New plumbing...install filters?

[aircooled4]

Ive removed all the old copper (with all its problems)..starting the pex replacement...do ya'll think that water filters are necessary? talking to the local RV guy, he said that the newer trailer dont have any when new... Would also be an easy add-on later if i decide to... Thoughts..??

[Lance M]

In my opinion, they are not necessary. But, I grew up drinking from the hydrant next to the barn. I have one in my trailer. It was there when I bought the trailer. I replaced all the copper plumbing this week. Pex and the crimp fittings are such a great help to a noob plumber like me.

[Beaker63]

Aircooled4,
Love the Pex, get the crimping tool.
Forget the filter. drink beer!
Tim

[pbearsailor]

I pressurized my new PEX system today for the first time and it had no leaks. You'll really like it.

If you find you want a filter, you can always use an inline external filter when you hook up to city water or fill your tanks.

-steve

[aircooled4]

Thanks guys...already have the crimping tool...redid the plumbing in my house so i had to buy it! I thihnk then I will forego the filter...will be easy enough to add later...

[overlander63]

I hate to tell you, but your local RV guy is mistaken. Most new RV's most certainly come with water filters. Usually they are in a cabinet near the water pump. The filter cartridge must be removed prior to Winterizing. New Airstreams also have water filters, usually under the galley sink, and operated by a separate control.
For you, you can get an inline water filter that connects to the water spigot at the RV park. It is cheap, about $25, and will filter the entire trailer. That gives you the advantage of having all the water filtered, instead of just the drinking water. You replace it every year.

[Hoosierdaddy]

I would recommend a small filter between your holding tank and your water pump to protect the water pump.

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by Hoosierdaddy

I would recommend a small filter between your holding tank and your water pump to protect the water pump.

Most water pumps have a strainer to keep the big stuff that will damage the pump out. The only time I've seen anything in one has been in pop-ups that aren't maintained, and the stuff has been green (shudder). The strainer should be more than enough for onboard water, plus, a filter could cause enough of a restriction the pump flow can be reduced significantly.

[Eliminator46]

Originally Posted by aircooled4

Ive removed all the old copper (with all its problems)..starting the pex replacement...do ya'll think that water filters are necessary? talking to the local RV guy, he said that the newer trailer dont have any when new... Would also be an easy add-on later if i decide to... Thoughts..??

I use something similar to this filter. It has a water hose female inlet and I put a faucet valve on the outlet. I hook it up when I make my connections. Spin on housing and washable element and also able to see what kind of water I am getting prior to filter.

[darlingbooks]

Sorry for the lack of an inserted photo, but I have them shown in our Images, within the kitchen photos.

I installed the same style of filter as Eliminator46, but I placed it under the sink. This style of filter case is a standard size, and replacement filters are available at nearly any hardware store, and the filters are available in varying levels of filtration.

We use the standard water hose torpedo inline filter for the primary filter, and the canister filter under the sink for the instant hot water and drinking water faucets.

We have been full timing in our Airstream for two years, and we have found that not all communities have nice tasting or odorless water. Even the garden hose filter alone was not good enough to filter coffee water, and we had to use the drinking water faucet to fill the coffee maker.

I would recommend both inside and outside filters, because last summer at a RV park in South Dakota, I had the outside filter plug up, and when I investigated, and disassembled the hoses from the filter, I found the front end of the filter was packed full of earwig parts. I hacked and gagged, and threw the filter away. The earwigs had found a happy home inside of the faucet, and I attached the hose and trapped them inside, then flushing the whole bunch down to the filter.

On the down side, the more filters that you add, to the system, the slower the water flows through them.

Steve

[utee94]

Love the inline filter directly off the city water supply, before your trailer. Easiest solution in the world.

[aircooled4]

I was thinking that Overlander...i wouldve guessed that the newer trailers would hve to have something to filter the water...I am placing a strainer before the pump...may just have to get a new filter to install before the drinking water!

[aircooled4]

Old vs New. These are the drain valves under the sink, by the fresh water tank...refabbed with pex...

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by aircooled4

..may just have to get a new filter to install before the drinking water!

No need to. Just get a Brita pitcher with the built-in pitcher. You can even use it when hooked to city water, or at home when not camping. They're small and relatively cheap. We have one for Bertha.

[Hoosierdaddy]

Most water pumps have a strainer to keep the big stuff that will damage the pump out. The only time I've seen anything in one has been in pop-ups that aren't maintained, and the stuff has been green (shudder). The strainer should be more than enough for onboard water, plus, a filter could cause enough of a restriction the pump flow can be reduced significantly.

Yep, Terry I should have said Strainer instead of Filter. Something to keep small chunks of rust or sand out of the pump. On my Newell it is seperate from the pump.
Thanks for clarifying.