Filter Guide
With many systems to select from, the following should be considered prior to purchase:
- annual time spent travelling,
- destination points, i.e. mainly caravan parks ,off road or a bit of both,
- is the RV wet or dry, i.e. does it have showers or not,
- reason for purchase, i.e. health or just taste,
- any outback travel envisaged.
These considerations should all be addressed prior to system selection.
The “Jones Factor” is prevalent within the RV industry, i.e. if the neighbour has one , ill get the same. However your needs should be the primary determining factor in product selection, not what works for Jimmy and Betty next door.
Read about common water filtration myths!
Types of water filter systems commonly used in RV and caravan water filtration
Point of Entry Water Filtration
These types of filters are the most commonly seen RV style filters, simply because they are highly visible when in use whilst traveling.
You commonly see them swinging from a caravan drawbar or on the sides of a van. They connect to the incoming water supply provided by the caravan park and reconnect on the outlet side of the system to the caravan or motorhome supply tap ,once again commonly found somewhere on the drawbar of the van
These types of water purification systems filter all incoming tap water to the van or camper.
That’s why careful consideration needs to be given to the use of these water filtration systems. If the van or motorhome is “wet”, ie showers involved ,then water purifier lifespan is compromised severely ,as all van water, including showering, is filtered. Statistics show that over 70 percent of water used in a wet van situation goes to drain, hence water filter replacements will occur far more frequently in these situations and as a consequence, serious consideration should be given to a point of use water filtration system in all wet van situations.
The Single In Line Point of Entry Water Purification System
This system is very popular, especially with the budget conscious buyers. It is deal for the weekend warrior, i.e. just a few weeks away per year or school holidays, that always frequent caravan parks and do the coast run.
These systems are great for smell, taste and odour removal, but certainly not bugs like giardia and cryptosporidium elimination. A single filter cartridge can be rated for bug removal, however at the flow rates required to enter vans and motorhomes,it will severely restrict flow rate into the van, and as a general rule should keep causing so much backpressure, that the incoming filter hose should constantly blow off at the hose connector.
If you have a single inline system claiming to remove bugs and it:
- lasts more than a week or so,
- doesn’t blow off the hose continually,
chances are its not doing what it claims and that your so called eBay bargain is really a dud, from a bacterial protection viewpoint.
The Dual Point of Entry Water Filtration System
The preferred point of entry choice, not because they cost more, but because a good water filter really does the job.
A note of caution here!
Like the single in line water purifier, always ensure you check the designated flow rates of these water filtration systems. Most sold in Australia are simply generic home water filtration systems converted with a few adaptors to suit drinking water hose sizing. However the internals of the water purification systems are still molded and configured for conventional domestic water flow rates.
Durability and UV resistance and tolerance are also factors that need to be considered when choosing your caravan or RV water filters.
Why select our Point of Entry Water Filter Products?
Simply, we are Australia’s only purpose built RV water filters manufacturer.
We do manufacture to Australian Standards, we do manufacture to match caravan drinking water hose flow rates, and we do ensure all our Australian Made water purifier products are UV stabilized and pressure tested during the manufacturing process so as to meet the Australian Plumbing CODE mp52.
Our two most popular inline water filters are
For more information, check out our exclusive Guidelines for Point of Entry Water Filter Selection .
Point of Use Filtration
These water filtration systems are designed to treat one water outlet only at the sink.
Consideration should be given to how they are installed, size of system ,performance and ease of maintenance.
RV cupboard space is always at a premium. No one wants to compromise this space, commonly needed for storage .
Installation is also a vital consideration. So many different fittings, so many different clamps and assembly styles.
Mounting the water purification system needs to allow for versatility, i.e. vertical and horizontal installation, so it can be fitted in the smallest and tightest of spaces.
Inline vs 2-way Water Filtration Systems
Do you install an inline water filtration system filtering all coldwater from the tap, or is consideration given to the installation of a purpose built RV freshwater drinking tap,i.e. two-way freedom of unfiltered water for washing hands and benches, and filtered water just for drinking, cooking and ice cubes.
Naturally water filter cartridge life is extended significantly with a two-way water purification system, whereas pricing and easier fit out is found in the inline water purifier variety.
Freecamping and 4WD Filtration
In situations where space is critical and or where containers are filled, representing the sole water storage device(instead of proper water tanks,) as is the case in many 4 wheel drive and open camping situations, a new water filter product called the The Trekker should be considered.
Ideally the The Trekker simply clamps into any standard hose line and filters water being poured into the plastic containers or tanks.
This is ideal where free camping occurs, simply hookup to a national park water tap and filter the water into the containers.
The entire water filtration system is no larger than a clenched fist or half a standard 600ml coke bottle.
It stores simply in any refrigerator when not in use and not only handles tastes, smells, and chlorine, but copes reasonably well with bore water as well.
The The Trekker saves lugging clean water from site to site, and delivers fresh drinking water on demand.
Always ensure food grade drinking water hose, and not garden hose is used at all times.
Single vs Dual Filter Comparison
Single cartridge filtration systems are more than adequate for those mainly frequently caravan parks and who travel less than 30 days a year. They work well for taste and odour removal, however should never be considered for live bug removal such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium. Simply put, a bacterial filter is so fine , that without adequate pre-filtration, to be effective it would block up in a matter of days of use.
For those currently using single filters that don’t block up quickly, thinking they are protected from germs, the news is all bad. It really is more good luck than good management that sickness hasn’t struck yet!
Read about common water filtration myths!
Have a look at the Installation Guide for Water Filters for further assistance with all issues relating to the selection and installation of water purification systems.
