You’re asking for trouble if you just hook up your RV to a water spigot at an RV park without checking the water pressure. Today, Dave Solberg explains in a short video how to prevent damage from high water pressure, and shows you helpful devices to ensure you don’t accidentally blow out your water system.
Today’s question came from Lana in Joplin, Missouri, who we thank for asking Dave this:
Dear Dave,
“I just bought my first RV, a Keystone Springdale travel trailer. I’m concerned about the water pressure at campgrounds. I’ve heard horror stories that too much pressure can damage the water system. Are there ways I can keep that from happening? Do I need to be concerned?” —Lana
Here is Dave’s reply:
Mentioned in the video:
More questions for Dave, and his replies:
- How do I sanitize my RV’s fresh water tank through the filter?
- My batteries don’t charge when connected to shoreline power. How can I test my converter?
- How can I get scratches out of my RV’s solid surface countertop?
- My Dometic fridge won’t get below 50 degrees. Should I get a lithium battery?
##RVDT2084
In over 25 years of RV’ing I only didn’t use my pressure regulator once (because I tested the pressure at the spigot and found it to be about 40 psi). Wifey and I were sitting in the trailer reading when we saw the tsunami rolling out from the bathroom. Holy cow, the hose supplying the toilet burst and water was spewing everywhere! What a mess. Note to self – never ever leave the pressure regulator off the spigot.
In 12 years RVing I’ve only encountered possibly High Water Pressure once!
Always the Campground water pressure is merely adequate or less!
Watched the water regulator segment and to me the first half was a waste of time, the last half is what answered the question.
We use a pressure regulator, but we also always turn off the water at the spigot when away from the motorhome, even if just a short time. Same with turning off the pump. Seen a couple floods in RV where the poor folks were away and a pipe burst.
We do the same thing with the shutoff valve. My wife let the bathroom faucet on a fast drip with the gray valve closed and half a tank. Several hours latter we got a call for the park.
I had low water pressure all winter using the spigot on my lot in Quartzsite. Normal pressure using the pump. Bought a new street inlet valve, swapped pressure regulators and changed the filter. Looked behind the panel in the wet bay and couldn’t see a reason for the loss of pressure inside. Decided to buy a pressure regulator with a gauge. Hooked it up, 40 psi, problem solved.
2 new defective brass regulators.
We always use our regulator!! Better to be safe than sorry
A water pressure regulator is such a basic RV requirement, like air in the tires. If you are unsure if you need one, you have not done enough homework on the RV lifestyle. Please also spend a few extra dollars for one with a gauge.
IF you don’t have one, fill up your fresh water tank, then shut off the water supply and only use the RV onboard pump. Easy to then just switch off the pump when you leave the RV for any reason. I actually set my water pressure regulator lower than my onboard pump to put less strain on the water lines/connections.
I have to question Dave on the water filter removing hard water. As far as I know only a water softener with an ion exchange or reverse osmosis will lower the hardness.
Yep
I have a pressure gage on a faucet fitting that I always use to check campground “dead head” pressure. That’s the pressure when all your faucets are closed that your water system “sees”. A simple gage that registers system pressure at rest.