Truma Ultraflow Pump

JohnM20
JohnM20 Forum Participant Posts: 1,416
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edited March 2018 in Caravans #1

Since we got our current caravan three years ago I have always been dissatisfied with the Truma Ultraflow pump assembly. Whilst it is able to deliver a decent flow of water this is frequently reduced if the tube to the pump becomes kinked, something that I guess many of you will have experienced. The plastic of the tube and the outer sheath is very inflexible particularly in colder weather and is consequently easily kinked when trying to insert it into the Aquaroll. I've spoken to Truma about it and all they could say was that is how the pump is. To my mind it is verging on being unfit for purpose.

I know that there is a new Whale pump which is a replacement for the Truma pump and with the claim that it is far more flexible but I am loath to spend almost £50 having recently bought a Truma as a spare and before I had heard of the Whale equivalent. This has made me think. Would an anti-kink spring around the hose help the situation, assuming I could get one of a big enough internal diameter. Anyone got any ideas?

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  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #2

    Can't help with the spring, but for hygiene reasons I replace my clear pipe after each years outing, only costs a couple of £'s with the need for a clip one end only. I get it from B&Q and they cut off a couple of metres for me and it remains quite supple for the rest of the year.

  • JohnM20
    JohnM20 Forum Participant Posts: 1,416
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    edited March 2018 #3

    Is this with an Ultraflow pump?

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #4

    Yes the Truma Ultraflow, I replaced the trigger assembly this year because the blue spring retaining clip broke, and every time it pumped it blew it off the caravan.

  • Metheven
    Metheven Club Member Posts: 3,987 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #5
  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited March 2018 #6

    After reading this .... the other week, I bought the Whale version. I've not used it yet but it looks far superior to the Truma pump, more flexible pipe & the connection to the caravan doesn't look like it'll fall in to two pieces with a hard stare like the Truma has done a couple of times. 

    I'll let you know how successful it is/was next week. 😊

  • JohnM20
    JohnM20 Forum Participant Posts: 1,416
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    edited March 2018 #7

    I have asked Truma for their comments about the inflexibility of the pump hose and they have replied saying that because of new regulations the plastic hose within the assembly is less flexible than it originally was. To my mind, a "flexible" hose that is so inflexible that it kinks when attempting to bend it into the Aquaroll is not fit for purpose.

    Truma have suggested that I try to remove the kinks by putting the assembly into warm water and to keep it straight when not in use. I have had two pumps laid flat along the top of a radiator for a couple of days but there doesn't appear to be any improvement. The kinks are still there in both of them. It's interesting that Truma sell the pumps vaguely coiled but already kinked in a polythene bag.

    I'll be interested to hear how Mollys Mummy gets on with the new Whale pump. If Whale can produce a truly flexible unit why can't Truma? They should both be working to the same regulations one would think.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited March 2018 #8

    So far, so good. The connection to the caravan hasn't split in two with a hard stare yet & the tubing is far more flexible ..... the cover to stop things from going into the Aquaroll could be better though 

  • dunton10
    dunton10 Forum Participant Posts: 53
    edited March 2018 #9

    I swapped last year. My Truma pump connection split in two and I held it together with a wrap of insulation tape. I would recommend the whale pump.

    when looking for a replacement I decided on a whale one because of several factors - the more flexible pipe, the stronger connector and slightly higher water pressure provided. On my coachman the water inlet was lower than the top of the aqua roll barrel which caused the pipe to kink quite badly.

    I’ve found it far superior and when closing the hot and cold taps the pump shuts off far quicker than it used to, particularly when using the bathroom taps(furthest way I guess). My water system works on a pressure switch rather than micro switches in the taps.

     

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2018 #10

    Discussed this a couple of weeks ago on parts and accessories

     

    Over the passed couple of years I've been pretty dissatisfied with our Trauma submersible pump. Whilst checking out some stuff on the interweb I came across the Whale pump EP1642 which looks ideal so ordered one straight away. I checked local stores but they wanted £60+. I brought one from The Caravan Store for just under £45.0.

     

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited March 2018 #11

    I'd to lie my Aquaroll on its side when using the Truma pump with my Coachman. I've not noticed a difference in pressure though as we usually take our water from the onboard tank and just use the Aquaroll to top it up.

  • ATDel
    ATDel Forum Participant Posts: 335
    edited March 2018 #12

    We changed the truma for the whale version a couple of years ago a far better product, pipe more flexible and the flow is better too. IMO £50 well spent

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2018 #13

    Now had the opportunity to use the Whale version with the Truma fitting and what a revelation.  Water flow increased substantially.  100% improvement on the Truma pump.

  • Richard12
    Richard12 Forum Participant Posts: 112
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    edited April 2018 #14

    Yes we changed to the Whale 1642, a much better pump & connection and a good price at £45 a no brainer.

  • white123
    white123 Forum Participant Posts: 3
    edited April 2018 #15

    Just discard the blue plastic sheath and replace the brittle pipe with clear plastic pipe and change every year. Cost about one pound.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited April 2018 #16

    But also the plastic of the original Truma connector is too rigid & the connector too easily comes apart.

  • JohnM20
    JohnM20 Forum Participant Posts: 1,416
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    edited April 2018 #17

    After reading your positive comments on here I've bitten the bullet and forked out £46.00 for the Whale EP1642 pump. It only arrived this morning so haven't tried it yet but it is obviously far more flexible than the Truma assembly.

    I'm very disappointed in Truma, a well respected brand, for just saying that their flexible pump isn't really flexible now and that is how it is. A take it or leave it attitude.  If Whale can produce a flexible product, which I expect meets the EU directive on food use plastics, then why can't Truma?

    If Truma are watching this thread perhaps they might like to comment.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
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    edited April 2018 #18

    And W123 where does the plastic you discard go?

  • JohnM20
    JohnM20 Forum Participant Posts: 1,416
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    edited April 2018 #19

    Further to the saga,  I have now used the new Whale pump which is certainly more flexible but whether it gives an improved flow to the Truma pump is debatable. The only problem now is that after only five days use the Whale pump has packed up so had to resort to the Truma again!!!

  • JohnM20
    JohnM20 Forum Participant Posts: 1,416
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    edited May 2018 #20

    Hopefully the final chapter. I returned the faulty Whale pump to the supplier, The Caravan Shop at Glasgow, in the post on Tuesday and received the replacement Saturday morning. Excellent service.