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Water Pump; Leave on while camping?

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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=13844
Printed Date: 22 Jun 2025 at 10:50am
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Topic: Water Pump; Leave on while camping?
Posted By: Poddy
Subject: Water Pump; Leave on while camping?
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2020 at 4:53am
Hi guys, as stated in an earlier post, I'm new to RV'ing so i have many "little" questions. About the water pump, are we supposed to leave it on during our campsite stay, knowing there's lots of water in the fresh tank? Or just pop it on when we need water? Or does it matter either way? I own the 2011, 172.



Replies:
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2020 at 5:29am
You can leave it on but it will try to maintain pressure so might turn on for a short time in the middle of the night and disturb your sleep, so I suggest you turn it off overnight.  I only turn mine on morning and evening when I'm using water. 

-------------
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold


Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2020 at 7:21am
+1  Like offgrid we turn ours off at night, once in awhile it may briefly turn on for part of a second and turn off to maintain pressure.  During the day we leave ours on. Ours is also a 2011 model year, have owned it for 9+ years; been a great dependable unit.



-------------
God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."


Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2020 at 8:01am
Not that you asked, but just for clarification, you only use the pump to get water from the fresh water tank. You do not need the pump when you have "city water" hooked up to the camper. 

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2017.5 Rp-172
2020 R-pod 195
2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl
I'll be rpodding


Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2020 at 8:01am
Yes, if there is any drip anywhere (such as low point drain or a faucet or a check-valve allowing leakage back through the pump), the pump will run to bring the pressure back up. This may be only a second or less, but it is not something you want to hear in the middle of the night. Turn it off if it disturbs you. 

-------------
StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,...

http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods
Former RPod 179
Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS


Posted By: Badweissenbier
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2020 at 9:15am
Originally posted by mjlrpod

Not that you asked, but just for clarification, you only use the pump to get water from the fresh water tank. You do not need the pump when you have "city water" hooked up to the camper. 


No the pump is only used for water from your tank. The city hookup bypasses all that.   Do make sure you have a pressure regulator hooked up in line with the city water or your water pressure could get to high.   The trailers aren’t made for full city pressure.   


Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2020 at 10:11am
We only turn on the pump when we are using water, which is primarily doing dishes and/or taking a shower. We leave it off if we aren't using it; especially over night.

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bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost


Posted By: Poddy
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2020 at 11:29am
Where i live, the option of "city water" is non-existent. Boondock or stay home.


Posted By: lostagain
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2020 at 11:37am
We turn our pump on when we need water, .....unless I forget.  Ermm

-------------
Never leave footprints behind.
Fred & Maria Kearney
Sonoma 167RB
Our Pod 172
2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost


Posted By: mjlrpod
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2020 at 1:31pm
Originally posted by Badweissenbier

Originally posted by mjlrpod

Not that you asked, but just for clarification, you only use the pump to get water from the fresh water tank. You do not need the pump when you have "city water" hooked up to the camper. 


No the pump is only used for water from your tank. The city hookup bypasses all that.   Do make sure you have a pressure regulator hooked up in line with the city water or your water pressure could get to high.   The trailers aren’t made for full city pressure.   


Thanks for clearing that up. For a moment I thought I said only use the pump to get water from the fresh water tank, but you cleared that up, and correctly said that you only use the pump to get water from your tank. I can't believe I was that wrong, Thanks 


-------------
2017.5 Rp-172
2020 R-pod 195
2015 Frontier sv 4.0L 6cyl
I'll be rpodding


Posted By: Badweissenbier
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2020 at 3:17pm
Originally posted by mjlrpod

Originally posted by Badweissenbier

Originally posted by mjlrpod

Not that you asked, but just for clarification, you only use the pump to get water from the fresh water tank. You do not need the pump when you have "city water" hooked up to the camper. 


No the pump is only used for water from your tank. The city hookup bypasses all that.   Do make sure you have a pressure regulator hooked up in line with the city water or your water pressure could get to high.   The trailers aren’t made for full city pressure.   


Thanks for clearing that up. For a moment I thought I said only use the pump to get water from the fresh water tank, but you cleared that up, and correctly said that you only use the pump to get water from your tank. I can't believe I was that wrong, Thanks 

Ok I'm lmbo, I was on my phone and thought you had asked that as a question. It must be time for new specticals. Probably thought you were the OP.


Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2020 at 4:03pm
Poddy,

I have to ask, where do you live?

-------------
Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."


Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2020 at 5:17pm
I don't ever use my city water connection either, even in the rare instances when I'm not bookdocking. That way if I run low on water I know its time to dump, I never have more than 250 gallons of water in one tank or another, and I don't need the tank level lights to work.

-------------
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold


Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2020 at 5:25pm
Originally posted by offgrid

I don't ever use my city water connection either, even in the rare instances when I'm not bookdocking. That way if I run low on water I know its time to dump, I never have more than 250 gallons of water in one tank or another, and I don't need the tank level lights to work.


I knew you were good, OG, but 250 gallons ?! Confused

So you did figure out how to get that washer/dryer and spa into the pod?

Man, you are good!  LOL




-------------
2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6
Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!


Posted By: mcarter
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2020 at 5:36pm
Poddy didn't say he didn't use it, post said it was non-existent. That is why I asked. I won't comment on 250 Gals. I'm old too.

-------------
Mike Carter
2015 178
" I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability."


Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2020 at 5:37pm
Lbs, ha ha! Unless some of it has soaked into the floor Shocked

-------------
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold


Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2020 at 9:28pm
Rats, I was hoping to see a pic by OG showing off his new jacuzzi inside the pod and how he did it!

-------------
God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."


Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2020 at 7:10am
I like outdoor hot tubs anyway,  and knowing how iffy the structure of rPods is, how about something like this? 

