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RV Water Hookup: Connecting to Campground Water

How to connect an RV to a campsite water spigot, step by step, with Freedom Rentals’ own video of the hookup.

City water, and why the order matters

Most campgrounds with hookups have a water spigot at each site. Connected to it, the RV runs on what campers call city water: the campground’s pressure pushes water through the RV’s plumbing, so the RV’s own pump and fresh water tank are not needed.

The connection takes a few minutes, and doing it in the right order protects the RV’s plumbing and keeps the drinking water clean.

What you need

  • A hose kept for drinking water only
  • A water pressure regulator
  • An inline water filter, if you use one

Video by Freedom Rentals. It plays from YouTube (privacy-enhanced mode) only when you press play.

Connecting the water, step by step

Six steps from the spigot to the faucet. The video shows the same hookup on the RV.

  1. Flush the spigot

    Run the campground spigot for a few seconds before connecting, to clear out dirt and standing water.

  2. Fit the pressure regulator

    Screw the regulator onto the spigot. Campground pressure varies, and the regulator keeps it within what RV plumbing is built for.

  3. Add the filter, then the hose

    An inline filter goes after the regulator. Then attach the drinking-water hose.

  4. Connect to the RV

    Screw the other end onto the RV’s city water inlet, hand tight.

  5. Turn the water on slowly

    Open the spigot gradually and check each joint for drips. Inside, run a faucet until the water flows steadily, which pushes air out of the lines.

  6. Leave the water pump off

    On city water the pump stays off. Switch it on only when you run from the fresh water tank.

Disconnecting

To disconnect, turn off the spigot, open a faucet inside to release the pressure, then unscrew the hose at both ends and let it drain.

Cap or join the hose ends so it stays clean for the next site.

Watch out for

  • Keep the drinking-water hose well away from the sewer hose and the sewer inlet.
  • If the pressure inside drops, check the regulator and the filter first.
  • In a hard freeze, disconnect the hose overnight; water left in it can freeze and split it.

Water Hookup: questions

Not covered here? Call (210) 899-7016.

All questions about renting
What is city water in an RV?

City water means the RV is connected to a pressurized supply, such as a campsite spigot, instead of using its own fresh water tank and pump.

Do I need a water pressure regulator?

It is the usual advice. Campground pressure varies from site to site, and a regulator keeps it at a level RV plumbing is built for.

Should the water pump be on when I am hooked up?

No. With a city water connection the pump stays off. Turn it on only when you are running from the fresh water tank.

What if my campsite has no water hookup?

Fill the RV’s fresh water tank before you arrive, then switch on the water pump to use it, and keep an eye on the tank level on the control panel.

The other setup guides

Each one comes with Freedom Rentals’ own video.

Plan your RV trip

Call with your dates and what you are planning, Monday to Saturday, 8 AM to 5 PM.

  1. You call (210) 899-7016 with your dates.
  2. You talk it through and get a quote for your dates.
  3. You book and stay out past sunset.
Open
Monday to Saturday, 8 AM to 5 PM
Closed
Sunday, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day

Call for a quote

(210) 899-7016

Monday to Saturday, 8 AM to 5 PM. Closed Sunday, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Or email info@smoaksholdings.com

Have these ready: your dates, what you want to rent, where it is going and how many people.