In this post, I’m going to show you step-by-step exactly how to refill fresh water tank during camping.
You will also learn:
- How much water an RV hold
- How to refill fresh water tank during camping with a faucet
- How to refill fresh water tank with a pump during camping
- How to refill fresh water tank with the help of gravity during camping
- And lots more…
Let’s get started!
How Much Water Does an RV Hold?
When you are out on a camping adventure with your recreational vehicle (RV), you need to make plans for an additional water supply just in case the water tank of your RV gets emptied.
First, you need to be aware that RVs come in various sizes and their associate tank sizes, and the smaller RVs have a much lower water holding capacity.
For example, the Class B RVs can hold about 18 to 40 gallons of water, and the Class C RVs have a 38 water-gallon water holding capacity.
But what matters the most is understanding exactly how to manage your water usage so as not to quickly finish your water supply while camping.
That is why it’s essential to carry an extra supply of water, especially when you’re not connected to an additional water supply from the fresh water tank.
How to Refill Fresh Water Tank During Camping (3 Simple Ways)
When refilling your fresh water tank during camping, you have to first pack a couple of mobile water containers that you can easily use to fetch water elsewhere and bring it to your recreational vehicle.
It’s from these mobile water containers that you will use to refill your RVs fresh water tank.
Here are 3 simple ways to refill the fresh water tank of your RV during camping:
1. How to Refill Fresh Water Tank from a Faucet
Using a water faucet is one way you can use to refill the fresh water tank of your RV.
It’s essential to note that this method of refilling fresh water tank depends on the type of RV you own. You can choose to have two different connections or a single connection with a valve to hook up to your source of water supply.
Here is exactly how to do this:
First, make use of a specialized RV drinking water hose which won’t add strange tastes to your water, and are at the same time, safe to use.
Next, you have to connect the orange end of the hose to your source of water found, or to your campsite faucet, ensuring that the connection is well fitted and secured to avoid any leaks.
Now connect the other end (the male end) properly to the right connection in your RV. This spot is usually labeled – Portable Water Only. Then set the valve properly so the water can run smoothly when refilling the fresh water tank.
You will find a water pressure regulated (usually an orange-colored adapter) at the end of the drinking water hose; this is what you will use to detect if the pressure coming from the water source is stable or too high.So to avoid damaging your RV, ensure that you keep this regulator ON at all times.
Now turn on the water faucet gently to ensure that the filling of the tank is adequately monitored to avoid water from getting wasted. It’s wise to have a friend stationed near you while doing this for convenience.
Your RV should have an overflow valve to prevent the fresh water tank from overfilling and wasting water.
Once your fresh water tank is full, close the water faucet and disconnect the hose from both ends.
Make sure you close the lid of the fresh water tank properly to avoid dirt or debris from getting inside.
When refilling your fresh water tank, you will need to turn on the water pump, except you are refilling from city water.
2. How to Refill Fresh Water Tank during Camping using a Pump
When boondocking for some time while camping, you won’t be connected to city water or a campsite water supply at all times. You will need to learn how to refill fresh water tank with a water pump as an alternative to the water faucet.
And here is exactly how to do it:
First, you will need additional water containers that you can connect externally to your RV. Most RVs come with a few spare of jugs which are meant to help campers’ boondock for a more extended time.
Now use the drinking water hose to link your RV to the water containers.
Set up a water pump that is rated 12V, and connect it to your car or van battery using alligator clips.
Power up the water pump to start refilling the fresh water tank from the water containers.
3. How to Refill Fresh Water Tank during Camping with the Help of Gravity
This is my most favorite refilling technique – and the simplest, especially when there’s neither a water pump nor a supply faucet available to refill the fresh water tank.
Here is exactly how it’s done:
After getting some fresh water filled into the mobile water containers, you will need to find a way to hold the mobile water container at a higher level, where you can easily tilt its mouth over the tank opening of the RV.
You could choose to climb up a ladder while doing this, but you have to be very careful not to trip and fall.
Now empty the water from the mobile container into the fresh water tank.
A fresh water hose or funnel might be needed if you are having trouble fitting the mobile water container mouth into the RV tank’s opening.
This gravity-based technique allows for much more versatility than just filling the fresh water tank using pressure.
The only disadvantage of this method is that it gives room for dirt to enter into the water you are refilling.
Finally, no matter how you choose to fill fresh water tank during camping, you will need to activate the water pump. Doing this when the fresh water tank is filled to a certain extent will ensure that the hot water tank also gets its share of water.
Also, see this YouTube video on how to refill fresh water tank during camping
Conclusion
And that’s it! I hope with this guide you must have learned how to refill fresh water tank during camping.
Do you think I missed something? Please leave a comment below and let me know