[Backpack Brain]

Boondocking & Water Pumps—How to Make Your Fresh Tank Last

If you’ve ever tried boondocking for more than a few days, you know that water conservation is key. You start questioning every drop—“Do I really need to rinse this plate, or can I just wipe it clean with a paper towel?”

Here are some pump-friendly water-saving hacks I’ve picked up:
✔️ Install a low-flow showerhead. Keeps the pressure nice while using less water.
✔️ Turn the pump off between uses. Keeps small leaks from slowly draining your tank.
✔️ Fill a jug for drinking water. Saves you from running the pump just for a quick sip.
✔️ Do “navy showers.” Get wet, turn the water off, soap up, then rinse. No long, steamy showers unless you’re at a full hookup!

I used to run out of water in 2-3 days. Now, I can stretch my fresh tank to a week with these tricks—though I’ll admit, by day seven, I’m reeeeeally craving a long, proper shower.

[Wild Frontier]

If you’ve got a factory-installed water pump in your RV, chances are it’s… fine. Just fine. But if you’re tired of weak pressure or annoying cycling, upgrading to a higher GPM pump might be the best decision you make for your plumbing system.

I recently switched from a standard 3 GPM pump to a 5.5 GPM model, and let me tell you—it’s like I unlocked a new level of RV luxury. No more trickling showers, no more sink struggles when someone flushes the toilet, just solid, reliable water pressure.

But before upgrading, check these things:
✅ Can your plumbing handle the PSI increase? (Most RVs are fine up to 60 PSI.)
✅ Does your battery have enough power? Higher flow pumps can draw more amps.
✅ Will you need an accumulator tank? Some pumps cycle less with one.

If you want your RV water system to feel more like home, a pump upgrade might be the missing piece. Just be warned—once you experience better pressure, there’s no going back!

[Van Life Vibes]

Do You Really Need an Accumulator Tank? (Short Answer: Maybe!)

Ever turn on your faucet and get that weird pulsing water flow? That’s because some RV water pumps cycle on and off instead of running smoothly. The fix? An accumulator tank.

I didn’t think I needed one until I installed it—and wow, what a difference. No more random pump cycling, less noise, and smoother water pressure all around. It also helps the pump last longer since it reduces how often it turns on and off.

Not everyone needs one, but if you:
✔️ Have a pump that cycles a lot
✔️ Get uneven water flow
✔️ Want to reduce pump noise
… then an accumulator tank might be a cheap and easy upgrade. I picked up a small one for about $30, installed it in 15 minutes, and now my pump runs like a dream. Worth every penny!

[Author]

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