The Ultimate Guide for the Best 12V Water Pumps for Caravans – Our Top Five Picks

Updated on: April 2024

There is something magical about taking your caravan out into the great outback of Australia and being at one with nature. However, there are certain home amenities that you cannot do without, and one of these is running water.

With a caravan pump, you can easily pump water to all your taps for drinking, showering, or flushing the toilet. The only problem is that there are so many pumps available on the market that choosing the best one is difficult.

In this article, we will look at some of the best 12v water pumps available on the market. Without further delay, here are the top five water pumps to buy for your caravan

Key Points

• Caravan water pumps are an essential piece of equipment for any traveller.
• Flow rate, pressure, amperage draw, weight, and noise are all important factors to consider when choosing a 12v water pump for your caravan.
• If you only have one tap or outlet in your camper-trailer or caravan, you will only need a caravan pump that can deliver 5 L/min.
• If your caravan has two outlets that need water flow (e.g., sink and shower), purchase a pump that will deliver the required amount by adding the two flow rates together.

Seaflo 33 Series 45PSI Diaphragm Water Pump – Best Overall

There is a reason why the Seaflo 33 Series is in such high demand among Australian outdoor enthusiasts, and that is because it is simply everything you could ever want in a durable RV water pump. While most pumps on the market have one or two features they excel, the Seaflo 33 Series shines in all categories.

Whatever type of caravan plumbing you have, you do not need to worry about compatibility because this pump comes with threaded connections that have multiple fittings to make installation a breeze.  It also has a thermal overload safety feature that turns off the pump to prevent overheating and turns it back on again when the danger has passed. 

Are you tired of suffering through the noise generated by your water pump? The Seaflo 33 Series has an ultra-quiet motor that, combined with its rubber feet, runs so quietly that you will soon forget it is even there. An adjustable water pressure switch allows you to turn up the pressure to an impressive 60psi when you need it.

While a lot of the water pump options you will see on the market can deliver good performance for only a short time before needing repairs or a complete replacement, the Seaflo 33 Series 45 Psi Diaphragm water pump is a lifetime purchase that is durable and reliable. 

It can easily pump more than 12L of water per minute, lifting it vertically to a height of up to two meters. This means there is no ordinary household task that the Seaflo cannot do, which is important when creating your home away from home.

This 12v Water Pump is currently on sale until the end of April 2024 at My Generator

What We Liked Best

The Seaflo is a great pump that delivers excellent performance in all key areas. If you are looking for an all-in-one water pump solution, the Seaflo 33 Series water pump is your best bet.

• Quiet motor and rubber feet for noise reduction

• Adjustable water pressure switch up to 60psi

• Easy installation with multiple threaded connections and fittings

• Durable, long lasting, and reliable performance

• Pumps up to 12L of water per minute with a vertical lift of two meters. 

Shurflo 4009 12V Water Pump – Most Durable

Step onto any caravan throughout Australia and chances are you will find the owners using a Shurflo 4009 12V water pump to provide them with running water. It is the most popular brand among RV users in the country because, for many years now, it has been the go-to pump for any caravan plumbing.

Even though it has now been knocked off its perch by the Seaflo 33 Series water pump, the Shurflo 4009 is in no way a bad choice. It is a very durable piece of equipment that will last you as long as you will ever want a pump to last.

During its long lifespan, the Shurflo will continue delivering top performance, requiring very little maintenance along the way. It is hard to find a pump that can deliver a high flow rate while emitting very little noise. However, with the Shurflo 4009, that’s exactly what you will get.

If you leave your pump running but forget to refill the water reservoir, you don’t have to worry about damaging your pump because the Shurflo 4009 is designed to run dry without causing any mechanical problems. 

What We Liked Best

We loved the fact that the Shurflo 4009 12V water pump looks and feels like the durable piece of equipment it is. This is one pump that you can install with confidence in its build quality.

Flojet 12V RV Pump & 1/2 Fitting Includes Fit Kit – Self-priming Option

Unlike the Seaflo 33 Series and the Shurflo 4009, durability is not what the Flojet 12V RV pump is well known for, although, make no mistakes about it; this is still a very strong and reliable pump.

However, what sets the Flojet RV pump is its self-priming capability. It has built-in pressure switches that allow it to turn itself on at the right pressure and then immediately cut off if that pressure exceeds 35psi.  This is not a feature found on most other pumps, which is one area where it trumps the Shurflo 4009.

Another great feature is the fit kit and simple design that makes the installation process quick and easy. Even if it is your first time installing a water pump to your caravan plumbing unit, it will not take you long to have the Flojet RV pump up and running.

The motor is powerful enough to self-prime up to a height of 2.4 meters, which is way beyond the needs of any normal-sized caravan. Just connect it to your water tank and watch it deliver more than 12L of water per minute easily. 

When you are in a hurry, this can be pumped up to a brisk 17L per minute. The Flojet comes with a one-year warranty for your peace of mind.

What We Liked Best

The self-priming feature is one of those things you didn’t know you needed until you finally had it. This puts the Flojet RV water pump in a league of its own.

