Forum Discussion

LizzieB's avatar
LizzieB
Explorer
Jul 26, 2014

Water pressure. 2006 Damon Challenger

We are having problems with water pressure in all areas of the RV. Regarding city water, the pressure is fine when first turned on then after a couple of minutes the pressure drops to no pressure. When we turn it back on there is pressure but drops again. Any suggestions?
  • Pop out the city water connection outside. There's a crude pressure regulator/check valve thingy built in. I removed mine and just use an external now.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Adding to last: FILTERS also restrict flow and cause the kind of thing the O/P mentioned, You may need to change yours if you have one.

    Likewise the city water inlet strainer.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Many people use a pressure regulator on the park water supply, EVERYBODY SHOULD, Many do

    These regulators come in basically 4 types.
    One common one sold in RV stores and departments is a brass or plastic cylinder, it is about the size of a female hose connector, has same (Female conector) on one end and a male connector (Threaded end) on the other, May or may not have adjustment or a gauge.. There is also a second one like it called a "High Flow" or High Capacity" like the above but either has a bright colored plastic "Grip" on the female end or in the case of Camco, wings on the body to enable you to hook it better to the hose.

    THEY will cause the effect the O/P talked about, they do control max pressure but they do not have anythign close to the needed capacity. ONly one I have heard nice comments on was the camco and Frankly.. I do not agree with it's owner.

    Next is the Sur-Flo (A Watts company) This is the one built into many RV's. When new I give it about an 8 or a 9, almost enough flow for a nice shower, at 7 years old however it is restricting flow too much, Needs a rebuild kit, nothing really wrong with it, just needs a rebuild kit. Diaphragm is getting stiff so it does not open fully.

    Finally we have a host of companies, Valterra, Watts, Zurin and I am sure others, Save for the Valterra, which is designed for RV use, these usually come with pipe fittings not hose fittings. Mine (Watts and Zurin) are both 3/4 inch, The Watts has been damaged by frost and like the Sur-Flo sufferes from old age, The Zurin is brand new.

    I hooked it up, set it to 50 PSI static, opened the outside shower wide, and observed the needle move... NOT ONE FRACTION OF A POUND.. stuck like it was glued there.

    NOTE: Regulator should be first thing hooked to faucet, then hose, then filter, short hose and RV.
  • Has is the water pressure/flow when using fresh water tank & on-board pump?

    If good.....then problem is with the city water connection.....internal check valve OR with the regulator (if you use one----which you should)
  • On the kitchen sink faucet, there were two restrictors one in the inlet and one on the outlet of the hose to the faucet head. Removed both to improve flow. Removed the restrictor on the shower hose too. If still having problems, maybe the city water hose connection check valve is stuck particially closed. Remove the water hose and with a small probe/screwdriver exercise the check valve. JM2¢...
  • Do you have a water filter for the whole system? Maybe it's clogged.

    Do you use a water pressure regulator? Remove the regulator and see it solves the problem.

    I'm out of ideas. Hopefully someone will have additional and better answers.

    Let us know when you find the problem.