Alternative to Valterra water fill?

[ladybird_bus]

I've done the usual searches and nothing has turned up so here goes.

I've been living in my rig full-time for two and a half years now. In that time the Valterra water fill (city and gravity) unit has failed twice, both times flooding the inside of my home.

The first time part of the brass fixture froze and cracked during winter. Today the join between the city fill connector and the wall of the thing failed and water flooded both sides of the wall.

My question: has anyone used an alternative to Valterra for their water fills? I'm wondering if maybe there's a European or boating one I haven't heard of that might be better quality. It's not as if I'm beating these things up or using them in ways they weren't meant to - they just don't seem well made.

It would need to be roughly the same size as the hole in my wall for the Valterra model

 

[Kentucky Dreaming]

I've had the same problems with the water fill on my truck camper. I would suggest that you might consider getting separate stainless steel city water and gravity fill fittings. Cover your rectangular opening with a stainless or aluminum plate and mount the new fittings to that. There are a few options on Amazon but the links are way too long to try to post here. My camper is falling apart or I would go that route.

Good luck, and keep us posted.

 

[Rucker]

I like KentuckyDreaming's suggestion.

I have the same Valterra and it's already yellowing from UV exposure. Piece of crap, and I've not yet researched replacements (but should, to avoid what you're dealing with).

A quick search on Amazon: All Metal RV City Water Inlet with Check Valve, looks pretty solid.

 

[Kentucky Dreaming]

That's the one I found. There are also stainless gravity fills there, but they ain't cheap.

 

[ladybird_bus]

That's the one I found. There are also stainless gravity fills there, but they ain't cheap.

Having had two of these things fail on me and flood the inside of my home with water, I don't think I'll mind spending a bit more if I can get something that will freaking last. It's not like I've even been beating them up with some sort of over-use! They're just apparently crap.

And I think you're right and going with separate units and putting a plate over the top of the existing hole, while I'm not eager to make more work for myself, is probably the way to go. That way I can also better insulate it against the winter months too.

Thanks!

 

[PorchDog]

This is a really nice gravity water fill--

https://www.vintagetrailersupply.com/cast-aluminum-water-fill-vts-482/

And here is a stainless city water fill--

https://www.vintagetrailersupply.com/stainless-fresh-water-inlet-vts-236/

 

[Kentucky Dreaming]

Great finds, Porchdog!! Even less expensive than what I found.

 

[Ozbozz57]

Sea Dog Line

I used a Sea Dog Stainless steel fill port for my tanks. I have a plastic "city water" hookup that I've never used, because it's cheap-looking. I just use my tanks and pump.

https://sea-dog.com/categories/plumbing-ventilation-fuel-drain/hose-deck-fill

 

[ladybird_bus]

A little update:
I contacted Valterra and sent a video of what was happening. They said my hose was 'stressing' the connector and that I should be using an extra part to 'protect' the unit. I am actually using an attachment that's literally designed to connect a water filter to the city fill without stressing it.

In my opinion if your unit needs an extra piece in order for it to work as intended - ie, to be connected to a hose - then it's not fit for purpose. I'll be installing something like the inlets linked above.

For anyone coming to this thread questioning what to use in their build, I would steer clear of these Valterra products. I've now had two fail (and flood the interior of my rig in the process, twice), just under normal use. For reference, the first one I installed was all plastic, the second one had brass fittings.

 

[turf]

like a previous suggestion....

i used a marine water tank cover. the fixture itself is very stout and holds a hose no problem at all. but probably not a retrofit solution.

its the big silver thing at the back corner of the drivers side.

 

[peakbus]

A company called Yetibus advertised a really nice on on social media a while ago but it doesn't show on their website. You could reach out to them. Looked like a tank fill/pressure water fill combo behind a locking door.

 

[Iceni John]

Each of my two 110-gal tanks has its own stainless deck fill designed for boats. They're good quality polished marine-grade SS that won't ever rust or tarnish, unlike so much 304 SS from China that rusts almost immediately when outside. (I also use Furrion's polished SS 120VAC marine power inlets, and I made a matching SS exhaust outlet for my diesel air heater. I HATE cheap RV-quality plastic anywhere!)

One reason we're making our own motorhomes instead of buying some flimsy S&S RV is because we can make things better ourselves, and that goes for power and water connections. Why use horrid plastic RV stuff when far better alternatives are available?

John

 

[PorchDog]

I managed to find a Hubbel Stainless 30 AMP shore power receptacle on eBay. It is a work of art. I agree that one of the main points of this whole Skoolie exercise is to do better than mainstream RV's.

 

[ladybird_bus]

Why use horrid plastic RV stuff when far better alternatives are available?

John

Why? Because I didn't know there was a better alternative at the time I put the first one in. Every skoolie and van build I'd seen installed a plastic Valterra or knock off for city and gravity fill. I know better now.