Exterior Hose Supply Connection

[Teamaron]

Has anyone made any modification to be able to hookup a hose for water supply on the exterior of the interstates? Or has there been any thread on this? I searched but could not find.

I know there is the exterior shower hookup but that is only a special fitting for shower and good for a spritz of a few feet.

I noticed some type of connection inside the hot water heater panel on the outside of the RV but I think it's just for the relief valve and draining the unit.

I'd like to hookup a hose to be able to wash RV with on board fresh water when away from any land supply.

[wayneskid]

You have 26 gallons of fresh water and you want to use it to wash your camper? Just curious.

[Teamaron]

Originally Posted by wayneskid

You have 26 gallons of fresh water and you want to use it to wash your camper? Just curious.

I thought it was 32 gallons? Damn I hope that's enough.

And Why not? I can't help it I have an issue keeping it clean.

We mostly use our for road trips and stay at hotels. I know I can find a hook up for refill at another stop

[wayneskid]

Originally Posted by Teamaron

I thought it was 32 gallons? Damn I hope that's enough.

Depends on how you look at it. Mine says 26 in the fresh water tank but there is 6 in the hot water heater too. So, if you can figure out a way to hook it up and wash with warm water, you have 32.

[Protagonist]

I modified an external shower hose so that I could use hot water from the shower to flush the black tank better, so why not? Main problem would be, you wouldn't have very much water pressure from your onboard pump, compared to municipal hookups. You might not get much performance from spray nozzles hooked up to it.

Anyway, here's what I did:

I bought a spare external shower from Airstream, through my local dealer's parts department, mainly because I wanted to keep my original extrnal shower hose as a shower.

Then I cut off the shower head, leaving the rest of the hose intact.

Then, I got a brass Camco blow-out plug (Model 36143) with the quick-disconnect air hose fitting.

I ground off the ferrule— the bulge around the stem that holds it into the air hose. With the ferrule ground off, the stem of the blow-out plug is a tight fit for the shower hose.

Then I drilled out the venturi on the inside of the stem, to allow a freer flow of water. The drill bit you use to drill out the venturi should be the same diameter as the inside diameter of the blow-out plug stem.

Once that was done, it's just a matter of inserting the modified blowout plug into the shower hose, and securing it in place with a hose clamp.

With this taken care of, now you'll be able to attach a water hose to the modified shower hose, and you're all set.

Using the on-board water to wash your rig is kind of silly in my opinion, EXCEPT when you're getting ready to winterize, and you would have to drain the fresh tank and water heater anyway. Then, it makes sense to put that water to work rather than just letting it be wasted as runoff.

[russ240]

I seem to recall someone posting about using the shower hookup to flush the black tank ... which would mean they had found a way to convert to a hose, right?

Edit: Simultaneous post. What he said.

[Boxster1971]

On my 2013 model the coiled hose to use with the external shower facets quick-disconnect just has a standard hose connector on the other end with a pistol grip nozzle. Guess Airstream is doing continuous improvements.
- - Mike

[Teamaron]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

On my 2013 model the coiled hose to use with the external shower facets quick-disconnect just has a standard hose connector on the other end with a pistol grip nozzle. Guess Airstream is doing continuous improvements.
- - Mike

Really? Very interesting.

Can you post a picture?

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

On my 2013 model the coiled hose to use with the external shower facets quick-disconnect just has a standard hose connector on the other end with a pistol grip nozzle. Guess Airstream is doing continuous improvements.
- - Mike

Guess I'll check with my Airstream dealer next time I'm in the Gulfport area, and see about getting one.

[jquayle]

Here's a picture of the new style. Mine was an early 2013

[Teamaron]

Originally Posted by jquayle

Here's a picture of the new style. Mine was an early 2013

That's it!!

I knew airstream would finally hear my pleas!

Now ha e to figure if the mod can be done to a 2010.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by jquayle

Here's a picture of the new style. Mine was an early 2013

They changed the connection to the Interstate, too. The fitting on the end won't fit my 2012. Bummer.

[jquayle]

It's just a quick release. Does you shower outlet have a normal hose connection? The dealer gave me a 2 part quick connect kit that attached to a normal hose in case I wanted to use it. Honestly though, I haven't even opened it. I'll have to check and see if the quick connect is the same as the shower.

I'll post a picture of that too when I'm back home.

[gmillerok1]

Originally Posted by jquayle

Here's a picture of the new style. Mine was an early 2013

Mine is identical. 2011 model.

Gerald

[jquayle]

Here's what they gave me. Doesn't fit the shower however. You might need to get a whole assembly which includes the outlet and knobs if you want the newer style.

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by jquayle

Does you shower outlet have a normal hose connection?

Mine is completely different.

[73shark]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

Mine is completely different.

That's what my 2011 looks like.

Protaganist: How did you get Hot water to the external shower outlet?

[gmillerok1]

Originally Posted by 73shark

That's what my 2011 looks like.

Protaganist: How did you get Hot water to the external shower outlet?

It has a both a hot and cold water valve. I remember seeing some units with the type on yours. I bet they simply ran out of the type used on mine for a few models and then went back to it.

In fact, it was one of the selling points by the dealer-to be able to clean out the black tank without hooking up to an external source.

Gerald

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by 73shark

That's what my 2011 looks like.

Protaganist: How did you get Hot water to the external shower outlet?

That's the way Jackson Center plumbed it. I didn't have to do anything.

[73shark]

Yeah, I forgot that it has the Hot to it. It was late last nite.