Water pressure issues

et2 wrote:
This is our second camping trip in the new MH. Last trip the water pressure was very low. I thought it might be the campground but I was too sick to investigate. This trip the same thing. So I took the pressure regulator off (40-50 psi). Plenty of water pressure. So, now what? I'd hate to have my plumbing leak without it. What's the pressure recommendations? Do the adjustable ones make any difference.

I've had my share of campers but none this low with the regulator on. What do you people do?

Ours had a built in regulator which I call a volume re stricter. I removed it and now use a whole house regulator at the faucet which in turn protects the hose as well. Also installed a pressure gauge at the coach's inlet in the basement.

downtheroad wrote:
Yes, the type of regulator you use can make a big difference. The inexpensive, torpedo shaped in line type will restrict the pressure.

Go to these guys and get a good one made by an RVer for RV's or go to Home Depot and put together a whole house Watts unit.

Click Here.

I have this and it works great.

Thanks Down The Road, I looked at the ones from camping world and they looked pretty cheap with the plastic adjustment knob. I just ordered this exact one. I guess I need to plan another trip to try it out :B

I just had this problem and it drove me nuts...there is a 55 psi out there I purchased that below that pressure, will bypass itself..that and a new filter and I have good pressure/flow now...55 psi is plenty safe with this piping...note I also always carry a gauge and check the pressure before I hook up...Imagine 20 PSI which is all I had in NJ..drove me nuts

Rich D. wrote:
Most often the small regulators will reduce pressure and at the same time, sacrifice flow. Usually the lack of sufficient flow is blamed on lack of pressure. I personally as well as many others have swapped out these flow reducing pressure regulators for more substantial units that reduce pressure without restricting flow. Look for a unit that will supply at least several gallons per minute at a safe working pressure. Also check the flow at a static rate such as a supply that provides 50 psi along with a regulator set for 50 psi.

I have never heard of anyone disappointed with the installation of a Watts, whole house type regulator. They are available at your local big box home improvement store.

My last coach came with a Sureflow combination inlet and regulator that barely passed 1 gpm at 40 psi. Replacing it with the Watts in the picture eliminated all flow and pressure problems. The manufacturer switched to large regulators similar to the Watts for newer models.

Just went to Lowes & Home Depot in Kalamazoo MI, neither had one.

Most often the small regulators will reduce pressure and at the same time, sacrifice flow. Usually the lack of sufficient flow is blamed on lack of pressure. I personally as well as many others have swapped out these flow reducing pressure regulators for more substantial units that reduce pressure without restricting flow. Look for a unit that will supply at least several gallons per minute at a safe working pressure. Also check the flow at a static rate such as a supply that provides 50 psi along with a regulator set for 50 psi.

I have never heard of anyone disappointed with the installation of a Watts, whole house type regulator. They are available at your local big box home improvement store.

My last coach came with a Sureflow combination inlet and regulator that barely passed 1 gpm at 40 psi. Replacing it with the Watts in the picture eliminated all flow and pressure problems. The manufacturer switched to large regulators similar to the Watts for newer models.

My TT came with one of those small inline ones, I don't think it even worked the first time. I tried straight through once, and the pressure was too high and my PEX fittings started to seep! So for now, the occasional time we have hook-ups, I just fill the 50g fresh every couple days as needed and let the pump handle it. Maybe I'll get a nice regulater one day but I need a new converter first :)

Executive wrote:
Inside the inlet valve, where you hook the hose into your coach, check the small screen to see if it's plugged up. Three pack at WalMart cheap...carry spares. Also, if your coach has a filtration system, ensure the filters are clean and up to date....Dennis

Ditto ... I have to clean mine periodically. Makes a difference!!

Since the water pressure was fine without the regulator, I don't think the problem comes from any other area. No sense in tearing into things without ruling out the regulator first.I will purchase a adjustable one and see if it helps. I read where some of the newer RV's have plumbing that can handle 100 psi, now I don't know how true that is, but I wouldn't want to be the Guinea pig. So assuming the newer ones have higher psi ratings 60 - 65 psi seems a good place to start?

Off to Home Depot today to see if they can get me going.

Another thing to check/do... Since your coach is new, you probably have "flow restrictors" in all your faucets. The first thing I did when my coach was new, I pried out those flow restrictors and my water flow increased exponentially.

Since you have good water pressure without the regulator the problem is the regulator . Replace it with a quality ( your going to spend at least 50 bucks for quality) regulator the cheapie ones don't work and still maintain water volume . See the links provided by others above and problem will be solved