Hooking up to city water

[Albert21]

Hello everyone,
I am new to the RV world having purchased my first motor home.
The motorhome is a 93 Fleetwood Flair. It has a gravity fill and a hose connection for city water. Aside from using a proper hose and pressure regulator is there anything else that has to be done when connecting to city water.

[Albert21]

I would like to thank everyone for all the great information.
Very informative and newbie friendly. I have located the water pump and found 3 valves in the general area, just have to figure out which to close and which to leave open. Thanks again to everyone.

[Jagtech]

Welcome (Wish I was in Victoria) Another tip regarding your city water hook-up - I installed a brass garden hose type quick-connect where the hose connects at the MH. It is certainly quicker, more convenient, doesn't drip, and I don't worry about losing the rubber washer.

[AllegroD]

4 hoses. 2 - 25' white for fresh and 2 - 25' colored garden hoses for all other purposes.

A Water diverter (or a Y adapter) at the source. We have dogs and draw water for them.

High flow regulator.

External water filter. I do not trust others water sources. We have a whole house filter but I don't want anything in the inlet line or tank. If pressure is very low, I will leave the filter and remove the regulator.

Inlet Elbow, so the hose can hang straight and to contention with the compartment door. We put the filter inside the compartment so the elbow is a must.

Bleach the source bib.

I also always run a little water through the hose to just be safe, before connecting to the MH.

Velcro straps (my preference), twist ties or other cable control/securing device to roll up and secure the hoses.

[wa8yxm]

This is a bit up to you.... I have been in a few parks where the mineral content of the water was .. Well, "Nasty" is the word that applies, A simple low-cost filter fixed it though.

I will give you a couple different hookups.. If possible you want GOOD pressure regulators Adjustable with gauges on them, Valterra or Watts, YOu may use a Sur-Flow as the 2nd regulator if there is not one already built into your RV. but even it is a bit.. Less than I like,

Park-Regulator---Long hose---(Optional filter short hose (optional 2nd regulator)) RIG

Or to draw all possible lines

Park-Regulator-----Long hose----RIG
Park-Regulator----_long hose--filter--short hose rig
Park-Regulator-----Long hose---Filter regulator short hose rig
Park-Regulator----Long hose----Filter-Short hose--Regulator rig

You want the filter as close to the rig as possible

WHY two regulators?

The park I am in now has recorded line pressures in the triple digits (Over 100 PSI) most garden hoses that is really pushing it, Many guests here have found hoses with ends blown off by the pressure. The first regulator at the park faucet takes care of this.. BUT if you set it for say 50 PSI (more on that later) it can not push water through a filter fast enough, Put the filter first and pop goes the filter housing when the pressure peaks.

So I put a pre-regulator at the park, set to around 65-70 PSI.

Then the regulator at the rig is set to 50.. Most RV's can take 60 PSI before seals on valves start to fail and flood the place.... This set up moves more water.

Regulators

The small cylinder jobs (3/4 inch) just can't pass enough water
Add the bright plastic grip (or wings on Camco) and call 'em "high volume" they still can't pass enough, though they are better.

The Sur-Flo... Comes downright close

The watts and Valterra models, epically 1/2 inch or larger... NO PROBLEM, nice strong shower, as one RVer said "It will knock your hat off" (ok he is a cowboy in every sense of the word.. Me,, I just hearded cows) I do admit I like the kid.

[rk911]

Albert21 wrote:
Hello everyone,
I am new to the RV world having purchased my first motor home.
The motorhome is a 93 Fleetwood Flair. It has a gravity fill and a hose connection for city water. Aside from using a proper hose and pressure regulator is there anything else that has to be done when connecting to city water.

personally I always spritz my hose end and the water bib with 100% bleach (some folks use a 50/50 bleach/water mix) in order to sanitize the connection. why? cuz one day while hooking up I spied a stray dog lifting it's leg on the hookup post in a nearby campsite. the dog's aim was perfect...right onto the fresh water bib.

[BTPO1]

Along with what others have said, I use a 90 degree elbow where my hose attaches to the side of the MH to keep the stress off of the hose and to keep it from kinking. I second the use of a filter. I use a GE filter with hose connections on each end and a replaceable filter cartridge. Use of the filter may prevent some problems with your valves in the future. you would be surprised on what you will find in the filter housing when changing the cartridge. JMO

[enblethen]

Look in the compartment just below the water inlet. Many Fleetwoods have the pump and some valves below a nylon cover where the pump is.
There is a water fill valve(in some) look to see if you do. It allows to fill the tank under pressure rather then gravity. This valve must be closed for pump operation and city water operation. If it is left open it will fill and overflow the fresh water tank.
A pressure regulator should be used to prevent high pressure from damaging rig's water system. The cheap standard in-line regulator restricts flow and pressure. There is some high flow models and there is the larger adjustable ones like the Watts or Valterra.com part nymber A01-1117VP. I install mine on the spicket end of the hose. I use an inland cheapie water filter at the same location.
If you must use the gravity fill t provide water to the holding tank, they make a short flexible peice of pipe they goes into the gravity opening. This prevents the hose from coming out. Valterra.com part number A01-0031VP

[wildtoad]

Contrary to some, I use a water filter and yes it does reduce pressure, but then that help reduce the wasted water so my tanks fill up more slowly.

I learned a while back that regardless of the availability of city water or campground water, ALWAYS carry water from a source you know. Some campground water is awful and check it for smell and taste BEFORE you connect to it.

[West_Beachhouse]

Welcome!!!

A couple of pointers, I have read where it is advisable to wipe off the faucet with bleach then run the water for a few seconds prior to attaching your water hose.
Some RVers place a water filter system within their line (we do not).
Our pressure regulator has two spouts, one for the water hose and one left unattached. They each have their own on/off. The unattached side is great for me to water the dogs, wash my feet, fill a bucket etc.
Actually, city water hook ups are by far the easiest aspect of setting up (my personal opinion).
Happy New Year.
West Beachhouse
PS when hooked up to city water, remember do not run the water pump.

[Ka_Ron]

Should not be.
When you are hooked to city water you should draw from that instead of the tank using the pump.

If you turn off the water pump when hooked to city water you should have flow if that is how your motor home works.

[donn0128]

Some people also install a water filter to their inlet. Personally I have found that this drops the water pressure dramatically and is not something I would do.
White, potable water hose and a good quality brass pressure regulator should be all you need. If you camp in freezing conditions consider one of the hoses with a built in heat strip.