RE: Stupid question about camping with full hook-ups

labontefan · Sep 28, 2003, 07:05 PM

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! [

]

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!

fivegonefishing · Jun 02, 2003, 05:52 PM

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.

SactoCampers · Jun 02, 2003, 05:53 PM

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 [

].

Jo Ann · Jun 02, 2003, 07:35 PM

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?

SactoCampers · Jun 02, 2003, 07:39 PM

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.

labontefan · Jun 02, 2003, 10:21 PM

labontefanWater regulator, huh? Good thing to know! Thanks!

GaryWT · Jun 02, 2003, 10:26 PM

labontefanI never use a regulator, I just turn the water on just enough to get good pressure at the faucet.

tlhdoc · Jun 02, 2003, 10:37 PM

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.

Gone-Camping · Jun 02, 2003, 10:45 PM

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)...

mike4947 · Jun 02, 2003, 11:01 PM

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.

Turn Key · Jun 03, 2003, 10:48 AM

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.

Ernhrts3n8 · Jun 03, 2003, 11:03 AM

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.

Bearnkat · Jun 04, 2003, 10:29 PM

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

aw738 · Jun 23, 2003, 07:23 PM

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?

labontefan · Jun 23, 2003, 08:01 PM

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

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