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Old 05-16-2018, 12:44 PM   #1
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Stock Water Filter System Questions

My Rockwood Geo Pro’s goodie bag included a WaterPur KW1 filter. I had no idea where the filter’s FR1 housing was located and all but forgot about the filter. I went hunting for my water heater bypass today and found my water filter housing.

BTW on the 2018 Geo Pro G16BH, if you remove the left access panel in the rear storage compartment you will find the water heater bypass, water pump and water filter housing.

Before I insert the filter into the housing I was hoping to get some feedback on this filter system. Do you have and use this filter system? Likes / dislikes? How often are you swapping filters?

The housing is full of water, even after a drain of the water system. Does this have a factory bypass or is a bypass something that has to be retrofitted?

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Old 05-16-2018, 04:04 PM   #2
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No bypass. Only way to empty is to unscrew it.

You might want to bypass it entirely and use an external filter. Many posts here about the FR1 cracking and flooding trailers. Not good.

You can replace it with a 1/2" PVC coupler. Better safe than sorry.
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Old 05-16-2018, 05:56 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by rockfordroo View Post
You can replace it with a 1/2" PVC coupler. Better safe than sorry.
Agreed. Thank you for the tip. Done deal.

BTW, I can’t open up that filter housing (I’ve got the tool). That thing seems to be on for good.

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Old 05-16-2018, 06:08 PM   #4
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After disconnecting the city water, open a faucet to release pressure in the water system and it should be fairly easy to unscrew.
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Old 05-16-2018, 06:17 PM   #5
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After disconnecting the city water, open a faucet to release pressure in the water system and it should be fairly easy to unscrew.
I’ve got it off the system now, empty. Still can budge it.
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Old 05-16-2018, 06:27 PM   #6
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The canister on the FR1 needs to be pushed up towards the filter head before it will turn loose. They turn off differently than a traditional filter that unscrews.

There are teeth that lock the canister to the head. It doesn't move up much... but it will. Once reinstalled (arrows aligned) it needs to be pulled down to lock. You will see them once the canister is off.

Many don't know about the locking teeth, break them off and that contributes to filter failure.
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Old 05-16-2018, 06:52 PM   #7
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I was able to get the canister off. It was threaded with a rubber seal. This model didn’t have teeth.
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Old 05-16-2018, 07:08 PM   #8
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Also note that the replacement filters are expensive and probably only available at large RV stores and on-line. The standard whole house filters available at most big box stores won't work.
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Old 05-16-2018, 07:29 PM   #9
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Also note that the replacement filters are expensive and probably only available at large RV stores and on-line. The standard whole house filters available at most big box stores won't work.
Not true somewhat - May have missed my thread/posts today http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...er-159955.html

If you mean the BBS filters won't fit, that is true, but instead replace the entire assembly with a BBS WHF - That does work! And simple. Replacement carbon filters 2 pak $15.
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Old 05-16-2018, 08:24 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 5picker View Post
The canister on the FR1 needs to be pushed up towards the filter head before it will turn loose. They turn off differently than a traditional filter that unscrews.

There are teeth that lock the canister to the head. It doesn't move up much... but it will. Once reinstalled (arrows aligned) it needs to be pulled down to lock. You will see them once the canister is off.

Many don't know about the locking teeth, break them off and that contributes to filter failure.
There is a problem with some as the upper and lower parts do not have arrows. Mine was that way. The label acts as the arrow on the bottom part and the top part has 2 round indented marks. The way it's lined up in the photo below it catches the first 2 teeth, if the circle is centered on the label then it catches the 2nd and 3rd teeth. But you don't know this unless you can get a close look without a cartridge installed. With it under the bathroom sink it's hard to see.
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Old 05-16-2018, 08:55 PM   #11
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Not true somewhat - May have missed my thread/posts today http://www.forestriverforums.com/for...er-159955.html

If you mean the BBS filters won't fit, that is true, but instead replace the entire assembly with a BBS WHF - That does work! And simple. Replacement carbon filters 2 pak $15.
I was talking about filters for the shown FR1 housing that the OP has.
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Old 05-16-2018, 09:52 PM   #12
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Also note that the replacement filters are expensive and probably only available at large RV stores and on-line. The standard whole house filters available at most big box stores won't work.
I had the FR1 in my Roo 19. Did not know about cracking at that time. After my first season, I took the original filter to Home Depot and found one that fit. Bought 2 and used one each for the 2nd and 3rd seasons I had it.

