Pace Arrow: Freshwater Pressure washing

[Pops1973]

Hello All.

Ok I have a question about the fresh water tank and could it be possible/safely be used to pressure wash boon-dock style? I have the pressure washer and extra generator and plenty of water! So would the tank drain be a viable source?
I was wondering about pressure or suction on the tank from the pressure washer. Can you see anything hurting the tank because of suction or rapid water flow? Have you ever tried or heard of a working idea like this? I love my pressure washer and how clean I can keep everything on the RV. I work out of my RV sometimes and boon dock 90% of the time when I do.

[Cat320]

I don't see why the fresh water tank could not be used to pressure wash your RV. However, I never use the pressure washer on mine....it could drive water where water is not supposed to be.

[Pops1973]

Very good point. Limited mobility so pressure washing makes it easier for me. Yes I will stay mindful about the water accessing certain areas. I will find them faster this way. Lol I will report back after the successful washing. Thank you for the advice and reminder about a unwanted disaster.

[DustyDriver]

You should be fine. I don't believe a pressure washer "sucks" water from the tank. Your onboard pump will provide its normal pressure up to the washer, then the washer's motor boosts the pressure from there through the nozzle.

DD

[RRR]

I halfway researched this before. From what I understand some pressure washers will suck from a tank if is gravity fed and some need water pressure to the pump. There was some sort of way to figure out what type of pump one had, but I decided I could buy a lot of gas for the 12 mile round trip from storage to the house if I seized the pump.

[SafariBen]

You could suck directly from the tank, but why? Hook up to the pressure pump just like a garden hose or anything else in the RV. Consumer electric pressure washers don't use a lot of water, usually under 2GPM. The tank will be vented and the air will flow much easier than water, so tanks generally don't collapse unless you plug the vent completely. Pressure washers putting water in bad places and causing trouble is over rated, RVs have terrible sealing, but if they're in the rain, then water wicks into ALL of those places every time it rains from that direction. It either dries or it's rotting out already. Don't go spraying the engine or electrical connectors carelessly, but the exterior is fine.

[Pops1973]

Ben I was just unsure and if anyone could cause a system wide collapse it would be me. I had a feeling it would work like my work water tank with a external pump for cleaning condenser coils. irv2 to the rescue. Thank you for your input, it is appreciated.

[Pops1973]

Originally Posted by RRR

I halfway researched this before. From what I understand some pressure washers will suck from a tank if is gravity fed and some need water pressure to the pump. There was some sort of way to figure out what type of pump one had, but I decided I could buy a lot of gas for the 12 mile round trip from storage to the house if I seized the pump.

Exactly-what I had reservations about. My PA Vision is 24 years old and definitely has normal wear and tear issues popping up. My pressure washer pump seems like the hardest working part and point of failure at this point. RV came clean after hours of work from the work water supply. Now I will set it up for some quick boon docking quick rinse off. Now the major cleaning is done I should be able to maintain it. Thank you for your input thoughts, I appreciate it.