The 10 Best RV Water Filter For A Skoolie
What is the best RV water filter for your skoolie? How do you know what is hype and what is genuinely a good filter? We are going to break down RV water filter systems so you can decide for yourself.
It’s happened to all of us before. You lift the glass of water to your mouth to take a drink. Before the water even hits your lips you smell the water in the glass and immediately know something is slightly off.
Then, before realizing what you are doing, the water hits the taste receptors on your tongue and you know you have just taken a drink of some nasty water.
It may not be nasty enough to make you sick, but the taste alone keeps you from drinking any more of it.
The scary part of nasty water is that sometimes it doesn’t smell or taste bad. It just has contaminants in it that are upsetting to your digestion and before you know it, you feel cramps and are running to the bathroom. 💩
Having a proper and reliable water filter for your skoolie is as important as a comfortable bed. You really can’t live in a skoolie without having potable water at your disposal.
Why Is An Inline Water Filter Important?
Having a hundred-gallon water tank is great for boondocking and setting off into the woods or desert for 2 to 3 weeks at a time. If none of that water has been filtered and is positively safe for consumption, what is the point?
Sure, you can boil it and filter it in a Berkey or Zero water filter, but that takes time and is very inconvenient. Why not filter it right from the start and already have plenty of water at your immediate disposal?
When you fill your fresh water tank from an unknown source in an area you are not familiar with, you have no idea of the quality of water you are getting.
Some city water sources use more chlorine or fluoride in their water than others. There are some aquifers or wells that have waterborne disease-carrying bacteria and microorganisms that can really mess you up.
Some water sources have high metal, iron, magnesium, and calcium concentration. This can clog up your facets and damage your water pump.
Having a filter that can remove all of these elements such as bacteria, metals, sediment, and chemicals is crucial to your health.
Are All Water Filters Equal?
There are so many choices and types of water filters out there to make your freshwater safer and better tasting.
Before purchasing any type of filter for your skoolie freshwater system, do your due diligence and educate yourself on what filters are best for you and your traveling plans.
Some RV water filters remove sand, dirt, and other types of sediment. Other RV water filters will remove waterborne disease-carrying bacteria, microorganisms, and harmful chemicals.
We will review which type of RV water filter is best for you and your skoolie.
Sediment Filters
Sediment filters remove suspended organic materials from the water and trap them on the surface of or within the filters. Organic materials such as lime, sand, dirt, loose scale, clay, and sediment are removed giving the user cleaner and better-tasting water.
It is recommended to change a sediment filter once every 6 months or whenever you notice your water pressure has decreased.
Carbon Filters
Carbon filters are arguably the best filter to improve the taste and smell of your drinking water.
In addition to improving the taste and odor of your water, carbon RV water filters also remove harmful heavy metals such as mercury, asbestos, lead, and other dangerous and volatile organic compounds.
Ceramic Filters
A ceramic filter in your RV water filter screens and eliminates bacteria, giardia cysts, sediments, and protozoa.
Ceramic RV water filters are not as effective for screening or filtering out chemicals such as chlorine, fluoride, iodine, or other damaging chemical compounds.
If you want to filter these types of chemicals, then you will need to add a carbon filter.
Reverse Osmosis Filters
The best and most effective RV water filter system you can install in your skoolie is one that utilizes reverse osmosis. This is the closest you will get to having 100% clear water.
A reverse osmosis filter uses a semi-permeable membrane that removes any particle larger than a water molecule itself.
The semi-permeable membrane also filters out harmful compounds such as hexavalent chromium, fluoride, perchlorate, arsenic, and other harmful nitrates.
It will not remove chlorine, however. So, if you want chlorine eliminated from your water, you would also need to install a carbon filter as well.
The 10 Best RV Water Filters For My Skoolie
Here, we examine some of the best RV water filters currently available on the market. These RV water filters are in no particular order of preference or functionality.
Our personal preference for all of the water filters below is the two Camco inline water filters. They do a great job of deleting chlorine and bacteria from the city or well water and improving the smell and taste of our water.
Waterdrop G2 RO Tankless Osmosis Water Filter
$299.99
The Waterdrop reverse osmosis water filter is an under-the-sink water filter system.
An excellent flow rate of up to 400 gallons per day. You’d be hard-pressed to use that much water in a single day.
The Waterdrop G2 is an excellent filter, but it is somewhat large and will take up a good bit of space underneath your sink.
Frizzlife Under Sink With Brushed Nickel Faucet SP99
$129.99
The Frizzlife under-the-sink 3-stage water filter is a great RV water filter system, especially for the price.
The three-state filter fits easily under your sink counter and removes 99.99% of lead, chlorine, chloramine, and Flouride. Your water is guaranteed to taste and smell better.
