Best RV Water Pump (Reviews & Buying Guide 2021)

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As you know, if you’re someone who operates an RV you…must… have a reliable water pump.

Not only that…in most cases ( when you’re on the road or a tough environment)…it must never fail or even hesitate.

What’s more:

A mediocre RV water pump can spell disaster and ruin your planned tripe.

There are many pumps on the market today! But there are a lot of factors that go into picking the best RV water pump.

Let’s dive into the research and our top picks.

Here’s a quick summary, first:

• Top Pick: Shurflo 4008-101- E65 RV water pump (Amazon)
• Bang for the Buck: Flojet 03526-144A Triplex Diaphragm (Amazon)
• Best High Capacity: Remco 10F2511W 55 AQUAJET (Amazon)

SHURflo 4008-101-E65

When it comes to pumps, The Shurflow brand is second to none, if you’re looking for a great RV pump at a good price, You will not go wrong with Shurflo 4008-101- E65.

As you know, there are lots of RV water pumps on the market today, but the simple truth is few of them can go head to with Shurflo 4008-101- E65 when it comes to efficiency and reliability. It pumps 3 gallons per minute at an output pressure of 55 PSI. No other pump in its category has this kind of pressure. 

Another thing, this model is not as noisy as the other model. I would not be concerned about the noise levels. Although it’s not silent, it’s not very noisy. In fact, a passerby won’t hear the pump or it can’t wake up anyone while they sleep.

But one thing’s for sure…

The winning feature is its ability to pump more water at higher pressure. Believe it or not, the pressure in the shower is noticeably better. If one person is taking a shower and another person happens to open a tap, the pump will automatically sense this and increase the flow rate- therefore, the shower pressure is not affected. Another plus is easy of installation.

If you’re replacing an old pump, it’s just a matter of plug and play. And because of its thick base, it’s so easy to mount in any position. It’s a 12 volts pump, and it has a low amp draw. The pump uses flow reaction technology which minimizes excess pulsation, and it can run without water without running the risk of damage.

The only downside I found about this particular model is there were some few customers who complained that it started to leak around the seal. However, the cases of the pumps leaking or malfunctions are rare. It does come with a guarantee from the seller to repair or replace the pump if it malfunctions within the first 2 years.

SHURflo 2088-554-144 Pump

Do think the quality of a product has a direct relation to its price? In most cases it does. Another pump from Shurflo company is the 2088-554-144 model. It’s a more pricey model than the first Shurflo model we looked at above. While the first model has a higher capability interms of pressure, this  model has a higher flow rate.

Believe it or not. This is the only pump I have come across that is NSF certified to meet public health and safety standards.  It’s made from Polypropylene material – This material makes it have high flexible strength because of its semi-crystalline nature. It has good resistance to chemical and acidic corrosion.

Unlike the 4008-101-E65 which has a maximum flow rate of 3 gallons per minute, this model has a slightly superior flow rate of 3.5 gallons per minute at a pressure of 45 PSI. Making it very dependable especially for slightly bigger vehicles which have multiple faucets.  

Another great feature of this pump is its lightweight design. Therefore it can be easily be mounted on the RV vehicle. In addition to that, it operates a 3 chamber diaphragm with a check valve to prevent backflow.

What about the noise level?  Quite a few real-life customers have reported that it’s kind of noisier, unlike the E65 model.

But one thing for sure. If you’re looking a reliable pump, this is a no brainer. It’s  an excellent choice although you’ll have to pay a little bit more in price.

Flojet 03526- Best Bang for the Buck

If you are looking for the best bang for the buck, look no further. While it may not be the cheapest RV pump on the market, The Flojet 03526 is certainly one of the most affordable, automatic Rv Pump on the market today.

And thanks to its noise absorbing rubber base, you can be sure that it’s not a noisy pump because the base reduces vibration and absorbs the noise.

It’s perfect for averagely sized motorhomes that is up to 9 feet high. It’s able to self-prime for up to 9 feet. It gives an output of 3.9 gallons per minute at a max pressure of 35 PSI.

It’s made of anti-corrosion material, so you can be sure it’s a durable product. It gives a seamless flow because of its anti pulsation elimination technology.

To top it off, quite a few actual customers pointed out how easy to hook up Flojet 03526 is (plug and Play).

Unfortunately, there were few cases of customers who complained that on buying this pump it arrived with substandard packaging. Another thing, although it has a noise absorbing base, a little noise can still be detected. Nevertheless, the noise is minimal.

SEAFLO RV Freshwater System Pump

If you’ve got a small water tank, you don’t want an RV pump that will wipe out your water in two seconds .

