What is the water tank in an RV called?
The fresh water tank is what holds the clean, potable water that comes out of your RV sink and shower. The semi-dirty water that washes down the drain then filters into the RV gray water tank. Finally, there’s the RV septic tank, also known as the black water tank.
Is RV water potable or non-potable?
In RVing and camping, you may come upon terms that may be clear to your everyday RVer or camper, but might as well be Greek to rookie RVers or outsiders. Imagine this scenario: You pull up to a campsite and begin your RV hookups, but you see two different taps for water. One says potable while the other states non-potable.
What kind of plumbing do I need for an RV?
RV plumbing An RV water pump is crucial in order to make sure the water comes out of your sinks and RV shower with enough water pressure. Make sure you locate the pump’s switch so you can flip it in the on position for the duration of your trip. Likewise, an R V water heater will ensure you have hot water for showering and cooking.
Can I Fill my RV tank with water at a state park?
A lot of the State Park Campgrounds have dump stations with potable water spigots located near the exit to the campground. Sometimes you’ll see signs that the dump station is only for registered campers, but usually if you have a State Park Pass, no one seems to have a problem with using the dump station fill an RV tank with water.
How do you use potable water in an RV?
Fill the fresh water tank almost completely full of water. Turn the water pump on, open all hot and cold faucets and run the water until you smell the bleach at each faucet. Close the faucets. If it's possible drive the RV or pull the trailer so the water can move around to assist in cleaning the entire tank.
What does potable water mean on a camper?
An RV's water system basically revolves around three separate holding tanks: potable water, black water, and gray water. Your potable water tank is just that. It holds fresh, clean, drinkable water that is pumped through your RV's faucets, shower, and toilet.
How do I know if my RV water is potable?
Dump Stations Located Near Towns If a dump station is located near a town, or inside a town, then it's water is city tap. This means the water is potable. Even if there is a sign that says “non-potable”, or “not safe for drinking”, it still is city tap water.
Can I use non potable water in my RV?
Typically they are marked non-potable due to contamination by you, me, and all that nearby sewage. Other times they might be straight water from who knows where. Personally, run some water through it, and maybe sanitize fittings and inside with a bleach solution like you would with your fresh tank and you are fine.
Can I travel with my fresh water tank full?
You absolutely can travel with a full RV fresh water tank. But it depends on how far you're traveling (you may not want to do that simply because the added weight does impact fuel consumption) and your RV's weight-carrying capacity.
How do I know if my water tank is potable?
For a tank to be classified as potable it will need to have an NSF rating indicating that it is safe to use with potable water.
How long can you leave fresh water in camper?
Two weeksTwo weeks is the simple answer to how long to keep fresh water in an RV tank IF you aren't using the water and refilling during that time. When water sits unused in a tank, it can become unsafe and therefore undrinkable.
Can you get sick from RV water?
Even if you use clean water, you can still get sick from your freshwater system. When water sits in your RV's holding tanks and water lines, it can develop legionellosis. These tiny bacteria can form a pneumonia-type or a flu-like illness called Pontiac fever.
What is the difference between freshwater and city water on an RV?
With the 'city water' method, the water goes from the hose directly into and through the pipes that lead to your RV toilet, faucet(s) and RV shower head. City water bypasses the fresh water holding tank completely. When using city water, you can keep the outside water spigot on all the time.
What is non potable water for RV?
Posts: 469. Any water hose used at a dump station must be labeled non-potable because of the high probability the hose is contaminated with fecal E. Coli. You DO NOT want to use these hoses to fill your fresh water tank, even if you only plan to flush toilets and use it for showers.
What is the difference between freshwater and city water on an RV?
With the 'city water' method, the water goes from the hose directly into and through the pipes that lead to your RV toilet, faucet(s) and RV shower head. City water bypasses the fresh water holding tank completely. When using city water, you can keep the outside water spigot on all the time.
How do you hook up fresh water to an RV?
3:485:41RVing Quick Tip: RV Water Hookup - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo the water going into the rv will go through go from there through the filter through the pressureMoreSo the water going into the rv will go through go from there through the filter through the pressure regulator through the white hose into the hose.
