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Low Water Pressure in RV

by Scott Pomroy
(Philadelphia, PA, USA)

How to Increase the Water Flow in Your RV

How to Increase the Water Flow in Your RV

Hi, I just bought a 1998 Four Winds by Dutchmen last year, and the previous owner had gutted it out. I am restoring it to its original condition, but the only problem I am having is finding where the stereo used to be and hook up to the speakers and antenna. Do you know where I can find this information?

Also, my family complains about the water pressure for some reason. I have no problem with it, though; I can't fit in the shower. I am way too tall. Is there any way I can increase the water pressure for the sinks and shower? Please help me as I called Dutchmen, and they would not help me with the stereo information due to liability reasons (which I think is crap).

ANSWER: Hi Scott, I am afraid that I cannot tell you where your radio was originally located in your RV. It is not because of liability reasons that I can't tell you; it is because I just don't know.

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A good place to find out is to go to Google and do an image search. Just type in the year and model of RV, and you will be surprised by the number of pictures that will pop up, and there should be at least one picture that shows where the radio is supposed to be. Once you find the right spot, you should be able to find the wires close to that area if the previous owner didn't move those as well.

As far as your RV water pressure, most RV manufacturers recommend that you do not exceed 40 to 50 psi of water pressure in an RV to prevent burst pipes and damage to your RV. That being said, the problem in your RV may not be a pressure problem as much as it may be a flow problem. There are ways to increase the flow of water without increasing the actual pressure.

The first place to look is at the water fixtures of the RV. Unscrew the showerhead of your RV and look for a water flow restrictor and remove it if you find one. These flow restrictors can also be in the screw-on faucet aerators on the kitchen and bathroom sinks. If you remove the flow restrictors, that will increase the flow of water to those fixtures.

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If that still does not get you enough flow, you might want to check on the type of RV Water Filter you are using on your RV. The rule of thumb for flow through an RV water filter is the smaller the filtering surface, the less flow you will get; the larger the filtering surface, the more flow you will get. So larger water filters usually provide more flow.

RV Water Pressure Regulator

You may also want to replace your current RV Water Pressure Regulator with one that provides more flow or is adjustable (like the one pictured above).

I hope this helps.

Do you have any suggestions or comments on this topic? You can add them to this page by clicking on the "Click Here To Post Comments" link located near the bottom of this page.

Happy RVing

RVing Al

Comments for Low Water Pressure in RV

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		High then low pressure
by: Anonymous

Check for a winterization valve on the tank. On mine it is beneath the tank, easy located under the trailer.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Diminishinig Water Pressure
by: Draidor

I ended up here looking for something else, but reading some of the comments with the problem of water pressure diminishing to a trickle after a few seconds, made me wonder if there could be a venting problem.

If you are pumping water out of the tank, there must be a way for air to get into the tank or you end up with a vacuum situation and... low water pressure. I have never had this problem in my RV, but if I did I would check to see if there is a venting problem with the water tank.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		low pressure at all the taps
by: Jackie

we are having low pressure at our taps which gets less as you go to the back at the shower. Have checked all the lines, filter at the pump and have checked the motor all seems to be working well and clear. We do not have a pressure valve any were that we can see. Any ideas would be great to have a shower again!!!!
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Water flow drops to trickle
by: Mark Sinyerd

When the motor home is connected to water hose flow is great ,with well over half tank of water ,when any tap is opened the flow starts out great and within seconds the flow drops substantially to just more than good trickle. I've taken the filter out of the tank ,just to eliminate the filter out of the possibility of being the issue. If anybody has any ideas , I would be grateful
Thanks
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Water shower PSI/ flow.
by: William Smith

for Low water psi in your shower or sink check the outside shower/faucet. Mine has a check valve/quick connect fitting on it to attach a Curley hose to it. When connected water flows when not connected water will not flow even when the valves are left open. For whatever reason if I leave them open I do not get very much flow in my shower at all. When I close the valves the psi /flow is back to normal. Also just check the screen and Airiator etc at the sink faucet where the water comes out. It may get clogged from fine particles from the hose or supply line. Good luck and enjoy your rig.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Low water pressure fix
by: Nbrhapsody

I started to experience low water pressure inside the RV at all faucets. I took off the water pressure regulator and everything was fine, but I really like to have a regulator for safety purposes. So, I rinsed out the old regulator and used water pressure to back flow for an additional clean. Hooked it back up and pressure is back to normal. So far, so good. If it happens again I will just get a new regulator.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Low flow and low pressure water
by: Lisa

We have done all the suggestions and still no flow it pressure!
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Water vaulve
by: Anonymous

I had a leak in my 5wheel trailor from the water hose connection to my small water tank underneath my cabinet had the water turned off too tighten up my connection when to turn the water back on now I don't have any water pressure, it turns on with ressure, with in 2 seconds it goes to my a very low stream, it does this through the trailor, what can I do to fix this. Help I need anyone know!!! Thanks
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Low flow
by: Anonymous

I have low flow issues on city water and using my internal tank and pump..can't find any leaks...all taps and shower barely flowing. City water has plenty of pressure
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Finding Water Pressure Valve
by: Anonymous

I have a 1989 Catalina Coachman when I hook up city water with a hose. It is good pressure in the RV but when I check for leaks around the outside,it's pouring out of two small hoses in the back, under the RV. i was told by people who know RV's that it is a water pressure valve but i can't find it. any suggestions on finding the valve or valves and turning it off?
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Shower water pressure
by: Kevin

Shower water pressure is at a trickle and all the other water fixtures are fine. Can anyone help or give me some answers
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		hot water pressure
by: Anonymous

Coachman Brookstone fifth wheel suddenly no hot
water pressure although the tank is hot. Cold water
lots of pressure. switched valve directions and got
cold to both.. cannot get hot water pressure
any ideas. j
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		High pressure then low
by: Anonymous

The problem you are seeing is that the water heater is pressurizing the system. There is a flow check valve in the camper. Since the water can not flow back towards the city supply it just builds in the lines until you open it for the first time.
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Similar issue
by: WJAW

When connected to city water, after the tap is first opened there is a gush of water for 1-2 seconds diminishing to normal or less than normal flow rate. This occurs with or without the pump being on. Any ideas? Thanks!
Rating
starstarstarstarstar 		Water flow
by: Karen0455

I am having problems with my RV water flow. There is plenty of flow when you first turn on the faucet, but within seconds it is just a slow stream even though the pump is running. Any suggestions?

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