An RV water pressure regulator is needed if you’re going to hook your motorhome or camper up to an outside water source or water spigot. If you don’t install a pressure regulator on your RV water input, you could essentially over-pressurize your RV’s water system and burst the pex lines or water pipes causing thousands of dollars in damage to your motorhome or camper!

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Why an RV Water Pressure Regulator is a NECESSITY for ALL Campers & Motorhomes!

Why your RV needs a water pressure regulator

When hooking up your motorhome or camper to an external water source, you typically screw on your water hose to a water spigot.

However, depending on the water pressure at any given water spigot, you could be sacked with thousands of dollars worth of damage to your RV if you don’t take precautions.

We’ve been to several campgrounds where the water pressure was so great that we actually sprung a leak inside our fifth wheel’s basement cargo compartment.

After diagnosing where the leak came from, we learned the high water pressure split one of our pex lines and clamp.

Luckily, we found the damage immediately and Dan was able to repair it. It didn’t take us but that one bad experience to research what we’d need to do to never have it happen again.

And, the answer was simple actually. We needed an RV water pressure regulator.

How to install a water pressure gauge properly

First, we screw on our 2-way Y water hose splitter that allows us to hook up fresh water hose and a second hose for other things.

The Y-hose splitter we have also has valves so we can close each connection as needed.

Brass Hose Splitter

All Metal Body Hose Splitter

We, then, attach our RV water pressure gauge to one side of the Y splitter. After which, screw on our RV potable water hose, that comes in white or blue, to the water pressure regulator that controls the water flow into our RV.

We then attach the other end of the hose to our RV water filter connected to a flexible hose connector that leads into our RV water port. 

Now, no more worries of water pressure unsuspectingly bursting our RV water pex lines or damaging our the water pump.

Of course, when we traded our fifth wheel to our Winnebago View Class C motorhome, our water pressure regulator came with us.

How are RV water pressure gauges designed?

Our preferred water pressure regulator is designed with standard 3/4 inch garden hose threads and NH threads.

They are universal and compatible with all American water sources and supply. 

There are three parts that make up an RV’s water system when connected to a faucet. Those three parts include a water pressure regulator, a Y valve, and vacuum breaker.

The water pressure can be clearly seen on the gauge. So, no more guessing at how much water pressure comes into your RV water system.

A good quality pressure gauge should be tested to contain less than 0.13% lead, well under the NSF lead-free requirements of 0.25%.

Also, the gauge should include a dual-layer inlet screen filter to help to filter particles to prevent impurity blocking and valve body damage.

The built in oil design in the water pressure regulator gauge itself can dampen vibrations of internal parts or sudden pressure changes and to prolong the lifespan of gauge.

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What exactly does a water pressure regulator do?

A water pressure regulator or pressure gauge helps to protect your RV from water sources with exuberant water pressure. 

Our water pressure regulator came configured for 45 PSI. We prefer it because it has a visual gauge and it’s adjustable so we can set the PSI. 

What are the different types of water pressure regulators for RVs?

There’s a few different types of water pressure regulators on the market.

Inline Water Pressure Reducer

There’s an inline water pressure reducer that may do the job.

However, this type of regulator is non adjustable and it does not have the visual pressure gauge so you can read how much pressure is going into your RV water system.

They are also typically set at 40-50 PSI. Again, you can’t vary the pressure. Hence, why it’s much cheaper.

Plastic Water Pressure Regulator

If you’re just a weekend camper and don’t want to be bothered with monitoring your water pressure, you could always go with the most economical water pressure regulator made of durable ABS plastic construction.

It allegedly stops damage to the RV water hose, pump or internal lines from inconsistent water pressure in campgrounds by reducing water pressure to a safe and consistent 40-50 lbs of pressure.

And it too, is compliant with all federal and state level low lead laws. CSA Low Lead Content Certified to NSF/ANSI 372.

However, this is one of those ‘you get what you pay for’ RV accessories. We’ve read reviews of it not being ideal as it may leak at connection points.

Brass Hi-Flow Water Regulator

This high quality brass water pressure regulator is resistant to high pressure, safety and bursting your RV water lines and water system.

You can adjust the pressure to keep the water pressure of 40 to 50 PSI.

This lesser model of water pressure regulator is easy to install and use and is suitable with all 3/4″ hose threads.

The stainless steel filter screen protects the valve. The durable lead-free structure ensures the safety of drinking water. And, like all water regulators, it has a CSA low lead content certification.

But, like the others listed above, it still doesn’t have the visual gauge to read the exact pressure of water going into your RV’s water system.

MAX Flow RV Water Pressure Regulator

The Max Flow RV water pressure regulator provides up to 18 gallons per minute of unrestricted water flow.

Although other RV regulators effectively reduce pressure to a safe PSI, they often drastically reduce flow.

