Gravity fill

A gravity fill is a method used to add water to the fresh water tank of an RV. It involves an external opening on the RV, usually marked for water filling. This opening is connected to a large-diameter hose that leads directly into the fresh water tank.

Here’s how it works: You use a regular water hose to pour water into this opening. The water then flows down into the tank by gravity alone, without needing any pumps or other mechanical aids. Alongside this large hose, there’s usually a smaller ‘vent’ hose. Its job is to let air escape from the tank as it fills with water, preventing any glugging or overflow.

Some motorhomes offer both a gravity fill and a pressure fill option. The pressure fill typically has an automatic cutoff to stop filling when the tank is full. However, the gravity fill can sometimes allow for adding more water, which can be useful before a long dry-camping session where no hookups are available. This means you can top off your tank to the maximum, ensuring you have plenty of water while camping in areas without any water supply.