How does the water system work in a camper?
2:4112:33RV Water System Explained In Depth - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd basically it's a fresh water tank here's where you put the water in and as you can see there'sMoreAnd basically it's a fresh water tank here's where you put the water in and as you can see there's barely any fall right here usually you want a nice fall so the water goes directly into the tank.
What is a potable water port?
What you called the potable water port is used to pour water into the fresh water tank from jug or some other container. So that if you forget to fill the fresh water tank you can stop at a store and buy however number of gallons you need to fill the fresh water tank through the fresh water fill.
Why do you need two ports for water?
The reason you have two ports is that one is for a gravity fill (potable water) and the other is for pressurized water (city water) like from a hose. attached to the potable water hookup at a campsite. What you called the potable water port is used to pour water into the fresh water tank from jug or some other container.
What to do if your water pump is jammed?
Your pump’s back flow preventer is apparently bad or jammed open with debris. You can repair the pump, replace the pump, or add an additional in-line back flow preventer, or simply use a manual valve between the city water and the house water.
Do RV parks have dump stations?
You will likely encounter varying degrees of success. Some RV parks also have a dump station and water supply that traveling RVers can use, even though they are not staying in the campground but usually for a fee. Be careful that you get potable water.
Do you need to hold additives in grey water tanks?
We have not found a need for holding tank additives for the grey tank. Also, you should keep the valves closed on both gray and black water tanks. Keeping them closed helps prevent build up of waste deposits in the bottom of the tanks and helps prevent the seals from drying out. So you will help prolong the longevity of your tanks.
Can you use a garden hose to fill a fresh water tank?
You should carry your own hose (or hoses in different lengths) to fill up your fresh water tank. Use hoses designed for drinking water (not just a garden hose) and do not use this hose for anything else but filling your fresh water tank. You need to keep this hose sanitary, stored separate from other hoses or supplies.
How much does an RV campground cost?
They’re great for getting laundry done, dumping your trash, and of course, getting water. RV Campgrounds are generally $30-$60 a night and some can charge as high as $150 a night, depending on where you go and whether you belong to a discount club like Good Sam or Passport America.
What is a water bandit?
The water bandit has a large end to go over the spigot with threads on the opposite end where you attach your hose. If the flow of the water is strong you’ll have to hold the water bandit on the spigot to keep it from shooting off. No matter where you find a spigot without threads, the water bandit is a lifesaver!
Can you run a hose to a gas station?
Here’s a little known practice: when you go to a gas station if you look around the side of the building or in the back and see a standard outside spigot, chances are you can just run your hose to it and fill up your tanks. The key to making this option happen is to go inside to prepay for your gas at the pump.
Does U haul have water?
Not only does U Haul sell propane in most of their locations, but they have water too! Just search on Google “U Haul with RV Propane Fill” to find the franchises then look for their water spigot before going in to purchase propane. U Haul has to wash out all of those trucks they rent, so they always have spigots!
Do truck stops have water?
Of course, these truck stops usually have gas pumps for smaller rigs (where you will typically NOT find water), but if you drive back to where the big rigs fill their diesel tanks, you’ll likely see a potable water spigot right there on the island next to the pump.
Do all USFS campgrounds have bathrooms?
Not all USFS campgrounds have hosts, but they usually have bathrooms. And outside of those bathrooms sometimes you’ll see a water spigot. This is another great, convenient place to top off your water tank. Of course, if there is a sign telling you not to use the spigot for filling tanks, obey the rules!
Safe Drinking Water in an RV: The Traditional Ways
Traditionally, there are a few ways to address the issue of safe drinking water in an RV. Let’s run through those briefly since most of our readers may be using one or more of these methods, and we’ve used them all ourselves at one time or another.
Safe Drinking Water in an RV – The New Way: UV-LED Purification
Ultraviolet LED water purification is currently the most effective method on the market for disinfecting water while also preserving important minerals. Without adding chemicals of any kind, UV-LED purification systems eliminate 99.999% of harmful bacteria, viruses, particles, and microorganisms.
