Water PSI

amrap · 07-19-2021, 04:43 PM

Newbie Question......

How high is TOO high? (water pressure not user!)

**chuckster57** · 07-19-2021, 04:54 PM

50 PSI is pushing it, I like 45.

rjrelander · 07-19-2021, 04:58 PM

I think people usually regulate 45 to 55 PSI. The PEX tubing is rated higher than that (100?) but you probably don't want anything over 60 PSI. You also want an adjustable regulator with a gauge. You want to avoid the other inline devices that just restrict the water flow and don't really regulate pressure.

One final note: We always turn off the water at the post (or turn off the pump in the camper if using fresh water tank) when we leave in case something leaks while we are out. Probably even more important if you have pets that are smart enough to turn on the taps but not smart enough to turn them off. :-)

**JRTJH** · 07-19-2021, 05:28 PM

The PEX tubing is rated at 100 PSI +. Unfortunately, the plastic fittings that connect and route the PEX are not rated that high. When you consider that those plastic fittings, even if rated at 75PSI, when stressed by being forced from a 90 degree to a 110 degree angle or to a 70 degree angle may crack at 60 PSI or maybe even less, especially if the crimp ring was installed crooked and has put additional stress on the plastic fitting.....

You can get the idea that after repeated road vibrations, the plumbing system is only as strong as it's weakest link. Whether it's the hidden plastic fitting, the overstressed plastic fitting or the mal-crimped compression ring, it becomes far too obvious that the 100 PSI rating on the PEX is not an indication of anything related to where the leaks will appear first....

I'd go with Chuck's recommendation of 45 PSI with a good quality adjustable regulator. It's strong enough to provide as much pressure as the onboard water pump and enough volume to keep the shower "refreshing" as long as the hot water lasts....

ALWAYS TURN ALL WATER TO THE TRAILER OFF IF NOBODY IS GOING TO BE THERE TO SHUT IT OFF IN AN EMERGENCY !!!!!

Camping family · 07-19-2021, 06:46 PM

Personally I don’t go above 35-40 and use a adjustable pressure gage. Also,always shut water off at main when gone away from camper.

dutchmensport · 07-20-2021, 09:39 AM

We were at a KOA on one of our very first trips with our first hard sided camper. The manager of the KOA advised I use a good regulator because their campground water was set at 120 psi and that would surly blow out the lines in any camper. So he warns everyone when checking in.

All I had was the el-cheap-o complementary one from my dealer when we purchased the camper. On my way to the campsite, I thought about what he said, and decided right then and there to never hook up directly to a garden hose from shore water and run water under pressure. There is no guarantee any pressure regulator will work flawless. Even the best "could" fail. So it was right then and there I decided to fill my fresh water tank and use my on-board pump.

Well, that was more than 20 years ago, and I've been doing it that way ever since. Even when we have a site with full hook-ups, on my current Montana, I will leave the garden hose hooked up, but fill my fresh water tank only, then turn turn shore water off and use my on-board water pump and fresh water tank.

I have NEVER had to worry or be concerned about water pressure, it's always consistent, and never any problems or concerns with pipes or joints failing. When leaving for any length of time, it's easy to just flip the water pump off, and the most that will leak if something did break, is just about 1/3 gallon of water.

notanlines · 07-20-2021, 09:50 AM

We prefer 45-50, mainly because we've found that commodes generally flush and rinse a little better when you're closer to that 50 pound mark.

Javi · 07-20-2021, 09:53 AM

I run mine at 50 psi.. this is the regulator I use..

**chuckster57** · 07-20-2021, 10:39 AM

This is mine, free of charge from a trade in.

https://www.amazon.com/Twinkle-Star-...dDbGljaz10cnVl

jsb5717 · 07-20-2021, 11:08 AM

We use one like Chuckster. 45-50 PSI max for us.

Weldon · 07-20-2021, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckster57

This is mine, free of charge from a trade in.

https://www.amazon.com/Twinkle-Star-...dDbGljaz10cnVl

This is the same that we have used on our PUP and now TT. I've never adjusted it. It's set between 40 and 45. We've had it for about 3 yrs now.

{tpc} · 07-21-2021, 09:51 AM

I'll be honest, I have been using the camco one since 2014 and it hasn't failed me, but now that I see the other ones...I want to upgrade lol.

The one time I didn't use it (showed up late to campsite, got distracted by my buddy lol) I didn't "blow up" any of the lines, but I kept finding water on the floor by the toilet.

Turns out the pressure was high enough that the spray for the toilet that swirls around the bowl was spraying out of the bowl enough to run down the sides. Didn't hurt anything and went away right after I put the regulator on.

My buddy had a similar issue. He did not hook his up as well, and we kept seeing water dripping from the chloroplast underneath the trailer. Did that for about 2 days until one morning while sipping coffee and staring at it...I said I wonder if he hooked up his regulator. Told him about it, and turns out one of the fittings was leaking and it was running straight down the line, catching on the chloroplast and running out what looks like a drain hole in the chloroplast (but for a different reason than this water). Tightened the fitting and it went away, then put the regulator on it.

He lucked out that it didn't soak the floor and actually had a path to run out...and the leak was very slight.

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