Running Water In Campers: Diy Guide To Installation

Running water is a luxury when camping, but it's not as simple as turning on a faucet. Campers have a few options for accessing water, including filling up a fresh water tank or connecting to a water supply at a campsite. The former requires a dedicated hose for drinking water, which is usually white, and the latter often involves hooking up to a city water connection. Campers should also be aware of their water pump, which runs off a battery and needs to be turned on when using water from the fresh water tank.

Using a city water connection

Most RV campgrounds provide a city water connection, which is a convenient way to access running water. This is a direct connection to the city water supply via a faucet at your campsite. Here's a step-by-step guide to using a city water connection for your camper:

Step 1: Locate the Fresh Water Hose

The first step is to locate the fresh water hose in your camper. This hose is typically found in an outside compartment, often on the driver's side rear of the vehicle. The hose will be clearly labelled as the "Fresh Clean Water" hose, and it may have an orange adapter or an orange end, which is the pressure regulator. This pressure regulator is crucial to prevent pipe ruptures due to high water pressure.

Step 2: Connect the Hose to the Campsite Faucet

Take the orange end of the fresh water hose and attach it to the campsite water spigot or faucet. This step directly connects your camper to the city water supply. Ensure that the pressure regulator is turned on to maintain safe water pressure levels.

Step 3: Connect the Other End to Your Camper

The next step is to connect the other end of the hose to your camper. Screw the male end of the hose into the "City Water Connection" or the City Water Intake on your camper. This is usually located on the driver's side rear portion of the RV. Make sure the valve is turned to the "City Water" setting.

Step 4: Turn on the Campsite Water Spigot

Now, slowly turn on the campsite water spigot. After a few seconds, ask someone inside the RV to check if the water is running. You should hear the water pump priming and then running each time a tap is opened. If the water pressure is too low, you can adjust it at the spigot as needed.

Step 5: Do Not Turn on the Water Pump

When using a city water connection, it is important to note that you should not turn on the water pump. The pressure from the city water connection is sufficient to provide water flow to your camper, even for showers. The city water pressure will push water through the hose and into your RV's plumbing system when you turn on a faucet or flush a toilet.

Optional Accessories: Water Pressure Regulator and External Water Filter

While the pressure regulator on your fresh water hose helps maintain safe water pressure, you may also consider attaching a water pressure regulator directly to your RV water hose at the city water connection. This allows you to monitor and adjust the water pressure going into your camper. Additionally, an external water filter attached to your RV's water hose can ensure that the water you use is free of contaminants, especially when camping in areas with unknown water quality.

Filling up and using the RV fresh water tank

The fresh water tank is what holds the clean, potable water that comes out of your RV sink and shower. If you're going to be camping somewhere without hookups (also known as boondocking or dry camping), you'll need to fill up your RV fresh water tank before you get to your campsite.

Where to fill up your RV fresh water tank

There are a few places you can fill up your RV fresh water tank:

• Near dump stations. Just make sure the water you use is potable!
• Gas stations or grocery stores. Ask if you can use their outside spigot to fill your tank.
• Campgrounds or at home before you head to your dry camping spot.
• As a last resort, you can fill 5-gallon jugs at the water fill stations found in many grocery stores and pour the water into your fresh tank.

How to fill up your RV fresh water tank

To fill up your RV fresh water tank, follow these steps:

• Locate the fresh water intake valve (sometimes labelled "city water").
• Attach a fresh water hose to the intake valve.
• Attach the other end of the hose to a water spigot.
• Turn on the water spigot slowly and monitor the water level in your tank.
• When the tank is full, turn off the water at the spigot and remove the hose.
• Place the cap back on the water intake to prevent debris from getting into the fresh water.

Using your RV fresh water tank

When using your RV fresh water tank, make sure to turn on the water pump (usually located in the Convenience Center Panel). The water pump will run every time you turn on the water within your RV, such as when you run the water faucet or flush the toilet. It will stop running when you turn off the faucet or when the toilet has finished flushing. Remember to turn off the pump when your fresh tank is empty to avoid messing up the motor.

Important considerations

• Water conservation: When using just the fresh water tank, you may be surprised at how quickly you use water. Showers, dishes, flushing, washing, and drinking can drain the tank faster than you think, so be sure to conserve water.
• Water heating: If you want hot water, you'll need to use the camper water heater. Some RV water heaters use electricity, while others use propane. Make sure to turn the heater on well before you need hot water, as it can take up to an hour for the water to heat up.
• Water filtration: Consider using a water filter to ensure that the water entering your RV is free of contaminants.
• Water pressure: Campground water connections often have high pressure that can damage your RV plumbing. Use a water pressure regulator to ensure that the water pressure is always at a safe level for your RV.

Using an RV water pump

An RV water pump delivers water from the fresh water tank to the faucets, toilet, and shower. It is typically a 12V diaphragm pump with 3-5 chambers, powered by your RV's battery. When a fixture is opened, the pump detects the drop in water pressure and turns on to maintain consistent pressure. It will shut off once the required pressure is reached and turn on again when the pressure drops.

