Water pump as a spare…necessary?

[PG’s trips]

What’s the general consensus on carrying a spare water pump? Heading to Europe for 6+ weeks and curious as to whether I should add one to my spares list or take a chance and know that I should be able to pick one up easy enough in France or Germany? Faulty pump would be a pain.

 

[Colin McCourt]

Yep, I carry that amongst many other things!

 

[bluebirds]

What’s the general consensus on carrying a spare water pump? Heading to Europe for 6+ weeks and curious as to whether I should add one to my spares list or take a chance and know that I should be able to pick one up easy enough in France or Germany? Faulty pump would be a pain.

Wish you said FRESH water pump I read a few comments thinking why take a spare pump and not a cam belt as well then the penny dropped but I do carry a spare diesel filter

 

[beesa650]

What’s the general consensus on carrying a spare water pump? Heading to Europe for 6+ weeks and curious as to whether I should add one to my spares list or take a chance and know that I should be able to pick one up easy enough in France or Germany? Faulty pump would be a pain.

Things to remember! 1. If you have one you won’t need it! 2. If you need one and you don’t have one… you will always be miles from the nearest shop. 3. Fitted with a car Jack plug and long lead you can use it to pump fresh water into your tank, or use it as an outside shower etc. 4. I’ve lent it out on two occasions on site and finally, 5. it’s alongside a power pack as the most essential parts of my van. I confess now…. I have two, one submersible and one in line!

 

[Puddleduck]

3 water pumps in 8 years = carry a spare!

The first failing was our fault but the next two were burnt out during hab checks when the water pump was run with no water in the tank even when the people inspecting were told not to run the taps unless the fresh water tank was at least 25% full.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Encantado]

I'm on my 4th submersible in 5 years [ Comet] . Had 2 spares with me last summer and had to fit one !
Might be worth considering the reasons for failure.
Always have a spare pump with you...
Recently the kitchen tap failed as well [Reich] so have replaced that as well,these may be very hard to locate when overseas, might I buy a spare ??

 

[Clive Bishop]

Surely you have an access hatch on top of the tank ?
Rookie omission if you don't

No there is no access to the top of the tank without dropping it.

 

[Figaro]

No there is no access to the top of the tank without dropping it.

That seems like a very poor design, is it a self conversion or a recognised motorhome conversion ?

 

[Lenny HB]

If it is anything like mine which is in the tank unless you have access to a lift to drop the tank I don’t think it is worth it .

That is very easy to sort, I helped a friend out in the same situation. We fitted a Sureflo pump outside the tank, you connect the outlet pipe from the submersible to the input of the Sureflo and it draws water through the failed submersible pump.

 

[L' Hobo]

That is very easy to sort, I helped a friend out in the same situation. We fitted a Sureflo pump outside the tank, you connect the outlet pipe from the submersible to the input of the Sureflo and it draws water through the failed submersible pump.

I thought about suggesting that, but then I thought, the water resistance of the, in tank pump, filter (I presume there is one in the tank?) another filter just before the Shurflo etc, would put such a strain on the Shurflo it quickly burn it out?

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Threeracers]

I carry a spare and have done since my Shurflo died last year. I live full time in the truck and don't function well without a shower and a coffee to start my day.

Regarding Amazon next day deliveries it's worth mentioning that they aren't always next day in some parts of the country. Mine failed on the Outer Hebrides and Amazon delivered two new ones for me to an address on Skye which I had to pick ups some days later.

M

 

[Lenny HB]

I thought about suggesting that, but then I thought, the water resistance of the, in tank pump, filter (I presume there is one in the tank?) another filter just before the Shurflo etc, would put such a strain on the Shurflo it quickly burn it out?

It works fine apparently its a standard hack on the Autosleepers owners club.

 

[bubble63]

Yes , why wouldn’t you

 

[Cookieboy68]

I don't know if it's necessary to carry a spare pump,but I do.I figure if I didn't then it WOULD go wrong

 

[Colin McCourt]

I don't know if it's necessary to carry a spare pump,but I do.I figure if I didn't then it WOULD go wrong

Better to have and not need than need and not have.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[SVMC15]

I don't carry a spare, however I think I'll at least order one as they are fairly cheap. There does seem to be a big difference in pump life depending on what make it is though.

