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old_guy's avatar
old_guy
Explorer
Aug 05, 2018

park water pressure

we just returned from a family reunion and when we checked in they told us to be sure to use a pressure regulator since the park had 110 lbs of pressure at the faucets. that's right 110 lbs and believe me they do. I have an adjustable and it worked great, son in laws has the other kind and it worked great also. BUT, a very ice top end motor home was parked across the road from us and when I looked over I saw a fountain of water about ten feet high. I went over and shut the water off and knocked on the door. no body home. when he came home I saw him standing by the faucet so I told him what happened and he said he had an internal pressure regulator and thought he didn't need another one. well it protected the internal pipes but not the hose. the next day he left and another young couple pulled in with a very new trailer. they left and left the water on and I was walking to my son in laws trailer when it sounded like a rifle shot. water sprayed across the street. they had no pressure regulator either. so we shut off the water as we did before, later that night when they got home we found out they only had the trailer for three days and was on their first trip. we sent them to wally world for parts and with some water education. nice young couple. felt so sorry they had to learn the hard way but sometimes that is the only way you learn good lessons. other than that we had a wonderful time visiting and being with the family

16 Replies

  • myredracer's avatar
    myredracer
    Explorer II
    Aug 08, 2018
    Highest we've seen is 120 psi so far. Have heard reports of up to 200 psi. If you're going to install a regulator inside or at the city water inlet, you should be using a high pressure rated hose. 110 psi is unlikely to hurt anything inside but a cheapo hose with no rating won't withstand high pressure. We have a regulator inside and use a Valterra high pressure rated hose. I also installed a solenoid valve and can simply switch the water off at the door when going out.

    Our reinforced Valterra hose has a rated working pressure of 160 psi and burst pressure rating of 340 psi.

    RVs are supposed to be tested to 100 - 110 psi. The PEX piping, faucets, etc. should be fine. The PEX itself is def. fine. There is a standard somewhere that requires the testing or it might be RVIA that requires it and have seen it in the past.

    I'm more worried about the toilet overflowing than pipes or hoses bursting. Our lovely Thetford toilet has nearly overflowed twice now. Once due to low CG pressure (around 10 psi) and once because the flapper valve was sticking. A flooded RV from an overflowing toilet can cause serious damage and even result in a write-off. Shutting the water off when leaving your RV is good practice.

    At least a cheapo hose acts like a fail safe device and won't let extreme high pressure inside! :)
  • Charlie_D_'s avatar
    Charlie_D_
    Explorer
    Aug 08, 2018
    Travelers World in San Antonio is 165#. They warn you at check in. Why would they not install a regulator of their own that would reduce that pressure. I run 35# to my rig. Works just fine for 2 of us.
  • down_home's avatar
    down_home
    Explorer II
    Aug 07, 2018
    Stayed at a few Parks with very high pressure. One was 85 lb, loved the shower, and a couple at 100 psi or so. Don't remember exactly or where.
    Brother has 100+ lbs pressure at his home. He uses a pressure regulator except at faucet next to driveway. Many hoses have burst usually at the fittings.
    hard to find sturdy high pressure hoses. One I remember was big thick black hose. Forgot to turn the faucet off and nozzle closed. He doesn't use a pressure washer on hid driveway or car. It will shoot a stream one inch hose beyond the other side of the road.
    The new flexible piping in MHs worries me. Our is an 05 and handles 85 lb no problem but the new stuff I'm not so sure.
  • Lynnmor's avatar
    Lynnmor
    Explorer II
    Aug 06, 2018
    beemerphile1 wrote:


    I had the opposite problem last spring in Florida. The park only had 35 psi in the water system. Used the water pump in order to get a quality shower.



    Did you know that there are millions of people (like yours truly) using private wells that have a 30 to 50 psi pressure switch? Some still have 20 to 40 switches.
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Aug 06, 2018
    I have seen 120 PSI in parks, also seen below 50.

    Proper set up
    Park, regulator Long hose, filter, short hose (Sub regulator if you feel the need) RV

    You are correct that 100 + will blow the hose. so that's why regulator first.

    on sites where I need dual regulation (I use a different filter now)

    First regulator set 60-70 PSI protects hose and filter. 2nd at 50 PSI protects the RV

    NOTE: I do not use those 3/4" Cylinders I use a Watts. or Zurin "Whole house" type. 3/4 Inch with hose adapters.. Valterra makes a good one too.

    Why Two Regulators??? Well the first filter I used seriously restricted flow. The one I use now is much larger.
  • beemerphile1's avatar
    beemerphile1
    Explorer
    Aug 06, 2018
    Why do you suppose they warned you at registration but not the other people?

    I had the opposite problem last spring in Florida. The park only had 35 psi in the water system. Used the water pump in order to get a quality shower.

    I try to always travel with a full water tank (100 gallons) and upon arrival initially use from the tank. I only connect to park water after a sniff and taste test.
  • Atlee's avatar
    Atlee
    Explorer II
    Aug 06, 2018
    I waffle back and forth on using the fresh water tank, and using city water. I do understand all the pluses for just using the fresh water tank. Unfortunately the water pump is very loud, so sometimes I just op for city water.

    But if I'm using city water, I do always have a pressure regulator attached at the faucet.
  • Bobbo's avatar
    Bobbo
    Explorer III
    Aug 06, 2018
    K Charles wrote:
    Another "fill the tank and use the pump" here.

    Our practice also.
  • Dick_B's avatar
    Dick_B
    Explorer
    Aug 06, 2018
    We've probably all made mistakes while RVing and the hope is that not much damage is done due to them. This one apparently cost them a hose which, fortunately, was the weakest link in the water chain.
    BTW, we always fill the FW tank and never hook up to the CG although we carry a Watts regulator and spare hoses.

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