Hooking Up Your Camper To Water: A Step-By-Step Guide

Hooking up a camper to water is an essential step in preparing for a camping trip. It involves connecting your camper to a water source, such as a campground's water supply, to ensure access to fresh, running water for various purposes. The process typically includes attaching a water hose, regulating water pressure, and making the necessary connections to the camper's water system. Whether you're filling up your tank or establishing a more permanent connection, careful attention to key steps will ensure a trouble-free camping experience.

Purchase a hose certified for potable water

When preparing for a camping trip, it is important to ensure you have all the right equipment. One essential item is a hose certified for potable water, which you should purchase before your trip. This is a crucial step to prevent damage to your camper's water system and ensure a trouble-free camping experience.

A hose certified for potable water is specifically designed for drinking water, ensuring your health and safety. These hoses are usually white or blue in colour and typically range in length from 10 to 50 feet. They are made with BPA-free walls, preventing any "funny tastes" caused by chemicals leaching into the water. Using a non-certified hose, such as a garden hose or black rubber washing machine hose, can result in the leaching of toxins and the harbouring of bacteria, which can be harmful to your health.

When purchasing a hose for your camper, look for one that meets the required PSI (pounds per square inch) for your RV. The PSI requirements can usually be found in your RV owner's manual. This is important to ensure that your water lines don't burst due to high water pressure.

In addition to the hose, you may also want to invest in a water pressure regulator, which can be attached to the water spigot to control the water pressure and protect your water system. It is also recommended to use a water filtration system connected to either end of the hose to ensure the water you are drinking and using is clean and safe.

By purchasing a hose certified for potable water and following the other key steps in setting up your camper's water system, you can ensure a safe and enjoyable camping trip.

Relieve the pressure with a regulator

Water pressure at campgrounds is often higher than recommended for camper water lines. The sun's heat can also increase pressure and cause your hose to blow out or fittings to crack. To prevent this, you need to relieve the pressure with a regulator.

A pressure regulator attached to the spigot will protect your entire water system from high pressure. If you have a water filter, you can connect it directly to the regulator, then attach your hose to the filter. This will keep your potable water hose and entire water system free from bacteria and hard water mineral deposits.

When choosing a water hose for your camper, make sure to purchase one that is certified for potable water. These hoses are usually white or blue and come in lengths ranging from 10 to 50 feet. Using a hose that is not certified for potable water may result in the leaching of toxins and bacteria growth, which can be harmful to your health.

Before attaching the regulator, monitor the water pressure and get all the air out of the hose. You also want to make sure the water is clear. Once the regulator is attached, slowly turn the water back on.

If you are connecting to campground water, you will need to find and remove the cap labelled "city water connection". This connection runs the water directly to your pipes, bypassing the fill tank. If you are filling up your tank, connect the hose to the "fresh water connection" instead.

It is important to pay attention to the location of the water spigot and ensure your water hose is long enough to reach the connection. You don't want to get everything ready only to discover that your hose won't reach!

In addition to relieving pressure with a regulator, you should also be mindful of other safety considerations. For example, listen for any drips or leaks once you turn the water on, and check the fittings around the pipes and connectors. Sometimes fittings can come loose during travel and need to be tightened.

Sanitize the hose connection

As the water source may be your drinking water, sanitizing the hose connection is a good practice. It is recommended to use hand sanitizer and wipe it on and into the hose connection before hooking up to it. This will help to ensure that the water you drink and use for other purposes is safe and clean.

After sanitizing the hose connection, let the water run for a minute or so to flush out the hose before hooking up the RV. This will help to remove any remaining sanitizer or other residue from the hose. This step is important to ensure that the water you drink and use for other purposes is not contaminated.

In addition to sanitizing the hose connection, it is also important to use a potable water hose when hooking up your RV to a water source. A potable water hose is specifically designed for drinking water and will not leech harmful chemicals into the water. It is usually white or blue in color. Using a standard garden hose or a non-potable water hose can contaminate your water supply and pose health risks.

By following these steps and using the right equipment, you can help ensure that the water you use during your RV trip is safe and clean for drinking and other purposes.

Monitor water pressure

To ensure your pipes don't burst, it's important to monitor the water pressure when hooking up a camper to water. Water pressure at campgrounds is often higher than recommended for camper water lines, and the sun's heat can also contribute to increased pressure. Therefore, you should always use a water pressure regulator to protect your system.

When attaching the regulator to the water spigot, make sure to monitor the water pressure and get all the air out of the hose. You want the water to be clear, with no air bubbles. This is an important safety step to avoid any damage to your camper's water system.

You can easily find the PSI (pounds per square inch) requirements for your camper in the owner's manual. If the water pressure coming from the campground connection is too high, simply adjust the regulator accordingly. This will ensure that your pipes don't burst due to excessive pressure.

It's also a good idea to use a water filtration system connected to either end of the water hose. This will help ensure that your drinking water is safe and free of contaminants. By carefully monitoring the water pressure and using the appropriate regulator, you can maintain a safe and efficient water flow in your camper.

Adjust water temperature

Adjusting the water temperature in your camper's water system is an important aspect of ensuring a comfortable showering experience. Here are some detailed instructions and tips to help you adjust the water temperature:

Understanding Camper Water Heaters

Firstly, it's important to understand that camper water heaters typically have non-adjustable settings, which means you can't directly control the temperature at the heater source. This is done to ensure that the water gets hot enough for various tasks, such as washing dishes, and to compensate for the smaller hot water tank size.

Adjusting Temperature at the Faucet

Since the water heaters are often non-adjustable, the temperature is controlled by mixing hot and cold water at the faucet. This may take some practice to find the right balance, but it's a common method used by camper owners.

Using a Bypass Valve

If your water heater has three valves, you can try adjusting the bypass valve to mix some cold water with the hot water before it reaches the faucet. This will reduce the overall temperature. However, be aware that this might affect tasks like washing dishes, as the water might not be hot enough.

Installing an Aftermarket Thermostat

If you prefer more precise control over the water temperature, you can purchase and install an aftermarket thermostat. This will allow you to adjust the temperature directly at the water heater, giving you more flexibility.

Using a Portable Water Heater

Another option is to invest in a portable water heater system, such as the Camplux Camper Kit or the HOTTAP. These systems allow you to control the water temperature using a control panel or a flame lever. They are designed for quick setup and can provide instant hot water, making them convenient for camping trips.

Additional Tips

• Always ensure there is proper ventilation and clearance around your water heater to prevent any safety hazards.
• When using a gas water heater, be cautious of toxic gas build-up, and never use it in a closed vehicle.
• Experiment with the water temperature to find your preferred balance, and adjust it according to the weather conditions.
• If you're camping in colder regions, consider insulating your water lines to prevent freezing.
• Remember to conserve water, as hot water tanks in campers have limited capacity.

Frequently asked questions