RV faucets and home faucets looked the same to me, so I was curious whether I could use the two interchangeably. In many RV faucets vs home faucets discussions, I discovered that the difference lies in their plumbing system connections.
RV faucets use particular fittings underneath the handles/knobs to suit the standard RV hoses well. A home faucet may not fit properly on the RV as it’s designed to work with home plumbing lines. Still, you can use a home faucet in your RV, given that you use adapters.
Read on to learn the difference between an RV faucet and a home faucet.
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A Comparison of RV Faucet Vs Home Faucet
RV faucets and home faucets share the same function – providing controlled water in the kitchen and bath. There are a few differences, of course, so let’s explore each of them.
- Appearance: At the surface, a trailer faucet might look identical to a home faucet. But the sink’s hole cutouts can differ, so the two faucet types are not always the same.
- Quality: RV kitchen faucet parts tend to be made of plastic rather than metal to minimize the weight. For this reason, RV faucets tend to break easily. Meanwhile, many home faucets are made of metal, making them more durable than RV models.
The good news is that you can retrofit a home faucet to be used in your RV, so long as you use adapters.
- Plumbing System: There isn’t much difference between RV plumbing and traditional home plumbing systems. You can shower, wash the dishes, and do all cleaning home chores with an RV plumbing system.
- Connectors: The RV sink faucets look the same as home faucets except for one thing – the connectors. RV faucets use flexible pipes to connect to the standard RV plumbing system.
In comparison, home faucets use metal threaded connectors to fit into threaded metal pipes and hoses. From the connectors alone, you can tell that using home faucets for your RV will take slightly more work and creativity.
Adapter Is the Key
It’s possible to use home faucets in RV plumbing, but you need to find the right adapters to fit them properly. These faucet adapters are available in most RV specialty stores and large retail establishments.
A faucet adapter is that tiny piece of equipment that lets you attach a home faucet to an incompatible RV plumbing system. There are various types of faucet adapters, including female/female adapters, male/male adapters, and female/male adapters.
Before you buy an adapter, check the spout of your faucet. It’s a male threaded spout if the threads are outside of the spout. If the threads are inside the spout, then it’s a female-threaded spout.
To know the right size of the thread in your RV faucet, remove the aerator and get the thread’s diameter. Measure the interior for the female thread and the outside for the male thread.
Learn the different types of faucet adapters in this video.
Replacing an RV Faucet
There comes a time when you hate the feel of plastic fixtures, their tacky look, or simply got one destroyed. Plastic faucets tend to get easily damaged and leak after a couple of months. If you want to replace your existing RV faucet, here’s a guide to help you.
1. Prepare The Essentials
One thing you’ll need is a light source, like an LED lamp, to illuminate all the connections underneath the sink. We also need some wrenches to work on the pipes, Teflon thread tape to seal pipe threads, and a screwdriver to work on the nut under the sink.
Also, prepare a bucket and a rag to catch any water that may come out as you do the job.
As I’ve mentioned above, you can install any faucet in your campervan as long as you have adapters. You’ll need a pack of two adapters for this task.
2. Shut The Water Supply Off
To get started with the replacement process, turn all the water sources off. Some water might escape from the sink, so place a bucket underneath it. At this point, look for someone to help you because you’ll need an extra hand to do the next step.
3. Remove The Fittings And Nuts
Now, pull the pin out and unscrew the faucet fittings to remove them. There should be red and blue fittings for hot and cold water.
4. Pull The Sprayer Out
Use a screwdriver to remove the nut under the sink, then detach the faucet. To remove the quick connect fitting, use your hands. You can ask someone to pull the sprayer out above the sink.
5. Install The New Faucet
If you use an RV faucet, it’s easy to install. Feed the sprayer hose through the faucet, then slip the faucet into your countertop’s current hole. Insert the nut over the hoses and screw it tightly.
Now, use two adapters if you’re installing a home faucet in your RV. Use a lot of Teflon thread tape to seal every adapter, then connect the water lines to their corresponding pipes. The hot water line connects to a red pipe, and the cold water line connects to a blue pipe.
Fit the adapters onto the faucet hose and tighten them using an adjustable wrench – not too tightly because it can burst the faucet.
6. Make Necessary Adjustments
Finally, return the water supply to check the connections. When you see any leaks, tighten the fittings until they stop.
Go back to the nut and faucet configuration. Let someone hold the faucet above while you tightly screw the nut underneath. If your faucet includes a detachable sprayer, secure the weight on the sprayer hose under the sink.
Don’t be afraid to make several adjustments to get the weight in the desired position for optimum functionality. You want the sprayer to retract easily and reach all areas of the sink.
The last adjustment is height. Move the arm securing the sprayer up or down and use a small Allen wrench to adjust the arm to the desired height, then tighten it properly.
Top Faucet Brands
The next challenge in replacing an RV faucet is picking the right model. There are so many faucets available on the market today, but the top brands that I like to recommend are:
1. Toto
Toto is known for its reliable lavatory accessories, including brushed nickel deck- mounted faucets. It offers a wide variety of styles, from modern to classic, targeting affluent consumers.
I’ve been looking for Toto kitchen faucets, and I found the TTKC301F. This single lever kitchen faucet features a nickel-chrome finish and can produce a maximum of 0.75MPa water pressure.
2. BK Resources
When talking about lead-free faucets, BK might be the best choice. BK faucets are available in many styles, from gooseneck spouts to deck mounts and center splash mounts.
My favorite is the BK Resources Workforce Standard Duty Faucet. This one is built with an 8-inch gooseneck spout that releases water at a high level, saving me the hassle of having to bend or strain my back. I can comfortably wash my hands and do my daily tasks with ease.
I like that BK Resources offer low-flow options to help me save water. When you save more water, you also save on water costs.
3. LDR
Many LDR faucets offer a side spray to give more control over the water angles and get to hard-to-reach areas around the sink. With the sprayer, you’re not limited to using water only where the faucet is located. You can rinse the corners of the sink or wash fresh vegetables.
One of the best LDR models is the 012 3405CP Kitchen Faucet which offers a plastic sprayer at the side. The acrylic knob handles are easy to use, while the chrome finish offers a beautiful look. This faucet produces two gallons per minute, which makes washing tasks pretty quick.
4. Oakbrook
Oakbrook offers a wide array of products from showerheads to faucets and toilet paper holders. Oakbrook faucets are known to be very pretty, making them ideal for RVers who want aesthetics.
The FS6A0057ND-ACA1 Tucana Series is my favorite as it includes a side spray and a high maximum flow rate of 2.2 gallons per minute. Every part is made of a nickel finish, making the product even more durable.
Conclusion
There’s not much difference in the comparison of RV faucets vs home faucets. At a glance, they look almost the same with the spout, handle, and finish. The only difference is that RV faucets are often made of plastic, making them look tacky.
Yes, you can use any regular home faucet in your RV, provided that you use the right type of adapters to fit in the hose.
Let us know what you think about these faucets in the comment section below. If you like this article, please share it anytime.
Okay, so I’m Philip Lopez. I join Riverside Trailer as an editor, where I will be doing research for both content and reviews. I contribute to studies aimed at understanding the most typical problems encountered by RVers on the road. I also keep up with the newest RVing gadget innovations so that I can promptly evaluate and recommend the best options.