How to Prime an RV Water Pump

For all of the joys of roughing it, there are an equal number of inconveniences. Even camping purists will admit that there have been times when running water would have been welcome in their tent. Who can predict late night sicknesses, rainstorms and hiking injuries? That's what makes RVs so popular: the amenities of home, combined with the beauty of nature. Follow these steps to prime your RV water pump, and you'll have water flowing in no time.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Step 1

Turn on a cold water faucet in your RV.

Step 2

Turn on your RV water pump, found adjacent to your water tank.

Step 3

Once the water starts flowing steadily out of the faucet, turn the faucet off.

Step 4

Turn on every faucet in your RV for a short period of time. Once all the faucets have been purged of air, your RV water pump will automatically stop running. This signals that the pump is fully primed, and it will not start running again until you turn on a faucet to use your water.

Tips & Warnings

If you are hooking your RV up to a fresh water supply, be sure to use a hose designed for drinking water, and do not use the hose for any other purpose, as it needs to be kept sanitary. You will still follow the same steps to prime your RV water pump.

If fresh water will not be available at your campsite, be sure to figure the water in your holding tank into your payload. Water weighs approximately 8 lbs. per gallon, so a 50 lb. holding tank will add 400 lbs. to your RV.

Resources

Installing an RV water pump

Article Written By Elizabeth Grace

Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Elizabeth Grace is a freelance writer. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in public relations from Pepperdine University, and has 15 years of experience developing marketing campaigns for universities and multinational corporations.

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