Connecting A Water Hose To Your Camper: A Step-By-Step Guide

Hooking up a water hose to your camper or RV is a simple process, but it requires some preparation. First, you'll need to gather the right equipment, including a drinking water-safe hose (also known as a potable water hose), a water pressure regulator, and an inline water filter. You may also want to invest in a 90-degree connector or a flexible hose fitting to protect your city water inlet from damage. Once you have the necessary equipment, follow these steps:

1. Install a pressure regulator to reduce water pressure and protect your RV's internal plumbing.

2. Attach one end of the potable water hose to the regulator and the other end to the city water connection on your RV.

3. Turn on the city water source and check that your RV now has running water.

4. Check all faucets for adequate water pressure and ensure there are no leaks at the connection points.

5. If there are leaks, inspect the O-rings on your hose and water pressure regulator and replace them if necessary.

6. Remember to drain your tank completely when leaving the campsite to prevent foul odours.

Use a drinking water-safe hose

To hook up a water hose to your camper, you'll need to get a hose that is drinking water-safe, also known as a potable water hose. The length of the hose will determine how close you can park to the water source. Most campsite spigots are located next to electric and sewer connections, so a 50-foot water hose is a good starting point. This will ensure you have enough hose to reach the water source without having to park your camper too far away from it.

Once you have your drinking water-safe hose, you'll want to install a pressure regulator between the water source and your hose. Water pressure from city water connections can vary, and without a regulator, you risk damaging hose fittings or cracking pipes. Simply screw the female end of the regulator onto the water spigot, and then attach your hose to the male end.

You can also install an inline water filter to your setup to improve water quality. These filters have male and female ends that screw onto your water hose and the city water connection. You can attach the pressure regulator to the male end before connecting it to the water source. Inline filters are an effective way to reduce the number of chemicals and contaminants that enter your RV's plumbing system, especially since water quality standards vary from region to region.

Now that you have your hose, regulator, and optional filter, it's time to connect everything to your RV. It's recommended to use a 90-degree connector or a flexible hose fitting to reduce the weight of the hose on the city water inlet, which can damage the inlet over time and cause leaks. Once you have a pressure regulator, filter, and connector in place, partially open one of the faucets in your kitchen sink to reduce potential issues with excessive water pressure if your pressure regulator malfunctions.

Finally, turn on the city water, and your RV should now have running water. Check all your faucets for adequate water pressure, and make sure there are no leaks from the connection points at either end of your water hose outside. If there are leaks, shut off the water and check the O-rings on your hose and water pressure regulator. They should be present and in good condition to prevent leaks.

Now you're all set up and ready to enjoy the convenience of running water in your camper!

Install a pressure regulator

Water pressure regulators are important to reduce water pressure to a safe level for your RV’s internal plumbing. They are placed between your water source and your hose. Water pressures from city water connections vary dramatically, and without a regulator, you risk damaging hose fittings or cracking pipes.

To install a pressure regulator, screw the female end of the regulator onto the water spigot, and then attach your hose to the male end.

You can also install an inline water filter to your city water inlet before connecting your hose to filter your drinking water. Inline filters offer a male and female end to screw into your water hose and the city water connection. You can attach your pressure regulator to the male end before connecting it to the water source.

Once you have a pressure regulator and filter in place, go inside and partially open one of the faucets in your kitchen sink. This will reduce potential issues with excessive water pressure if your pressure regulator malfunctions.

Install an inline filter

To install an inline filter to your camper's water hose, you will need a drinking water-safe hose, often referred to as a potable water hose. The length of the hose will determine how close you need to park to the water source. Most campsite spigots are located next to electric and sewer connections. A 50-foot water hose is a good starting point, as it's better to have a little extra hose than to come up short.

Once you have your hose, you can install a pressure regulator to reduce water pressure and protect your RV's internal plumbing. The best place to install one is between your water source and your hose. Water pressures from city water connections can vary, and without a regulator, you risk damaged hose fittings or cracked pipes. Screw the female end of the regulator onto the water spigot, and then attach your hose to the male end.

Now you can install an inline filter to your city water inlet before connecting your hose. Inline filters offer a male and female end to screw into your water hose and the city water connection. You can even attach your pressure regulator to the male end before connecting it to the water source. These filters reduce the number of chemicals and contaminants that enter your RV's plumbing, improving water quality when travelling.

Finally, connect your hose to your RV, using a 90-degree connector or a flexible hose fitting to prevent damage to your city water inlet over time. Once you have a pressure regulator, filter, and connector in place, go inside and partially open one of the faucets in your kitchen sink to reduce potential issues with excessive water pressure.

Use a 90-degree connector or a flexible hose fitting

How to Hook Up Water Hose to Camper

Now that one end of your hose is fitted with a regulator and filter and connected to your water source, it’s time to connect the other end to your RV. It’s a good idea to use a 90-degree connector or a flexible hose fitting.

If you connect your hose directly to your city water inlet, the weight of the hose can damage the inlet over time. This is why many city water inlets start to leak. Installing a 90-degree or flexible fitting takes the pressure off that inlet and maintains a leak-free connection.

Technician Tip:

Once you have a pressure regulator, filter, and connector in place, go inside and partially open one of the faucets in your kitchen sink. This will reduce potential issues with excessive water pressure if your pressure regulator malfunctions.

Additional Tips:

• Always use a certified potable water hose. You can easily keep your hoses organized by noting that the certified water hose is white in color. A simple garden hose will not work when you are hooking up to water.
• Make sure your bypass valve is turned to the “bypass” side instead of the “fill tank” option, and turn off your water pump.
• When a hose under pressure is exposed to extreme temperatures, it can weaken and split, causing it to fail. If you’re on an extended trip and plan to remain stationary for a long period, it’s a good idea to insulate your hose.

Check for leaks

Once you've hooked up your water hose to your camper, it's important to check for leaks. Firstly, make sure your bypass valve is set to 'bypass' and not 'fill tank'. Then, turn off your water pump and turn on the city water supply.

Now, check the whole water line for leaks. If there are any leaks, shut off the water supply and check the O-rings on your hose and water pressure regulator. They should be present and in good condition to prevent leaks. If they are damaged, replace them.

If your camper has a water pump, listen out for it running when no one is using water. If it runs, there is likely a leak somewhere, which should be investigated.

Finally, if you are using a water filter, check that it is not leaking.

Frequently asked questions