Drinking and using your RV water can sometimes be the worst part of RV travel. The water tastes bad,it leaves a film on everything it touches,and it damages your pipes. The water at most RV hookups contains a lot of dissolved minerals that make the water so gross and so corrosive.
But,good news!
There are portable water softeners made specifically for RVs that make your excursions more enjoyable! Water softeners use salt to eliminate the minerals in the hard water and make it more useable. When you choose the right water softener,your water will taste better,and you can extend the life of your pipes and water fixtures.
How to Choose the Best RV Water Softener
There are a LOT of water softeners on the market. Here are a few tips to help you find the best RV water softener for your needs.
ð??? Portable
Look for:
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Handles
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Lightweight
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Easy to install
Having a portable water softener makes it easy to bring with you when you want to and leave when you don’t. You’ll have the option to detach it and use it for other things at home,like washing your car or RV with soft water,or switch it between RVs. If you have more than one RV,you can likely get away with having just one portable water softener.
Your RV water softener should be very easy to install and detach. You shouldn’t have to hire someone to come install your water softener. Working on your RV should be easy and fun. If the installation process is complicated,then it won’t be a good fit for your RV.
ð??? Has the correct grain capacity for your RV size and usage
The “capacity” of a water softener means how many dissolved minerals it can remove before it needs to regenerate. The higher the grain capacity,the longer you have between regeneration times. However,you don’t need a massive grain capacity for your RV.
Since it’s not a permanent home,you want something smaller and more portable than you would buy for your house. If you just have one or two people using your RV infrequently,an 8,000-grain unit will likely work for you. If you have a small family using the RV regularly,you should opt for a 20,000-grain unit.
Even if you live in your RV most of the time,don’t go above a 20,000-grain unit. Anything bigger than that is too much for an RV. You want a large enough grain capacity to generate water without constantly having to add more salt,but you don’t want it to be so big that it’s cumbersome to install or move.
ð??? Requires limited upkeep
Make sure that your RV water softener takes regular,everyday table salt. If you get something that requires a fancy salt,your salt expenses will start to add up.
Similarly,find out how much salt your RV water softener will require. If you constantly have to replace the salt,you will end up spending more than you want to. Your water softener shouldn’t require massive amounts of salt to keep going.
ð??? Has a good reputation
Your RV water softener isn’t something to cheap out on. What you would save in money on the front end could cost you a lot more on the back end if you buy a bargain water softener. Do some research ahead of time and purchase a quality water softener.
The SoftPro RV Water Softener is a great system to check out as you begin your research. It’s easy to install,portable,and user friendly.
Finding the best RV water softener for your RV
Use the Quality Water Treatment sizing calculator to find the right RV water softener for your specific needs.