants, it never dries out or becomes brittle, allowing for easy disassembly if a fitting needs to be replaced in the future. It is non-toxic and safe for drinking water systems, keeping the pigs safe from chemical contamination.

• Type: Non-hardening thread sealant paste
• Compatibility: Safe for PVC, CPVC, ABS, and metals
• Certification: NSF 61 certified for potable water

Apply a thin, even layer to the male threads only, taking care not to let excess paste enter the pipe where it could clog the delicate spring mechanism of the drinking nipples.

This sealant is a must-have for anyone assembling threaded agricultural plumbing where leaks cannot be tolerated. It is not suitable for high-pressure oxygen lines, but it is perfect for low-pressure gravity waterers.

Ratchet Straps – SmartStraps 10-Foot Tie Down

A filled water tank possesses immense kinetic energy when the skid is towed across uneven ground. If the tank is not securely anchored to the wooden frame, it will shift, slide, or roll off completely, shearing the plumbing in the process. Heavy-duty ratchet straps provide the necessary tension to bind the tank firmly to the skid.

The SmartStraps 10-Foot Tie Down straps feature a high-visibility, abrasion-resistant webbing that holds up to outdoor elements. The ratcheting mechanism is built with a comfortable grip and a smooth release, preventing the frustrating jams common with cheap hardware store straps. The steel hooks are coated to prevent rust and protect the plastic tank from scratching.

• Length: 10 feet (perfect for wrapping a 55-gallon tank)
• Safe Work Load: 1,000 pounds
• Webbing: SmartWeb technology for increased abrasion resistance

Check the tension of the straps after the first few tows, as the wooden skid and plastic tank may settle slightly, requiring a few extra clicks of the ratchet to maintain a tight grip.

These straps are ideal for farmers who need a reliable, quick-release method to secure heavy loads on mobile farm implements. They are not intended for heavy overhead lifting or towing vehicles out of deep mud.

Tow Strap – Rhino USA Heavy Duty Recovery Strap

Dragging a heavy, water-filled skid across muddy pastures requires a connection point that can handle sudden jerks and high tension. Standard ropes or cheap chains can snap violently, posing a serious safety hazard to the operator and the towing vehicle. A dedicated recovery strap absorbs the initial shock of the pull, making transportation smooth and safe.

The Rhino USA Heavy Duty Recovery Strap is engineered from an ultra-strong polyester-silk blend that offers the perfect balance of strength and elasticity. It features reinforced padded loops on both ends, allowing for quick connections to tractor hitch pins or skid eye bolts. The heavy-duty stitching ensures it won’t unravel even when subjected to intense friction and mud.

• Break Strength: 31,518 pounds
• Length: 20 feet or 30 feet options
• Material: Poly/Silk blend with reinforced loops

Keep the strap clean by rinsing off mud and manure after use, as embedded grit can slowly wear down the synthetic fibers over time.

This strap is perfect for anyone towing heavy DIY farm implements through challenging terrain. It is overkill for light garden carts but absolutely necessary for moving 450-pound waterers through slick pasture mud.

Step-by-Step Assembly Tips for Your DIY Waterer

Begin by cutting the 4×4 pressure-treated runners to length, angling the front edges at 45 degrees to create a smooth sled profile. Secure the cross-members using heavy-duty lag screws, ensuring the frame is perfectly square and slightly wider than the tank itself. Mount the eye bolts to the front cross-member, reinforcing them with large washers on the backside to prevent the wood from pulling through.

Drill the hole for the bulkhead fitting near the bottom of the tank using a clean-cutting hole saw. Insert the Banjo bulkhead from the inside of the tank, ensuring the rubber gasket sits flush against the inner wall before tightening the left-handed nut. Assemble the PVC manifold, gluing the joints securely and routing the pipe down to the desired drinking height before screwing in the Trojan nipples.

Place the tank onto the skid and secure it tightly using the SmartStraps ratchet straps, wrapping them around the tank and anchoring them to the frame’s cross-members. Fill the tank with a few gallons of water to check for leaks at the bulkhead, PVC joints, and nipples. Once verified leak-free, tow the waterer to the pasture using the Rhino USA strap and watch the pigs interact with the nipples to ensure they are at the correct height.

How to Maintain and Clean Your Mobile Pig Waterer

Regular inspection is key to keeping the waterer functioning smoothly throughout the grazing season. Check the tension of the ratchet straps weekly, as temperature changes can cause the plastic tank to expand or contract, loosening the tie-downs. Inspect the drinking nipples for any signs of clogging from mud, grass, or mineral buildup, clearing any debris that could restrict water flow.

Algae and bacteria can quickly multiply inside a water tank exposed to direct summer sunlight. Flush the tank completely every few weeks, using a mild, animal-safe sanitizing solution to clean the interior walls. Running clean water through the plumbing manifold after sanitizing ensures no chemical residue remains to affect the herd’s health.

When freezing temperatures approach, the entire system must be completely drained to prevent catastrophic damage. Water freezing inside the PVC pipes, bulkhead, or stainless steel nipples will expand and crack the components, rendering the waterer useless for the next spring. Store the empty waterer under a tarp or inside a shed to protect the plastic and straps from winter UV degradation and snow load.

Building a mobile pig waterer on skids is a straightforward weekend project that yields massive dividends in daily labor savings and pasture health. By investing in durable, high-quality components like heavy-duty tanks, stainless steel nipples, and rugged pressure-treated skids, you create a system that withstands the elements and the natural curiosity of your herd. With proper maintenance and seasonal care, this mobile setup will keep your pigs hydrated and thriving for many seasons to come.