Category: RV Tips

Your RV Water Hookup – 3 Must-Haves

One of the most important skills a new RVer learns is how to get city water into your RV. Then you can use it for washing, drinking, cleaning, etc. So you have to be able to use the RV water hookup in the campground where you are staying.

In most cases, the campground RV water hookup will be a faucet in your campsite. When you connect an RV water hose to the faucet and then to your rig, you are all set.

But I am going to show you 3 things that will improve your campground water connection. They will enhance your safety and the safety of your RV. And they can also help make your RV life more convenient.

Watch my video about RV campground water hookups

Disclosure: Please note this post may contain affiliate links. This means – at no additional cost to you – I earn a commission if you make a purchase using our affiliate links. I only link to products and companies I use and feel comfortable recommending. The income goes toward supporting the free content on this website.

Table of Contents

RV Water Hookup Must-Have #1 -RV Water Pressure Regulator

The first must-have for your RV water connection is an RV water pressure regulator. Why are these devices needed?

Simply because many campgrounds will have a water connection that has too much pressure in the line.

And the danger is that if you hook up to this high RV water pressure, you may damage your rig’s plumbing. If that happens, it is usually not an inexpensive repair.

So an RV water pressure regulator makes sure that the water pressure going into your RV is safe.

It attaches easily to any RV water hose. And then it regulates the pressure so that your RV’s plumbing will not be damaged when you hookup.

These little devices are very cheap insurance against very costly repair bills. So there is no reason why you would not want to use them every time you hookup to campground water.

The links below explain more about them.

Click here for RV water regulator #1

Click here for RV water regulator #2

(These are affiliate links for the product on Amazon. It does not cost you any extra to buy the product using my affiliate link if you choose to do so)

RV Water Hookup Must-Have #2 – A Water Filter

As we travel around in our RV, we use several campground water hookups. And in most cases, we don’t really know where the water is coming from for that connection.

We also don’t know what condition that water is in either. And that is why it makes sense to use a water filter whenever you connect to a water supply.

There are several kinds of water filters available. Some are very expensive and some are not.

Generally speaking, the more expensive the RV water filter, the more filtration takes place.

Also some require a permanent mount in your RV while other can simply be hooked up to your RV water hose.

I have used a very inexpensive canister RV water filter for a while now. You often see these kind of filters being used by RVers in campgrounds.

They easily fit any water hose, and they can be set up in just minutes. It is true that there are better RV water filters available.

But these RV canister filters do an amazingly good job, especially for the price. They help remove bad taste, while also filtering out odors, chlorine and sediment.

You can always use these inexpensive RV water filters along with other filters as well. So here is the RV canister water filter that I recommend for consideration (just click on the link below to learn more about it):

Click here for the RV water filter canister that I use

(This is an affiliate link for the product on Amazon. It does not cost you any extra to buy the product using my affiliate link if you choose to do so)

RV Water Hookup Must-Have #3 – A Dual Water Hose Connection

This next item may not be as essential as the other two for the safety of both you and your rig. But it is a great time and energy saver that every RVer should know about.

I don’t know how many times I have needed to use a water hose to wash something at my campsite. But if I only have a single RV water hookup, it presents a problem.

That is because I will have to use the hose that feeds my fresh water system. That in turn means that I have to take apart the existing water connection.

But if I use a dual hose water connection at the campground faucet, everything is much easier.

All I have to do is just add another hose to the second connection at the faucet. Then I turn the water on to the second hose and I’m all set to go.

I have gotten such good use out of this arrangement and I’m sure that you will too.

Here is a dual water hose connection that you may want to consider (just click on the link below to learn more about it):

Click here for a high quality dual hose water connector

(This is an affiliate link for the product on Amazon. It does not cost you any extra to buy the product using my affiliate link if you choose to do so)

RV Water Connection Tips

Having the RV water hookup gear that I mentioned above will help make your campground experience a good one.

