Recommendations For Replacing RV Water System Components

Question:

Hello, Wondering if you know what I can use for a fresh water tank overflow vent? I found online forum talking about them but cant figure out what it is exactly. I'm installing a new water system in a 1976 travel trailer and have seen these vents in posts but don't see any parts that match them. The original camper didn't have one. I have all of the other parts for the water system and just looking for this particular part. Thanks!

asked by: Tom L

Expert Reply:

I drew up a little diagram of how RV water systems are typically designed and attached it below to make it easier for you to see each component. I believe what you're referring to is simply just the fresh water tank drain, which you could use part # CAM22243 to tie into your tank and allow it to drain.

The Anti-Siphon valve # A01-0141VP you were looking at simply connects to a Valterra Hydroflush # F02-4100 for you to hook up a garden hose and clean out your black tank.

For the fresh water inlet you could use a gravity fill inlet like # A01-2003VP which would allow water to overflow back out if your tank ended up overfilling. You'll want to use some butyl tape # AL28FJ and no sag sealant # AL28KV when mounting it to your trailer so that water doesn't get through and leak into the wall.

You can throw in a check valve like # 37262195 between the fresh water tank and water pump, but most water pumps, like part # SE57FR, come with an internal check valve. Some times that valve can get stuck open and cause backflow into the fresh water tank, which is probably what you've already read during your research, but it's not something that should regularly happen.

For your city water inlet I recommend getting one with the backflow check valve already included in it like part # 37262165. This one has a surface mount design, which I personally prefer because the recessed mounts make it hard to get a good grip on the threaded nut when attaching/removing your hose.

Other than that I do recommend installing some shut off valves at each accessory (sink, toilet, water heater, etc.) to make it easy to make repairs or swap out parts as needed.

If you have any more questions or need some additional help finding components then please let me know and I can keep looking. If you'd like to send some pictures of your build I'd love to add them to the page so others can use them for their own reference.