Went to hook up the water line to my rv last night and could not get the water to flow because the regulator wouldn't let water past it. Removed the regulator and hooked up without it and everything seemed to be okay until about 20 minutes later when the entire left front side of the van was flooded with water. Long story short, the campground water pressure was so high that it caused the pressure regulator to close completely and not let water through. When I then bypassed it, the high water pressure caused a connection to fail and thus flood the interior.So today I'm using the same regulator at another campground and everything seems okay but now I'm determined to get a higher grade regulator with a pressure gauge and is adjustable. I was wondering what brand and features were recommended. I should say that I've been rving for over 40 years and haven't always used a pressure regulator and have never ever had any issues.

Watts Adjustable Pressure RegulatorRv Water Filter StoreBeen using one for past 6 yrs.Have it set for 50# static.Have been in CGs with 100+ psi.

I've been to three campgrounds in the last few years where water pressure required a regulator. The first time it happened, I put the regulator on the side of the trailer when we hooked up, and about 20 minutes later looked out the window to see the hose spewing water from a substantial leak. Yup, the pressure had split the brass fitting. The second time, we were warned at the office checking in that one was necessary, as the city for some crazy reason insisted on delivering water at 150 psi. The third time, the campground was clearly on a well, and the CG being on the side of a mountain, with our site at the very bottom, checked the pressure before hooking the trailer up, and sure enough, just the hose, with no nozzle, shot a stream of water a good 50-60 feet when I cracked open the hose bib. The regulator went on, then the hose and trailer and we had no further problems.I agree, a high quality, adjustable regulator is essential. Sorry to hear about the damage to your rig. Now we all know: if the water pressure regulator doesn't let water through, it is a sign you really need that regulator!

Old-Biscuit wrote:Watts Adjustable Pressure RegulatorRv Water Filter StoreBeen using one for past 6 yrs.Have it set for 50# static.Have been in CGs with 100+ psi.Ditto X10I must have gone thru about 7 of those cheap 'standard regulators' found in camping stores. I finally bought the same one as above and what a difference. They last, they are accurate, adjustable and well made. Mine is 6 years old too.Do yourself a favor and pick up one of these. You can't tell if the cheap ones are evening working and half the time they stop working completely, leaving you without a way to protect your RV lines.

Water pressure Regulators do fail off. So when one fails you have to decide if its over pressure or just failed. We carry two and check. Have had park pressures over 200 lbs. Have no idea what that would do to a hose or RV. Never hook up if reg does not work. Fill water tanks and use pump. Then work out the problem.

Old-Biscuit wrote:Watts Adjustable Pressure RegulatorRv Water Filter StoreBeen using one for past 6 yrs.Have it set for 50# static.Have been in CGs with 100+ psi.another ditto

Water pressure regulators | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

snowdance
Explorer
Aug 05, 2013
69 Avion wrote:

I think the stainless steel version uses a hex head bolt, not a T handle.

Thanks. Have two now but one has been in service for a lot of years. If I need to replace it I will look into that..
ernie1
Explorer II
Aug 05, 2013
Thanks everyone for your responses and I'll definitely get the Watts regulator because so many of you voice a positive response for this product. Ernie
69_Avion
Explorer
Aug 04, 2013
snowdance wrote:
MClbus.. Intresting what you say. We now do it much the same. Hook up deal with things and unhook. Had rug rats play with watts Reg. Now cut handle off after its adjusted first time. Also had them ride bikes over sewer hoses. Not like the good old days...

I think the stainless steel version uses a hex head bolt, not a T handle.
Clay_L
Explorer
Aug 04, 2013
I have been using a Watts whole house regulator which is larger than the ones shown above. It is rebuildable but has not needed to be rebuilt for the ten years I have used it while full timing.
I got it at Home Depot along with the hose fittings needed.
snowdance
Explorer
Aug 04, 2013
MClbus.. Intresting what you say. We now do it much the same. Hook up deal with things and unhook. Had rug rats play with watts Reg. Now cut handle off after its adjusted first time. Also had them ride bikes over sewer hoses. Not like the good old days...
MCIbus
Explorer
Aug 04, 2013
I never stay anywhere longer than a few days and it might be the way my bus is set up.

I fill my water tank and pack everything back up. It takes less 3 minutes to set the regulator, filter, and the hose unless I need more than one hose. It takes about the same amount of time to pack everything back up. It takes about 30 minutes to fill the tank depending on the gpm I can get.

When I dump my tanks I get everything out dump the tanks and put everything back up.

I could see leaving everything set up for days, but I have seen to many rug rats playing with peoples stuff at camp grounds.

A watts high flow regulator is a must. I have seen camp grounds that pegged out my 160 psi gauge.
69_Avion
Explorer
Aug 04, 2013
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Watts Adjustable Pressure Regulator

Rv Water Filter Store

Been using one for past 6 yrs.
Have it set for 50# static.
Have been in CGs with 100+ psi.

That is the same one I use. It is also available with stainless steel hardware.
tkcas01
Explorer
Aug 04, 2013
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Watts Adjustable Pressure Regulator

Rv Water Filter Store

Been using one for past 6 yrs.
Have it set for 50# static.
Have been in CGs with 100+ psi.

another ditto
snowdance
Explorer
Aug 04, 2013
Water pressure Regulators do fail off. So when one fails you have to decide if its over pressure or just failed. We carry two and check. Have had park pressures over 200 lbs. Have no idea what that would do to a hose or RV. Never hook up if reg does not work. Fill water tanks and use pump. Then work out the problem.
rockhillmanor
Explorer II
Aug 04, 2013
Old-Biscuit wrote:
Watts Adjustable Pressure Regulator

Rv Water Filter Store

Been using one for past 6 yrs.
Have it set for 50# static.
Have been in CGs with 100+ psi.

Ditto X10

I must have gone thru about 7 of those cheap 'standard regulators' found in camping stores. I finally bought the same one as above and what a difference. They last, they are accurate, adjustable and well made. Mine is 6 years old too.

Do yourself a favor and pick up one of these. You can't tell if the cheap ones are evening working and half the time they stop working completely, leaving you without a way to protect your RV lines.