Water pressure at campsite too high

[Phil and/or Sue]

I was scared to go to Palmetto Cove campground without a water pressure reducing valve. I had heard (and it was true) that 90 psi was not unusual, so I built a prv with hose fittings on both ends.

But I am in Renfro Valley tonight on my way to Jackson Center and a neighbor knocked on my door and said I broke a hose. Yep, flooded the next (empty) site. He said he broke one due to high pressure at the park, so I got my hose fitting water pressure gauge (after taking off my split hose), attached at the spigot is hen turned on the water.

200 psi. I’m glad I have an inlet regulator in the trailer. . I hooked up my home made prv and now have about 70.

[OTRA15]

This is what we use:

https://www.amazon.com/Danco-88331E-.../dp/B06XXMZMFJ

More expensive than in 1992!

[PKI]

An adjustable water regulator is the ticket. You only need about 40 PSI. Less pressure makes for less mess if you crack a fitting. Pat

[Gene]

If nothing else works, turn the water spigot valve down half way or more, maybe a lot more with 200 psi. Seems like eventually pressure would build up, so just use it to fill your fresh water tank, carefully, and turn the spigot off.

I have been to a lot of places with low pressure lately and have had to remove the pressure reducer to take a shower. Now I check the shower before I remove my clothes.

[Mollysdad]

I now put a pressure regulator on the end of the park spigot before my hose or filter.

[rowiebowie]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

This is what we use:

https://www.amazon.com/Danco-88331E-.../dp/B06XXMZMFJ

More expensive than in 1992!

I got one of those with my used '2102 Avenue. I always thought the prior owners purchased it by mistake since my coach comes with a built-in water pressure regulator. Now I know to use it at the spigot before my hose. Learn something new every day.


.

[mimiandrews]

I do the same as Mollysdad. A water pressure regulator is first at the faucet, followed by a good splitter valve so I can use water from the faucet without unhooking the trailer line. I just leave those two components screwed together when I break camp.

A friend had interior lines in his SOB MH broken by high water pressure last May. The campground water pressure increased very suddenly and damaged several rigs.

[OTRA15]

Measure twice, cut once.

Belt and suspenders.

Redundancy is a good thing.

[crispyboy]

Originally Posted by Gene

If nothing else works, turn the water spigot valve down half way or more, maybe a lot more with 200 psi. Seems like eventually pressure would build up, so just use it to fill your fresh water tank, carefully, and turn the spigot off.

I have been to a lot of places with low pressure lately and have had to remove the pressure reducer to take a shower. Now I check the shower before I remove my clothes.

Turning down the spigot valve will only leave you with a lack of pressure temporarily until the static pressure builds up again - your just being shorted on volume for small amount of time.


Put the regulator at the faucet before the hoses. I have been at campgrounds where the pressure was just too much or just too little. I usually fill the fresh water tank and operate off of it. I would not depend on the cheap little Shurflow regulator built into the plumbing system of the trailer.
Municipal water system are typically fed by gravity flow from a water tower which give good constant pressure if the water mains are sized properly. Sometimes though a water main may directly fed via large pumps which can create quite a surge in the line so the pressure can vary quite a bit.
Also we play it safe and turn off the water spigot when we leave the trailer for any length of time. I don't want a flooded trailer.

[Wayne&Sam]

A pressure reduce is standard on modern Airstreams. I'm not sure how far bach they started installing them, but my '07 and '14 have them.

[rideair]

Personally, I never use a direct connect at any campground. I find it far better just to take a few minutes and fill the fresh water tank and run off the pump (even turn that on/off as needed). Keep fresh water tank "fresh".

Why, you may ask? If you leave for the day and a pipe blows out, at most you will only flood the trailer with 30 gallons of water (even if you leave the pump on) before the tank runs dry.

I seen and heard of folks coming back to a trailer with water pouring out from a busted piped. At a minimum, if you want to direct connect, turn off the water connection before leaving to go anywhere.

Enjoy,

[crispyboy]

Originally Posted by Wayne&Sam

A pressure reduce is standard on modern Airstreams. I'm not sure how far bach they started installing them, but my '07 and '14 have them.

I have seen quality brass rebuildable pressure regulators in early 1960's, 70's and early 80's trailers. Our late 80's trailer had the chrome looking Shurflow regulator.

[Overstreet]

I blew a line in my SOB at the house filling my freshwater tank. Previous owner had the water system set for 75psi. It is always good to do a pressure check on new to you systems before hooking up.

Parks often seem to have a flow problem if the source is too small. So I'm sure they jack up the pressure to increase flow. Two hundred PSI is way too much though.

[PatLee]

Two questions:
1) I have a water regulator built into my Airstream. I should have no worries regarding too high water pressure, right?
2) Don't the outside water filtering systems that are hooked with hoses to the outside water faucet and the Airstream water inlet, decrease water pressure by quite a bit?
Thanks!

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by PatLee

Two questions:
1) I have a water regulator built into my Airstream. I should have no worries regarding too high water pressure, right?

Except your nice hose might rupture.

2) Don't the outside water filtering systems that are hooked with hoses to the outside water faucet and the Airstream water inlet, decrease water pressure by quite a bit?

No, they reduce the volume. The pressure is constant.

[davidz71]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

I now put a pressure regulator on the end of the park spigot before my hose or filter.

I had a Watts regulator that went bad on me and did not know it until I took it apart. The built-in unit must have also been bad because a hose leading to the cold water line under the sink pulled loose and after tightening it up it did it again within six months. Fortunately both times I was there when it happened. I bought one of those pressure gauges and it showed over 65 psi at the trailer connection. I bought a better Watts unit and now have a better idea what is coming out of the faucet and what is going into the trailer after passing through all three of my filters.

Like someone mentioned, if I am away from the trailer for any length of time, I shut the campground faucet off until I return.

[tvketchum]

Originally Posted by Gene

If nothing else works, turn the water spigot valve down half way or more, maybe a lot more with 200 psi. Seems like eventually pressure would build up, so just use it to fill your fresh water tank, carefully, and turn the spigot off.

I have been to a lot of places with low pressure lately and have had to remove the pressure reducer to take a shower. Now I check the shower before I remove my clothes.

Yes, turning the valve reduces flow, but not pressure. Turn off the sink inside, and pressure will equalize both sides of the valve.

[tvketchum]

Originally Posted by Wayne&Sam

A pressure reduce is standard on modern Airstreams. I'm not sure how far bach they started installing them, but my '07 and '14 have them.

True, but without a regulator at the campground tap, there is no protection for the hose.

[GCinSC2]

Just think Phil if you weren’t retired and traveling all over the place, this problem might have never happened.

Safe travels to youn’s

Gary

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by rideair

. . .
At a minimum, if you want to direct connect, turn off the water connection before leaving to go anywhere.
. . .

And turn the pump off.

SOP