Are Any of the Fresh Water Tanks Rated for Pressure?
Updated 11/05/2025 | Published 10/22/2025
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Question:
Are any of the fresh water tanks rated for pressure? I would like for the tank to hold 20 to 30 psi.
asked by: Curtis K
Expert Reply:
That’s a great question, and it’s one that trips a lot of folks up when they start working on their RV water systems.
None of the fresh-water tanks we carry on etrailer are pressure-rated. They’re what’s called “atmospheric” tanks, which means they’re only designed to hold water, not to be pressurized like a home plumbing tank or air tank.
If you were to pump 20–30 psi directly into one of these tanks, the walls would actually start to bulge or crack because they’re not reinforced to handle internal pressure. So, they’re meant to stay at normal air pressure and just act as a water reservoir.
In a typical RV setup, here’s how the pressure part works instead:
The tank simply stores the water.
A 12-volt water pump pulls that water out and creates the pressure (usually around 40–55 psi).
An optional accumulator tank smooths out the pressure and keeps your pump from cycling on and off too quickly.
If you want steady 20–30 psi water flow, you’d use:
A fresh-water tank (any of our standard ones)
A 12-volt pump, like the Lippert Flow Max # LC689052 (50 psi, 3 GPM)
A small accumulator tank, like the Seaflo # SE38FR, to even out flow
That setup will safely give you pressurized water at your faucets, without pressurizing the tank itself.
So, in short:
None of our fresh-water tanks are designed to hold internal pressure. The pressure comes from the pump, not the tank.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Front Runner Water Tank - Rectangular - 17.7 Gallons
- RV Fresh Water Tank
- 11 - 20 Gallons
- 1/2 Inch Fittings
- 31 - 40 Inch Long
- 11 - 20 Inch Tall
- 0 - 10 Inch Wide
- Black
- Front Runner
more information >
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Curtis K.
11/5/2025
Thanks for answering my question and great answer very easy to understand. I agree that is probably the best way adding a pump but that kind of defeats my reason for having the tank. But anyway, great job as always. Ps some of the descriptions say they are not for pressure, but some do not mention it.