City Water For Fresh Water Tank

[ColoradoPolyCouple]

We currently live in our 1999 Thor Windsport (No Slides). We filled our fresh water tank and it leaked out within a couple of days. We were told that there might be a valve we turn on or off to use city water, to where it doesn't fill the fresh water tank and just leak out again. We recently found our fresh water tank under the bedside table on the driver's side, but we didn't see anything like a valve. What we're wondering is if we hook up to city water (Our own external tank), if that will bypass the fresh water tank or not.



We have lived in our rig since October, and we have driven thirty miles to fill up 5 gal. and 1 gal. jugs about every three weeks. And in the winter time that can be a drag. If you know how or if we can bypass the fresh water tank and have running water from an outside tank, any info would be appreciated.

[saddlesore]

Our former coach was the Thor/FourWinds Infinity,[ frilly sister of the Hurricane/Windsport] floor plan 34-H.
Our coach had a separate fill connection [had a big opening for a water hose to be inserted] for the fresh tank and another one for direct hookup to a city water source.. If I remember correctly the city water and the fresh connections were outside at the left [drivers side] rear corner.. and the fresh water tank was across the rear of the coach..

Now There "should" be two one way "Check valves " at or near the junction of where the city water plumbing and the 12v water pump join.. One to prevent the city water source from filling the fresh tank and another to prevent the 12v pump from pushing water out the city hose connection.

[Mr Sunshine]

Have you checked with Thor for your schematics? Have you located the 12volt pump? The plumbing schematic just might answer your questions.

[lwmcguir]

Originally Posted by ColoradoPolyCouple

We currently live in our 1999 Thor Windsport (No Slides). We filled our fresh water tank and it leaked out within a couple of days. We were told that there might be a valve we turn on or off to use city water, to where it doesn't fill the fresh water tank and just leak out again. We recently found our fresh water tank under the bedside table on the driver's side, but we didn't see anything like a valve. What we're wondering is if we hook up to city water (Our own external tank), if that will bypass the fresh water tank or not.



We have lived in our rig since October, and we have driven thirty miles to fill up 5 gal. and 1 gal. jugs about every three weeks. And in the winter time that can be a drag. If you know how or if we can bypass the fresh water tank and have running water from an outside tank, any info would be appreciated.

Tank drain valve closed?

Follow the lines and look for the wet areas

[Redsand]

Our rig is some six years newer but should be very similar. City water hookup should not fill the tank so if you have access that should be fine.

[10scDust]

Originally Posted by Redsand

... City water hookup should not fill the tank, so if you have access, that should be fine.

On ours city water did bleed through and over-flowed the fresh water onboard tank.

To solve the easiest way: I shut the valve that supplies the fresh water pump from the fresh water tank. That same valve you need to have shut when you winterize and open the auxiliary line you put into the anti-freeze jug.
We just need to re-open said valve when we rely on onboard water supply.

[Redsand]

I was never able to get the plumbing schematics for ours but I think we must have an auto check valve to prevent city water from entering the storage tank otherwise anytime city water was used the tank would overflow. Interesting though. I'll have to look into the system for sure. No manual valve on ours that I know of.

[10scDust]

Originally Posted by Redsand

I was never able to get the plumbing schematics for ours but I think we must have an auto check valve to prevent city water from entering the storage tank otherwise anytime city water was used the tank would overflow. Interesting though. I'll have to look into the system for sure. No manual valve on ours that I know of.

I'm no expert on all the different arrangements they make in their RVs, with that said, I would have to imagine there is a valve to turn off supply to the fresh water pump.
Otherwise, what would you do to winterize the lines. Not recommended to put the RV anti-freeze into the fresh water tank when winterizing the lines.

I would locate the FW pump and trace the line back to the tank. Somewhere along that line should be a tee with 2 ways having a valve. The one should go to a long. un-connected water hose, which is the one for getting the RV anti-freeze into the system. The other valve is the cut-off from the FW tank.

You may be aware of these valves if you do your own winterizing. If you don't, ask the service person who does it for you to show you.

I've read on threads here, the check valve may have debris in it, keeping it from performing properly.

For me, it was simpler to just shut that line off, from FW tank to FW pump, than it was to start taking things apart looking for why and what.
Just saying, somebody else had mentioned it and it worked for me.

Another quirk with us is, we bring most of the fresh water for cooking & consumption with us, either in water coolers, or purchased bottled water.
We feel we have no control over the source you hook up to and quality of the water when using the "city" hook-up. So much so we bring a regular garden hose and not worry about it, that water we use for cleaning and the toilet.

It's like the old saying used about many a place: "It's a nice place to visit, just don't drink the water!"
Montezuma's revenge.... oh my!

To each their own, but I hope you figure something out, then let us know here so it may help someone else in the future.

edit: In our Outlaw, the door below the refrigerator (at one time I believe was a panel), is where we find this area for winterizing and adding RV anti-freeze, along with the valves I mentioned here.

[16ACE27]

Originally Posted by Redsand

I was never able to get the plumbing schematics for ours but I think we must have an auto check valve to prevent city water from entering the storage tank otherwise anytime city water was used the tank would overflow. Interesting though. I'll have to look into the system for sure. No manual valve on ours that I know of.

The "check valve" is integrated into the design of the water pump.

[Redsand]

Thanks for the info Ted. I figured there must be something in the system to prevent overflows.

[Redsand]

I did a look see on our rig and as Ted pointed out the city water is routed directly to the pump. An electric activated valve diverts the water under pressure to the coach and bypasses the the tank. So if the op can attach to city water with enough pressure to be workable the leaking tank is isolated. I would opt to fix the leak first but that's just me. I hate when stuff is broke.

[Jinx]

GOING OFF EXACT SUBJECT BECAUSE I COULD FIND A THREAD: THOR AXIS 24.1 2014

Today my city water suddenly stopped flowing. I switch to tank, checked hose for kinks, no luck. went thru previous threads, but no luck there either! any ideas or links?

[Redsand]

Did you check city water source pressure? Disconnect your hose and see if you have water there. If so probably a faulty backflow valve or pump diverter. Not much else it could be. I'm not sure if you have a manual valve and if so check it.