Water is the most challenging resource to store in a recreational vehicle. Unlike electricity, which has no mass, except for the batteries that store it, water is heavy in large volumes. The average RV can hold around 30 to 50 gallons of water, while the big 40-foot rigs can store up to 100 gallons.
If we convert that to kilogram at 3.79 kg per gallon of water, that’s 189 kg on average and 379 kg at the most. It’s almost like you have a horse riding with you in your RV. But it isn’t something we can address at the moment.
Until a technology that allows us to store matter in an interdimensional capsule, our only option is to innovate an RV’s ability to carry such a load. But the weight of water is the least of our concerns since RVs are built with the relevant capacity.
Where to get that much water and how to draw it out of the tap and shower worry RV owners more. After all, it’s fresh and clean water we’re talking about, and it doesn’t come cheap.
Water sources for your RV
You can supply fresh water in your RV in two ways. One is through the city water connection, and the other is by storing fresh water in the tank. The former is only applicable if you park where a spigot is available, while the latter is ideal when you don’t have access to external water sources.
Most campsites and RV parks have dedicated spigots for city water connection, which is why most RV travelers prefer parking on them to camping out. But they use their fresh water tank when they camp somewhere isolated and distant from a clean body of water.
How do you draw water from your tank?
Do you know the difference between city water and the water in your RV’s tank? City water doesn’t need a pump to flow through your RV’s pipes and faucets because it already has pressure from the outside spigot.
Fresh water does. Thankfully, RV’s with fresh water tanks come with a water pump. If your RV doesn’t have one, you can buy one from a dealership or an aftermarket store. How much water pressure is in your pipes depends on your water pump’s capacity.
While low pressure may help you save water as it only allows you to get as much as you need, it can also slow you down, which isn’t ideal. So it’s crucial to pick a water pump that can pressurize your water enough to supply you with what you need without waste.
The outdoor recreation industry has spawned various trades and enterprises over the years, providing solutions that improve the functionality of RVs, from engines and slide-outs to awnings and solar panels. But one particular product that has become an essential component of RVs and initiated its own successful industry is the water pump.
Of all the water pump manufacturers serving the RV market, Shurflo has stood the test of time by maintaining a reputation for quality and performance. They’ve been building superior fresh water pumps for RVs since 1968. Their inventions are also used for boats and industrial applications.
If you’re still deciding on your replacement fresh water pump brand, consider how long the brand has been around.
Establishment tells a lot about the quality of the product and the innovation included in the product design. You can never go wrong with Shurflo fresh water pumps.
What’s the difference between Shurflo 2088 vs 4008 water pump?
Shurflo has created many top-quality and high-efficiency products over the years. Two of its prime offerings to the RV community are the Shurflo 2088 and the Shurflo 4008 series.
If you have yet to check your fresh water pump, you can guess that it’s either of these two popular brands. (Your fresh water pump is supposed to be two feet from the fresh water tank, so it’s likely under your cabinet, bed, or floorboard) Now let’s look closely at our two featured brands in this blog.
Shurflo 2088
Many RV owners prefer the Shurflo 2088 for its suitability for moderate-pressure applications, including the RV water supply. It is a diaphragm pump designed to support systems that require flows of up to 4.0 GPM or 14.4 L/min.
You can mount it in any position, although you must consider the components in its surrounding and the accessibility of its compartment. The Shurflo 2088 is self-priming and has a built-in check valve.
Self-priming means it has working components that trap fluids in its body to prevent it from returning to the suction side when it’s not in use. This makes operations more convenient and less complicated.
On the other hand, the built-in check valve prevents water flowing into the pipe from going in a different direction. You don’t have to switch on this fresh water pump whenever you need to use a faucet or the shower. Instead, it is automatic demand, meaning it kicks on when you turn on a water-conveying fixture in your RV.
It is also proven durable, thanks to its chemically resistant body. It will accumulate dust and dirt, but it won’t deteriorate quickly, even when exposed to certain harsh chemicals.
Shurflo 4008
Another reliable fresh water pump from Shurflo that you can use in your RV is the 4008 series. Like the 2088, it is an automatic demand pump, which enables you to use your plumbing fixtures continuously.
The pump runs when you switch on a faucet and shuts off when you’re done. It is also built to last, thanks to its internal bypass system. Furthermore, the Shurflo 4008 operates more quietly than most other fresh water pumps.
You will hear a slight churning sound, but it’s not loud enough to annoy you. This pump also has thermal protection, which trips off the circuit breaker or blows a fuse to prevent damage from overheating.
There will be instances when the pump runs out of fluid and operates dry. This strains the pump’s components as they move and push air instead of fluid. But the Shurflo 4008 is different. It is designed with a safe distance between components that it can run dry without sustaining damage.
When to replace your water pump
Before choosing between these two excellent fresh water pumps, make sure you really need a new unit. Otherwise, you’re wasting a significant amount of useful life, which is equivalent to a negative return on investment. Inspect your old pump thoroughly and determine whether it can be fixed and how long it will take before the issue recurs.
The most apparent sign that you need a new fresh water pump is when the old unit makes noises you’ve never heard before. Excessive vibrations usually accompany this noise. A significant pressure drop also indicates that the pump is no longer performing at optimal levels. But this can sometimes be caused by a clog in the filter.
Ultimately, consider your fresh water pump’s age. If it’s at least five years old, you should start saving for a new pump because it will begin to act up soon. One age-related red flag to watch out for is a leak, which could mean severe wear and tear. If you need to replace your fresh water pump, look no further.
Either the Shurflo 2088 or the Shurflo 4008 can meet your water supply needs as long as you have a compatible plumbing connection. However, it would be good to consult with a plumbing expert specializing in RVs to make an informed choice.
