Connecting to water at a campground is one of the first hands-on skills new RVers learn, and it is more straightforward than it looks. This guide covers how to hook up and disconnect from a campground water supply, how to use your RV’s fresh water tank when no hookup is available, and what happens to water once it goes down the drain.
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Key Takeaways
- Always attach a water pressure regulator to the campground spigot before connecting your hose. Campground water pressure can spike high enough to damage RV plumbing.
- Use a white or blue hose rated for drinking water. Never use a standard garden hose for your fresh water connection.
- The city water inlet and the fresh water tank fill port are two separate connections on the exterior of the RV.
- When no hookup is available, the RV’s water pump draws water from the onboard fresh water tank.
- Wastewater drains into one of two tanks: gray water from sinks and showers, black water from the toilet.
What You Need Before Connecting
Before hooking up to a campground water supply, have the following on hand:
- A white or blue potable water hose rated for drinking water use
- A water pressure regulator
- An inline water filter (optional but recommended)
Why a water pressure regulator matters: Campground water systems vary widely in pressure. Most RV experts recommend keeping incoming pressure between 40 and 55 PSI, with 60 PSI as a general upper limit. Some campground systems deliver pressure well beyond that, and spikes can blow fittings, crack water heater tanks, and damage toilet valves. A pressure regulator, which screws directly onto the campground spigot before the hose connects, prevents that from happening. It is inexpensive and worth carrying on every trip.
How to Connect to a Campground Water Hookup
Generally speaking, if you’re staying at a campground that offers hookups, connecting to the water hookup on your site is the easiest way to get running water in your rig. All you need to do is connect your hose to their water hookup and turn on the spigot to have clean running water at all of your RV faucets.
Here’s how to do it:
- Find the hose
Find the freshwater drinking hose for your RV, motorhome, or trailer. This will be white or blue and should only be used for drinking water.
- Attach a regulator
Attach a water pressure regulator to one end of the hose to protect your water line from too much pressure.
- Connect to the campground water supply
Screw the other side of the pressure regulator into the campground water supply hookup, so the hose is connected to the spigot.
- Connect to the RV
Connect the other end of the water hose to the RV city water hookup. Usually, there is a label on the outside of the RV to indicate where this is.
- Turn on the water
Turn the water on by lifting the level or turning the knob at the spigot.
- Check pressure
Check the water pressure at the sinks and shower and adjust as needed.
- Turn on the water heater
Turn on your RV water heater if wanted.
Expert Tip: The city water inlet and the fresh water tank fill port are two separate connections on the outside of your RV. The city water inlet connects directly to your plumbing and provides running water throughout the rig while you are hooked up. The fill port feeds water into your onboard storage tank for use when no hookup is available. Check the labels before connecting.
How to Disconnect from a Campground Water Hookup
Disconnecting from the campground water spigot is just as easy as hooking up. Follow the steps below, and you’ll be ready to hit the road.
- Turn the water heater off.
- Turn off the water at the spigot.
- Detach the freshwater hose from the RV city water inlet by turning it counterclockwise.
- Disconnect the hose from the spigot, making sure your water pressure regulator comes with it.
- Lift the hose to ensure any leftover water drains out before coiling it and putting it away.
- If your city water inlet includes a plug to keep debris out, be sure to replace this before hitting the road.
Adding a Water Filter to Your Freshwater Hose
Because campground water isn’t always the best drinking water, many RVers choose to use water filters, cleaning all water before it ever enters their rig. If you wish to add a water filter to your setup, we recommend buying an inline filter that screws into place between the water hookup and the freshwater hose. These twist into place quickly and easily and are super simple to replace when the time comes.
Connecting to Water at Home
Want to use your RV water while parked at home? You can also use the spigot on the outside of your house to get running water to your RV. Simply follow the instructions above, using the faucet outside of your home rather than the campground RV water hookup, and you’ll be in business.
Don’t want to use your outside faucet for your RV? It is also possible to add a dedicated RV water hookup to your yard.
How to Use the RV Fresh Water Tank
When camping without hookups, the onboard fresh water tank provides all the water for the rig. The tank should be filled before leaving somewhere with a water source. When the tank is in use, the RV’s water pump draws water through the plumbing system whenever a tap is opened.
Water conservation becomes important when relying on the tank, since you may not have many refill opportunities, depending on where you are camping.
To get a clear difference between city water and a tank water fill check out this helpful video:
Using RV Wastewater Tanks
After water is used inside the RV, it drains into one of two holding tanks.
The Gray Water Tank
The gray water tank collects drainage from all sinks and the shower. This includes water from brushing teeth, washing dishes, and bathing.
The Black Water Tank
The black water tank holds waste from the RV toilet. It is a sealed holding tank, separate from the gray water system, and requires disposal at a designated dump station or campsite sewer hookup.
At the end of a trip, or when either tank is near capacity, both tanks should be emptied at a dump station. Many campgrounds have a dump station on-site, and some sites include a direct sewer hookup for draining tanks without moving the rig.
Frequently Asked Questions About RV Water Hookups
Yes, you always need a water pressure regulator. Campground water pressure is unpredictable, and even a brief pressure spike can damage RV plumbing. A regulator is one of the least expensive and most important pieces of equipment to keep in your kit.
The city water inlet connects directly to the RV’s plumbing and supplies running water throughout the rig while you are hooked up to an external source. The fill port feeds water into the onboard storage tank for use when no hookup is available. They are separate connections, usually labeled on the exterior of the RV.
No, you can’t use a regular garden hose to supply your RV potable water. Standard garden hoses can leach chemicals into the water supply. Use a white or blue hose specifically rated for drinking water.
You will need to locate a potable water source to refill your water tank. Campendium is a useful resource for finding water sources along common RV routes. Planning fill stops in advance is advisable on longer off-grid trips.
It is good practice to dump the black tank first and the gray tank second. The gray water helps flush any residue from the sewer hose.
If you’re ready to put your new knowledge to the test, browse RV rentals on RVshare and find a rig for your next trip.
