The majority of RV’s will have running water in order to operate the toilet, sink, shower and other appliances. A RV water pump is available with a range of flow rates and the majority are electrical with 12 volts being the most popular.
The best RV water pump is the Shurflo 4048153E75, which provide a maximum flow rate of 4.0 GPM whilst using 10 amps of power for those requiring high performance.
When searching for an upgrade or replacement RV water pump, always check the amperage, PSI and maximum flow rate that they have to offer. The higher values the better but be sure to check with your RV manual the optimum metrics beforehand.
Table of Contents
Best 12V RV Water Pump
| RV Water Pump | Max Flow Rate | Power |
|---|---|---|
| Shurflo 4048153E75 | 4.0 GPM Flow | 10 Amps |
| SHURFLO 4008-101-E65 | 3.0 GPM Flow | 7.5 Amps |
| Remco Aqua Jet | 5.3 GPM Flow | 10 Amps |
| SEAFLO Marine Flagship | 5.0 GPM Flow | 8.0 Amps |
| WFCO Artis Series | 3.0 GPM Flow | 7.0 Amps |
When it comes to the source of the water itself for your RV, it will be either a fresh water supply stored within a tank or city water. Both require a working RV water pump in order to get a flow of water passing through to the water appliances.
In terms of the desirable features, some may prefer a quiet RV water pump over one that is designed for maximum water pressure. It is primarily a personal preference decision and there are many cheap alternatives that do the job too.
The 12V RV Water Pump is the standard for the majority of RV’s with Shurflo and SeaFlo being the most recognized brands. Below is a list of the best RV water pumps that ensure the appliances have enough power and pressure to fully function.
Shurflo 4048153E75 Electric RV Water Pump
The Shurflo Electric 12V RV water pump is an excellent choice if you need a high volume water pump for your RV. It delivers high volume to take care of all your water needs and is durable and efficiently delivers water throughout your RV.
Some of the features of the Shurflo Electric Water Pump include:
- 12 volt power usage with maximum of 10 amps
- Automatic demand design with no accumulator tank for space efficiency
- Eco-friendly power and water use to eliminate waste
- Thermal overload protection for safety and damage prevention
- Dry primes for up to six vertical feet, and can run dry with no damage
- 4.0 GPM Flow
- Installed check valve to prevent backflow
The Shurflo 4048153E75 model is the best RV water pump you can buy and it delivers high volume results with minimal maintenance. It is the ideal choice for large RVs with high volume water usage.
Check it OutShurflo 4008-101-E65 Revolution RV Water Pump
The Shurflo Revolution water pump delivers the best value for money when choosing an RV water pump. The brand is reputable for its top quality and this product is one of the best ways to get high quality whilst on a budget.
It does have a few differences when compared to the other models, these include:
- Uses 12 volt power source of up to 7.5 amps
- 3.0 GPM Flow
- Delivers 3 gallons of water per minute at up to 55 PSI
- Designed for eco-friendly power and water usage
- Can be easily mounted in any position
- Self-priming and can dry prime up to six vertical feet
- Built-in check valve prevents backflow
- Two-year warranty for peace of mind
The Shurflo Revolution is easy to install and it runs very quietly, so you’ll barely notice it’s there. Overall it is the best RV water pump for the money and has all the features you might expect in a larger, more expensive water pump
Check it OutRemco Variable Speed RV Water Pump
Since it is variable speed, it automatically adjusts to pump the amount of water you need, so you don’t have to worry about adjusting settings. The features of the Remco RV water pump include:
- Pressure relief valve for safety
- Uses 12 volt power source
- 5.3 GPM Flow
- 10 amps
- Shutoff at 75 to 85 PSI
- ½ inch water port
The Remco pump is very durable and can hold up in a variety of challenging situations while you are out on the road. Although this pump is very powerful, it can be somewhat loud, which is helpful to note before making the purchase. However, if you need a variable speed pump, this option from Remco is an excellent option.
Check it OutSEAFLO Marine Flagship Variable Flow Water Pump
The SEAFLO Marine Flagship is designed specifically for both boats and RVs and provides powerful variable flow water pumping. Some of the features of the SEAFLO Marine Flagship water pump include:
- Bypass technology with variable flow cycling
- Powerful five gallons per minute flow level
- 60 PSI shut off pressure
- 5.0 GPM Flow
- 8 amps
- Uses a 12 volt DC power source
- Comes with a 4 year warranty
The durable construction and great warranty of the SEAFLO water pump makes it a good choice if you want to be able to install your pump and simply forget about it. It requires minimal maintenance, particularly with the variable flow bypass feature.
Compared to most other RV water pumps, it also provides very strong pressure, which is highly desirable by many RV owners.
Check it OutWFCO Artis Series Water Pump
Maintaining a RV can be quite expensive and a good water pump can be a big investment if you’re on a budget. The WFCO Artis Series water pump is the cheapest water pump available that still provides top quality results.
Although it is affordable, it still provides enough power for most RVs and below are some of the WFCO Artis Series features.
- 3 gallons per minute pump speed
- 45 PSI
- 7 amps
- 3.0 GPM Flow
- Thermal protection and high pressure protection
- 4 chamber design for efficiency in water delivery
- Can run dry with no damage
Overall, it runs very efficiently and doesn’t use much power, so it won’t run your battery or generator down. The WFCO Artis Series is also very quiet, so it won’t bother you throughout your day. If you are on a budget, this would be an ideal replacement.
