Teardrops n Tiny Travel Trailers

water inlet. is there something I can use for my water intake inlet, that I might get from a local store or do I need to go RV with it? I really do not wish to make an access hatch if I do not have to.

I used one of these:



Works okay for me and has a built in check valve. Google RV water inlet.

Bruce

I have the same one as bdosborn. Works great !

Why do I need a built in check valve?

StandUpGuy wrote:Why do I need a built in check valve?

The check valve keeps the water from running out when you unhook your hose. (I think that is it's purpose) I know many people also install pressure valves to keep the pressure down as some parks have really high water pressure that can cause some pipes to burst. (or so I understand.)

I installed one of these locking ones... although not sure why other than it looks a bit cleaner.

To keep pipes from bursting? I thought a check valve kept fluids from flowing the opposite direction. So this must be a pressure check then. The pipes in the trailer should not burst from city water pressure.

Stand up,

A check valve is, as you surmised, to prevent the water from going in the opposite direction.

The water fill valve is part of the water system which is pressurized by city water, or an onboard pump.
When the system is "pressurized" by the onboard pump, the water can leak out of the city water fill port if there is not a cap, plug, or check valve.

As far as city water pressure bursting a trailers plumbing; it shouldn't happen, but it can and sometimes does.
Most trailer systems are rated for 40-50 pounds, some city water systems, especially at certain times of the day can go over a hundred.
Imho, the trailer's system should be able to handle anything a house can...
To answer your initial question, yes, you can use hardware store items.
I used a 1/2" hose faucet.

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/1948rob/Cabin%20car%20project/faucet.jpg?t=1306586129">
I do however need a special adaptor to use a standard garden hose, since both ends require a female fitting.

I've also seen a standard garden hose run through the floor, left hanging down a few inches under the trailer (with a plug for traveling) that is used to connect to the city water source.

All in all, the RV fill is the easiest way to go.
Some prefer the enclosed lockable fill to keep people from putting something in the pipe, but most get by just fine with the exposed fill.

Rob

48Rob wrote:Stand up,

A check valve is, as you surmised, to prevent the water from going in the opposite direction.

The water fill valve is part of the water system which is pressurized by city water, or an onboard pump.
When the system is "pressurized" by the onboard pump, the water can leak out of the city water fill port if there is not a cap, plug, or check valve.

As far as city water pressure bursting a trailers plumbing; it shouldn't happen, but it can and sometimes does.
Most trailer systems are rated for 40-50 pounds, some city water systems, especially at certain times of the day can go over a hundred.
Imho, the trailer's system should be able to handle anything a house can...
To answer your initial question, yes, you can use hardware store items.
I used a 1/2" hose faucet.

<img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/1948rob/Cabin%20car%20project/faucet.jpg?t=1306586129">
I do however need a special adaptor to use a standard garden hose, since both ends require a female fitting.

I've also seen a standard garden hose run through the floor, left hanging down a few inches under the trailer (with a plug for traveling) that is used to connect to the city water source.

All in all, the RV fill is the easiest way to go.
Some prefer the enclosed lockable fill to keep people from putting something in the pipe, but most get by just fine with the exposed fill.

Rob

Thanks for that Rob, it was very helpful. I think the backflow check valve is used to keep your trailers holding tank from putting potential contaminates back into the city system. I shall have no holding tank so the check valve will be unnecessary in my case it would seem. I do want my inlet to be somewhat flush on the side of the trailer so it may be I need to get an RV inlet.

bdosborn wrote:I used one of these:



Works okay for me and has a built in check valve. Google RV water inlet.

Bruce

I am probably going to break down and buy one of these. It is just bothersome to buy something online for 10 bucks and pay about the same to ship it.

I got mine at Camping World, if there's one nearby you. It was less then $10.
Bruce

bdosborn wrote:I got mine at Camping World, if there's one nearby you. It was less then $10.
Bruce

Closest one to me is 50+ miles away, otherwise I would be all over it.

...on our first tear, we used one similar to this ebay ckicky ...IIRC, the one we used was all polymer/plastic and was flush mounted along with having a barb fitting for 1.25"ID piping...when opened a standard water hose would fit right into it...we liked it....................
madjack

...that is it under the table.......................mj

madjack wrote:...on our first tear, we used one similar to this ebay ckicky ...IIRC, the one we used was all polymer/plastic and was flush mounted along with having a barb fitting for 1.25"ID piping...when opened a standard water hose would fit right into it...we liked it....................
madjack

...that is it under the table.......................mj

Thats pretty nice. I shall have to do some internet research.

SUG...search for "marine water fills" or discount boat/marine supplies...some are quite pricey but IIRC, the one we used was reasonable(10bux?) but it was like 6yrs ago and I am not really sure of price or vendor...sorry, best I can do for ya....................
madjack