Forum Discussion

longislandcampe's avatar
Oct 30, 2023

Running Dedicated Water Line For RV at Home?

So when we are camping we always use a splitter on the water spigot at the campground. One line runs to the camper water intake and the other goes to the sewer flush. We only connect the sewer flush to the camper once we actually need it.

So no that we decided to store the camper at our house we are looking for ways to basically have a full hookup site at our house.

We only have one outdoor water spigot and it’s in our backyard about 75’ from the camper. I’d love to have something a little closer and was wondering if I could put a splitter on my backyard spigot. One line would be for general yard stuff and the other would go towards the camper. I was thinking of using and burying pex for the 75’ run to the camper and then having it end on a post with dual spigots or a single spigot with a basic splitter again.

Now if I did this, could I simply leave the original spigot turned on all the time so that I’d have water at the camper whenever I needed it? I mean, it’s not the end of the world to walk 75’ to turn the water on but if I could have it right at the camper that would be awesome.

Also, if I can keep that 75’ line pressurized all the time then should I worry about the actual water quality? The water would be running a few times a year from April through October and we don’t drink it.
  • I didn't look but freezing can be issue in most of the country.
    Now I'm not a plumber, but have installed a few frost-proof hydrants, and replaced some where people did not use them right.
    If I'm reading the OP right, this is a near-perfect case of attempted murder of the hydrant.
    The hydrant is designed to be set with the stem in a bed of gravel below frost line. The actual valve is down at bottom of stem. When you shut the water off, the valve stops flow from pipe and opens the upright so it can drain. A hose, or the add-on line is likely to keep the stem of hydrant full of water. Freeze swell and bust.
    You say you plan to bury line hydrant to camper, so much of the digging is in the plan. Why not do it right, tee off the line at base of hydrant, and install a 2nd hydrant near the camper? Then if you disconnect the hose when temps drop, all issues will be in camper.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Consider running a line from inside the house. Be sure to bury it deep enough if you get low temps (most of the USA does) to prevent freezing.. and either put a frostproof hydrant at the RV end or clear the line in the winter time (Drain back valve inside and blow it out) I like the frostproof option best.
  • Not being a plumber, but to me your plan sounds like it would work just fine. So it gets really cold in Long island NY if you still live there right. If so you will need some way to drain the water out of your water line, unless you buried it below the frost line.
  • Community Alumni's avatar
    Community Alumni
    This may be dumb but, would the PEX be chewed by gophers or a mole?

    JimR
  • I just ran a buried 3/4 inch pvc pipe from the main water line to where the RV is parked. Put a 90 deg fitting in and turn it up out of the ground with a wood post to support it and put a hose bib on it, Run a hose from there