When to Use the RV Water Pump

You should use the RV water pump when you are not hooked up to a city water supply. This includes when you are "boondocking" or camping in a location without hookups. The water pump ensures that water is delivered from your fresh water tank to the faucets and shower.

How to Use the RV Water Pump

To use the RV water pump, first fill up your fresh water tank. Then, locate the water pump switch and turn it on. You may hear the pump prime for a moment, and it will run each time you open a tap. Remember to turn off the pump when your fresh tank is empty to avoid damaging the motor.

Important Tips for Using the RV Water Pump

• Turn off the pump while travelling to prevent accidental water usage due to bumps in the road.
• Turn off the pump when you are away from the RV or at night as a precautionary measure.
• Do not run the pump dry, as it can damage the motor. Always ensure there is water in the fresh water tank when using the pump.
• If you are experiencing low water pressure, check that your fresh water tank is full and inspect for any leaks in the system.

Maintaining Your RV Water Pump

To keep your RV water pump in good condition, perform the following maintenance tasks:

• Annual RV inspection: Inspect the water lines within the system to ensure there are no leaks, as this can shorten the pump's lifespan.
• Clean the filter: Regularly clean the filter between the fresh water tank and the pump to prevent debris from entering and damaging the pump.
• Sanitise your water lines: Algae can grow in the lines when the RV is unused for extended periods, causing damage to the pump.
• Test your pump before leaving: Always test the pump before travelling to address any issues at home.

Using an RV water heater

If you want to be able to shower or wash dishes in your camper, you will need to use an RV water heater. These appliances work similarly to the water heater in your home, but they are much smaller, so you'll need to be mindful of your water usage.

RV water heaters heat water in a tank, and there are three main ways to do this: using propane, electricity, or heat from the engine. The latter is the most economical option, as it makes use of the heat generated while driving. However, if the engine has been off for a while, the water may be tepid.

Electric heaters are the most convenient, as you can simply switch them on from inside your RV. Propane heaters are more cost-effective, but they will eat through your fuel supply. Some heaters offer both options, allowing you to choose between electricity and propane, or use both for faster heating.

RV water heaters take around 10-30 minutes to heat water, depending on the size of the tank and the temperature of the water. The tanks vary in size, from 4-gallon to 16-gallon heaters, with 6-gallon and 10-gallon heaters being the most common. Generally, the more people camping, the bigger the tank you'll need.

It's important to remember to turn on your water heater well before you need hot water, especially if it's cold outside. It can take up to an hour for the water to heat up. You can leave your water heater running during your entire trip, but this will increase your fuel or electricity bill.

To avoid hard-water corrosion inside the tank, install an anode rod. This will corrode instead of your tank, and it will need to be replaced when it looks worn out.

When you are not using your RV, be sure to drain the water tank to avoid damage from frozen water. If you are storing your RV during cold months, winterize the pipes to prevent them from freezing and cracking.

Cleaning your RV water system

Step 1: Turn Off Water Heater and Drain All Fresh Water

Turn off your water heater and run the hot water for a minute or so to remove the heated water. Then, open all the faucets in your kitchen and bathroom to drain the water from your fresh water system. Locate the fresh water tank drain and low-point drains for your RV's plumbing lines and open them to drain the water from your fresh water tank, plumbing lines, and hot water tank.

Step 2: Bypass Your RV Water Heater and Onboard Water Filters

Bypass your RV's water heater by closing the valves that allow water to flow into and out of the water heater. If you have an ice maker, shut it off and close the valve. If you have an onboard water filter, bypass it as well. If your rig doesn't have a bypass built-in, remove the water filter and attach a piece of flexible tubing between the connectors.

Step 3: Add Diluted Bleach Mixture to RV Fresh Water Tank

Calculate how much bleach you need by using the ratio of about 1/4 cup of bleach for every 16 gallons of water your fresh water tank holds. Mix the bleach with water and pour the diluted bleach mixture into your fresh water tank. Then, fill your fresh water tank with clean water.

Step 4: Open Every Faucet One by One and Run Until You Smell Bleach

Open all the faucets in your RV one at a time until you smell bleach. This ensures that the sanitizing solution has made its way through all the pipes to the various fresh-water fixtures.

Step 5: Let Sanitizing Mixture Sit for Several Hours

Let the bleach solution sit in your fresh water system for at least 5 hours, but preferably 12 hours, to allow the bleach to effectively sanitise your water system. If possible, take your RV for a drive to slosh the sanitizing mixture around and ensure that all parts of the fresh water system are treated.

Step 6: Drain Your Fresh Water Tank and Flush the System with Fresh Water

After letting the sanitizing mixture sit, drain the fresh water tank from your low-point drain. Then, refill the tank with fresh water and run your faucets one at a time until you no longer smell bleach. If you still smell bleach, repeat the process until the bleach smell disappears.

Frequently asked questions