I ve seen posts from people here asking about how one does certain things when dry camping because they have never dry camped before. Well, I m just the opposite. I ve never camped anywhere with hookups!
Keep in mind that all my camping the last several years has been at the racetracks, and I only graduated from tent camping late last fall.
However, I m thinking about camping this weekend at a local state park (Natural Tunnel). My employer is having our annual company picnic at the park on Sunday, and several of us at work who like to camp have talked about camping out one or two nights before and after the picnic. The park has several sites with full hookups, so I might splurge and spend the extra $5 a night! [:D]
Here s my question...when you hook up to city water, do you leave the water turned on at the source all the time? Do you turn it off if you re going to be gone all day? Turn it off at night? How do these things work? (I m such a rookie! [;)])
Thanks!
labontefanNow I have not actually had city water hook-up yet however I do use my 30 gallon tank all the time. At both the walk throughs, the dealers advise to make sure you have a water regulator hooked up before you hook up to the water; it s a small device that lowers the pressure, otherwise you could have a real mess in your galley. It s also ok to leave the water turned on at the faucet so long as everything is tight and there is no leaking anywhere.
Sounds like a great time, have fun.
labontefan
QuoteHere s my question...when you hook up to city water, do you leave the water turned on at the source all the time? Do you turn it off if you re going to be gone all day? Turn it off at night? How do these things work? (I m such a rookie! [;)])
Thanks!
Yes, you leave it on. Just connect the water pressure regulator to the water source and use your sinks and faucets just as you would at home.
Be careful though, full hookups are addicting [;)].
labontefanis the water pressure regulator a necessity? we can hook up, but we did not get one with the camper...do you have to purchase it separately?
Jo Ann
QuoteORIGINAL: Jo Ann
is the water pressure regulator a necessity? we can hook up, but we did not get one with the camper...do you have to purchase it separately?
Yes, you want a water regulator. Frequently campground water pressure is way higher than RV water lines can handle. It s a $5.00 item that you can get at any RV parts store, or probably even a hardware store. I suppose you could turn the water pressure down at the source, but how would you know if you ve reduced it enough? The regulator is your best bet.
labontefanWater regulator, huh? Good thing to know! Thanks!
labontefanI never use a regulator, I just turn the water on just enough to get good pressure at the faucet.
labontefanIf you have a regulator connected you can turn the water up all the way. They sell them at Wal-Mart and RV dealers. Mine is brass and about4 inches long. If you will have water hookups you should really use a regulator. You never know when the camp ground water pressure will go way up.
labontefanWater Pressure regulator s are available at Wal-Mart also, only $5 and very cheap insurance against possible over pressure. I never bothered using a regulator with my first 2 PU s but got one for use when I bought the Coleman. If you get a site with a sewer hook-up, than can stay connected also, but you may need some special fittings to connect your gray water hose to the 4" sewer fitting.
Be careful, once you ve camped using hook-up s, you ll probably like it enough to do it more often.... This activity has been known to lead you down the path toward the dark side (one who speaks from experience in these matters)...
labontefanAnother vote for a regulator. Opening the faucet " just a little" still has the same pressure just the flow is restricted. As for the regulator, splerge and get the brass one over the plastic model.
Main reason is park water supplies, especially ones on wells can vary greatly depending on how busy they are or how busy they were. Pressures are boasted up during busy holiday weekends especially and at times during the day/night when nobodies using can climb to sometimes 100 PSI. They also " forget" to lower the pressure after the weekend and come Monday you re looking at 100 PSI 24 hours a day.
That s enough to pop fitting inside the camper and that s not a good thing, not to mention in the days before regulator usage you d see hoses swelled up to 5-6 inches in diameter on hot sunny days.
labontefanNot a stupid question at all. A very valid question if you haven t had to deel with this issue. For us, we turn the water off at night and when we are not around. Just think it s a good idea.
Didn t notice the reguator question at first. You will need one of these. You can get a pre-set one for about $10 but I prefer the adjustable type. Pre-sets are normally set at 45 lbs which is more then you need in most cases. It puts added strain on your sysytem and can cause water to splash out of the sink. An adjustable lets you set a low presure (25 lbs is plenty). This reduces strain on the system. I have a Watts Model H560 that I have found to do a very good job. The site below will get you to a supplier but there are many more. I just listed this one to show a picture of the unit. Just scroll down to the Model H560. A search may yield a lower price but this one isn t bad.
[link]http://www.rvwaterfilterstore.com/PressureRegulators.htm[/link]
Hope this info helps and happy camping.
labontefanI m going to hijack this thread just a bit. Labontefan, do you go to the Dover races? If so, I can tell you of a place with full hookups for the race in Harrington, DE. We just came back and had a great time.
labontefanDW and I use a water regulator. After reading one of the stories in PUT, we always turn our water off if we re going to gone for an extended period from our camper, say like a day trip. The story we read told of a busted fitting and the camper got soaked inside. After reading the article, we always turn the hot water heater off, then turn off the water before we leave. In our opinion, its just a good habit to get in to.
C & T
labontefanLabontefan when you said you were going to Natural Tunnel did you mean to say Natural Bridge? Just wondering, my family is originaly from that are circa 1860 s. From were I live it is a great day trip but if camping is nearby that sounds like the best way to visit. Does anyone have area camping information?
labontefanNope, Natural Tunnel is what I meant. I ve been to Natural Bridge...it s also in VA, but several hours away from me. Natural Tunnel is only about 20 minutes away. Here s some more info:
http://www.naturaltunnel.info/
http://www.dcr.state.va.us/parks/naturalt.htm
labontefanWe were also told to get a water pressure regulator - cheap insurance.
This topic reminds me of the first time we were camping. We hooked up to the water and got it going but then later the pump kept coming on and we weren t getting much water. We were new to this and didn t know that the pump didn t have anything to do with it when you hooked into city water. Well, long story short we found out that someone (maybe one of our boys) had turned off the water spigot outside. It happened twice on the trip but never since then.
labontefanDefinately go with the regulator. Before we knew about them (we had never had water hook ups before), we went to the 1st Aliner rally and had water hook ups so of course we connected to it. We had arrived at the CG at 1AM, se up and relaxed for a few before going to sleep. Just as I was falling into a deep sleep....................
KABOOM !
It was cold out so I thought something was seriously wrong with the furnace, as I jumped out of bed I landed into a pool of water! I ran outside to turn the water off in a half sleep daze. It s not fun mopping out the camper at 3AM[:@]
GaryWTgaryWT Said " I never use a regulator, I just turn the water on just enough to get good pressure at the faucet."
You are only regulating the flow of water not the pressure. I work in the local water dept and know this for a fact! Its the same pressure just less flow. Use a Pressure Regulator.
labontefanmake sure the regulator is put on the spicket end, so not to blow your hose apart... we learned the hard way had it attached at the camper end.....