Julie Chickery - Chickery's Travels

Easy DIY Project to Protect Your RV Water System

RV Water Filtration

We’ve used several single-canister water filters on our RV in the past, but our water lines still managed to gather particles that would slow or stop the water flow to our faucets. The problem was especially noticeable in the kitchen sink and the shower. Restoring full water flow required finding where the particles were lodged in the lines, and then cleaning them out. This usually meant removing cabinet doors in an attempt to squeeze into the small spaces under the sinks. We found a solution: build our own multi-stage RV water filtration system.

After doing some research, I found that most of the single-canister filters are made with carbon filters. These filters are really only good for the taste and smell of the water but do nothing to keep the water lines clear of sand, silt, scale, and rust particles. After doing some research, we built a three-canister system with high-flow canisters. We chose to use high flow, rather than standard size filters, as we didn’t want to decrease the water pressure. The high-flow filters have an initial pressure drop of less than 1 pound per square inch (psi). We connected them in a line with the first canister having a 5-micron nominal filter, the second with a 1-micron nominal filter, and the last with a carbon filter. At the end of this article, I’ve included a list of all products we used to make this system.

If you’d like to purchase a 2-stage filtration system, rather than build it yourself, we recommend this one from Clear2O.

Filter Types

It turns out that water filtration is fairly complex and there are many types of filters. There are a couple of terms that made choosing a filter system easier. First, a micron is one millionth of a meter. That is very small. While many particles that you would need to worry about in the water are greater than 5 microns in size, the average length of bacteria is about 1 micron.

The other terms are related to filter construction. An absolute filter is designed to capture 99% of the particles of the size of the filter, whereas a nominal filter will only capture between 60% and 98% of the particles. So, a 5-micron filter that is nominal will not capture as many particles as a 5-micron absolute filter. However, by using a series of filters, you should capture most of the particles even when using nominal filters. To remain effective, change the filters every 4-6 months, according to the manufacturer and the amount of particulate in the local water.

Danger of Inadequate RV Water Filtration

The danger of not appropriately filtering the water for particles before it enters the RV is that it can damage the appliances. The water heater, in particular, can suffer from having a lot of particle build-up. Also, the water flow in the RV will gradually decrease to a trickle, which we learned the hard way.

Off-the-Ground Storage Rack

In addition to the filtration system, we built a PVC rack to hold it off the ground since don’t have room in our water bay to mount the filters. You can build a stand for less than $20 using PVC pieces from Home Depot. It was built for easy disassembly for storage while traveling. The set-up takes less than 5 minutes to assemble, including hooking-up the hoses when arriving at a campsite.

Cost to Build a Multi-Stage RV Water Filtration System

Grand total for the filters minus the PVC stand (which was only ~$20 to make) was $130.06. I already had the Teflon tape, which might add $2 to the total.

Product List

From Amazon:

(3) Pentek 150237 #10 Big Blue Filter Housing, 1″ Female NPT Inlet/Outlet $26.78 each

(1) Pentek DGD-5005 Spun Polypropylene Filter Cartridge, 10″ x 4-1/2″ $12.49 each

(1) Pentek DGD-2501 Spun Polypropylene Filter Cartridge, 10″ x 4-1/2″ $10.63 each

(1) Big Blue Coconut Shell Carbon Block Water Filter Cartridge 10″ x 4.5″ $15.99 each

We also purchased a new water hose that is collapsible for easier storage and an adjustable water pressure regulator:

Zero-G Marine/RV Drinking Water Hose $33.95

Water Pressure Regulator $42.99

From Home Depot:

(1) ¾” x 2” GAL Nipple $1.97 each

(2) 1”x3/4” PVC Bushing $1.38 each

(2) 1”x3” GAL Nipple $2.94 each

UPDATE (September 23, 2017):

We just changed the filters for the first time since installing this system. They are shown here from right to left (from the water source): 5 micron, 1 micron, and carbon. As you can see, they are certainly doing their job!

