by Joshua Thomas
RV water pumps make life easier on the road by pumping water when and to where you need them. But they do break down sometimes, and then, you'll need a replacement.
Given the capacities of the pumps in the market and the different sizes and plumbing systems of the different RVs out there, it's obvious that you need the right information to get it right the first time you replace the pump.
This RV water pumps review offers you the information that you need to make that right choice, plus a list of the top offers in the market, to make it easier for you to choose.
Contents
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES |
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1. Shurflo 4008-101-E65 (Best Overall) |
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2. Shurflo 2088-554-144 |
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3. Flojet 03526-144A |
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4. Remco 55Aquajet-ARV |
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5. Seaflo 123ABC |
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6. WFCO Pdsi-130-1240e |
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7. Seaflo 21 Series |
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The Shurflo 4008 series is a well-built and reliable water pump that operates very quietly and comes with other very impressive features.
It's a self-priming pump, thermally-protected, and can run dry without any issues. People also love this pump because it's easy to install and you can even install it in any position you like.
When it comes to power consumption and efficiency, this Shurflo pump also shines. It uses up to 7.5 Amps to pump up to 3 GPM of water and shuts off at a top pressure of 55 PSI.
It will restart at 25 PSI and it additionally comes with thermal overload protection and a 2-year warranty.
Two cons here include its plastic parts and other pump offers that are cheaper. If you want the best, however, then cost should be your only consideration.
Pros
Cons
This Shurflo 2088 series is another top-rated RV water pump, designed to pump up to 3.5 gallons of water per minute, using just 4.5 Amps of electric power.
It features a 3-chamber diaphragm design and includes a 45-PSI shut-off switch, which cuts back in at 25 PSI. The motor features thermal protection and a check valve prevents reverse flow.
This water pump is self-priming up to a 9-ft. Head, it's NSF certified for use with potable water, and Shurflo backs it with a 1-year warranty.
The downside is that you can get cheaper pumps, so choose this offer if you want an energy-saving water pump that's lightweight and additionally versatile enough to allow both horizontal and vertical mounting.
Pros
Cons
This Flojet offer is one of the best RV water pumps that you'll get in the market, for its many beneficial features and advantages.
This starts from its corrosion resistant design, which makes it last longer and to withstand different fluid concentrations. It also comes with noise absorbing mounts, to help reduce its overall operating loudness.
You get a self-priming pump with three chambers and suction lift up to 9 feet. It can also run dry without problems, and Flojet backs it with a 2-year warranty.
The package lacks a filter and it's also worth noting that while this water pump gets made using corrosion-resistant materials, it's in no way a substitute for real marine or salt-water pumps. It will handle a little salty water, but it wouldn't last long in such conditions.
Pros
Cons
The unique feature about this water pump is that it offers a variable speed function that lets it adjust the pumping speed to match the current water demand.
On one hand, it's a high-volume pump with a 5.3 gallons per minute flow rate and 65 PSI pressure. On the other hand, it adjusts to the situation.
It comes with a five-chamber design and is relatively quieter than comparable water pumps. It shuts off between 75 and 85 PSI, which is higher than previous pumps in this review, so get it if you want a high-pressure RV water pump.
Downsides include its way higher price range and its pumping capacity is too much for smaller RVs.
This is the ideal pump for larger RVs. It has a top suction lift of 14 feet, is self-priming, can run dry, and it comes with a 2-year manufacturer warranty.
Pros
Cons
Here's another interesting offer for those on the search for the best 12V RV water pumps. This one comes with a 3-chamber diaphragm design and is ideal for all kinds of water pumping jobs.
It delivers 3.0 Gallons Per Minute at a 45 PSI water pressure, which is ideal for most small to medium-sized RVs. You can also tweak its shut-off pressure level, to further customize it to your needs.
The pump is self-priming and can run dry without issues. Seaflo includes an inlet strainer and adapters for barbed hoses in the package.
This pump is additionally backed by a 4-year warranty, the longest so far in this review. When used on smaller RVs, you can tweak down the pressure to save power, down to where the pump consumes just about 3 Amps.
Pros
Cons
Designed for very quiet operation at a just 3.0 Gallons Per Minute flow rate, this Artis Series water pump from WFCO additionally features corrosion-resistant construction materials.
It draws up to 7 Amps of current at 30 PSI of pressure and shuts off automatically at 40 PSI, making it an ideal pump for smaller systems and campers.
Further features include self-priming up to a 6-feet suction height, a sealed motor design, and a patent-pending diaphragm design with four chambers, which helps the pump to also run dry without getting damaged.
What this package lacks, though, are accessories such as a water filter to prevent debris from damaging the pump.
It's also one of the weakest pumps in this review but it includes thermal protection, back-flow prevention, and it comes backed by a 2-year manufacturer warranty.
Pros
Cons
With a flow rate of just 1.2 GPM and a shut-off pressure of 35 PSI, this is without a doubt, one of the smallest RV water pump in this review.
But that doesn't mean it's no good. On the contrary, it's the best RV water pump for those with small campers or boats. If you've got a mini RV, then you need this mini RV water pump to fit into your rig.
It also measures only 6.5 inches in length and weighs a little over 1 pound. Still, it's self-priming and can deliver suction heights up to 4 feet.
On the other hand, the package includes no accessories and this pump is not ideal for larger RVs.
