Fresh water system question
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Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=2896
Printed Date: 24 May 2025 at 4:04pm
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Topic: Fresh water system question
Posted By: NS Podder
Subject: Fresh water system question
Date Posted: 05 Sep 2012 at 9:44am
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We just got back from our first trip with our new 2013 Rpod 177 and I have a question on the fresh water system. When we first got to our campsite, I hooked up the electricity and drinking water. On the second day, I wanted to check the gray water level so I used the monitor and checked all 3 tanks. I noticed that the freshwater tank was full and as I checked throughout the weekend, the level kept going down as we consumed water. My question is, (pardon the ignorance as this is the first travel trailer we have owned) once the fresh water tank is empty, does the pump automatically know to draw water from the city water outlet? Is there some switch over that has to be done?
I appreciate all the advise I can get. ------------- 2013 rpod 177 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander XLS |
Replies:
Posted By: Seanl
Date Posted: 05 Sep 2012 at 9:56am
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If you are using city water leave the pump off you don't need it. I was not even aware that the pump worked with the city water hooked up. ------------- Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition 
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Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 05 Sep 2012 at 6:28pm
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Welcome to the forum. Theoretically the pump shouldn't come on while hooked to city water, even if the power switch is turned on. The pressure switch in the pump is set lower than most city water pressures. Maybe the city water connection wasn't turned on at the campground's faucet? Did you actually hear the water pump come on (you can't miss it)? Note that you fill your fresh water tank from a different location than the "city water connection". If I'm going camping where I know I'll have hookups I will only put a gallon or two in the fresh water tank for use while on the road (flush toilet, wash hands). No reason to take 200 pounds of water with you if you don't need it. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: bhamster
Date Posted: 05 Sep 2012 at 8:42pm
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Having a 2 year old daughter that loves to flip all the switches in the trailer, I can confirm that the pump will run with a city water connection. When the faucet is open the pressure in the line drops to below the cut-in pressure for the pump. But they will work together (or fight depending on how you think about it) so that the amount of water drawn from the fresh tank is less. But as the other replies mentioned, just leave it off if you're connected to city water. The pressure in the city line eliminates the need for a pump and if the fresh tank were to be empty you might damage the pump. Here's a good diagram that shows how it's all connected:  |
Posted By: dsmiths
Date Posted: 05 Sep 2012 at 8:46pm
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good diagram ------------- Dane and Donna Smith 2011 RP-172 2008 Chevrolet Trailblazer 4X4 lift kit prodigy wireless brake controller |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 05 Sep 2012 at 9:40pm
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No worries on running the pump dry, they are designed for it.
------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: danthoman
Date Posted: 06 Sep 2012 at 9:55am
| Just to throw some fuel to the fire; my dealer said that that the pump could be damaged if you used it while connected to city water. He reiterated the point several times during the demo. However the one way valves illustrated in bhamster post should eliminate that problem. |
Posted By: NS Podder
Date Posted: 06 Sep 2012 at 10:36am
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Thank you all for the advise. I'll leave it turned off during this weekend's trip. Lots to learn compared to a tent. Loving every minute of it though. ------------- 2013 rpod 177 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander XLS |
Posted By: The E Train
Date Posted: 06 Sep 2012 at 8:44pm
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I wil add .... Make sure that the campsite water is connected (threaded connection) to the input on the pod marked "city water connection." I've seen folks just put the hose into the "fresh water" tank opening and think they were connectedthrough the city water port. ------------- "What happens in the POD, stays in the POD." 2002 Dakota (pulling a) 2012 R-Pod 176T |
Posted By: NS Podder
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2012 at 9:16am
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Thanks E Train.
I had the RV park's water connected to the city water port. It's just that I hadn't realized that the dealership had sent us home with a full tank of water and didn't realize that I did not need to use the pump if connected to a water source. The fresh water tank is now empty so tomorrow, when I arrive at our site, I'll simply connect the park water and not bother turning on the pump. ------------- 2013 rpod 177 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander XLS |
Posted By: Seanl
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2012 at 10:27am
Where are you camping this weekend? ------------- Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition
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Posted By: NS Podder
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2012 at 10:32am
We're just headed to the Annopolis Valley for an overnighter. There's an old Ghost town that I want to go explore. I am a geocacher and they have several caches hidden on the road to it. ------------- 2013 rpod 177 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander XLS |
Posted By: Seanl
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2012 at 1:12pm
I have been thinking about getting into goecaching looks like a lot of fun. don't want to be nosy but The ghost town you are going to wouldn't happen to be Roxbury would it? ------------- Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition
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Posted By: this_is_nascar
Date Posted: 07 Sep 2012 at 2:20pm
Wow. I can't think of anything to say that wouldn't be taken as negative or sarcastic, so I'll leave it at that. Just a bit surprised that anyone would do that, whether they're a rookie or seasoned camper.
------------- "Ray & Connie" - 2017 R-Pod RP-180 - 2007 Toyota Tacoma TRD-Off Road |
Posted By: The E Train
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2012 at 2:35pm
My "neighbor" on my last trip was one of them.... As the CG owner helped him get setup, he kept asking "And what is this for?" and "Where does this hook up?" Turns out, he just bought the camper days before and it was his first outing ever. The look on his face was priceless as he listened to the explination of what the 4" flexible hose was for...  I am not sure he'll be back.------------- "What happens in the POD, stays in the POD." 2002 Dakota (pulling a) 2012 R-Pod 176T |
Posted By: danthoman
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2012 at 3:58pm
| That's too funny. I'm surprised that the dealer didn't give him a walk through. My dealer said he would spend all day with us if that's what we needed. It only took about an hour. |
Posted By: NS Podder
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2012 at 3:53pm
Yes it was Roxbury. We didn't know what to expect so we left our vehicle at about 1km in and hiked the rest. Long hike but we enjoyed it. Too bad it was 27C plus humidity. Made for a long 10 km walk. ------------- 2013 rpod 177 2008 Mitsubishi Outlander XLS |
Posted By: TIDALWAVE
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2012 at 6:53pm
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It wouldn't hurt to buy a water pressure regulator which connects between the water hose and the city water fitting on the Pod. I have encountered really high water pressure at several camp grounds. I guess they do that to make sure that everyone has adequate water...but those closest to the campground water supply may have very high pressure at the site faucet. ------------- TIDALWAVE |