Filling the water tank without a city connection

[Bsmyth25]

I have a 2020 Coachman Leprechaun 260QB and was curious is any other owners of this model know a way to fill the water tank without a city water connection. Can I create my own pump system and fill the tank that way, o I use a gravity feed system (I dont think I can), or any advise on how others with similar models fill their tanks. Thank you

[robo44]

create your own pump system, buy a 12V water pump ($25) use a jerry can (or bucket or your water source) pump the water from the source into the RV. That's what I do for my Class A when I boondock.

[NavyLCDR]

And....buy a 12v water pump that matches the pump installed in your RV and you have a spare!

[Bsmyth25]

Thank you Robo44

That's what I did, but when I connect it to my tank it wont fill. It spits water out the connection as if full, but my tank reads not full. So either my tank is actually full, or I am doing something wrong. I have no idea.

[NavyLCDR]

Originally Posted by Bsmyth25

Thank you Robo44

That's what I did, but when I connect it to my tank it wont fill. It spits water out the connection as if full, but my tank reads not full. So either my tank is actually full, or I am doing something wrong. I have no idea.

Are you changing the position(s) of the valve(s) that redirect the city water connection to fill the fresh water tank?

Actually, this online manual says there is a separate connection for filling the fresh water tank:
https://forestriverinc.help/#/coachm...E-19215F8850EC

Here's a video:
https://forestriverinc.help/#/coachm...multiple-12693

[Bsmyth25]

Originally Posted by NavyLCDR

Are you changing the position(s) of the valve(s) that redirect the city water connection to fill the fresh water tank?

Actually, this online manual says there is a separate connection for filling the fresh water tank:
https://forestriverinc.help/#/coachm...E-19215F8850EC

Here's a video:
https://forestriverinc.help/#/coachm...multiple-12693

Thank you for the guide and video, they are very helpful.

I did/can not find a valve to turn to redirect the water from city to the tank. I do have 2 separate fill spots, one for city water and one for fresh water tank, both seem to need a pressurized water source as they are not open to allow for a gravity fill system. Maybe I dont have such a valve, I will have to search more and see if I can find one.

[NavyLCDR]

You could always empty the freshwater tank so you know it is empty, then try filling it.

[Bsmyth25]

Originally Posted by NavyLCDR

You could always empty the freshwater tank so you know it is empty, then try filling it.

Yeah, thats plan B. lol

[CC38EL]

There may be a check valve at the connection. If you look inside the connector, do you see a post in the middle? If so, that has to be pushed in to get water in.

[Bsmyth25]

Originally Posted by CC38EL

There may be a check valve at the connection. If you look inside the connector, do you see a post in the middle? If so, that has to be pushed in to get water in.

I dont think so, I see a metal mesh covering the opening.

[juice5]

Originally Posted by Bsmyth25

I have a 2020 Coachman Leprechaun 260QB and was curious is any other owners of this model know a way to fill the water tank without a city water connection. Can I create my own pump system and fill the tank that way, o I use a gravity feed system (I dont think I can), or any advise on how others with similar models fill their tanks. Thank you

When you tried to fill did you open kitchen hot n cold
with pump off ? juice5 25pack12

[Garrette]

You are correct. The FW tank is a pressure fill. The FW tank has a vent somewhere. Maybe underneath. Some of these tank vents would setup a siphon and lose water while traveling and The solution was to install a valve on the vent line to stop the siphon.
If you are not the first owner, there may be a valve on the vent line unless they are coming from factory with a vent line valve.
If this is the case, look for a valve on your vent/overflow line and turn it own so the air inside the tank can escape. When water starts coming out of your vent/overflow turn off the water and the valve. When you run the water pump, turn the valve on so air can get in the tank.
Hope this helps.

[Bsmyth25]

Originally Posted by juice5

When you tried to fill did you open kitchen hot n cold
with pump off ? juice5 25pack12

I have not tried this yet, I just came across this information and it would make sense if there is air in the tank and no vent to not allow the tank to fill.
Thank you for the suggestion.

[Bsmyth25]

Originally Posted by Garrette

You are correct. The FW tank is a pressure fill. The FW tank has a vent somewhere. Maybe underneath. Some of these tank vents would setup a siphon and lose water while traveling and The solution was to install a valve on the vent line to stop the siphon.
If you are not the first owner, there may be a valve on the vent line unless they are coming from factory with a vent line valve.
If this is the case, look for a valve on your vent/overflow line and turn it own so the air inside the tank can escape. When water starts coming out of your vent/overflow turn off the water and the valve. When you run the water pump, turn the valve on so air can get in the tank.
Hope this helps.

I really appreciate the information, I feel that it will greatly help.

I have not looked underneath the motorhome, or where the tank/pump are for a vent valve. Do you have an idea of where a vent/overflow line would be located? First time owner and not very mechanically inclined over here.

[Homebrew]

Originally Posted by Bsmyth25

Thank you Robo44

That's what I did, but when I connect it to my tank it wont fill. It spits water out the connection as if full, but my tank reads not full. So either my tank is actually full, or I am doing something wrong. I have no idea.

If your using a replacement pump, did you bypass the pressure switch on the pump.
My thought is the pump is getting to pressure and shutting down, not creating enough pressure to push past .

[BillyBass]

Take a plastic 55 gal drum fill it up and drop a pump in it then plug it in and what away. I use a half a drum and it is easier

[Bsmyth25]

Originally Posted by Homebrew

If your using a replacement pump, did you bypass the pressure switch on the pump.
My thought is the pump is getting to pressure and shutting down, not creating enough pressure to push past .

I am using a 12v pump, not necessarily a direct replacement pump though. The pump is not shutting down when it meets pressure, it keeps pushing water out, just the water will not feed into the tank.

[Bsmyth25]

Originally Posted by BillyBass

Take a plastic 55 gal drum fill it up and drop a pump in it then plug it in and what away. I use a half a drum and it is easier

I am using a 21gal replacement tank. Are you suggesting to use a submergible pump instead?

[BillyBass]

Dont you have a fresh water tank in let

[Bsmyth25]

Originally Posted by BillyBass

Dont you have a fresh water tank in let

I do, it is pictured in an above post. It is a pressurized system, and not like how most trailers have an opening into the tank that can be used with a gravity feed system.