But understanding them is even more important. So here is a little more information about the items mentioned above.

There are several kinds of water regulators that can be used for RV camping. And I included links to two of them.

Either one will work for you, but I personally like to use the RV water regulator that has a pressure gauge.

Why? Simply because it gives me more information about the water pressure that is coming from my campground connection. And more control of the water pressure too.

The regulator that has a “Low/Good/High” readout will do the job. But it doesn’t allow you to adjust the pressure going into your rig at the connection.

But the regulator that has the actual water pressure readout will also allow you to adjust the water pressure to fit your situation.

So if your RV is a newer one, you may be able to use a higher water pressure like 60 psi. But if it is older, it may be safer to adjust the pressure to 45 – 50 psi instead to protect your older plumbing.

But at least you know exactly what you are dealing with if you know the correct water pressure at the water connection.

Of course, the water regulator with the actual PSI gauge costs more. But for me, I think it is worth it if you can afford the extra cost.

More Water Connection Tips

Another good tip is to use a 5/8 inch food grade water hose for your RV water hookup.

You will find a lot of water hoses that you could choose from for your RV water connection.

But if it does not specifically state that it is approved for use in food preparation, don’t use it!

This is because some of the materials used for garden and outdoor hoses can be detrimental to your health.

But a food grade hose has to be made with materials that will safely transport the water into your rig without adversely affecting the water quality.

So does the size of the hose make a difference? Yes, it can. If you want the best water pressure possible from your water connection, you should use a 5/8 inch hose.

It’s a little larger than a 1/2 inch hose, but it can make a lot of difference in your faucet and shower water pressure.

The extra diameter allows for more water flow. And since most campgrounds don’t provide the kind of water flow that you experience at home, this is a good thing!

Click here for a drinking water safe 5/8 inch hose designed for RV use

(This is an affiliate link for the product on Amazon. It does not cost you any extra to buy the product using my affiliate link if you choose to do so)

Cold Weather Water Hookups

Cold weather can be a challenge to water connections in RV campgrounds. In fact, when the temperature drops to freezing or below, you need to exercise caution.

This is because the last thing you want is to have your RV water pipes freeze and burst. That kind of problem can be crazy expensive to repair.

So how do you protect your water system in very cold weather? An easy way to do that is to only hook up to the RV water connection long enough to fill up your RVs fresh water tank.

Then remove your hose and keep it in a place where it won’t freeze. When your fresh water tank gets low, hook up again only long enough to fill the tank again.

It can be a little inconvenient to implement this strategy, but it can also prevent a lot of repair headaches.

Some RVers tempt the elements by keeping their water hose connected below freezing. And some get away with it.

But I have had a water filter connected at the faucet burst from water freezing inside it at only 30 degrees.

So I don’t play around with my water connection in very cold weather. And I think you shouldn’t either!

Conclusion

Your campground RV water hookup is very important since you will be using water for so many purposes in your RV. Like bathing, cleaning, washing, and drinking.

So why not make sure that the water coming into your rig is safe for both you and your rig?

A residential water connection requires little to no thought on our part in most cases. But the quality and safety of the water connection for our RV is entirely up to us.

And using these 3 must-have items and my tips for your campground water hookup will make your RV life easier and safer.

Have safe and happy travels my friends!

RV water hookups Youtube video
Click the image above to watch my Youtube video on RV water hookups

A 50 Amp RV Surge Protector – Why You Need It

A 50 amp RV surge protector should not be optional equipment on your RV. If your RV has a 50 amp service you need to protect it. And as a certified NRVIA RV inspector, I highly recommend the use of a high-quality electrical surge protector. This one purchase alone can potentially save you thousands of dollars in electrical repairs. Let me explain why.

If your RV has a 50 amp service, you most likely have a lot of expensive components that need protection. These could be air conditioners, control boards for a refrigerator, a washing machine, computers, TVs, etc. The whole idea of having a 50 amp RV is being able to run lots of electrical devices. And many can be running at the same time.

Disclosure: Please note this post may contain affiliate links. This means – at no additional cost to you – I earn a commission if you make a purchase using our affiliate links. I only link to products and companies I use and feel comfortable recommending. The income goes toward supporting the free content on this website.

What is a surge protector?

Actually, what is often called a surge protector is really an RV Electrical Management System, or EMS. But one of the major features of an EMS is to protect against sudden surges of electricity. Therefore it has become common for many RVers to just refer to it as a surge protector.

However, an Electrical Management System can do so much more than just prevent damage from electrical surges. It essentially monitors the electrical connection to your RV at all times. If it senses that there is any harmful situation, it takes action to protect your RV’s entire electrical system. And by extension it also protects anything that is plugged into that system.

An EMS can protect your RV against –

  • High voltage spikes
  • Low voltage drops
  • Reverse polarity
  • Open neutral
  • Open ground

A simple low-cost good surge protector may warn you that some of these dangerous situations are present. But they do not continually scan for electrical problems. And they don’t take action to save your electrical system and devices by killing the power to them.

Here is an example of a simple low-cost RV surge protector:

Surge Guard 44290 Portable Surge Protector

A high quality RV EMS – why you need it

As an RV travels around, the condition of the electrical service in each campground can vary widely. In some campgrounds, the electrical connection is great. In others, you can encounter potentially serious electrical safety problems at the RV power pedestal. We would all like to think that campground management is on top of these issues. But the plain truth is that the electrical connection we hope for is not always the case in reality.

Lightning is another factor that can harm your RV electrical system and devices. This can be hard to defend against since it is so sudden and can be catastrophic in damage. But a high quality RV EMS can shut off the sudden electrical spike from lightning in an instant. This protects all of the electrical components and appliances in your RV. It may fry the EMS unit, but better that than all of your expensive electronic devices.

Another harmful electrical situation is having the electrical voltage drop too low. This is usually because a campground becomes very full and their sub-par electrical service becomes overcrowded. When this happens, the voltage can drop so low that damage is done, especially to sensitive electronics.

Some of these electrical problems could even result in major damage to your RV wiring. But others could also do significant damage to all the electrical components and appliances that are connected to it as well. So why take this unnecessary risk at all? Why not insure against the worst by using a quality RV surge protector?

The best RV surge protector for your rig

As mentioned above, the best RV surge protector is actually an Electrical Management System. This is because it can give you peace of mind whenever you plug your RV into shore power. Yes, an RV EMS may cost more than a traditional surge protector. But considering the kind of protection it affords, I feel that it is well worth it.

You can get an EMS surge protector that is portable or one that is permanently installed. For most RVers the portable surge protector unit is fine. It is cost-effective and can go with you to another RV should you sell the one you have. Also, if it takes a high voltage hit from lightning, it can be replaced fairly quickly and inexpensively.

There are a couple of major manufacturers of the best quality 50 amp surge protector units. Either one can do a fine job, But I use the 50 amp RV surge protector manufactured by Surge Guard. Click on the image below to find out more about it.

Surge Guard 34850 Portable Model with LCD Display - 50 Amp

Here is another 50 amp Electrical Management System surge protector that is very popular. Either unit will do a fine job. Just click on the image below for information on the Southwire surge guard.

Southwire Surge Guard Portable 50-Amp Surge Protector
Duane explains 50 amp surge protectors and why you need a high-quality EMS

Please comment below if you have had any experiences with RV surge protectors or Electrical Management Systems.

RV Tire Pressure – The Easy Way To Monitor It

Checking your RV tire pressure regularly is not only important, it’s vital for safety! One of the most important contributing factors to RV tire failure is not having the proper tire pressure. Either over-inflation or under-inflation can cause safety hazards on the road. So how can you make sure that you always use the best tire pressure for your RV when traveling?

