Flojet vs Shurflo Pumps

The water pump is one of the most-used components in a campervan. Every time you turn on a tap, flush the toilet, or have a shower, the pump kicks in. A noisy, weak, or unreliable pump makes your van feel cheap.

Flojet and Shurflo are the two dominant brands in the UK campervan market. This guide compares them on noise, flow rate, reliability, and cost.

Pump Types

Both Flojet and Shurflo make diaphragm pumps, the standard for campervan water systems. They use a rubber diaphragm that oscillates to move water. A small pressure switch detects when a tap opens and runs the pump until the tap closes and the pressure builds back up.

The key differences are in how they manage noise, pressure, and priming.

Flojet Pumps

Flojet (now part of Xylem) makes pumps for RV, marine, and industrial use. Their campervan range includes the Flojet V-Flo and Flojet Quad series.

Flojet V-Flo (the standard choice)

• Flow rate: 7.5L/min (2.0 GPM)
• Pressure: 30-45 PSI
• Noise level: Moderate (audible but not intrusive)
• Price: £50-80
• 12V or 24V: Both available

Flojet Quad (high-flow)

• Flow rate: 11.2L/min (3.0 GPM)
• Pressure: 30-50 PSI
• Noise level: Moderate
• Price: £80-120
• 12V only

Pros:

• Self-priming up to 2m vertical lift (pulls water from underslung tanks reliably)
• Available from most UK caravan shops (CAK Tanks, Leisure Plus)
• Inline fuse included in the wiring harness
• Replaceable valve assemblies (servicing is easy)
• UK-based warranty support (Xylem has a UK service centre)

Cons:

• The V-Flo is noticeably noisier than a Shurflo Whisper King — you can hear the diaphragm cycle
• Pressure switch can be slow to shut off at low flow (dribble from a cracked tap keeps the pump cycling)
• The V-Flo's vibration transmits through the floor if not mounted on rubber bushings

Shurflo Pumps

Shurflo (now Pentair) makes the "Whisper King" series, which is the most popular campervan pump in the UK. The name is about noise — Shurflo's marketing pitch is that you can barely hear it run.

Shurflo Whisper King (the standard choice)

• Flow rate: 7.6L/min (2.0 GPM)
• Pressure: 30-55 PSI
• Noise level: Low (significantly quieter than Flojet)
• Price: £60-90
• 12V or 24V: Both available

Shurflo Revolution (high-flow)

• Flow rate: 11.2L/min (3.0 GPM)
• Pressure: 40-55 PSI
• Noise level: Low
• Price: £90-140
• 12V only

Pros:

• Much quieter than Flojet. The Whisper King uses a 4-chamber diaphragm design that runs smoother and quieter than the Flojet's 2-chamber design
• Better pressure switch — more responsive at low flow rates, less cycling
• Quieter priming — doesn't make the "gurgling gasp" noise that Flojet does
• 5-year warranty (vs Flojet's 2-year)
• Widely available (Amazon UK, most caravan shops, B&Q online)

Cons:

• Self-priming is weaker than Flojet — struggles with vertical lift over 1m. Not great for underslung tanks that sit below the pump level
• More expensive than equivalent Flojet
• The mounting bracket is plastic and can break if overtightened
• The brass pressure switch on older models was prone to corrosion — the new composite switch is better

Side-by-Side Comparison

Which One to Buy

Choose Flojet if:

• You have an underslung water tank — the Flojet's self-priming up to 2m vertical is genuinely better. The Shurflo can lose its prime if the tank drops below the pump level on a slope.
• You're on a budget — the Flojet is £10-20 cheaper. If the noise doesn't bother you, the performance is the same.
• You need a high-flow pump — the Flojet Quad at 11.2 L/min is £80-100 vs the Shurflo Revolution at £90-140. Both are loud enough to hear, so the Flojet's noise disadvantage is less relevant at high flow.

Choose Shurflo if:

• Noise matters — and it matters more than you think. The Shurflo Whisper King is noticeably quieter. That flushing sound at 3am when you use the toilet won't wake your partner.
• Your water tank is above the pump (e.g., tank under the seat, pump under the sink) — the Shurflo doesn't need the self-priming height advantage.
• You want the warranty — 5 years vs 2 years is meaningful for a moving part that cycles 100+ times a day.
• You're installing in a small van — the Shurflo's lower vibration means you don't need rubber isolation mounts (save £10-15 and some hassle).

Installation Tips (Both Brands)

1. Mount on rubber bushings. Even the Shurflo benefits from a rubber isolation mount (£5-10 from Screwfix). Screw the pump to a plywood bracket, put rubber grommets between the bracket and the van floor.
2. Use a flexible hose on the inlet. A short length of braided flexible hose (15-20cm) between the pump and the rigid pipe absorbs vibration. Without it, the entire pipe system hums.
3. Install an accumulator tank. An accumulator (a small pressure vessel, £20-40) stores pressurised water and reduces pump cycling — the pump runs less often, lasts longer, and the flow from the tap is smoother.
4. Fuse the positive. Both pumps draw 4-8A when running. Use a 10A inline fuse on the positive wire, close to the battery or distribution panel.
5. Wire with 2.5mm² cable. The pump is 4-8A at 12V. 2.5mm² is fine for runs up to 5m. For longer runs, use 4mm² to avoid voltage drop (the pump runs slower and noisier at low voltage).
6. Add a switch. Wire the pump through a manual switch. This lets you turn the pump off when you leave the van (prevents it running if a tap leaks or a fitting fails while you're away).

Maintenance

Verdict

For most UK campervan builds, the Shurflo Whisper King is the better choice. The noise difference is real, the warranty is better, and the lower vibration makes installation easier. The only reason to choose Flojet is if you have an underslung tank that sits below the pump level — and even then, the Flojet's priming advantage is worth it.