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We all know that a solid shower is a cornerstone of any good RV day, but how do you make that magic happen? We recently asked our loyal newsletter readers to settle a crucial debate about the veins and arteries of our rolling homes: the water pressure system. This is a topic that can turn a relaxing rinse into a frustrating dribble or an unexpected geyser in the blink of an eye. From trusting the campground’s spigot to going fully self-contained, the options are as varied as RV floorplans.
We wanted to know which method you trust to deliver that perfect, pressurized flow for washing dishes, taking showers, and pretending you’re not conserving water.
This poll was taken in our daily newsletter, so if you missed it, be sure to subscribe and vote next time to make your voice part of our communal findings!
Here is how the votes stacked up from our 20 participating RVers:
| Preferred Water Pressure System | Percentage of Votes |
|---|---|
| Standard City Water Hookup | 65% |
| Water Pump Only | 5% |
| Pressure Tank System | 0% |
| Combination Setup | 30% |
The Reigning Champion: Plugged into the Grid
It appears the majority of you are confirmed pressure optimists, happily hitching your hose to whatever the campground provides. The “Standard City Water” hookup is the clear favorite. Why fuss with pumps and tanks when you can just plug in and pray the previous tenant wasn’t a master of leaky connections? It’s the RV equivalent of ordering delivery instead of cooking—minimal effort, with the thrilling gamble of not knowing the water’s exact mineral content.
The Underdog of Independence
A brave 5% of you are the rugged individualists, running on “Water Pump Only.” You don’t need no stinking city water pressure! You are the masters of your own hydraulic domain, even if that domain sometimes sounds like an angry bumblebee trapped in your cabinet. This is the choice for the boondocker who hears a sputtering pump not as a problem, but as a symphony of self-reliance.
The Complicated Compromise
Then we have the sophisticated strategists in the “Combination Setup” camp. You want the best of both worlds: the steady flow of city water when it’s available and the freedom of your pump when it’s not. Your system has more valves and switches than a spaceship cockpit. It’s a brilliant, if slightly complex, plan to ensure you’re never, ever left high and dry.
The Ghost of Polls Past
And let’s pour one out for the “Pressure Tank System,” which received a resounding 0% of the vote. Not a single soul raised a hand for this option. It seems the idea of a dedicated accumulator tank is about as popular as a mandatory tank dumping seminar on a Friday afternoon. It’s the wallflower of water systems, apparently waiting for its moment that has yet to come.
Conclusion: Why Simplicity and Safety Won the Day
We believe these results came in as they did for a few key reasons. First, the sheer simplicity and “set-it-and-forget-it” nature of a standard city water hookup is deeply appealing to the majority who frequent established campgrounds; it’s one less system to maintain or worry about draining. The strong showing for a combination setup reflects the pragmatic reality of modern RVing—folks want convenience at full-hookup sites but demand self-sufficiency for off-grid adventures, making a hybrid approach the perfect Swiss Army knife solution.
The near-complete dismissal of the dedicated pressure tank system likely stems from its perceived complexity and cost for a benefit—more consistent pump cycling—that many casual RVers either don’t notice or solve with a combination system. Ultimately, the poll shows RVers are split between pure convenience and versatile preparedness, with very few willing to venture to the extremes of total independence or overly specialized gear.
