How to Properly Connect the RV City Water Inlet
Dave SolbergDescription
The RV city water inlet is an easy way to provide pressurized water into your RV unit. The RV city water inlet on the outside of the RV makes it possible to hook up to an outside source, such as a campground or residential faucet using a hose, and have pressurized water running on the inside.
To hook up to the RV city water inlet, you must first remove the outside cap and get a hose that is designed for drinking water. A specialized RV drinking water hose is drinking-water safe and made of materials approved by the National Sanitation Association, which means it contains no toxins, rubber, or lead. Attach the hose to the unit directly or you can use an elbow connector to make it easier to get connected and disconnected to the RV city water inlet.
Once connected to the RV city water inlet, pressurized water will come into your unit, bypassing the water pump. This provides pressurized water to faucets, showers, and toilets. On newer models with an enclosed service center, you can also fill the freshwater tank by switching the valve inside near the tank.
Be careful of the pressure when connecting to the RV city water inlet, because some campgrounds use wells with a pump and can have high pressure levels. Even outside garden hoses can have high pressure levels. It may be necessary to connect a regulator to the hose before attaching it to the RV unit. This will keep the water pressure coming into your RV around 40 to 60 psi. Another suggestion is to attach a filter to remove any sediment and water contaminants before the water enters the unit.
Having pressurized water coming into your RV will give you the water you need to cook, take showers, and use the bathroom. This is definitely one of the benefits of connecting to a water source while taking an RV vacation.
Another video from RV Repair Club shows you how to install a quick-release adapter to your RV city water inlet to make it easier to connect to water sources.
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7 Responses to “How to Properly Connect the RV City Water Inlet”
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I always hook up to the hose bib, then turn the water on before connecting to the RV. This clears the air out of the hose, to minimize hammering when faucets are turned on. I also let the water run a little bit before connecting to the RV, in case there is any rust in the supply lines.
I need a new connection as the plate is rusted. The round plate mounted on the RV. I see replacement parts online - but are these basically universal? I cant fine a real store that I can visit that carries these so I need to order online and afraid I will get the wrong one.
Dumb novice question - once you're connected, is it safe/correct to leave the water flowing into the RV continuously, or do you turn it off and on as needed? Is there an internal mechanism to prevent overfilling? Thanks
recent purchased a 20014 Milan trailer, discover a water spot right at doorway of bathroom wihtin 10 minutes of turning it on where can this possibly come from
I see someone already suggested that r pressure regulator should be a faucet, minimizes possible hose bursting.
We have brand new 2018 5th wheel we were trying out the water ..we weren't sure if we had anti freeze from dealer in lines... while connecting to city water...we have water in bathroom and toilet..but our kitchen sink is in the rear of camper... no water...we have the bypass off..which is located in compartment of storage..... any suggestions on why this is happening???
This vid should be replaced. Tell us to put the pressure regulator at the tap; one filter at the coach; and a finer filter under the sink for drinking water.