How Does the Acuva UV-LED Water Purification System Work?
The Acuva UV-LED water purification system uses small LED lights that emit light at the UV-C wavelength which means that power use and size are dramatically reduced — perfect for RVs!
The Benefits of Acuva UV-LED Water Purification
There are many benefits to both the technology behind the Acuva UV-LED water purification system and the sleek, compact design.
How Do You Install an Acuva UV-LED Water Purifier?
If you’re considering an Acuva UV-LED water purification system for your RV, and you’re wondering how difficult the installation is, we’ve got you covered there. Have a look at our step-by-step DIY tutorial video by following along as we install our original Acuva unit.
Will UV Light Kill E. coli Bacteria & Viruses?
Yes! UV light does indeed kill E. coli and other bacteria and viruses, and although we read the data as noted above, we wanted to see it for ourselves.
Will You Ever Need to Sanitize Your RV Water Tank Again?
Considering the testing results noted in the video above, as well as several years of real-world use in our own RV, it’s definitely tempting to stop sanitizing our fresh water tank entirely. But the point-of-use Acuva UV-LED water purification system only sanitizes our drinking water at the kitchen water dispenser.
How to use water in RV?
Originally published on November 19th, 2018. Having running water is one of the many luxuries of camping in an RV. With your RV water tank, you have the ability to rinse off vegetables, boil a pot of water, take a shower, and flush the toilet — all without leaving ...
What is the water tank in an RV?
In general, there are three kinds of tanks in most RVs: The fresh water tank is what holds the clean, potable water that comes out of your RV sink and shower. The semi-dirty water that washes down the drain then filters into the RV gray water tank. Finally, there’s the RV septic tank, also known as the black water tank.
How to empty RV tanks?
Emptying your tanks involves just a few steps: Put on a pair of rubber gloves and grab your sewer hose. Connect the hose to the sewer hookup.
How to get water at a campground?
If you’ll be staying at a campground with full or partial hookups, getting access to water is as easy as connecting to the water hookup. The process is fairly intuitive and only involves a few steps: Locate your camper’s fresh water drinking hose. If you’ll be using a water filter or water pressure regulator, attach them to the hose now.
Why do you need a water pump in an RV?
An RV water pump is crucial in order to make sure the water comes out of your sinks and RV shower with enough water pressure. Make sure you locate the pump’s switch so you can flip it in the on position for the duration of your trip.
Can you flush toilets in RV?
With your RV water tank, you have the ability to rinse off vegetables, boil a pot of water, take a shower, and flush the toilet — all without leaving the comfort of your camper. If you’ve never travel ed in an RV before, you might think getting water is as easy as turning on the faucet.
Do you need to fill your RV water tank before camping?
Set your RV water system to connect to city water instead of your own RV water tank. On the other hand, if you’re planning on camping somewhere without hookups (also known as “boondocking”), you’ll need to fill up your RV fresh water tank before you get to your campsite using either a hose or several gallons of water.
What is an RV Fresh Water Tank?
An RV fresh water tank is a holding tank that holds fresh water for an RVer’s use off the grid. Let’s talk about what this means, just briefly.
How Long Can Water Sit in an RV Fresh Water Tank?
Funny you should ask. Two weeks is generally the simple answer, but we published an entire post answering this question, and you may want to check it out for further information.
Can I Leave My RV Fresh Water Tank Empty?
You can and, in some circumstances, you absolutely should. When you store your rig for a stretch of time, an empty (or near empty) tank is best. When you winterize your rig, you’ll also empty your fresh water tank in order to avoid it freezing and causing a problem with your tank.
Can You Travel with a Full RV Fresh Water Tank?
You absolutely can travel with a full RV fresh water tank. But it depends on how far you’re traveling (you may not want to do that simply because the added weight does impact fuel consumption) and your RV’s weight-carrying capacity.
How Can I Be Sure the Water from My RV Fresh Water Tank is Safe to Drink?