I have a FLOJET 30PSI 5.3LPM. It's ten years old and apart from wiping the dust off it and looking in the strainer about once a year, finding nothing, it just sits there purring away.

Have other Flojet users experienced a failure? What life are Shurflo users getting? They seem to have similar specs and price.

 

[Lenny HB]

I have a FLOJET 30PSI 5.3LPM. It's ten years old and apart from wiping the dust off it and looking in the strainer about once a year, finding nothing, it just sits there purring away.

Flojet is a rebranded Shureflo, when I replaced my submersible the first Shureflo I fitted only lasted 18 months but I think it was faulty from new, current on has been fine.

 

[WESTY66]

Flojet is a rebranded Shureflo, when I replaced my submersible the first Shureflo I fitted only lasted 18 months but I think it was faulty from new, current on has been fine.

One that was fitted when I got the van was great, until it packed in, now replaced like for like (shurflo) and it just pulses on hot water where the other one didn’t

 

[Clive Bishop]

That is very easy to sort, I helped a friend out in the same situation. We fitted a Sureflo pump outside the tank, you connect the outlet pipe from the submersible to the input of the Sureflo and it draws water through the failed submersible pump.

Thanks for that I have 2 of those from the American rv that I used to have.where did you fit it and get power from,was it easy.Clive

 

[Clive Bishop]

That seems like a very poor design, is it a self conversion or a recognised motorhome conversion ?

it is an Autosleeper Burford.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Clive Bishop]

That seems like a very poor design, is it a self conversion or a recognised motorhome conversion ?

It is a Autosleeper Burford.

 

[Lenny HB]

Thanks for that I have 2 of those from the American rv that I used to have.where did you fit it and get power from,was it easy.Clive

It was in a PVC which had a Whale pressure switch next to the battery in a compartment just inside the rear doors so it was easy. Just swapped the water & power from the Whale switch.

 

[Clive Bishop]

it is an Autosleeper Burford.

Yes it is a 2016 Autosleeper Burford with the water heater a water pressure switch and dump valve under the near side single bed.

 

[Coolcats]

Well, my pump isn't known to cause me problems. There are quite a few who might benefit from keeping a spare Comfortmatic gearbox in the garage though.

Totally agree, you can get this ‘stuff’ on your travels. When the bathroom waste pipe broke last year I do not have a spare and basically the bathroom had to be removed and re-installed. So we just used the kitchen sink instead until we got back.

No water pump, get one locally and use campsite facilities until you get one it’s not the end of the world. Why buy something you may not use

 

[VXman]

Totally agree, you can get this ‘stuff’ on your travels. When the bathroom waste pipe broke last year I do not have a spare and basically the bathroom had to be removed and re-installed. So we just used the kitchen sink instead until we got back.

No water pump, get one locally and use campsite facilities until you get one it’s not the end of the world. Why buy something you may not use

Agree - We would cope without a waterpump temporarily. I think it would just be the shower that I would struggle with as we don't use campsites a lot. Some people forget this is supposed to be camping!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Spriddler]

Some people forget this is supposed to be camping!

Yep, getting away from it all.....................by taking it all with them.
I enjoy my m/h as a step up from a tent, although I do miss occasionally finding a bit of grass in my fried breakfast.

 

[L' Hobo]

Agree - We would cope without a waterpump temporarily. I think it would just be the shower that I would struggle with as we don't use campsites a lot. Some people forget this is supposed to be camping!

And some people forget that Camping involves a tent not a M/H!

 

[Coolcats]

What’s the general consensus on carrying a spare water pump? Heading to Europe for 6+ weeks and curious as to whether I should add one to my spares list or take a chance and know that I should be able to pick one up easy enough in France or Germany? Faulty pump would be a pain.

Out of curiosity I thought I would have a quick look at Reich pumps as they seem to be fitted to a number of MoHo's

If you need a pump when your out and about this is the Link to find a dealer They say: