In this short guide, we will answer the following question: How do I fill my Jayco Silverline water tank? We will explain how to fill, maintain, clean and disinfect an RV water tank.

How do I fill my Jayco Silverline water tank?

To fill your Jayco Silverline water tank, you must follow these three simple steps:

To fill the water tank, find the connection marked “Fresh Water Connection.” Some Jayco Silverline caravans have a built-in water pressure regulator. If this is not the case with your RV, it is important to install one before connecting the hose.

Connect the hose, turn on the water flow and fill the desired amount. It is important not to exceed the capacity of your tank, excess water will flow back up into the plumbing and put pressure on the pipes and valves.

Disconnect the hose then remember to turn on your RV’s water pump before using the faucets, shower, or toilet. The switch is usually located on the control panel with the tank indicators.

Note: If the pump is not turned on, water will not flow through the piping. The water pump runs on the 12V electrical system powered by your battery and you can leave it running since it will only run when there is a demand.

Trailers and RVs are equipped with an anti-backflow system to avoid any type of incident while filling the water tank. If you notice that water is flowing under your RV when filling, it means that you have exceeded the maximum quantity that the tank can hold. Suction is created when the anti-backflow system evacuates excess water, this suction will cause the tank to partially empty before stopping.

The water pressure from the aqueduct is enough to circulate the water, so there is no need to turn on the water pump while you are connected. The water pressure in some cities or campsites is too high and could damage the plumbing in your RV.

Note that water does not circulate through the reservoir when you are connected directly to an aqueduct. It is therefore not necessary to fill it out if you do not plan to camp independently. You would needlessly drag a load on your trip and the potable water in the tank would stagnate.

Avoid allowing water to stagnate in the tank to prevent deposits from forming on the walls of the tank or simply to ensure that freshwater is consumed. We, therefore, recommend filling the tank as needed and emptying the excess after your stay.

Some trailers and RVs are equipped with a water filtering system before being used in the RV. This system includes a receptacle with a filter through which water circulates. The condition of the filter cartridge should be checked occasionally and replaced if it is obsolete.

Jayco exclusive drinking water system

Jayco now offers a potable water system on select high-end models. This connects an 18-gallon water supply to a dedicated hose that connects to a secondary faucet at the kitchen sink.

Simply place the tank in the storage compartment and use the strap to hold it in place. The cap with a hose must then be installed and everything is functional. A water pump is installed for this piping which is in parallel with the rest of the plumbing.

What if I filled the water tank but the water is not flowing?

If you followed our instructions but the water is not flowing, check the following:

Make sure there is enough water in the freshwater tank.
Make sure you have a 12V current from the battery.
Check that the water pump is working properly.
Check the winterization valves which are also called “by-pass”, located most of the time near the water heater, so that it is positioned in summer mode.

For systems with one valve, this valve must be in the open position.

For two-valve systems, the horizontal valve must be in the closed position and the vertical valve must be in the open position.

For three-valve systems, the horizontal valve must be in the closed position and the two vertical valves must be in the open position.

What to do if the freshwater pump is running without the water being used?

Check that all faucets and appliances with a plumbing connection are closed.
Check that the water filtration system is properly connected and tightly closed.

What to do if the pump does not start?

Make sure you have a 12V current from the battery.
Check that the water pump is working properly.

How to empty the water tank of a Jayco Silverline

Your water tank should have a drainage system, which will not consist of much more than a tap located at the lowest point of the tank. If access to this tap is not comfortable for you, you should consider placing a pipe and its corresponding tap, in a more accessible place.

If you have to modify your system, take the opportunity to make sure that the drain outlet is placed in the lowest part of the tank and that it allows the complete evacuation of the water contained in it. The bottom of the tank is a better location than a wall.

Freshwater tanks do not usually have slopes that facilitate their emptying, such as faecal or grey water tanks. The bottom is usually flat since the water is extracted by aspiration, through a tube that enters the tank from the top.