Still, there's built-in thermal protection, a pressure switch that's fixed at 35 PSI, it is run-dry safe, and Seaflo backs it with an industry-leading 4-year manufacturer warranty.
Pros
Cons
RV water pumps are unique devices with a specific purpose, and this makes it necessary to learn a little about them if you want to make the right choice.
Following are important features and factors to consider when you're picking an RV water pump for your camper.
1. Flow Rate
A pump's flow rate is a method of measuring how much work it does in a given period, and since the pump's job is to pump water, the amount of water that it pumps in a given period is its flow rate.
The flow rate for RV water pumps is usually given in GPM, which stands for Gallons Per Minute. Larger, residential pumps can also get measured in GPH (Gallons Per Hour), but for RV purposes, GPM is enough.
A flow rate of about 3 or 3.5 GPM is often enough for most RV purposes. If you're changing an old pump, then it's easy to look on its label for the right flow rate and then, stick to it.
You don't want to get a pump that's either too powerful or too weak, as it may either cause problems in your camper's plumbing or drain the battery.
2. Pressure
Water pressure gets measured in PSI, which stands for Pounds per Square Inch. It's closely related to flow rate but it has a double function when it comes to RV water pumps.
The first function is that a higher water pressure means an increased flow rate, and this lets you get enough water around your camper. A range of 60 to 75 PSI is ideal for most rigs.
The second function is with the on-demand feature of RV water pumps. They measure the pressure in the pipe and will stop pumping if it's higher than a given threshold, such as when you close the faucet.
The pump will also resume pumping once the pressure falls below another threshold. So, if you open a faucet, the pressure falls and the pump switches back on.
3. Amps/Power
Most RV water pumps run on the 12 Volts power supply that you find in automobiles. So, the difference between the models here is their current consumption.
Current gets measured in Amps and when multiplied by 12 Volts will give you the power consumption of the pump in Watts.
While most RV water pumps have their power consumption in acceptable ranges, you may want to opt for a lower-powered version if you've got power consumption issues.
4. Noise Level
All RV water pumps will produce a certain level of noise, but they are usually within tolerable limits. This makes it unnecessary to worry about the noise.
If, however, you end up with a very noisy RV water pump that you can't bear, then it's probably broken. If it's still under warranty, then it's best to get it replaced.
5. Energy Consumption
You also need to keep an eye on the pump's energy consumption because most RVs only have so much energy to offer. So, what you need is an energy-efficient pump that delivers as much water as possible, while using as little electricity as possible.
Sine nearly all RV water pumps run on 12 Volts, you'll just need to look at how much current the pump draws, which is given in Amps or amperes, then compare it to its flow rate, which is given in GPM.
6. Warranty & Price
A good product usually comes with a good warranty and often at a higher cost, as well. So, it's left for you here to choose your balance between price and quality.
Making repairs is an inevitable part of RVing and something that you too will have to do at one point. So, whether you're new to RVing or you've been on the road for all your life, you'll need this guide to help you fix your water pump when it starts misbehaving,
Remember, however, that when your water pump breaks down beyond repair, it might be a good time to replace it with a new one.
Following are the most frequent scenarios and questions, followed by their troubleshooting and fixing guides.
Ans: There are many reasons for such a situation and it can include a low water level in the tank, an air leak in the suction line, a punctured pump diaphragm, or a worn-out pump impeller.
You'll need to troubleshoot the system to find out which of the reasons is responsible. First, check all the water lines to make sure they're not clogged, then the hose clamps, drive belt, and other parts of the pump.
Read More: 10 Best Hose Clamp Pliers
Ans: If you open a faucet or the shower and the pump doesn't go on at all, it could be a result of either a bad pump motor or issues with the electrical system and wiring.
Check to make sure that the master switch is actually on. Also, make sure that there's no blown fuse and that the battery has enough charge to power the pump. Then check the overall wiring of the pump to make sure that nothing is loose.
Ans: When this happens, then the pressure switch has either become defective or there's a leak somewhere in the system.
To solve the problem, check that there are no water leaks. Check the faucets, toilet valves, internal pump leak, and other parts of the plumbing lines that could possibly be leaking.
Ans: Sputtering water means one thing and that's air. You'll need to find the source of air in the air and get rid of it. There could be an air leak in the suction side, or in the lines somewhere. You'll need to repair any leaks and bleed any air in the lines.
Ans: Worn out parts and loose mounting bolts are often responsible for loud RV water pumps. The pump's intake line could also be restricted in one way or the other.
Check the pump and tighten all loose bolts and drive pulleys. Make sure that the pump is properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions and replace any worn out bushings with new ones.
We've reached the end of this RV water pumps review but there's no product recommendation because all the best pumps you saw above are each designed for specific purposes.
It's left for you, therefore, to make your choice, because you are the only one who knows which water pump offer best meets your RV or camping needs.
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About Joshua Thomas
Joshua Thomas just simply loves cars and willing to work on them whenever there's chance... sometimes for free.
He started CarCareTotal back in 2017 from the advices of total strangers who witnessed his amazing skills in car repairs here and there.
His goal with this creation is to help car owners better learn how to maintain and repair their cars; as such, the site would cover alot of areas: troubleshooting, product recommendations, tips & tricks.
Joshua received Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at San Diego State University.
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