Water Pressure Regulators

The typical exterior inline pre-set regulators are rated for around 2 gpm or so. I installed a Watts 263A regulator inside which are good for 4-4.5 gpm. RVwaterfilterstore.com has a Fairview inline exterior regulator that is rated 10 gpm and 60 psi but is $35. I have our Watts regulator set at 60 psi as recommended by RVwaterfilterstore.com. RV water piping systems are supposed to be good for at least 100 psi.

The typical exterior inline regulators have a small orifice inside and a small regulator mechanism and can plug up with silt & debris quickly. The first inline regulator we had only lasted a year and have read of others having the same happen. They are not designed to be rebuilt, unlike a Watts regulator (or similar).

"Quality" regulators like a Watts publish flow vs pressure graphs like here for example but you won't find such a graph or specs for the exterior inline types so performance will be unknown.

I once tested an inline regulator at home by varying the input pressure from our well. It didn't regulate very well across varying input pressures up to about 100 psi. I didn't keep my notes but would be an interesting experiment for someone to try.

One thing about the exterior regulators to note is that they are best used at the faucet end of your hose and not the at the city water inlet so that the hose is protected against high pressure. However, it's possible to forget to remove it from the faucet. Some CGs can have pressures well in excess of 100 psi which can potentially blow a hose. I use a Valterra high pressure rated hose because our regulator is inside.

A gauge after the regulator is a good idea and also one ahead of it. The highest pressure we've encountered so far has been 120 psi.

If you are going to use a filter(s), they should be after a regulator because some filters will be damaged by high pressure.

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Pre-set ones tend to be more restrictive and limit flow

Adjustable ones have higher flow ratings


Personally I use an adjustable set to 50#.......fill my fresh water tank and exclusively run off of pump. Constant pressure and flow regardless of where we go.

PLUS I don't have to worry/deal with a 'flood' like the one that happened in 2008 when on city water with regulator and fitting gave way while we were sleeping .....flooded the RV to the tune of $6000 in repairs/costs
No more city water hook up for us.
Fill tank use pump and with just a flip of the pump switch turn it off at night or whenever leaving RV evn when just gong outside......SIMPLE

THE best way to regulate water is to work off from water pump only. Search water damage on here, you'll understand why. On annual check list... test with air 80 percent of what your OEM spec is.

rvnubee wrote:
Very good information! Thank you

I found this one from Camcothat is fixed at 40-50 PSI.

Am I understanding that this pressure is adequate for a shower, or no?

I will be pick up my rig next week and will try it out for myself but trying to do my homework in advance.

Thanks for the tips.

40-50 psi is just fine, but look at the views inside that unit. Ask yourself how there will be adequate flow thru all that junk. Pressure and flow are two different things.

I have a Watts and I don't have any complains and is pressure adjustable.

Very good information! Thank you

I found this one from Camcothat is fixed at 40-50 PSI.

Am I understanding that this pressure is adequate for a shower, or no?

I will be pick up my rig next week and will try it out for myself but trying to do my homework in advance.

Thanks for the tips.

I'm currently using a Valterra Lead-Free High-Flow Water Regulator (A01-1122VP). It replaces a failed Watts regulator that I was planning to rebuild, but the Valterra works so well that I've decided to use it permanently. In testing by a pump rebuilder, the Valterra flow rate and pressure stability were not significantly lower than the Watts regulator's ratings.

Pre-set ones tend to be more restrictive and limit flow

Adjustable ones have higher flow ratings


Personally I use an adjustable set to 50#.......fill my fresh water tank and exclusively run off of pump. Constant pressure and flow regardless of where we go.

PLUS I don't have to worry/deal with a 'flood' like the one that happened in 2008 when on city water with regulator and fitting gave way while we were sleeping .....flooded the RV to the tune of $6000 in repairs/costs
No more city water hook up for us.
Fill tank use pump and with just a flip of the pump switch turn it off at night or whenever leaving RV evn when just gong outside......SIMPLE

Ok here are a description of several water pressure regulators and a comment.

one of the CG's I stay at when they hand you the campground info sheet/map it mentions the measured water pressure is in excess of 120 PSI (city water) Believe it. I've confirmed. this kind of pressure can blow the end off your hose and did blow up my Fresh water hose.. kind of like the cartoons where the character blocks the water flow and the hose gets bigger and bitter and KABOOM only not qute that impressive (Shot a stream not a flood)

Next page.

Small 3/4" cylinders, brass or plastic male hose end on one end, female on the other.... JUNK these restrict flow. OK for washing dishes but not for a shower.

HIGH FLOW. Like above but often have a bright Plastic-rubber grip on the female end (Camco puts Wings on the body of the plastic one) Better for washing dishes, Still not too restrictive.

Valterra adjustable (About 20-30 bucks) I have not yet tried one of these. but........ Others report good results with them.

Now I have a Watts 3/4 inch that needs a rebuld. and a ZURIN 3/4 Inch that is all but new. about 60 bucks each.

WHen I hooked up the ZURIN I put a pressure gauge on it and set the pressure (Static) at 50 PSI, then I turned on the shower and watched the needle on the gage.. NOT MOVE AT ALL.

When the Watts was new it did the same thing. but as they age.. Well they start to fail to fully open.. I'll get a kit and rebuild the Watts. and re-test it.

kits are not expensive and the job is easy.

These units have an "upper" hosuing that is bell shaped. the pressure adjustment is the bolt that would NORMALLY hold the bell to the yoke or handle. if it were a real bell

Regulator or not, turn off the city water whenever you leave the campsite as a minimum. Some of us never stay hooked to city water but rather fill the onboard tank and use the pump. Busted TT water line is NO fun.

Thank you