Boom! I’ve got the perfect solution for you. Seaflo RV Freshwater system will give you a flow rate of 2.8 gallons per minute which is just enough to rinse you off quickly without using a lot of water and depleting your tank.  

In addition to that, when you turn off the shower, it quickly stops.  And when you turn on the shower, it restarts quickly.  Surprisingly enough, Seaflo RV freshwater is a super quiet pump.

As you probably know, the Seaflo brand is a popular brand.  They have built a reputation for making quality pumps. so, by and large, this is a great little pump that you can get at a great price. It has an inbuilt mechanism for heat dissipation; therefore, providing thermal protection.

Unfortunately, when I was researching this product, I come across quite a few customers bought it, and they complained that it worked for a while and then it stopped working. But for what is worth, the pump does come with a 3-year warranty.

WFCO ARTIS PDS1 12V RV Camper Portable

If what you’re looking for is a portable unit or, if you simply want a reliable RV pump that provides steady and reliable water pressure, WFCO ARTIS PDS1 12V RV Camper Portable may be the perfect option for you.

It comes with a flow rate of 3.0 gallons per minute. And it is able to self-prime to 6 feet. One great thing about this pump is that it can run dry without getting spoiled. The pump’s motor is sealed in a corrosion-resistant casing; thus, protecting the motor from getting damaged.

When I was going through the review for this model, I come across customers who complained that it tends to vibrate a lot when you turn it on before settling down when it gets to its optimal pressure. It generally runs quietly once it gets up to the right pressure.

And another thing, the installation instruction for this pump is kind of complicated and unclear. Needless to say, there were lots of complaints from customers about the installation manuals.

Remco 5to 5-A Self-priming QUAJET

The Remco 5 to 5 Quajet is easily one of the most versatile RV pump available. Because of its variable speed motor, it does not have the on and off cyclic motions common with other pumps.

The cool thing with the variable speed motor is that the pump does not use a pressure switch. The motor will speed up automatically when more speed is needed and slow down when less speed is needed.

And another thing, the pump is super silent because of the powerful motor that does not get overwhelmed.

The Remco 5 to 5 Self-priming QUAJET has a maximum flow rate of 5.3 gallons per minute. It gives you control over your water usage because of its adjustable pressure ability.

I noticed that a few customers who wrote a review on this pump complained about how strong this pump was which could destroy the plumbing. This pump is great but you should not use on small Trailer. It’s only good for large trailers and motorhomes.

Amarine 12V RV Water Pump

Most RV pumps have flow rates of between 3.0 – 5.0 gallons per minute which cause them not to work well on small vans because they tend to be too powerful for the plumbing. Amarine 12V RV has a flow rate of 1.1 GPM which means it will not deplete your water if you’ve limited tank capacity. In addition to that, this is a very competitively priced pump with low amp draw.

Another great feature of Amerine 12v pumps is its self-priming ability so it can be affixed on above the van. In addition to that, it has a compact design, so it won’t take up lots of space. It also comes with an automatic pressure switch which turns itself on when you turn on the taps and goes off when you stop using water. It can run dry with getting damaged.

Looking at the customer reviews on this pumps shows some people complained that the pumps were “very loud”. Another complain that I come across was that the pump failed quickly. But for what is worth, the people who complained of it failing quickly did get a replacement quickly.

Arterra PDSI-130-1240E

Arterra PDSI-130-1240E is another candidate for the title of the best RV water pump. It comes with the ability to pump 3.0 gallons per minute at a maximum pressure of 40 PSI. It uses a four chamber design and is capable to self-prime for up to 6 feet. In addition to that, it has the advantage of low amp draw.  

By and large, Arterra PDSI-130-1240E is a durable pump due to the quality of material and design. What’s more, it’s an affordable pump, so you will not have to break the bank to buy this model.

Bottom line:

Although the Arterra brand is not a common brand, this is, without a doubt, a good quality pump. It one of the quietest pumps I’ve come around, and it does give better pressure than most pumps.

More importantly, if you’ve been using the Shurflo, this model is perfectly configured to use the same fittings. The pump has a check valve to prevent backflow. It’s internally thermally protected from heat and overpressure.

RV Water Pumps Buying Guide

Every recreational vehicle needs a water pump. Most RVs will come with a water pump already installed. If you ever found yourself needing to replace your pump or just upgrading the one that comes with the camper, trailer, or the mobile home, you should take the following things into consideration.

