Using Your RV Water System

Having running water while camping in the middle of nowhere or even in the middle of the parking lot is one of the very best things about owning an RV. Of course, in order to have running water, you need know how to properly use your RV water system. On top of that, you want to have a good understanding of how to care for the system for years to come.

If you’re new to the world of RVing, you may have no idea where to start with all of this. In that case, this is the article for you. In this piece we will discuss the ins and out of using and maintaining your RV’s water lines, pipes, and tanks so you can enjoy running water on the go for years to come.

Related Read: Conserving Water When You Are a Full-timer

Water Filtration

Many people don’t feel that filtering the water coming into their rig is necessary. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Campground water supplies are often less than reliable in terms of cleanliness.

Even if you aren’t using the tap water for drinking, you will want to remove dirt and debris from the incoming water in order to protect your water lines from buildup. Additionally, some water can be so dirty it actually stains your sinks, bathtub, and toilet. A filter will prevent this from happening.

Wondering what kind of filter you need? Well, there are a wide variety of options out there, but for the weekend camper, this simple Camco RV water filter should do the trick just fine.

Related Read: Keep Your Water Safe and Tasty in Your RV: Filters

Water Pressure Regulator

Another thing many people don’t understand the importance of is a water pressure regulator. In fact, some people don’t even realize these little tools exist. Believe us, this is one gadget you should definitely invest in right away.

You see, your RV water lines can only withstand so much water pressure. Unfortunately, campgrounds do not always take this into account, and sometimes the spigots will put out some intense pressure that could easily burst one of your lines. A water pressure regulator prevents this from happening by slowing the stream of water, lowering the water pressure to the safe zone.

Nothing fancy is needed for this job. Therefore, we recommend something like this regulator. It’ll get the job done without breaking the bank.

Water Softener

In addition to a filter, you may also want to invest in a water softener system for your RV. This is because campground water often contains an elevated level of mineral ions.

For the most part these tend to be magnesium and calcium, and both make the water hard. Unfortunately, hard water is very bad for all water systems, and is especially so for an RV’s water system, which is more delicate than something you may find in a house.

The reason it’s so hard on the system? Buildup. Over time, hard water creates solid buildup that is nearly impossible to remove. Luckily, a water softener will take care of this issue quickly and easily, removing all risk to your RV and making the water in your rig easier to wash up in.

Not sure which water softener to invest in? We particularly like this one for RV use.

Freshwater Holding Tank Maintenance

If you always stay in campgrounds with water hookups, you may never use your freshwater tank. That said, those who camp off-grid will use their fresh tank often and should take good care of it. Fortunately, this is very easy to do and only involves a little bit of cleaning once in a while to ensure water coming from the tank is safe to consume.

To clean your tank, all you need is a bottle of bleach and a bit of extra time. You’ll begin by emptying the fresh tank. Once that is done, the tank will be filled with a bleach and water mixture which is then left to sit. After sitting, the tank is drained, rinsed, and is then ready for use.

For complete detailed instructions on how to clean your freshwater tank, check out this article.

Waste Water Holding Tank Maintenance

Of course, you also have your waste water tanks to worry about. These two tanks—black and gray—are less pleasant to deal with, but as long as you are using them correctly, they should never get too bad to handle.

Tips for Caring for Water Water Tanks

• Use tank chemicals to control smell and help break down solids.

• Don’t dump until black tank is at least two-thirds full.

• Dump the black tank first, then close it before using gray water to flush out the sewer hose.

• Keep valves closed until time to dump to prevent buildup of solids. This is especially important with the black tank.

• Always rinse both tanks after dumping. If your RV doesn’t have one already, consider a tool like this to help with the job.

Winterization

RV winterization is very important in order to keep your lines, tanks, and pipes from freezing and/or bursting. Unfortunately, many people find this task overwhelming and end up skipping it, resulting in water disasters once spring rolls around.

Related Read: Preparing Your Coach For A Long Winters Nap

The truth of the matter is that RV winterization truly isn’t that difficult, and even the least handy RV owner can probably figure it out. The process involves completely emptying the entire RV of any water and filling all lines with RV antifreeze. A bit of antifreeze in the holding tanks is also a good idea.

Want detailed instructions on how to take care of winterization in your own RV? We recommend this awesome video, which takes you through the entire process step by step, making it feel nice and manageable.

With this information you should be well prepared to venture into the world of RVing and give your RV water system a try. Keep all of these tips in mind and put them to use for a long-lasting water system—not to mention refreshing and healthy drinking water right from your tap—no matter where you may roam.