Again, we direct you to our post on how to sanitize your RV’s fresh water system – that’s one sure-fire way to keep the water in your fresh water tank fresh and safe to drink.
How Can I Extend My RV Fresh Water Tank for Boondocking?
There are a number of ways to carry additional water with you for an extended boondocking trip. Our post on RV water bladders should be helpful in explaining what these are and how they work.
Fresh Water is Everything
The importance of fresh water when camping can’t be overstated. Staying hydrated is critical, and the ability to use water to cook and wash is highly desirable.
An RV Dump Station with Two Faucets
If an RV dump station has two water faucets, one will be for drinking, the other will be for rinsing. If it only has one faucet, it is meant for rinsing only. However, there is more to this. Read on…
RV Dump Station with Only One Faucet
RV dump stations with one faucet are painted red is because they know people will use them for rinsing out their black tanks, and end up touching the handle and threads with unsanitary hands. Owners are not willing to accept liability should someone get sick from drinking the water.
You Can Always Ask the Manager
However, don’t ask the manager or owner if the water is safe to drink, because that puts them at liability. Instead, ask where the water is sourced (tap, well water, or reclaimed water). They’ll usually answer that, and let you decide if it’s safe.
What About Water Purifying Tablets?
Many RVers, not just boondockers, use water purifying tablets. However, RV water tanks don’t really have a way to put tablets into them. Most RVers fill their tanks with what they believe is potable water, and then drop a tablet into a gallon jug, and fill the jug from their kitchen faucet.
What About Buying Bottled Water Instead?
Actually, many boondockers do this too. But, they buy gallon jugs of distilled water at grocery stores or Wal-Mart.
Basic Clean Drinking Water Equipment
If you’re new to RVing, there are a few basic items you’re going to need. The first are drinking water hoses. RV fresh water hoses are either white or blue. You might be tempted to save a few bucks by using extra hoses you may have around, but don’t. Just…don’t. Here’s why.
Getting Your Drinking Water System Clean
It’s just not possible to get clean water out of dirty plumbing. So the first step in your journey toward drinking your RV’s water is to get your water system clean, and free of any contaminants.
Inline Hose Filters
These are the ubiquitous small, disposable cartridge filters that you hook up directly to your freshwater hose for filling your tank or hooking up to city water. These are really the “entry-level” RV water filters. Right now, there are two kinds of them readily available: Blue and Green. The two kinds have differences besides just the color.
Other Portable Water Filters
A quick search will turn up lots of options for portable RV water filters. The one pictured here, the Clearsource Ultra, is the one we’re traveling with now. We use it outside the RV to filter water on the way in. We’ve taken to calling it “The Beast” for obvious reasons. This is what we use when we’re serious about filtering the water.
Permanently Installed Filters
It’s also possible to install a water filter in your RV so that it’s just there all the time. This has the advantage that you’ll never have to remember to hook it up. Many of the permanently installed filters look and function the same as the portable ones.
Other Clean Water Technologies
Besides filters, there are other technologies to satisfy the three water criteria of clean, tasty, and safe. In our home, we have a reverse osmosis (RO) system.
Putting It All into Practice
When it comes to clean drinking water in your RV, it’s not ALL about the equipment. It would be possible to have the right equipment, and still use it in the wrong way and have a drinking water issue. I need to point out that there are two rather different ways you can use your RV’s water system.
What Is Potable Water?
What About The Other Tanks?
- In the case of filling up, RVers generally only have to worry about getting their fresh water tanks full. Your gray water tank will be filled up with fresh water that goes down the drain from sources that won’t lead to large contamination such as your sink or a shower. While not as harmful as black water, gray water is still not potable and not meant for human consumption. Use your gra…
What If It's Not marked?
- Water won’t always come from a marked tap, especially in off-the-grid RV adventures. There are ready-made tests to help determine if water is safe for drinking. Make sure to pick some up before going on a trip where you know you’ll have to harvest water from a questionable source, no matter what kind of filtration system your RV has. You won’t be able to enjoy your trip if you’re sick fro…