Culligan RV-800 RV Water Filter With Hose
$21.17
The Culligan RV800 is an inline RV water filter that connects directly to the water spigot on one end and your RV water hose on the other.
This carbon filter is great at improving the taste and smell of your water as well as eliminating bacteria, sediment, and chlorine.
An inexpensive RV water filter that will filter around 500 gallons before needing to be replaced.
Waterdrop TSU 0.01μm Under Sink RV Water Filter
$179.99
The Waterdrop TSU is a solid performer when it comes to RV water filter systems.
This RV water filter uses a. 01-micron membrane that produces clean, clear, and fresh-tasting water.
The filters cost approximately$28 and last up to 24 months.
Clearsource Premium Pristine RV Water Filter System
$399.99
For the relatively high price tag, you would expect this RV water filter to perform well. Fortunately, it does live up to its cost.
The Clearsource Premium Pristine RV water filter system is an excellent accessory for your freshwater needs.
The first stage coconut shell carbon block filter improves the taste and smell of the water that enters this system.
The hospital grade .2 micron second stage filter removes e-Coli, Giardia, Legionella, and other bacteria elements.
Hydro Life 52700 With Flexible Hose Protector
$24.99
The Camco Hydro Life 52700 is another inline water filter that connects directly to the spigot and your RV water hose. It does a decent job of eliminating bad taste and odors from the water.
It will eliminate bacteria, chlorine, chloramines, as well heavy metals.
ESSENTIAL Premium RV Water Filter With Cyst Removal
$199.99
The Essential Premium RV water filter is an excellent system for your skoolie. It is permanently installed in your skoolie and should be replaced every 6 to 12 months depending on how much water you put through it.
It will remove Giardia cysts as well as bacteria, chlorine, and other sedentary solids.
Camco 40043 Water Filter With Flexible Hose Protector
$18.27
The Camco inline RV water filter is a great bargain. A small price for a water filter that does a big job.
This is a granular carbon filter that eliminates bad taste, odors, bacteria, chlorine, and sediment.
This filter is only good for up to 500 gallons before a replacement is needed.
Clear2O CRV2006 RV and Marine Inline Water Filter
$34.99
The Clear2O RV and Marine inline water filter is an effective and inexpensive water filter for your freshwater system.
The inline filter connects directly to the city water spigot and then directly to your RV fresh water hose.
This carbon filter eliminates bad tastes and odors as well as contaminants and chlorine. A simple and cost-effective water filter.
USA Adventure 3-Stage RV/MARINE XXL Inline Water Filter
$99.95
The USA 3-stage water filter is another simple and low-cost RV water filter for your skoolie.
The QD filter eliminates bacteria and viruses on contact using QD electron-activated media.
The carbon filter removes bad tastes and smells, pesticides, herbicides, chlorine, heavy metals, lead, and trihalomethanes.
The KDF filter removes chlorine, bacteria, and algae even in hot water.
Why Can’t I Just Use A Berkey?
We’ve seen them in all of the Instagram pictures and YouTube videos. Why not just get a Berkey or Zero countertop water filter system? They advertise they remove 99.8% of all chemicals and contaminants.
The water tastes great and they are easy to use and refill.
The problem with not filtering your freshwater before it enters your plumbing system is that it is harmful to your water pump, and plumbing fixtures, and any bacteria entered into your system will only grow.
Why would you want to shower, wash your face, brush your teeth, or do anything else you do with freshwater that contains harmful bacteria, microorganisms, and chemicals?
You wouldn’t of course.
Having fresh, clean-tasting water in your skoolie kitchen is essential of course! Countertop water filter systems like Brita, Zero, and Berkey are great for clean, great-tasting drinking water. Take a look at what makes up the Ultimate Skoolie Kitchen here.
You want your entire freshwater system as clean and pure as possible, and a filter system is the only way to make that happen.
Wrap-Up To The Best RV Water Filter For Your Skoolie
Having clean, safe, drinkable water is not something you want to ever be without in your skoolie.
Sure, you can go to any store and buy fresh water in a plastic container. What if there is a shortage of bottled water? What if you are in the back country and there isn’t a store for hours away?
Being able to produce good, clean water whenever you want it is the difference between living free and untethered and being reliant on society and the grid.
The water filters and water filter systems are great products and systems to incorporate into your skoolie water system. Not all RV water filter systems are created equally. You can tell that from the reviews above.
Choose an RV water filter for your skoolie that is going to meet you and your family's needs.
We would love to hear what RV water filter system you plan on using for your skoolie or what you have already installed.
Leave us a comment. We look forward to connecting with you!
