Forum Discussion

D_and_A_plus_6's avatar
Feb 19, 2017

Fresh Water Pump? Replace with OEM or Upgrade??

My pump for my fresh water tank has finally quit pumping, was acting up some last year, but wouldn't do anything this weekend.

Question when replacing it stay with the same specs? Or get one that can pump more gallons per minute?

Where and when I'm camping getting more water for the freshwater tank is not an issue.

Thanks in advance.
  • Definitely replace. There are many very good pumps out there depending upon space available and just how much more water you want.
  • Shurflo 4008
    3 gpm/55 psi
    Has internal bypass to control cycling at low flow
  • X2 on the variable speed pumps. If you decide on a single speed pump don't get a higher capacity one just because it is available because it will be kicking on and off more frequently than is desirable. Our 4.0 gpm variable pump handles everything we want. It's not like a house where one might have several uses for water at the same time.
  • The OEM pump that came in my C was, I would assume, as cheap as they come. I can't remember exactly why, but I decided to upgrade it before it died (and keep it on hand as a spare). I went with a variable speed pump that was fairly expensive. It was a NIGHT AND DAY difference. With the OEM pump, I wondered if other people at NP campgrounds thought I had my generator on! I'm sure it wasn't that loud outside, but it felt like it from the inside. The variable speed pump is just so much better - primarily from a noise perspective. I like that it ramps up and down rather than the jolting on/off of the cheapo. I want to say I spent a couple or few hundred bucks at CW for the new one? Not sure - it's been a few years...
  • A really good pump is a nice luxury. A cheaper one would do the job but a good one is just like at home.
  • My last trailer I upgraded the pump because I used it a lot. It's still probably worth the upgrade just because it's nice to have. In water pumps you get what you pay for.
  • Before you replace the pump, take good strong wires from your battery to the pump connections, and see how the pump performs. That will cost you very little, and it may prove a loose connection in your wiring and the expensive pump is just fine.