Time to change inhouse water filter

[Sagecoachdriver]

My Forester came with a whole house filter system located in a basement compartment behind a flip down panel door. It's along side the water pump and valves. I read back when I was ordering my MH that many have had issues with the housing breaking from using the the filter removal tool.
Questions
1. Suggestions for replacing the filter cartridge, removing the housing cover and where did you buy it.
2. Any of you replaced the entire cartridge housing with a cheaper, easier and more reliable product?

[rekwiat]

Change mine every year not a problem with the tool provided. I make sure that I slide the tool to the top of the housing and then listen. I by the filters from Home Depot. Remove your old one and take it with all you need is the measurements. I buy the 2 pack not expensive at all.

[fonzie]

Yes a lot of members do this, including me.....

http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...ter-70759.html

[Sagecoachdriver]

Originally Posted by rekwiat

Change mine every year not a problem with the tool provided. I make sure that I slide the tool to the top of the housing and then listen. I by the filters from Home Depot. Remove your old one and take it with all you need is the measurements. I buy the 2 pack not expensive at all.

So I can use the same housing and a cheaper filter element? Mine is a Water pur.

[Canadiancrew]

We still use the original housing and it has not given use any problem. I may change to an in line hose filter like those at Walmart as the housing creates an extra step and extra anti freeze when winterizing.

[rekwiat]

Stagecoach: heck yes, use the less expensive filter. I have a 2014 3010dsf not a problem. I also use the inline filter from Walmart to fill my tank cause my well water at home is high in iron etc. So go for it. In winter i pull the in house filter, and anode rod from the water heater then winterize.

[NO3putt]

When removing the filter, make sure you have the water off, and release any presure in the line before using the tool to tkae it off, just hand tighten when putting it back on.

[Sagecoachdriver]

Originally Posted by NO3putt

When removing the filter, make sure you have the water off, and release any presure in the line before using the tool to tkae it off, just hand tighten when putting it back on.

Thanks, that's what I was looking for.

Guess the housing bursts if you don't winterize and drain it. No problem here in SoCal, we very seldom get below freezing at night and only for a few hours.

[Grampa Jim]

Like NO3putt said,,,hand tighten it.....hold the base with one hand while using the wrench so it won't stress the base.

[DrLewie]

The housing that came with my Cardinal 5th wheel looks just like the one I have at home. The only problem I've had during 6 years of travel is that it's mounted so close to the compartment wall that the tool that came with it doesn't fit on it. I use a strap wrench to remove it. Also, check the filter a few times when you're traveling just in case you're staying at a CG with a lot of sediment in the water. Happened to me once and I didn't know about it until another camper asked me if our water seemed dirty. I checked the filter and it was almost black, but the water coming out of the faucet was crystal clear. The other camper went to town to buy a filter setup.

[JR Smith]

If you camp in the southwest you need a filter or filters. There is very little GOOD water south of Reno Nv.At rv park in arizona its common to see green algae on filter after a week of being hooked to water supply.Not sure its bad algae ,but at least filter takes out the chunks. Same filter housing is sold at home depot and lowes so if your breaking it I would say you are doing something wrong.

[PenJoe]

Hold the top of the housing to keep it from twisting while you loosen bottom with the wrench with the other hand. If it is on tight, you may have to use pressure to get it loose. It takes a standard 10" whole house filter available at most building supply box stores. The wrenches/ spanners are also available in the same department. We use carbon based filters for improved water quality rather than the standard paper filters. Unless you know the water quality at all of the campgrounds you will visit, it doesn't pay to go cheap with a filter.

Should you need to change the housing, make certain that the in/out ports are 1/2" rather than 3/4" If you can only get 3/4", you will need reducers to 1/2".

[Wolverine 1945]

I always use Super Lub on the rubbers before I replace the canister,,, you can find 10" carbon filters @ Wal-Mart for about $10 for a 2 pack !!!
3M Filtrate 3WH-STD-S01 !!! Filters out Sand - Sediment & Rust !!!
+ Chlorine Taste & Order !!!

