RV Water Filters Defined – RV LIFE

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RV Water Filters Defined – RV LIFE


RV water filters may not be essentially the most thrilling subject with regards to RVing. Nevertheless, it definitely is a vital one. It’s necessary to know what water filters do, how they work, and why you want them to maintain you and your RV secure!

What Are RV Water Filters?

Person attaching a water filter to an RV
RV water filters are low-cost insurance coverage to your RV’s plumbing system. Picture: Kendall Jennings

All of us want water, however many take it without any consideration. Open the faucet at house and secure ingesting water fills your glass, cooking pot, and occasional maker.

Most municipalities deal with and make sure the security of ingesting water. Some folks nonetheless select so as to add filters to remove the unhealthy style that may include handled water. Nevertheless, the water is filtered and secure for ingesting straight out of the faucet.

When RVing, entry to handled water isn’t at all times the case. This may end up in water that’s unsafe for ingesting and may trigger points together with your RV.

The simple answer is including an RV water filter to your RV water-supply system. Identical to you might have a filter in your house on the important water provide or underneath your sink, the setup is comparable for RVs.

RV water filters add a degree of safety by means of the filtration of incoming water. They’re a simple DIY add-on to any RV.

Canister-style spherical filters enclosed in a plastic housing direct water by means of the filter (or filters in some instances), and into the RV water strains. The most typical set up location is between the water-supply hookup and the inlet for the water provide into your RV.

How Do Water Filters Work?

Generally, you connect the filter to your water provide hose since your RV doesn’t have a hard-plumbed water provide. Canister-style spherical filters enclosed in a plastic housing direct water by means of the filter (or filters in some instances), and into your RV’s water strains.

The excellent news is it’s tremendous easy and gained’t add a lot time to your regular setup routine.

A filter by definition is a porous machine for eradicating impurities or strong particles from a liquid or gasoline handed by means of it. Generally, you connect the filter to your water provide hose since your RV doesn’t have a hard-plumbed water provide. Producing “smooth water” is one other profit that we’ll take a look at nearer in a minute.

It is best to test what’s and isn’t filtered to your utility as a result of not all filters are the identical.

The inside workings of RV water filters for essentially the most half can solely actually be seen on a microscopic degree. This isn’t Standard Science journal, so we’ll make it easy.

Water filters cease sediment just by having pores so small the sediment can’t match by means of. Carbon filters are most frequently used for chlorine, different chemical compounds, and heavy minerals. They basically take up any contaminants and odors because the water passes by means of.

Eradicating issues resembling calcium, magnesium, and fluoride isn’t a powerful level for entry-level water filters. That is extra the job of reverse-osmosis techniques and water softeners. That being stated, water filters can reduce the consequences of onerous water in your RV’s plumbing system to some extent.

Smooth Water Versus Arduous Water

Arduous and smooth appear to be unusual phrases to explain water. Nevertheless, these phrases are correct and also you’ve doubtless heard them earlier than.

Arduous water has a better focus of heavy minerals resembling calcium and magnesium. Consequently, these minerals can construct up and trigger points with water strains and plumbing fixtures.

Smooth water, alternatively, has fewer of those problematic minerals. Typically, softer water goes to be higher to your RV. Nevertheless, some folks discover water that’s too smooth leaves hair and pores and skin with a film-like really feel. Water that’s too smooth usually isn’t going to be a problem in RVs because the water filters are usually not going to remove every little thing.

How Tough is Set up?

Campground water spigot with two RV water filters attached.
Filtering your water whereas tenting ensures you could have secure clear water for cooking. Picture: Kendall Jennings

Putting in a water filter in your RV isn’t one thing you’ll have to e book an appointment for. In truth, it’s one thing you’ll be doing your self every time you arrange your RV.

Set up typically goes to be as simple as attaching the water hose to the filter meeting, checking for leaks, and that’s it!

You could be questioning the place the water filter goes in your RV. It’s truly not going to be put in on the RV, however reasonably it’s hooked up according to the water-supply hose and water-pressure regulator.

A typical setup seems like this:

  • The water-pressure regulator is hooked up to the water provide (campground pedestal).
  • The RV water hose is related to the water-pressure regulator.
  • The RV water filter is related to the RV water hose earlier than connection to the RV.
  • The RV water hose is related between the filter and exterior water hookup on the RV.

Within the case of a number of filter techniques, a stand that holds the 2 or three filters shall be on the bottom, close to the RV. The hookups would be the identical.

Undercounter filters are usually not generally utilized in RVs. The explanation for that is that you’d solely be filtering and defending that one faucet. RV producers run separate water strains all through RVs, so putting in a filter earlier than the water enters the RV protects every little thing. That stated, some folks do use an extra filter for the galley faucet for added safety.

How A lot Are RV Water Filters?

Extra excellent news! RV water filters are fairly low-cost. You even have to contemplate that you simply’re extending the lifetime of the plumbing system and parts resembling taps.

An ordinary single filter system could be discovered at any RV retailer or on-line for round $20–$30. That’s low-cost insurance coverage to your RV and properly price having recent ingesting water.

In the event you select to go all out and spend money on a multi-filter system with filtration for viruses and micro organism you’ll be able to spend as a lot as $500. In the event you’re a full-timer that is in all probability cash properly spent. For the weekend warriors and part-time RVers, single filters are likely to work simply wonderful.

Do You Actually Want a Water Filter for Your RV?

For my part, RV water filters are on the must-have checklist, together with a water-pressure regulator and a drinking-safe water hose. The price is proscribed, the hook-up is easy, and also you and your RV are shielded from something nasty that might be within the water provide.

In the event you’re a boondocker or spend your time with out pedestal companies, having an exterior water filter isn’t going to be of use to you. Guaranteeing you fill your RV tanks with clear water in addition to including water therapies and retaining your RV’s tanks clear are crucial.

You have got the choice of operating the water by means of filters whereas filling the tank or putting in a filter at your taps if you wish to be further cautious. Together with utilizing secure water, we should always all attempt to handle water utilization whereas RVing. All of us want secure water—and a water filter is one of the simplest ways to make sure that’s precisely what you’re getting.