Feedback Welcome

Please feel free to leave comments or suggestions. We are water filtration newbies and would appreciate any feedback or ideas for improvement.

For another preventive maintenance task, see how to easily flush your water heater.

For complete information on your RV’s water systems see:

Save money by making your own simple DIY water filtration system and stand. The water filter system is perfect for all camping trips in Fifth Wheels, Travel Trailers, and campers.

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10:19 pm by Julie Chickery

Important Tip on RV Generator Cables

The cables for the RV’s generator are weird. I was always taught that a black battery cable went to the negative battery post and the red cable went to the positive. After 45 years, I learned that is not always the case. It all started with a stupid mistake. I also failed to take a photo of how all the cables were connected to the batteries before replacing the batteries.

Connecting the Generator to the Batteries

After installing the new batteries, I connected all of the black cables to the negative posts and all of the red cables to the positive posts. I went to test the generator and it was dead. The pump wouldn’t prime either, and the light would not come on, not a peep for sound. I went through the troubleshooting manual, which included resetting the circuit breakers on the generator and checking the connections. All good, but still nothing. I pulled out my computer and searched the Heartland Cyclone Owner’s Forum and searched for generator posts. Very quickly, I found a post indicating a similar problem to mine. About three responses in was the explanation: the black cable from the generator to the battery is positive!

Now, why would they be so cruel as to do this to us?? I have no idea, but I learned two valuable lessons by this mistake.

Helpful Hints

Always take a “before” picture, so assembly works the first time.
Always check the connections to make sure positive goes to positive and negative goes to negative, regardless of the color of the cable.

After I switched the black cable to the positive battery post, everything worked perfectly!

5:13 pm by Julie Chickery

Apache Trail: A Crazy, Scary, Beautiful Drive

On our recent trip to the Phoenix/Mesa area, we decided we wanted to venture out of the city and enjoy some of the beautiful desert scenery. What started as a calm drive through a sea of Saguaro, became a white knuckle drive through one of the most amazing canyons via the historic Apache Trail, aka State Route 88.

Table of Contents

About the Apache Trail
Stops on the Apache Trail
Unpaved Portion of the Apache Trail – White Knuckle Driving
Roosevelt Dam – A Marvel of Engineering
Explore the Local Area

About the Apache Trail

Don’t let my introduction scare you off. You can drive the first 25 miles easily and see incredible views of desert plants and trees, wildflowers in season, canyons, lake views, and geologic formations. Coming from Mesa, the first 25 miles are paved and quite safe. You can always turn around at that point if you don’t want to risk the unpaved portion.

The original narrow, rugged trail was converted to transport heavy equipment and supplies a distance of nearly 60 miles from the town of Mesa to the Theodore Roosevelt Dam site. Today the Apache Trail itself is just less than 50 miles. The northern 22 miles of it are unpaved. Because the road is well maintained and graded, 4-wheel drive is not a requirement for this drive. However, there are several switchbacks over sheer cliffs, so it is not for the faint of heart.

Stops on the Apache Trail

We chose to take the full circular route, with stops for restrooms, lunch, and a scenic steamboat tour, and it pretty much took all day. Shortly after starting the drive in Apache Junction, we came upon Goldfield Ghost Town. It is a tourist attraction that revolves around a reconstructed 1890s town including gold-mine tours, Old West gunfights, a history museum & main street. We already had a full day planned, so we passed it by and put it on the list for next time.

Five miles past the ghost town, is the turnoff for Lost Dutchman State Park. This is a great place to spend a day (or more) on its own. There’s a visitor center, campground, mountain bike trail, and several hiking trails.

Continuing along the Apache Trail, we entered Tonto National Forest and began our ascent up through the desert valley on a paved, slightly bumpy winding road. After about 15 minutes, we rounded one of many bends in the road to see our first spectacular view of Canyon Lake.