[Forester Fred]

I buy mine at Home Depot - it's a standard 10" thin line type filter. I think this is the one I bought - Pentek C-1 9.75 in. x 2.5 in. Carbon Water Filter-PENTEK-C1 - The Home Depot
$5.37 each at HD compared to $15 to $25 at an RV dealer.

I haven't had an issue getting my filter housing off, just make sure the water system is not pressurized and it should come right off....spilling water all over the inside of the compartment!

[Wolverine 1945]

Originally Posted by Forester Fred

I buy mine at Home Depot - it's a standard 10" thin line type filter. I think this is the one I bought - Pentek C-1 9.75 in. x 2.5 in. Carbon Water Filter-PENTEK-C1 - The Home Depot
$5.37 each at HD compared to $15 to $25 at an RV dealer.

I haven't had an issue getting my filter housing off, just make sure the water system is not pressurized and it should come right off....spilling water all over the inside of the compartment!

Yes spilling water is very easy !!!
Carbon Filters @ Wally World,,, 2 pack for $9.67 !!!

[BEMR]

Originally Posted by Sagecoachdriver

My Forester came with a whole house filter system located in a basement compartment behind a flip down panel door. It's along side the water pump and valves. I read back when I was ordering my MH that many have had issues with the housing breaking from using the the filter removal tool.
Questions
1. Suggestions for replacing the filter cartridge, removing the housing cover and where did you buy it.
2. Any of you replaced the entire cartridge housing with a cheaper, easier and more reliable product?

Where is the flip down panel door, upon purchase I was given xtra water filter cartridge but have no idea where to find the filter unit itself, MBS 2401r

[PenJoe]

Originally Posted by BALLZITCH

Where is the flip down panel door, upon purchase I was given xtra water filter cartridge but have no idea where to find the filter unit itself, MBS 2401r

Look on the driver side storage compartment just forward of the one that goes all the way across at the rear. The black panel should come off to expose the pump and water filter.

[Wolverine 1945]

On our Sunseeker it is on the Passengers side ???

[DavidBo]

I replaced my 2104S's house filter with a typical under-sink unit that uses readily available cartridges with varying levels of filtration (and cost). Any home center or Walmart carries these filter elements.
Replacing the assembly was harder that I thought it would be, only because of the terrible access I had in the tiny cubby the filter was installed in under the pantry by the fridge. The original filter was secured with three of those black phillips screws that FR seems to use to hold this whole trailer together. The new filter's bracket only had two holes, so I drilled a third for extra strength in the "wood" panel. Screwing that in was a b#$&! in that tiny space!
The original water fittings were 1/2" thread, the new filter's in/out ports are 3/8". Finding new fittings was a chore, 3/8 NPT to 1/2" barb is a rare item, I finally found the perfect parts in nylon at my local Tractor Supply. Make sure whatever you get is safe for potable water, many brass fittings used for compressed air are not.
Works like a champ and I now have many more filtration options available at a better price. Of course, if I flood my trailer because something failed then I'm on my own, so proceed at your own risk!.

[BEMR]

Originally Posted by PenJoe

Look on the driver side storage compartment just forward of the one that goes all the way across at the rear. The black panel should come off to expose the pump and water filter.

Of course I should not have asked where on the MBS 2401-R the water filtration system was to so many, I should have asked my wife since after looking everywhere, calling 2 Forester Dealers, asking on this forum, calling someone at Forest River Indiana, my wife says, "you mean the little thing that looks like a water filter with hoses coming in and out"? I said yes! she took me inside the unit where under the bed that slides out, we have 3 small storage doors facing you at the bottom of the bed, one of the doors under the bed houses the filtration system VERY easy to access.

Also I have read how a few have complained about where the water pump itself is, that couldn't have been in an easier place either, she took me outside to one of the storage compartments, and with a twist of a knob, a metal side dropped down exposing the complete water pump in a very open spot real easy to get too. Damn, she got me again.