Airstream Interstate water fill system

[joanne0012]

The rep at the RV show in Boston today described a water system in which connecting to city water automatically fills the 26-gallon freshwater tank.

I have only owned a Class C, in which these were completely separate, and it took me a while to understand what he was saying about "Overflow". Finally I asked, So if I'm at a campground and connect to city water, then when I leave I have a full tank of fresh water whether I want it or not? And he said yes. Is this true? It makes no sense to me; the rig also has a separate freshwater tank fill as expected.

I found only one other Sprinter-based unit at the show (a Pleasureway) and the gentleman I spoke to could not understand much of what I said, nor I him, so I didn't dare to bring this up.

Thanks for any insights you can offer. And while we're at it, I'd welcome any tips for a potential Pleasureway buyer; the Plateau TS seems to be just what I'm looking for, but I didn't get any satisfaction at the show today.

[Old-Biscuit]

Horse pucky

[1775]

What was said at this RV show was nonsense - this salesman has no clue - as seems to not be uncommon lately. It just makes no sense - is the idea that when connected to city water the fresh tank just keeps overflowing out its overflow valve. This is not going to make any campground happy at all. On my Roadtrek I can fill the fresh tank either of two ways- one by turning a valve on the city water connection which then will fill the fresh tank - and only fill the fresh tank until the valve is turned back to allow city water to flow into the plumbing or fill the fresh tank through a hole in the door frame.

I rarely connect to city water. I fill my fresh tanks before I leave on a trip and just keep re-filling them as needed (about every three to four days - sometimes five). It is one less thing to disconnect when going off for the day in the Class B.

[Davydd]

On both my 2005 Pleasure-way Plateau TS and my 2011 Great West Van Legend Sprinters I had separate fresh water fill for the fresh water tank and city water connection. The city water connection did not fill the fresh water tank. It would keep the Suburban 6 gallon hot water tank full. I haven't looked at the new Pleasure-ways but knowing their long time consistent practices I doubt it would be different.

There is an advantage to city water hooking up when you can get it at a campsite. One is can leave your fresh water tank alone if you intend to travel with it partially full. Secondly, city water pressure is generally better than Shurflo pumped water in stronger flow and consistent flow. You can leave the pump turned off. Thirdly, you can take longer than normal showers more naturally without all the conservation techniques. Same with the dish sink in practice. Combined with a sewer hookup you can behave just like home. If you have no sewer hookup then you are back to being a little more cognizant of your water use and filling the grey tank but still have the better flow.

[joanne0012]

Actually I never do, but this was such an outrageous claim I just had to check it.

Makes me wonder about some of the other assertions the Airstream rep made, as well as some of the Airstream features that make it different from other Sprinter-based units like PleasureWay (macerator vs good ol' gravity, kitchen faucet, etc.).

[avanti]

Do you guys really hook up to city water on a regular basis? Never seems worth the trouble to me. I think I did it once. I always thought that was for the fifth-wheel gang.

[TinyoneRV]

Eager to hear the answer to this. A system like this would make no sense. Wouldn't it just continue to run water into the tank overflowing onto the ground? Also, there are times I don't want the weight of a full tank on a short trip. Take just what I think I'll need.

[joanne0012]

Thanks, that's a very entertaining diagram, but it's not specific to this RV and since the salesman was so insistent, my question is whether the Airstream is indeed lacking that "Normal/tank fill" valve.

[lawrosa]

nonesense.. There is a valve you need to turn to fill the fresh water from the city water...