Flow rate (Gallons Per Minute)

The work of the water pump is to provide water. You should consider the gallons of water pumps per minute. Most RV models average between 2.5 GPM to 3.5 GPM. However, there are some models that will give much lower rate like 1.2 GPM. If you’ve limited tank capacity, it’s a good idea to use a pump with a lower flow rate to avoid the pump depleting your water supply quickly. The are some powerful pump in the market that can produce flow rates of up to 7 GPM. Don’t go overboard by getting a very powerful unite that your plumbing can’t handle.

Noise levels

If you’re like most people, you don’t want to get a pump that gives out to much noise. Older models of pump used to be loud, but today the technology has improved. There are some RV pumps that are just not loud but silent. Some pumps are installed with noise-absorbing base that enables them to absorb noise. You’re more likely to find that the more powerful a pump is the more sound it produces

Voltage Consumption

You should also be careful and check out the voltage demand of an RV pump.  You don’t want a pump that requires very high voltage consumption. Most models in the market today are the 12-volt specification. Bigger vehicles can handle larger pumps that consume up to 24 volts

Amps Draw

Another factor to consider is the amp draw of an RV pump. Amp refers to the amount of electrical power that is used by the pump. In most cases, the amount of power available in an RV is limited because most vehicles use a generator. You should not go for a pump that has a very high amp draw. The lower the amp draw the better the pump. Having said that, you will need to balance between the need for a higher power which a pump needs in order to have better pressure and flow rate.  

Easy of installation

Even If you are technically very experienced, installing an RV water pump for the first time is not a walk in the park. Therefore, another factor to consider when choosing an RV pump is how easy it’s to install. It’s better to have a pump that is simple to install (plug and play).

Most models will come with installation manuals or installation videos.

In addition to that, you’ll need to get a pump that can be installed in as many locations and angles as possible.

Pressure ratings

The pressure is measured in PSI (Pound-force-per-square inch). High-quality pumps have better pressure than low-quality pumps. Although high water pressure is good for most people, the pressure can be too high and cause damage to your plumbings. You should take into consideration the amount of pressure your system can handle. Furthermore, a pump with lots of pressure will tend to consume more energy. A high-pressure pump will also tend to deplete your water pretty quickly if you’ve got a low capacity tank.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What’s the best RV water pump

A. Here’s the list of best RV pumps (Editor’s Choice)

• Best RV pump overall: Shurflo 4008-101-E65
• Best Bang for Buck: Flojet 03526

Q. Can you Leave Water Pump on in RV

A. The Rv pump is an on-demand pump. This means that it only pumps when water is needed. The pump will start pumping when you turn on your shower or tap. You should leave the pump on when you’re inside or near it. On the other hand, you should not leave the pump on when you’re connected to city water. So in nutshell, leave your pump on when you’re not hooked up to city water.

Q. Does the RV Water pump run off Battery

A. Yes, the batteries can run your pump. All RVs like all motor vehicles have batteries installed. The batteries work is to provide power when there is no external source of electricity like solar or generator. The batteries are used to run water pumps and lights. The battery is charged when the vehicle’s engine is running. When the vehicle’s engine is not running the batteries will run out of power pretty quickly. Because it’s not economical to keep your engine all the time, it’s better to install a generator to provide an external source of power to the RV.

Q. SHURFLO E65 vs A65 ( What’s the difference?)

A. When you check the SHURFLO website, you will see that all the features and specs of SHURFLO E65 and SHURFLO A65 are the same. A65 is the number that is given to a pump when it’s installed to the RV or Boat at the factory. E654 is the number given when a pump is sold as an aftermarket part number. Both pumps have the following features 3.0 GPM, self-priming, internal bypass, 12 volts, noise levels, and thermal protection. However, for some reason, the prices of these two differ slightly (because they are sold by different suppliers)

Q. How to make RV Pumps Quite

A. The simplest method of reducing the noise coming from a pump is to place a rubber pad under the pump. The rubber will absorb the noise. If the noise is too much, you can install an accumulator tank that provides additional storage to prevent the pump from overworking; thus reducing the vibration.  

Q. RV Water pump cycles on and off

A  If you pump keeps on cycling on and off when you’re not running any faucet, it’s an indication you’ve got a leak. Check out the comprehensive post on how to solve this issue.

Q. Rv water pump runs but no water

A. The first step is to ensure that you’ve water in the holding tank. If you’ve water but the pump is still not giving out water that means you’ve got a clog or a loose connection between the tank and the pump. In addition to that, the pump itself could be not working properly. The most common issue with a pump are either and a bad seal or gasket or both. 

Q. Rv Water Pump Won’t shut off

A. When the pump is not shutting off, it means you’ve got a leak somewhere in the plumbing system. You should locate the leak and repair it. 

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