Disclosure: Please note this post may contain affiliate links. This means – at no additional cost to you – I earn a commission if you make a purchase using our affiliate links. I only link to products and companies I use and feel comfortable recommending. The income goes toward supporting the free content on this website.

Monitoring your air pressure

One of the RV inspections you should make frequently is an overall check of the condition of your tires. Especially before any RV trip. While making this inspection you should use an appropriate RV tire pressure chart to determine the safe tire pressure for your particular rig.

Armed with that information, you can then check your actual tire pressure. Of course, if you have installed a tire pressure monitoring system, or TPMS, it’s a breeze. This is because you get constant feedback from the TPMS system about the pressure in your tires. But what if you don’t have this kind of system? They are not cheap, so what if you can’t afford it? In that case, how can you make sure that you are using the recommended tire pressure?

Using an RV tire air pressure gauge

The manual method of checking tire pressure is often the best way anyhow. This is true because it allows you to make a visual inspection of your RV tires at the same time. Too many RVers rely on the information provided by their tire pressure monitoring system as their sole tire inspection process. But nothing replaces a visual inspection of each tire on the RV.

While visually inspecting your tires you can also use a tire pressure gauge that is especially made for RVs. If you choose the right air pressure gauge, checking each tire should be a easy and simple process.

What kind of RV air pressure gauge should you use?

The best tire pressure gauge for an RV should have a long shank that allows access to tight areas. It should also have a large dial or readout that is easily readable by almost anyone. And if you have dual wheels on your RV or tow vehicle, it should have a dual foot chuck. Why are these features important?

A long rigid shank is needed for a tire gauge to be able to reach into difficult and tight areas. Some tire gauges have soft and bendable shanks, but these are best used on autos, not RVs. Those RV owners who have dual wheels often have tire pressure valves that are recessed and difficult to access. Having a long and rigid air pressure gauge shank can help in these areas.

A large dial or readout, whether it is digital or analog, is a must. This is because you want to be able to read the gauge accurately, without uncertainty. And the large readout helps give you accurate tire pressure information quickly.

If you have dual wheels on your rig, either on the RV itself or the tow vehicle, you will need a dual foot chuck. This allows you to press the gauge against the valve stem even when it is pointed away from you. Having a dual foot tire gauge often eliminates the need for tire valve stem extensions. And since many RVers experience failures with tire valve extensions, this can help reduce your overall tire problems as well.

Here is the tire gauge that I use (just click on the photo for more information):

RV dual foot tire gauge

Eliminate valve stem covers

Another way to make checking RV tire pressure easier is to get rid of the tire valve stem covers. RV valve stems can be in very odd and tight places. And it can be a chore to remove the valve stem covers. This is one reason why some RVers don’t check their air pressure more often. It just takes so long if you have to remove and replace all those valve stem covers. And they are usually in hard to reach areas in most RVs.

But these days there are covers that screw onto the valve stem that eliminate this problem. They are called valve stem gators. They are designed to allow you to check tire air pressure right through the valve cover. In the meantime, they also keep dirt and grime away from the valve stem. This makes checking your RV tire pressure simple and easy!

These valve stem gators make checking tire pressure a breeze. Just click on the photo for more information.

Valve stem gators for RV tire valve stems

Cheap RV tire pressure monitoring

By using a good RV tire gauge with flow-through valve stem covers, checking tire pressure is simple. And it is also very inexpensive. Neither of these items cost very much. Especially when you compare them with the cost of a tire pressure monitoring system. Those kind of systems can cost hundreds of dollars instead.

It is true that manually monitoring your own air pressure does take more time. But not a lot of time. When you use the right tools mentioned above in this article, quite a bit of time and effort is saved. So if a TPMS is not in your budget, use the tools recommended in this article instead. They can help make your RV life safe and simple!

Watch my video on RV tire pressure!

Please comment below and tell us about how you monitor your RV tire pressure

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