There’s an interpretive overlook where we stopped to read about this man-made 990-acre reservoir lake. It is one of four that were formed on the Salt River upon construction of Roosevelt Dam at the northern end of the Apache Trail. If you have time, be sure to stop at the marina for lunch, then take the Dolly Steamboat nature cruise. We really enjoyed this 1.5-hour, 6-mile steamboat ride on the secluded inner waterways of this beautiful lake. While listening to the captain recount the legends and lore of the mysterious Superstition Mountains, we saw desert big-horn sheep and numerous birds.

After that wonderful diversion, we continued on the Apache Trail passing Tortilla Flat, the last surviving stagecoach stop along the Apache Trail. Today it has a restaurant, gift store, and small museum all in the “old west” theme. Directly across from the restaurant is a campground open from October through April each year. It and the other camping areas along the Apache Trail are great spots to take advantage of cooler temperatures while you enjoy boating, fishing, hiking, rock climbing, and scenic driving throughout the surrounding Tonto National Forest.

Unpaved Portion of the Apache Trail – White Knuckle Driving

At milepost 222 there is a parking lot with scenic views, walking paths, and restrooms. After this is the point, the most difficult part of the Apache Trail begins. The pavement ends and the remaining dirt road to Roosevelt Dam has plenty of hairpin turns and switch-backs with steep grades. If you are adventurous enough, keep going on this magnificent drive. There is some phenomenal scenery and stunning geological formations along the way! Here you can see where light-colored bands of lava flows have formed huge cliffs. However, the driver will need to keep his or her eyes on the road as the edge of the road drops several hundred to the bottom of the creek bed!

Sean is a great driver and was confident he could navigate the many switchbacks and tight curves we’d encounter on the 1,500-foot descent. I will admit to being pretty scared and hanging onto the door handle as if it would save my life during several of the narrow turns along sheer drop-offs with little to no safety barriers!

Luckily Sean is much calmer under pressure. He got us through it with no problems and we were rewarded with stunning views of beautiful Apache Lake as we drove along it towards Roosevelt Dam. Apache Lake is a man-made reservoir that is about 17 miles long. If you approach Apache Lake from the opposite direction you can pull a boat for fishing or water skiing.

Roosevelt Dam – A Marvel of Engineering

At the head of Lake Roosevelt, you’ll find the 327-foot Roosevelt Dam. We stopped here for a good view of the dam, and to read about it on the interpretive displays.

The dam was originally built over a century ago and was the world’s highest masonry dam at 280 feet tall. It was built in a Greco-Roman style by stacking large stones upon each other. The original masonry blocks were encased in concrete during the reclamation project which raised the dam to its current height.

On the other side of the dam is the Roosevelt Lake Bridge, the longest two-lane, single-span, steel-arch bridge in North America. The bridge spans 1,080 feet across Roosevelt Lake providing two-way traffic.

Prior to the completion of the bridge in October 1990, traffic drove over the top of the dam. The original dam-top roadway was designed to allow two Model-T Fords to pass abreast. The Visitor Center at Lake Roosevelt is a great place to stop and stretch your legs. There are several large exhibits including plenty of history about the Roosevelt Dam and surrounding area, videos, and displays of local flora and fauna.

Another good spot to visit is Tonto National Monument, which has well-preserved cliff dwellings that were occupied by the Salado during the 13th, 14th, and early 15th centuries. Stop in at the visitor’s center first to see the interesting displays and talk to the very knowledgeable staff. Afterward, you can climb a steep but short paved path to see the structures. There is a docent at the dwellings and you can actually walk through the site instead of just looking from a distance. If you plan ahead, you can sign up for a guided hike to the upper cliff dwelling. The trail is about 3 miles roundtrip, but the guide stops to let folks catch their breath and talk about the Salado people who built the dwellings, the development of the park, the vegetation, and wildlife, and answer questions. Unfortunately, we arrived too late for this hike, but it is definitely on the list for our next visit!

Explore the Local Area

This is a great day trip from Mesa, Phoenix, or Scottsdale. We had so many adventures in Phoenix on our last trip that we’ve decided to explore Scottsdale on our next one. From horseback riding and hot air balloons to the Desert Botanical Garden, you can find some of the best things to do in Scottsdale.

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