We seem to always get sand and stuff in my lines and clogging the faucets diffuser or the toilet line screen. We do use a regular carbon filter, (the blue one from Walmart) but this does not seem to stop the sand. How do you all keep the lines from getting clogged? Maybe it is the southern campgrounds? Thanks

Can't say I've ever had that problem. Couple things you may do to help prevent sand. It's only going to come from one source ... your hose! Be sure you are not dragging the ends of your hose on the ground. When you attach the hose to the campground spigot, run water through the hose for a minute to flush out anything that might have gotten into the hose when hooking it up. As best as you may try, the ends will probably still touch the ground. Third, when you run water through the hose and before attaching to your camper, wash the end of the hose (outside) by letting water splash on the hose itself, usually with your hands. If you fill your fresh water tank instead of connect to city water, this will wash the outside of the hose that gets stuck in the camper tank hole. And last, when you close up shop, roll up your hoses and connects both ends of the hose to itself so dirt and sand cannot get in the hose. And last, if you drain your fresh water tank, when it quits draining, turn the drain valve off so dirt and sand cannot enter the tank by the drain. Also, if you pull the plug on your water heater, after it's finished draining, put the plug back in immediately. There again, sand and dirt can enter your camper's water only by open access to the elements.

I use a Camco water filter at the spigot and as mentioned, always run the water before connecting to the trailer to flush out the hose. Haven't had a sand problem. You can buy larger filters if you travel in sandy areas and either hook it into the plumbing or run it inline on the outside and mount it on a bracket. You might also consider flushing out your water heater.

I use a different kind of water filter. It is a CX-90 by taste pure.It has a light blue outer case/housing that is semi-transparent so you can see what is going on inside. The filter it self is a combination of ceramic and charcol and it filters down to .3 micron. I have built a small wooden holder that resembles a H-Beam. Two sides slip down over the rear bumper and two sides stick up about 4 inches to hold the filter tied down with a rubber cord. Then I connect to the TT with a short section of white hose.This filter part is replaceable and will last about a year. If the ceramic part becomes dirty you can clean it with a pad that comes with it. This will stop the sand and stuff from getting into your TT.Bob

filter housing may be obtained at the box box stores use one or two. If you get to where the water does not taste fight add a charcoal filter in the second one with a sediment filter in the first one.

We spent the winter in Webster and the water is so hard. I had a lot of build up in my WH when I got home. My neighbor had water softener cartridges. I didn't really notice until we got home and I was draining the WH. I ended up putting a air hose into it through the drain while letting the city water connection run. I would guess your getting a calcium build up. Try some CLR to clear the screens.

Sand and debris in water lines | Good Sam Community

16 Replies

modern_family
Explorer
Aug 29, 2014
Just an update...

To those of you who said water heater .... Winner .. Winner!!!!

I got her out if storage the other day to get ready for Labor Day camping and was finally ready to check it out.

You learn something everyday. I would have never thought so much calcium would build up. There was about 1/4" or more of " junk" on the bottom of the tank. All loose and floating around just waiting to clog the lines. I just removed the anode rod and hooked up to the house water and just kept the water on for about 10 minutes until it was all cleaned out. The element had some calcium on it, but I was not in the mood to remove and clean.

Thanks all for your help.
colliehauler
Explorer III
Aug 23, 2014
mobeewan wrote:
Are you sure it isn't coming from the water heater? As the anode dissolves you get deposits in the bottom of the water heater that look like sand which wind up in the hot water lines and eventually clog the diffuser on the faucets.
This would be my guess as well. Draining the water heater and cleaning it out. You might need to change the anode rod as well. Make sure to take the pressure off the water system before taking out the anode rod. Make sure to turn off water heater electric switch.
mobeewan
Explorer
Aug 23, 2014
Are you sure it isn't coming from the water heater? As the anode dissolves you get deposits in the bottom of the water heater that look like sand which wind up in the hot water lines and eventually clog the diffuser on the faucets.
jon_lansing
Explorer
Aug 20, 2014
I have had this problem with the same camco filter, it was a new filter first use of the year, day 2 of a 3 day trip I was getting dirty water and sand from the faucets, then it would clear up and then came back it was middle of the day I figured the camp ground was on a well and maybe running low?
campigloo
Explorer
Aug 15, 2014
Dont't know if it's the same problem, but I used to get relatively large chunks is stuff clogging up the same fixtures. Turned out stuff had built up in the hose and "Y" thing I had hooked to the city supply. Threw them both away and got new ones and it is slowly clearing up.
4x4Bob
Explorer
Aug 15, 2014
FrankShore wrote:
4x4Bob, do you mean this filter?

http://www.amazon.com/Camco-40671-Replacement-Cartridge-Filter/dp/B000BUQOEA/

Is that a filter or just a housing?

Frank
That is just the Filter. It fits into a blue transparent case with hose fittings on both ends. That filter will come with a small scrub pad for when the filter exterior is showing signs of dirt. It can be scrubbed off and the filter put back into the housing.

Bob
modern_family
Explorer
Aug 15, 2014
So, I guess I will start with draining the water heater. I have not done this as I dont winterize and really dont think about it. Regarding the hoses, I do not drag the hoses as that is an obvious source of dirt/sand. I also install covers on both ends just after I disconnect from the TT and the water bib so not a chance of anything getting in them. .

I guess the next step would be the better filters, I will have to look into them. Thanks for all your responses..
Lynnmor
Explorer
Aug 15, 2014
Most TT's built today have a cap and vent that is not protected. Vandals can easily remove the cap and pour in whatever they want. The vent hole, next to the cap, is a straight shot to your water tank and rain, blowing sand, dust and wash water will go right in. I put mine behind a locking hatch.
Bucky_Badger
Explorer
Aug 15, 2014
FrankShore wrote:
4x4Bob, do you mean this filter?

http://www.amazon.com/Camco-40671-Replacement-Cartridge-Filter/dp/B000BUQOEA/

Is that a filter or just a housing?

That is only a filter. housing probably looks like this. Not sold at Amazon at this time tho
http://www.amazon.com/Camco-40651-Ceramic-Water-Filter/dp/B000BUU5VI/ref=pd_sxp_f_pt
MarkTwain
Explorer
Aug 15, 2014
We seem to always get sand and stuff in my lines and clogging the faucets diffuser or the toilet line screen. We do use a regular carbon filter, (the blue one from Walmart) but this does not seem to stop the sand. How do you all keep the lines from getting clogged? Maybe it is the southern campgrounds?

You need to invest in better water filters.

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Sand and debris in water lines

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