You need to filter all the water flowing into your recreational vehicle. But why should you do so? This is to ensure that the RV performs exceptionally and most importantly, filtering also helps improve your health as it renders the usually harmful city water harmless.
You, therefore, need to invest in the best RV water filter to prevent harmful particles from contaminating the water and eventually getting down the RV’s drain. You will not be comfortable with some of these particles as their buildup in the fixtures and water pipes will cause a lot of damages.
Failure to filter the water getting into the RV means that you will be spending too much on replacing your faucets, the RV water pump, and the RV tankless water heater among others. On the other hand, your toilet won’t clog so often.
In case of blockages in the water lines as a result of the particles, you won’t even have the water for drinking, cooking and even your RV shower head will be rendered useless. To avoid such ugly incidences, we have carefully selected for you the best filtration systems that will help you in 2019 and beyond. Read along and know whatever you’ve been missing.
Best RV water filter: Product Review
Here are the best 4 products that you can look out for whenever you are in the market for a new RV water filter. Instead of going through the numerous products that are often confusing as well, just consider any of these and you will save a lot of your time.
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1. Camco TastePURE 40045 RV Water Filter
The Camco TastePURE 40045 should be the first product in your list for the best RV water filter. Its high flow rate and capacity make it the crème de la crème as it can last a whole season. All these are a result of the wide body it possesses.
It has Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) as part of its filtration process to ensure the water you get out of the RV’s faucets is safe for drinking. It is an in-line type of water filter that contains KDF as well to prevent the growth of bacteria whenever the filter is no longer in use.
It is a long-lasting exterior mount water filter. Besides, it has a 20-micron sediment filter that helps in reducing chlorine, bad taste, odor and sediments in the drinking water. Its installation process is quite simple and less time-consuming allowing you to concentrate on other activities at the campsite.
It is a high-flow carbon filter that has KDF. This water filter has been made in the USA and comes in packs of twos. Another good thing about this RV water filter is the fact that it is compatible with all standard water and garden hose connections.
Whenever you are attaching this filter for the first time, allow water to freely run for some minutes to flush out the initially loose carbon that could be in the filter. If the running water becomes clear, know that the filter is now ready for use.
This water filter is also highly versatile and can be used in the garden for purposes of reduced-chlorine watering. Additionally, you can use it in washing cars to minimize mineral deposit spots.
Other areas of use can also be in home brewing, filling up hot tub or pool, marine use and boating. The item weighs 1.6 pounds.
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2. AQUACREST RV Water Filter
AQUACREST RV Water Filter is just a cheaper version of the top pick above. In fact, it is interchangeable with the Camco TastePURE 40045 RV Water Filter. Therefore, it is the perfect second choice you have.
However, this interchangeability should be taken to mean that this product has been sourced, approved or sponsored by Camco. This product uses advanced and high-quality technology to provide you with fresh and clean drinking water for your recreational vehicle.
It is easy to set up and is usually accompanied by an instruction manual for easy reference. It offers topnotch results for up to three months which is, however, variable depending on the quality of water. Resorting to the use of AQUACREST RV water filter is eco-friendly as plastic water bottles will be rendered useless.
Another thing that makes it a perfect alternative pick is how reasonable its price is. With all the mentioned features, you will realize that it is a great pick for that price. They are made in China. Run water through the filter for a few minutes to remove any loose carbon before you hook it up.
Again, remember not to tighten the hose ends too much as it can cause damage to the filter. This RV water filter weighs 2.54 pounds and does not restrict the water pressure in any way.
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3. Camco EVO 40621 RV Water Filter
Camco EVO 40621 is the cheapest product we have on our list. The low price doesn’t mean that it is cheaply built. Its features are superb making it a great product that shouldn’t miss in your list of good considerations to make.
It comes with a polypropylene water filter cartridge. It also has the capabilities to last for a whole camping season. Besides, it contains Granulated Active Carbon (GAC) and 5 micron barrier all of which are responsible for the reduction of bad taste, sediments, odors, chlorine and bacteria. This results in clean and safe water for your use.
The KDF material that is inbuilt is essential in the reduction of bacteria in water as well. This product comes with all the accessories that are needed for its installation and proper functioning. Some of these accessories are the filter’s housing, extension hose and the replaceable filter cartridges.
It is well-built which makes it tough and this is the reason behind its durability. This makes it work perfectly well as a primary water filter that doesn’t restrict the flow of water in any way. Just like all the products herein, this RV water filter improves the taste and smell of water as well.
It is larger in size but still ideal for use in recreational vehicles. The product has been certified to have low lead content. It, therefore, complies with Vermont Act 193 and California’s AB1953 Low Lead Laws. It is also lightweight and weighs just 9.6 ounces.
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4. Culligan 1019084 RV Water Filter
Culligan 1019084 is the most expensive product in this guide. This can be attributed to its features such as its ability to eliminate sediments, foul tastes and odors even from the potable drinking water. Mark you; it utilizes the Level 1 filtration process in the process, therefore, allowing you have clean, healthy and safe drinking water.
