Low Flow problem with City Water

[TayaraTravel]

When we hook to city water and are not using the water pump, the pressure/flow is low. It flows, but not enough for satisfactory sink or shower use. If we turn on the pump, all is fine (whether hooked to city water or not).

Is there an obvious fix or maintenance step I should undertake?

I am aware of the inline strainer for the pump. I have cleaned it in the past, though not recently. I presume the strainer is not inline for the city water flow if the pump is turned off. Maybe that's wrong?

[StogieMan]

I would start by checking or replacing the water pressure regulator that is on before the water pump. On our unit is in back of the freezer area amongst the wiring rats nest Airstream is famous for. It’s probably in the same area on yours since it’s a GT. You’ll need to pull out the bottom freezer to access it.

I know someone posted not so long ago with if I remember correctly the same problem. I linked the one that’s is installed in our 2015.

https://www.amazon.com/Cash-Acme-173...JWX_D_BwE&th=1

[SSquared]

It sounds like a problem with a pressure regulator, located somewhere before the city water line joins the water pump prior line.


That Cash Acme device in StogieMan's photo is a vacuum breaker (a backflow preventer), not a pressure regulator.

On my Airstream trailer, the city water connector has a pressure regulator built into it, and there is no other regulator. I expect your van is the same. I don't know where the city water inlet is located in your van. If you are lucky, it will be easy to access for replacement. In fact, on some trailers, you can unscrew it from outside and then pull it out far enough to disconnect the water line from the back side of it. That makes it real easy.


Good luck!

[StogieMan]

Thank you SSquared! I’m sorry but I stand corrected - it is the backflow preventer that I’m that I’m referring to and pretty sure that was his problem. I went back to look for the post but can’t find it and hope that the original OP that posted the solution chimes in. However, now you have a starting point and can check both the pressure regulator and the backflow preventer as both are before the water pump and you can replace them as they’re not that expensive and easy to access to get to with removing either the freezer or jump seat. Again, if I remember correctly the backflow preventer had some build up that would not allow the flow. Something with the valve getting stuck in a position. Attached is a picture of the where the pressure regulator is located behind the jump seat and a plumbing diagram. Good luck and keep the thread updated for others.

[DannyT]

We had a similar issue with our 2018 Flying Cloud. I researching this site and on the web we identified to issues. The first was the City Water connect. When I removed the unit I discovered the check-value to be stuck and restricted flow. I was able to free the it and the cold water flowed good thereafter. We still need to replace the inlet unit. Low water flow on the hot water side was another issue. We removed the hot water tank outlet and discovered the screen was clogged.We had the unit recently serviced by Airstream and the used plumber putty to seal the drain plug. They used too much putty and it had migrated to the outlet screen clogging it. Additionally the was some calcium stuck in there too. Both will be replaced her win the near future.

[TayaraTravel]

Thanks all. Gives me some directions.

This is just a side note, but the first time we used the black-tank flush (after delivery of the new van), water leaked over the inside floor of the van. It turned out that Airstream installed the backflow valve backwards! Apparently a common mistake at the factory.