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Inflatable-Bathtub-SPA-Bath-Tub-Bath-Bucket-Shower-Pool-Hot-Tub-Travel-PVC-Adult-Size-63-With-Accessories/453057279?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=18183&&adid=22222222227303190538&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=375552319596&wl4=pla-799082285424&wl5=9008704&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=125210735&wl11=online&wl12=453057279&veh=sem&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgo_5BRDuARIsADDEntQdvt_5cS1MGR8ty1nrf2OhcgEfymxbFwtFCB-rzvFtbo6k3sYdZvwaAl7PEALw_wcB - https://www.walmart.com/ip/Inflatable-Bathtub-SPA-Bath-Tub-Bath-Bucket-Shower-Pool-Hot-Tub-Travel-PVC-Adult-Size-63-With-Accessories/453057279?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=18183&&adid=22222222227303190538&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=375552319596&wl4=pla-799082285424&wl5=9008704&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=125210735&wl11=online&wl12=453057279&veh=sem&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgo_5BRDuARIsADDEntQdvt_5cS1MGR8ty1nrf2OhcgEfymxbFwtFCB-rzvFtbo6k3sYdZvwaAl7PEALw_wcB

and heat it with this:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Camplux-5L-1-32-GPM-Residential-Outdoor-Portable-Propane-Gas-Tankless-Water-Heater-in-Black-AY132B/311809582?mtc=Shopping-VF-F_D26P-G-D26P-26_10_WATER_HEATERS-MULTI-NA-Feed-PLA-NA-NA-WATER_HEATERS&cm_mmc=Shopping-VF-F_D26P-G-D26P-26_10_WATER_HEATERS-MULTI-NA-Feed-PLA-NA-NA-WATER_HEATERS-71700000033150351-58700003868932468-92700049173610559&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgo_5BRDuARIsADDEntT3aUcyUEqfvlNB1lNrn-_5fHjUyeyrjhaFpYxYNe4aWGqX-7VOcBQaAiUcEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds - https://www.homedepot.com/p/Camplux-5L-1-32-GPM-Residential-Outdoor-Portable-Propane-Gas-Tankless-Water-Heater-in-Black-AY132B/311809582?mtc=Shopping-VF-F_D26P-G-D26P-26_10_WATER_HEATERS-MULTI-NA-Feed-PLA-NA-NA-WATER_HEATERS&cm_mmc=Shopping-VF-F_D26P-G-D26P-26_10_WATER_HEATERS-MULTI-NA-Feed-PLA-NA-NA-WATER_HEATERS-71700000033150351-58700003868932468-92700049173610559&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgo_5BRDuARIsADDEntT3aUcyUEqfvlNB1lNrn-_5fHjUyeyrjhaFpYxYNe4aWGqX-7VOcBQaAiUcEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds






-------------
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold


Posted By: mikeyg2347
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2020 at 8:29am
Just make sure you turn the pump off when you're traveling. I accidentally left mine on once and glanced in my passenger side rear view and saw water dripping out the bottom of the door. The kitchen sink faucet handle had vibrated open and I'd put the cutting board over the sink, which caused the water to splash all over the inside of the camper. This was late September in Montana and it took days to dry everything out. I only made that mistake once.

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Mike


Posted By: Poddy
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2020 at 8:41am
Newfoundland Canada. There are fully serviced sites around but they usually get booked up for the full season by one RV'er

-------------
2011 RP172
2015 Toyota Tacoma
Newfoundland, Canada


Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2020 at 5:52pm
Like lostagain said, we always turn our off unless I forget.

Like Stephen said, if it does cycle at all, even for a second, you got a leak. For a long time wife complained about stuff getting damp under the sink even though I could find no drip anywhere. If I left the pump on it did cycle once every few hours. Recently replaced galley sink and faucet. Stopped the cycle and the dampness but still turn it off....if I can remember.

BTW, offgrid is a genius. As usual. I really got tired of hauling these tubs around! That inflatable will be soooo much easier!! Thanks OG!!






-------------
2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits
2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6
Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks!


Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2020 at 4:36am
Nah, I was having a low IQ day when I suggested the propane heater for it. Get 2 of these instead. Who needs all that nasty fossil fuel.  Should heat up nice in about 3-4 hours on a sunny day if not sooner.  If its not sunny that day don't take a soak, and you can always warm it up a bit in the evening with a pot of hot water from the stove. 

https://www.amazon.com/Intex-Solar-Heater-Ground-Swimming/dp/B00O80PSE6/ref=sr_1_2?c=ts&dchild=1&keywords=Swimming+Pool+Heaters&qid=1596272421&refinements=p_n_feature_three_browse-bin%3A3613868011&s=lawn-garden&sr=1-2&ts_id=3613854011 - https://www.amazon.com/Intex-Solar-Heater-Ground-Swimming/dp/B00O80PSE6/ref=sr_1_2?c=ts&dchild=1&keywords=Swimming+Pool+Heaters&qid=1596272421&refinements=p_n_feature_three_browse-bin%3A3613868011&s=lawn-garden&sr=1-2&ts_id=3613854011

Get one of these to circulate the water. 

https://www.amazon.com/Q-BAIHE-Self-priming-Water-Circulation-ZC-520/dp/B01BSLXHUY - https://www.amazon.com/Q-BAIHE-Self-priming-Water-Circulation-ZC-520/dp/B01BSLXHUY

Connect either to your 12V supply or directly to a 20 watt 12V PV module. Inflate and fill once when you get to camp. If no hose bibb at camp no problem, use the little pump and fill it from the creek, this one is supposed to be self priming. then connect it to the solar collector.....


-------------
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
2015 Rpod 179 - sold



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