It is a versatile water filter that can as well be used in boats besides the RV. In either of the two applications, its installation process is a breeze lasting just a few minutes. It fits standard hoses without the use of special tubes and additional hoses.
Its built-in Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) helps in eliminating contaminants, odors and sediments. It has a cartridge with a life of up to 250 gallons, which is three months. Its plastic housing is sturdy and durable as well.
This filter’s sturdy design makes it ideal for use in exterior filtration of the water. You can rest assured of cleaner and better tasting water when you use this RV water filter. What makes it easier to install is its slim design which is coupled with its user-friendly hose fitting kit.
Because of its slim design, it is very easy to store as well. Its 1-foot connector hose can be easily hooked up to the RV. What’s more, it weighs only 2.65 pounds. The model D-15 cartridge that accompanies this RV water filter has a limited warranty of 5 years.
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Factors to consider while choosing the best RV water filter
As much as you quickly need to have this product for your soon-approaching road trip, remember that it is not a guarantee that whatever has worked for your friend will work perfectly in your case as well. Additionally, there are currently lots of these products on the market, and every manufacturer claims to be the best which will probably get you confused a lot.
It is for such reasons that you need to arm yourself with some of the most important factors you should look at before buying the RV water filter. Below are some of those properties:
a) Type of Water Filter
There are different types of RV water filters currently available in the market. They are sediment, ceramic and carbon types.
Carbon type of filter is very good in improving the taste and odor of water. Besides, it also reduces chlorine and bad taste that are always found in city water. Many RV users always prefer the carbon filters as the water reaching the faucets is always safe for drinking.
The carbon filters are also good for the removal of other contaminants like lead, asbestos, organic compounds and mercury. However, you also need to know that the carbon filters are available in three options which are modified carbon block, solid block carbon, and the popular granular activated carbon.
Of the three options, the granular activated carbon is the least expensive but still works effectively when it comes to the elimination of contaminants from water. This explains the reason as to why it is so popular among many RV users.
Sediment water filters operate similarly to the mechanical strainers. They have the capabilities of catching all the particles that might have found their way into the water. This makes such filters effective in the protection of the RV water pumps, faucets, toilet valves and the RV tankless water heaters.
Due to their ability to catch all foreign particles in water, they need more regular maintenance for their optimal performance. Failure to do regular maintenance, your RV’s entire water system might foul up. Again, it is also a great choice as far as filtration of water that goes into the RV is concerned.
Another great option is the ceramic type. Such types of water filters have small holes that are used in screening out bacteria, sediments, protozoa as well as other water contaminants. One demerit that ceramic filters have is their inability to eliminate chemical contaminants.
However, currently, there are ceramic filters with integrated carbon components to help in the elimination of unwanted chemicals. The ceramic filters are often a good consideration when your aim is solely to remove biological pests usually found in water.
b) Amount of water
How much clean water do you need in the RV? If the water source is dirty and has sediments, then you will have to filter the water in entirety. If you happen to be in need of large amounts of water in your recreational vehicle, then you need to go for a water filter that doesn’t impede the flow rate that much.
Again, the amount of water that you need to be filtered always depends on whether it is for drinking purposes alone or there could be other areas of use.
c) Number of canisters
A good number of RV water filters always come in canisters. These canisters can be mounted anywhere on your recreational vehicle. The one-canister systems often take care of taste and odor problems. They can catch some sediment as well.
The two-canister systems do take care of sediment problems besides the odor and taste issues. Additionally, they minimize the levels of cysts, lead pesticides and other heavy metals that could be in the city water.
There are also three-canister systems that will also help in the removal of the bad taste, odor and sediments just like the previously mentioned systems.
d) National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) Class
The RV water filters can be grouped into classes I, II, III, IV and so forth. These classes signify the filter’s ability to remove chlorine from the water. Class I filters are usually the best, followed by Class II in that order.
e) Cost of the filter
There is no fixed price for RV water filters. Manufacturers majorly determine the prices based on the features and materials used to make the product. The high quality products are usually more costly. However, there are cheaper options that are top performers which you can consider as well.
Our list above has basically all the products that you can consider purchasing based on your financial status; from the cheapest to the most expensive. There is no standard cost which means that the amount to spend will solely depend on what you need. However, quality should take precedence over price.
Conclusion
The quality of water in some of the campgrounds you have visited or you are likely to visit is usually quite low. In some cases, the water smells bad with unbearable tastes. Such water is not good for the health given the many contaminants that might be contained in it.
This is where the need for the best RV water filter comes in. And just like it is usually the case when it comes to the purchase of camping supplies, quality and dependability is very important in choosing the ideal water filter for use.
Camco TastePURE 40045 RV Water Filter is the best product you can consider buying. It is reasonably priced despite its high quality. It lasts for a whole camping season and has a higher flow rate and capacity as well.
No fungi, molds, and bacteria can grow in it whenever it is not in use. The result of water filtration using it is clean, safe and healthy water. You, therefore, get to enjoy healthy camping at an affordable price.
What are some of your camping experiences without the RV water filter? How was it when you resorted to the use of RV water filters? You can share your thoughts with us.