Unfortunately, I have no clue what I bought anymore, so I can't help with specifics.

On my Mini Lite, I removed the whole thing right away and put in the coupler.
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Old 05-17-2018, 08:55 PM   #13
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Stock water filter

I had the same filter on my Dynamax 37BH. Took it out, set a piece of PVC pipe in its place and bought a whole house filter. More water flow, better water, easier to change and waaaay better equipment quality. The filter housing lives in the plumbing compartment, filters last for a year and take 5 minutes to change.
Much better!
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Old 05-23-2018, 05:30 PM   #14
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I'm with jetjockey6. I have this filter (FR1/KW1)but its very hard to get to and the filters are expensive. I am trading mine out for an external water filter this year. With buying the housing, filter, and misc. hardware to hook it up outside I am only out the cost of 1 1/2 of the KW1 filters and no more contortionist to change out the filter. I should have done this mod 3 years ago.
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Old 09-18-2018, 09:46 PM   #15
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One more thing to add to pickup checklist: Have dealer demonstrate removal and installation of water filter on G19FD. Thanks!
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Old 09-18-2018, 09:56 PM   #16
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Whoa, you weren't kidding that KW1 filter is expensive and not sold at common shopping outlets!!! 38 bucks???? Yeah, this is going to be the first thing I rip out when filter is ready to be replaced. Camco inline blue canister filter here I come!
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Old 09-18-2018, 10:20 PM   #17
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There are two types of the FR1 housings. On by 2016 Rockwood the housing was as described by many in this thread(it had locking teeth). We had that trailer for just over three years(bought in 2015 and sold Aug this year). The filter never gave us any issues.

On our new 2019 Rockwood, the filter housing just unscrews(no lock). The filters are the same.

A filter lasted about 9 months(for me) and was replaced. I know it is a little late but they were selling the filters at the Goshen Rally 3 for $30. Maybe you can find the deal elsewhere.
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Old 09-19-2018, 06:47 PM   #18
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Just about all the info here is true. The important thing is- bypass, bypass, bypass that absolutely STUPID place where they put that filter. We've said it before- what happens when there is a leak in that location? You have a major problem that you may not find right away. And that means TROUBLE! Good luck to you! (I think those CAMCO blue exterior filters that go between your hose and inlet are the best and easiest way to go.)
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Old 09-22-2018, 09:48 PM   #19
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This past spring upon turning on the water I immediately had a small leak around the thread of the FR1 housing in my 2018 RW Mini-lite. I could not see any damage but replaced the housing which fixed it. They would not cover this under warranty because I winterized it myself. There was no water left in the system but it was possible when I screwed the housing back on after the system blowout that the threads were still wet resulting in some freezing damage when winter hit. I do agree that if it suddenly starts to leak it would be messy because of the location. BTW not all water filters are equal. These stock filters have limited abilities, compared to carbon filters for example. The need will depend if you always have the same source you can trust or you move around to unknown areas. I use one outside too but may still replace this stock unit for next year. Thanks for the tips.
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Old 09-22-2018, 10:13 PM   #20
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This past spring upon turning on the water I immediately had a small leak around the thread of the FR1 housing in my 2018 RW Mini-lite. I could not see any damage but replaced the housing which fixed it. They would not cover this under warranty because I winterized it myself. There was no water left in the system but it was possible when I screwed the housing back on after the system blowout that the threads were still wet resulting in some freezing damage when winter hit. I do agree that if it suddenly starts to leak it would be messy because of the location. BTW not all water filters are equal. These stock filters have limited abilities, compared to carbon filters for example. The need will depend if you always have the same source you can trust or you move around to unknown areas. I use one outside too but may still replace this stock unit for next year. Thanks for the tips.
You should have removed it, not replaced it, IMHO. You are still susceptible to a major leak.
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