Check it OutRV Water Pump Buying Guide
While you’re traveling on the road in your RV, clean, accessible water is very important, particularly if you are in a remote area. It’s worth investing in a good quality water pump so you won’t have to worry about maintenance while you are traveling.
Since water pumps are somewhat technical, shopping for one can be overwhelming at first, and you may not know exactly what to look for. Identifying the important metrics for water pumps can make it much easier to decide which one to invest in.
Voltage
RV pumps should always use a 12 volt wattage and nothing else. A higher voltage will be way too much power for an RV and will completely overpower your system. Oftentimes the appropriate water pumps will even be labeled specifically for RVs.
Gallons Per Minute (GPM)
The next thing to look at is the gallons per minute of the water pump. This is how powerful the pump is and how much water it can deliver, as the name would suggest. While generally you might consider a higher volume pump to be better, it isn’t always optimal for every RV.
Before shopping, you should go to your owner’s manual and check to see what GPM rate is optimal for your vehicle. Depending on what model you have, there may be some limits as to how much water you can pump safely.
Pressure
Another factor to look at is the water pressure of the pump, which is measured in PSI, or pound-force per square inch. Again, higher water pressure is generally better, but there are instances in which a certain water pressure level may be too much for your vehicle.
Some vehicles can only handle up to a particular water pressure level before it becomes unsafe. Again, you’ll need to check and see what’s appropriate for your model. This information can typically be found in your owner’s manual or online.
If you are installing a powerful water pump, we strongly recommend that you get the best RV deep cycle battery you can buy to avoid draining the battery. Alternatively, a backup RV generator would do the job of maintaining the water pump too for those without a suitable battery for their RV.
Amps
The amps signifies the amount of electrical power the water pump uses. This is a very important consideration in an RV, where you’re typically using a generator and have a limited amount of power available.
The fewer amps your water pump uses, the more power you will have available for other things. However, keep in mind that pumps with higher PSIs and GPM levels will need more power to do this cleanly, so you’re essentially making a trade-off when deciding what water pump is best.
Ease of Installation
Installing a water pump for the first time is always going to take a bit of extra work, but it’s important to make sure that your water pump is relatively simple to attach to your RV.
You can often find instruction manuals or videos online, which will help you get a better idea of how much work will need to go into installing the pump. Many water pumps can be installed from any angle or position, which makes the process of installation much easier and less confusing.
Noise
While powerful water pumps have many benefits, they can also be quite noisy. If you are bothered by noise in your RV, this is something to be aware of. Look for pumps that have mechanisms to dull the noise of the water running, or if you are very picky about noise, you may just need a pump that is less powerful. There are also some tricks you can use to make your pumps slightly quieter.
Self Priming and Able to Run Dry
RV pumps run different from pumps in a traditional residential home because they only have access to a limited water source. Therefore, it’s very important that your pump is self priming and can safely run dry without any damage.
Self priming pumps are pumps that can lift water up without existing water flow already in the tube. If your pump is not self priming, you may find that you can’t get any water out if your supply is running low. It’s also important that your pump will not be damaged by running dry, since this is likely to happen when your RV water supply runs low.
Vertical Suction
It’s also important that your pump has at least some level of vertical suction. Vertical suction ensures that your pump will be able to access water from any angle. However, vertical suction levels are typically limited to a certain number of feet.
Before making a purchase, you will need to determine exactly how much vertical suction your RV needs to run smoothly. This may require you to become familiar with the inner workings of your pumping system.
Check Valve
A check valve is a fixture on the inside of the pump that prevents discharged water from flowing backwards into your water supply system. It is very important for safety and proper functioning of the pump that your system has a check valve.
A check valve ensure that your water stays fresh and that it doesn’t get backed up. It’s also helpful to look for pumps that use water efficiently, as they are more eco-friendly. Eco-friendly pumps usually have check valves and other safety measures that ensure that you’re getting high quality water with minimal waste.
Size
The dimensions of the pump are another useful thing to look at when shopping for your RV. Before you make a purchase, you should measure the dimensions of your valve to determine what will comfortably fit.
You may have to check your owner’s manual to confirm the appropriate size for your water pump. Once you have this information, you can narrow down what the best RV water pump is for your space.
Warranty
Since buying a water pump is a big investment, it’s helpful to have a warranty in case it breaks down. A good warranty will protect against any defective performance for a certain number of years. The longer the warranty, the less you will have to worry about any problems with the water pump. Some brands also offer technical support or repair services for the water pump.
Conclusion
Finding an effective water pump for your RV is crucial for living comfortably out on the road. Water is a necessity no matter where you are and you don’t want to be constantly fixing your pump. Having an inadequate water flow can cause issue with your RV toilet, shower and other appliances and it can make a big difference upgrading.
A water pump that is specifically designed for use in RVs is a great investment for anyone who spends most of their time in their RV or camper. Having the convenience of a sink, toilet, and shower in your vehicle makes traveling much easier.
Since there are so many different types of pumps, it can be difficult to choose the best one for your needs. Using this guide, you can pick out the pump that will work best for your vehicle.
