Why Can't You Use an Electric Water Pump with Valterra Fresh Water Tanks

Updated 05/01/2020 | Published 04/30/2020

Question:

I dont understand why an electric rv pump would burst the tank from pressure. My rv electric pump pumps water out of the tank, not into it. My current 30 gal p wrtoly tank has a very small vent, a little less than 1/2. I cannot imagine water being drawn out fast enough to collapse the tank inward at a max draw of just three gallons per week minute. My underbelly white poly tank has a leak and algae growth so I want to replace it with an abs tank in the storage compartment.

asked by: Tom H

Expert Reply:

The Valterra ABS water tanks like the 30 gallon # R8060 are baffled for surge control and made from lightweight ABS plastic, so they're just not designed to handle to additional pressure that is created from an electric water pump sucking the water out of the tank. Using an electric water pump would void the manufacturer's warranty in the event of any malfunction.

expert reply by: Erik B