Flojet 12V Triplex Water Pump, C-Tick Quad Fittings – Best Compatibility

Just like its predecessor (Flojet RV), the Flojet 12V Triplex water pump has an impressive self-priming feature, but this time the cut-off pressure has been increased to a massive 50psi. This means that while you can enjoy your running water at an ambient 11L per minute, the Flojet Triplex can withstand much higher pressures, thus allowing you to achieve higher flow rates.

In terms of compatibility, the Flojet Triplex is unmatched in this category. It comes with a C-Tick quad fitting that makes it possible to fit this pump in almost any type of caravan plumbing you may have. During the installation process, you can save a lot of time because the Flojet does not require a lot of specialised fittings.

The one-year warranty comes as standard on both Flojet pumps, although you will hardly need it given the build quality and durability of these pumps. As long as you clean it regularly, along with some maintenance here and there, the Flojet Triplex will last you a long time.

If you have been struggling to find a pump that fits easily to the unique plumbing you have, it’s time to consider trying the Flojet 12V Triplex water pump for yourself. There is no need for you to buy any special fittings or adapters because this pump comes ready for installation out of the box.

What We Liked Best

With so many different types of pumps being fitted to a wide range of caravans, compatibility with the plumbing system was always going to be difficult. This is why we love the C-Tick quad fitting which makes installation onto any caravan a piece of cake.

Devanti 12V Portable Water Pump – Best Value for Money

When you are working on a tight budget, you may find it difficult to afford some of the high-end RV water pumps, such as the Seaflo 33 Series or the Shurflo 4009. This means you will have to risk buying a cheaper option that may not be strong enough as the other options on this list.

However, the Devanti 12V Portable water pressure shower pump is the best of both worlds. Not only is it affordable on your tight budget, but it is also made of high-quality long-lasting material that guarantees that what you have is a very durable pump on your hands.

In terms of features, the Devanti, unfortunately, is rather limited and does not come anywhere near the awesome capabilities of, for example, the Seaflo 33 Series. It is just a simple water pump that is designed to give you running water for your RV at low costs. 

As a portable water pump, the Devanti is small and compact, making it easy to carry around with you. Another great thing is that it is a self-priming pump, which is always a welcome feature among caravan users.

It makes up for its lack of a wide range of special features by being strong in other aspects, such as its corrosion-resistant material and awesome durability.

What We Liked Best

Even though it’s the most affordable option on this list, it is by no means made of cheap material. This is what makes the Devanti a great value-for-money option to consider.

Final Verdict

Any of these five options will be a worthy addition to your caravan. However, if we have to have one stand-out winner, it will have to be the Seaflo 33 Series water pump. We simply cannot ignore the impressive features and durability of this water pump.

How to choose a 12v water pump for your caravan

Caravan water pumps are an essential piece of equipment for any traveller, and there are a few things to consider before making your purchase. In this blog post, we’ll outline a few of the most important factors to keep in mind when choosing a 12v water pump for your caravan 

Flow Rate

One of the most important things to consider when choosing a 12v water pump for your caravan is the flow rate. The flow rate is how much water the pump can move per minute and is measured in litres per minute (L/min). Depending on how you plan to use your caravan, you will need different flow rates. For example, if you plan on using your caravan for cooking and cleaning, you will need a higher flow rate than if you just plan on using it for washing your hands and face 

Pressure

Another important thing to consider when choosing a 12v water pump for your caravan is pressure. Pressure is how much force the pump can generate to push water through your pipes and is measured in pounds per square inch (PSI). The higher the PSI, the greater the force with which the pump can push water through your pipes. Again, depending on how you plan to use your caravan, you will need different pressures. For example, if you plan on using multiple fixtures at once or if you live in an area with high water pressure, you will need a higher PSI than if you only plan on using one fixture at a time or live in an area with low water pressure 

Amp Draw

The last thing to consider when choosing a 12v water pump for your caravan is amperage draw. Amperage draw is how much power the pump uses and is measured in amps (A). The higher the amperage draw, the more power the pump uses. You will want to choose a pump with a lower amperage draw so that it does not drain your battery too quickly 

Weight

When choosing a 12v water pump for your caravan, another thing to keep in mind is size and weight. You’ll want to make sure that the pump you choose is small enough to fit in your caravan without taking up too much space, and light enough that it won’t add too much weight to your vehicle 

Noise

Some pumps are quieter than others, so if noise is a concern for you, be sure to look for a model that specifically advertises itself as being quiet 

Single Tap

If you only have one tap or outlet in your camper-trailer or caravan (for example, the kitchen sink), then you will only need a caravan pump. This will provide the same amount of water as your kitchen tap would if it was turned on all the way. If your tap flow rate is up to 5 L/min, then the best caravan pump for you is one that can deliver this amount in just one minute.

Two Taps

If your caravan has two outlets that need water flow, such as a sink and shower, you will want a caravan pump to deliver enough water flow to both outlets at the same time. This is decided by how many litres per minute your outlet provides. After adding the two amounts, purchase a pump that will deliver the required amount. A 12v water pump typically delivering 9 to 12 L/min works best.

Three Taps

If your caravan is equipped with three outlets, you will need a pump that can deliver 12 L/min if all outlets are in use simultaneously. Typically, someone may be showering while someone else is using the kitchen sink.