Remember that even if you have a simple method to empty the tank, introducing clearly dangerous water, no matter how good a filtration system you have, is a mistake. Above all, it is important to stay away from chemical contamination: pesticides, etc.

As you have read, disinfection, water treatment, filtration, etc. .. are methods aimed at ensuring a trip without health problems. All in all, in my opinion, while travelling in the South of the country in the summer season, you should chlorinate your water tank once a month.

One more tip, if you don’t use your caravan, keep the tanks (not just the drinking water one) empty and dry if possible. Not all tank drainage systems allow their complete emptying, many leave sediment at the bottom, which is still a design problem in my opinion, which should be solved if possible.

Cleaning the drinking water tank of a Jayco Silverline

One of the concepts that must be clear is that drinking water in a tank does not remain drinkable for long. With only the time it takes for the water to get from the municipal tank to the tap, the levels of chlorine (which is the main bactericidal agent used today by municipalities) have dropped.

The water tank of a caravan is like a huge petri dish on wheels. The air, the heat and the continuous splash, quickly dissipate any chlorine that may remain, and revitalize the microorganisms that the chlorine keeps inhibited, but not killed.

The first step is to clean the tank and transport pipes, as this will remove the oil, sludge, and sediment. To begin add four tablespoons of liquid soap for every ten litres of water that you use to clean the system. Pump the solution through all taps and into the storage tanks.

A short drive will allow the “splash” to be an added benefit in the cleaning process. Drain the soapy water solution and refill with clean water. Continue the process until clear water is pumped through the system until all traces of soap have been removed.

Please remember not to use your filtration system for these tasks!

If you have not been performing this procedure regularly, it is highly recommended that you repeat the entire process at least one more time.

Disinfection of the Jayco Silverline drinking water tank

Once your drinking water tank is clean it can be disinfected. Note that disinfection does not “clean” the tank, it only kills the bacteria that after all cling to the pipes or the tank.

If the tank has water, the first thing is to empty it, use the tank drain valve, which has its intake in the deepest part of your tank.

The idea is to fill the freshwater tank with a 5% sodium hypochlorite solution, about 1 litre of solution for every 12 litres of fresh water. Chlorine should not be poured directly into the tank, prepare the solution outside and then fill your tank.

This mixture puts a 50 ppm (parts per million) concentration of chlorine in your water system, which will quickly kill harmful bacteria, viruses, and slime-forming organisms that may be living in your motorhome. A higher concentration of chlorine can damage the tank, pipes and other items, so you must be careful when measuring.

Open all the water outlets, one by one, allowing the chlorine solution to pass through all the circuits recorded in your installation.

Turn off the taps a couple of minutes after you can smell the chlorine in the water coming out of the tap.

Close everything and let your caravan rest for at least four hours, although if you leave it overnight, all the better. Reopen the taps and pump the remaining solution into your storage tanks.

Next, your entire drinking water system should be completely flushed with normal chlorinated tap water. Circulate the water through all the circuits for several minutes, until the smell of chlorine diminishes to the same level as that of city water.

The bottom line

Besides knowing how to fill an RV water tank, it is also essential to know how to maintain, clean and disinfect it. The better care you take of your RV, the longer its lifespan and ease of use.

If you have any questions or comments on the content, please let us know.

FAQ on How do I fill my Jayco Silverline water tank?

Can I fill a water tank from the bottom?

Yes, you can fill a water tank from the bottom, and it will cut down the time that the tank is filled and the energy consumption.

How do you fill a Jayco hot water heater?

To fill a Jayco hot water heater you have to first fill the fresh water tank. Use a water pump for this and be careful not to overfill your tank!

How long does it take to fill the RV water tank?

It takes about 20 minutes to fill an RV water tank. It all will depend on the size of the water tank and how fast the water flows.

References

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How do I fill my Jayco Silverline water tank? (a guide)