When you buy a travel trailer or motorhome, chances are one of the things you’re most looking forward to is being able to travel with your bathroom and all of the amenities it includes. Unfortunately, RV bathroom sinks don’t always last forever, meaning you might just find yourself shopping for a replacement at some point.
Learn everything you need to know about RV and travel trailer sinks, so you can buy the perfect replacement sink for your rig.
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What Makes an RV Bathroom Sink Different?
What makes an RV bathroom sink different from a regular sink, anyway?
Well, RV sinks are specially made to work with your RV’s plumbing system, which utilizes PVC or flexible pipelines rather than rigid metal pipes you might find in some buildings. RV sinks may also be sized differently to accommodate the smaller living quarters of a travel trailer or motorhome, or shaped to fit specifically in the truncated space of your rig.
Types of RV Sinks
Okay, so there are differences between RV sinks and the sinks you find in a house, but can you put a regular sink in an RV? Yes, you can! So long as the sink you’re looking at fits the dimensions of the sink you want to replace in your RV, any sink will work with your RV’s plumbing system.
RV sinks come in a wide array of sizes and types but can be pared down into a few distinct categories based on the material they’re made of. Some of the most common RV sink types include:
- Plastic
- Acrylic
- Stainless Steel
- Solid Surface
Plastic RV Sinks
Plastic sinks are what you will find in most entry-level travel trailers. These help keep weight and costs down, but unfortunately, they don’t age well and most end up stained, scratched, dinged, and even melted in spots after just a few months of heavy use.
Luckily, replacing a plastic sink with another plastic sink is relatively inexpensive and is an easy way to make an older trailer look a whole lot nicer. These RV sinks range from about $12.00-$30.00 USD depending on the style and size.
Acrylic RV Sinks
Another option if you need to replace a plastic sink? Upgrade to an acrylic one!
Acrylic RV sinks are a step above the plastic-type. They are heat-molded and backed with fiberglass, come in tons of colors, and provide protection from chipping. Even if a chip does happen, it can be easily repaired as these sinks are the same color all the way through. As an added bonus, an acrylic RV sink will also resist stains in most situations.
Prices on acrylic RV sinks range from $40 to $150 or more depending on the size and style.
Stainless Steel RV Sinks
Stainless sinks are easy to sanitize and polish up and are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. They use metals, such as nickel, to protect against the elements and are stain-resistant. Unfortunately though, these sinks can scratch and may even dent on occasion if abused.
One of the best things about stainless steel RV sinks is that they provide a true residential feel at an affordable price. MSRP on these sinks ranges from $40 to $150 or more depending on the size and style.
Note: Stainless steel sinks should be cared for using a specialized stainless cleaner. Be sure to check the ingredients of the cleanser and make sure they are safe for your gray tanks!
Solid-Surface RV Sinks
An upscale option, solid-surface sinks will make you feel right at home. These sinks are chemically-bonded to create a smooth, unified, one-piece look. They do not have any grout lines or areas where bacteria and mold can gather. Solid-surface sinks are also easy-to-clean and resist penetration and stains.
Prices for solid-surface sinks range from $75.00 to $500 and remember, these sinks need professional installation.
How to Measure for an RV Sink
Obviously, you will need to know what size RV bathroom sink to buy. This is pretty straightforward for drop-in sinks (which is what the vast majority of RV bathrooms have), but we’ve included some instructions below to help you out.
- Start by measuring the sink from left to right. You’ll want the measurement from the outside of the sink lip on one side to the outside of the sink lip on the other side.
- Next, measure from front to back using the same method.
- To get the depth of your sink, measure from the deepest point to where it meets the countertop.
How to Install an RV Bathroom Sink
Now to install your new sink! This is a job pretty much anyone with a decent tool bag can do, but you will want to make sure to set aside enough time to get it done.
- Turn the water off at the spigot and make sure your water pump is turned off.
- Remove the drain line under the RV bathroom sink by unscrewing and loosening fittings. If your faucet is connected to the sink itself or if the faucet is in the way of removing the sink, you will also have to disconnect the water lines.
- Use a screwdriver to remove the brackets that are holding the sink in place.
- Using a razor blade, carefully work your way around the lip of the sink to separate any putty or glue that may be holding the sink in the vanity.
- If the faucet is in the way of popping the sink out, remove the faucet.
- Once all obstructions are removed, pull the sink out of its hole.
- Clean up any glue or putty that is left behind on the vanity.
- Place the new sink in the hole.
- Seal around the sink with a snake of plumber’s putty under the sink lip or silicone sealant.
- Reattach the drain, making sure the connection is snug.
- Reinstall the faucet and/or water lines if necessary.
Where to Buy RV Sinks From
RV sinks are available from a wide range of vendors, including specialty camping stores such as Camping World and RecPro as well as online shopping venues like Amazon. Another option is to try to find a household sink at Lowe’s or Home Depot that will fit in your space.
We recommend shopping around in several locations while searching for your RV sink because that will give you the best chance of finding a great sink at a great price.
Questions to Ask Before an RV Sink Purchase
Replacing an RV sink can be a quick and easy way to make an appreciable upgrade. That said, if you don’t need a new RV sink, it’s not necessarily a great use of your money.
Here are some questions to ask yourself before you decide if you need a new travel trailer sink, and possibly a faucet, or not.
- What type of sinks does your RV currently have?
- Are your sinks discolored, stained, or chipped?
- Are your sinks big enough for your needs?
- Do you have built-in sink covers? Do you want them?
By assessing the answers to these questions, you’ll be better situated to figure out whether or not you actually need to purchase a new RV sink.
If you do decide to replace your RV bathroom sink (and even if you don’t, really) you may also want to consider replacing your RV faucet. This will really add to the upgrade and complete the look.
Now that your RV sinks are shiny and new, why not list your RV for rent on RVShare, so others can enjoy the upgrade as much as you do?