For example, 10 GPM (Gallons Per Minute) input at the source could be reduced to as little as 4 GPM at the output of a typical RV regulator.

With the Max Flow Regulator 10 GPM is maintained at the output. The Max Flow Regulator consistently maintains ideal safe water pressure without the need for adjustment or monitoring of gauges.

But, based on our experience, we prefer the visual gauge so we can ensure the proper water pressure that’s going into our RV water system.

Camco Brass Water Pressure Regulator with Gauge

The Camco Brass Water Pressure Regulator with Gauge helps protect your RV plumbing and hoses from damage caused by high-pressure city water. This pressure regulator attaches easily with convenient 0.75″ garden hose treads.

It features an easy-to-read gauge. Green color on the gauge indicates that the regulated pressure is between 40-50 psi. The pressure is factory preset at 40-50lbs per square inch. Maximum incoming pressure is 125 PSI.

On a good note though, this water pressure regulator does have a pressure gauge visual reading display.

However, the one thing we’re not in favor of regarding this particular regulator is it doesn’t display the exact pressure according to number; just low (yellow), green (which I assume is perfect pressure) and high pressure (red).  

Valterra RV Water Pressure Regulator

Our clear winner in all of the RV water pressure regulators is the Valterra RV Water Regulator. But, admittedly, it comes at a much higher cost.

That said, because we’ve believe in Valterra’s products even before RVing, we trust their brand to provide a quality water pressure regulator. And no, we didn’t get paid to say that.

Compared to other similar models, Valterra’s adjustable regulator stands alone. While yes, it’s on the high end of MSRPs, we know that our RV water system is protected.

Similar to the others of this model type, this versatile water pressure regulator is compatible with standard campers, RV’s, trailers, boats, and even home.

It regulates water pressure to your preferred PSI with pressure gauge. It’s made of lead-free brass, is rust-resistant and durable for years of quality use.

And speaking of lead-free, its’ construction conforms with federal and state laws for drinking water fixtures for your family’s safety.

It attaches to the campground water spigot and reduces the water pressure that feeds through the water hose into the RV.

✰✰ PRO TIP ✰✰ Check out our review and how we mounted our Valterra RV Sewer Hose Storage  on our motorhome.

Do water pressure regulators wear out?

Generally speaking, most water regulator valves have a life span of about 5 years.

However, if you’re in regions of the country with high concentrations of lime scale and harsh chemical additives in the water source, you may have to replace it sooner. Also, it depends how often you use it.

Our’s lasted about 5 years before having to replace our RV water pressure regulator.

If you have recently noticed any abrupt changes in the water pressure in your home, an internal component in your pressure regulator may have failed.

Tell-tale signs that your RV water pressure regulator may need replacing:

• • Low or fluctuating water pressure
  • No or very little water pressure
  • Hammering or vibrating noises in your RV water system
  • High water pressure even after adjusting the screw valve

Sometimes dirt, debris and lime scale buildup from hard water can cause the pressure relief valve (PRV) to jam or close. 

Water pressure regulator valves are fairly easy to clean. You also can clean and replace the removable valve spool. 

In my opinion, you shouldn’t be poking and prodding inside the valve. Otherwise, you may damage the spring mechanism that allows it the pressure regulator to close.

While you can inspect the valve to see if it needs to be cleaned out, it may be more feasible to just replace the regulator all together.

How to take care of your water pressure regulator

It’s important to take care of your water regulator.

First, since this water component touches the very water that you or your family may drink, always keep clean and sanitize it before hooking it up to any water source. Also, clean and sanitize the water source or spigot itself before hooking up your water pressure regulator.

If your water pressure regulator has the oil filled visual gauge, take precautions not to drop or ding it. Also, since brass is a soft metal, be careful not to knick or chip the screw threads.

It’s always a good idea to keep spare hose washers or washers with filters in your RV tool kit to replace as needed.

It’s best to store it in a sealed plastic zipper bag in the original box or padded envelope to protect it from damage and bugs, dirt or debris from getting inside the valve housing.

Friendly reminder, after disconnecting your water hose(s) from the spigot, make certain you disconnect your water pressure gauge and store it before leaving your campsite.

Otherwise, you’ve just gifted the next camper your prized regulator. (Trust me, this has happened to us TWICE! Merry Christmas to them!).

Final thoughts on why your RV needs a water pressure regulator

Here’s your takeaway on RV water pressure regulators. You get what you pay for. If you really aren’t too concerned about the water pressure coming into your RV, then perhaps going for a less expensive regulator is the answer.

However, if you relocate your motorhome, fifth wheel or travel trailer to many different campgrounds that have varying water pressures, then spend the money to get a high quality regulator.

It’s one of those ‘buy once cry once’ scenarios. If you cheap out now, you may end up paying a much heftier price later with repairs to your RV’s water system, burst hoses, labor and supplies.

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