No pressure when city water is hooked up

[Stilin]

When I hook up to the city water system I cannot maintain any kind of pressure. When I turn my water pump on I get pressure (I am assuming my fresh water tank). I have now stayed at six different RV sights. 2004 safari 28 feet. My kitchen and shower seems to have the problem. Looking for any suggestions.

[cwf]

Sounds like clogged inlet filter to start with...

[Stilin]

Where would the inlet filter be located at? Hopefully it's in a easy place to get to.

[Wingeezer]

Inlet filter might be just a small stainless screen at the water inlet - seen when you unscrew the fresh water hose.

I wonder if it is possible that the check valve that is incorporated at the water connection on your trailer might be seized shut that not allowing city water to enter the plumbing system?

The purpose of that check valve is to stop water spewing out of the city connection when you are not hooked up to city water and are using your 12v pump.

Brian.

[Jekerrville]

I had a similar problem at a park in Santa Fe. I discovered that at the park water connection was check valve fitting same size as the water hose connection on the water hydrant.

I had placed the small filter type hose washer where the cone shaped filter element was facing out the end of the hose, not toward the inside of the hose.

This was pressing on a small protrusion from the check valve and that was stopping the water flow.

Flipped the small filter washer around, turned on the valve and splashed my wife inside the Cloud when I turned the water back on.

She made me sleep outside.

Happy trails.

[Stilin]

What's the secret of getting the check valve out? I could at least get a new one and see if that is the problem. Hopefully it's not a major job. Also when i disconnect my hose from the trailer there is pressure coming from the trailer that spits out for awhile where the hose was hooked up. Hope with all the great feedback i am getting that I am able to find the solution.

[JCWDCW]

Water spitting out of the check valve suggests the check is stuck open so it will not be the cause of low water pressure. Does the water spit out when on pump and CW tank only...no hose? if so then the check valve is stuck open

We had low flow in the kitchen tap that improved when the pump was turned on....so I chased a possible plugged line in the kitchen circuit...which doesn't make sense since both hot and cold are separate and both were low flow. So I removed the tap thinking the spray head diverter valve was plugged. Finally found the problem was the aerator full of sand and scale. Moral of the story... try the simple things first. If your bathroom sink and toilet are OK the you probably have junk in the shower spray head or tap aerator.

You can find info on the check valve in your AS manual. Getting at it in the water compartment may be more of a challenge....maybe someone with experience on this could weigh in!
JCW

[HowieE]

If the water coming from the hose as you disconnect it from the trailer only last for a few seconds that is the pressure in the hose releaving itself. This is common as the hoses expand under pressure .

The inlet to the trailer has the screen and check valve all in one. They are about $45.00. Unless you have confirmed that the screen in the inlet is clear clean the screen before doing anything else.

[Moflash]

Are you filling the water tank (keyed door)or using the separate city water hookup(exposed capped marked city water receptacle)?

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by Stilin

When I hook up to the city water system I cannot maintain any kind of pressure. When I turn my water pump on I get pressure (I am assuming my fresh water tank). I have now stayed at six different RV sights. 2004 safari 28 feet. My kitchen and shower seems to have the problem. Looking for any suggestions.

The pressure regulator in my Safari is not the type that has a built in screen. I doubt yours does either. The screen in my inlet is right where the hose attaches to the trailer. It is part of the washer. Though, I don't know if is original or has been added by a previous owner. Both ODM and Inland RV show this same regulator that is in my trailer for a replacement on their websites. Lowes and HD have very similar regulators if you need a replacement, but you might need an adapter for each end if you get it there.

Are you using an external water filter or pressure regulator? If so, remove those temporarily, just to rule out that possibility that one of them is malfunctioning.

You say the problem in your trailer is at the kitchen and shower, but you do not mention the toilet and lavatory sink. If the problem is an inlet hose, pressure regulator, or inlet filter, every water outlet inside the trailer will have the same issues. If you are having a problem at only two fixtures, you can rule out these three issues.

I suspect there is a partially closed valve or a blockage at the faucets. First I would check out the winterizing valves on the water heater to make sure they are in the proper positions. Second I would remove the aerator screen at each faucet and clean it and let water flow in both hot and cold positions. Third, I would remove the shower head and flush the hose and clean the inline screen at the shower head.

If the above does not resolve the issue I would think about a blockage, even though I doubt there is a blockage within the pipes. But, it can happen if insects or trash gets in. I have seen sand and pebbles get into a pressure regulator, enough to block flow to every fixture. I had to replace that one. I use an external cartridge type filter to prevent this problem.

[Stilin]

I found a airstream rep outside of Spokane so I purchased a new Inlet mechanism where your city water connects to and I installed it today and I have pressure now. When I took the old one out I decided to disect the old one to see if I could see what may have gone wrong. The diaphragm inside of the regulator was not flush as it should have been so I am assuming that may have been the problem. All is well now with the city water hook-up and I hope it continues that way. Thank you everyone for your input toward my problem.

[cwf]

Sounds like possible freeze damage... make sure you prep next cool season. Glad it's fixed! Now, you know more about your AS!!!

BTW, if you still have the failed part, see if you can get some pics of the problem to share!