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To avoid streaks on your shower doors, spots on the finish after washing your RV, and buildup on faucets and nozzles, install an RV water softener. A water softener eliminates the minerals from the water that cause these problems. The result is water that not only improves the operation of your vehicle but also provides softer hair and skin.
Benefits of RV Water Softeners
- Less mineral buildup in pipes. One of the main advantages of having a water softener is that it reduces the amount of mineral buildup in pipes. Less buildup means water flows more efficiently in your RV’s plumbing and through fixtures like faucets. This is because when fewer minerals are present, the opening through which water flows is large. Therefore you substantially reduce plumbing maintenance, especially pipe replacements.
- Better appliance and fixture operation. With hard water, you get mineral buildup in faucets and shower heads. Mineral buildup inhibits efficient operation and can also occur in washing machines, dishwashers, and water heaters. Using an RV water softener changes hard water to soft water.
- Fewer spots. When you have a water softener, the water you use to wash your RV or, for example, the water left on your shower doors, leaves fewer spots. This is because there are fewer minerals like magnesium and calcium in the water. Spots on a freshly washed painted surface or shower door not only look ugly, but can also be difficult to remove.
- Softer hair and skin. Ask anyone who can give you a “before and after” report about water softeners. Before installing a water softener, skin was often dry and flaky. Hair was dry and brittle. After installing a water softener, the exact opposite: smooth, radiant skin and soft luxurious hair. Soap and shampoo also lathers up quickly and abundantly.
Types of RV Water Softeners
Salt-Free
Consumers prefer this type of water softener system because it uses a filter rather than chemicals to remove minerals. This means no chemicals affect the minerals in the softened water and there is no hassle adding chemicals. Experts do not recommend this type of water softener for areas with extremely hard water.
Ion Exchange
This type of water softener exchanges salt or potassium with ions in the water. Ions are what cause water to be hard. This process removes those ions so the water becomes “soft.” Ion exchange types of water softeners are especially good for making dishwashers and washing machines last longer. The high amounts of sodium makes the softened water not the best for drinking.
Magnetic
Magnetic water softeners employ magnets around or inside water pipes for water softening. The magnets change the minerals in the water from hard to soft. A potential downside: The water that magnetic water softeners soften becomes hard again about 48 hours after the magnetic field processes it.
Reverse Osmosis
This type uses pressure to remove impurities from the water by passing the water through a semipermeable membrane. This is a highly effective method that removes approximately 98 percent of water impurities.
Top Brands
On the Go
Water expert Bruce Everson founded this company in 2004. As a camper himself, Mr. Everson learned that the states the majority of RV owners travel to, like California, Florida, New Mexico, Texas, and Arizona, have very hard water. The challenge was to invent a water softener for use in RVs that was light, portable, and easy to handle and maintain. The result was the On the Go water softener. The company’s office and plant is located in Bloomington, Ind. Check out OTG4-StdSoft 8,000 Grain RV Water Softener and the Park Model Portable RV Water Softener & Conditioner.
Mobile-Soft-Water
Dr. Ceferino L. Follosco founded this company in the Philippines in 2008. It designs, engineers, markets, and distributes a wide range of water treatment and conditioning systems worldwide. The Mobile-Soft-Water, a division of HydroTech Systems, has its U.S. offices in Tiskilwa, Ill. Products include the Portable 3.2 Kgr Shorty and the Portable 32,000 Grain Capacity softener.
Watts
Joseph Watts wanted to prevent water boilers from exploding in textile mills. So he invented a pressure relief valve and started the company in 1874 in a tiny New England machine shop. The company now has operations around the world including the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe, and Oceania (Australia, Fiji, and New Zealand). Watts makes the Pro 16,000 Water Softener and the POE12DSA1KDF Dual Exterior Water Filter Kit, among others.
RV Water Softener Pricing
- $130-$184. Softeners in this price range are the portable type that you usually have to manually regenerate. Capacity for these ion-exchange softeners is around 6,400 grains. These fit in tight places and work great for day trips.
- $185-$279. This is the most popular price range for ion-exchange softeners. They also include portable softeners with capacities of 8,000 to 16,000 grains.
- $280-$375. In this price range, you will find softeners with capacities up to 28,000 grains. Some of these portable RV water softeners are salt-free, which means they work by either magnetic or reverse osmosis.
Key Features
Portability
RV water softeners do the same job of whole house water softeners but they are portable. This means you can take a water softener with you wherever your next trip leads you, and still have soft water to protect the plumbing and appliances in your RV home, and for healthy skin and hair.
Ease of Operation
Most RV water softeners feature easy hookups to water supplies so water can quickly begin flowing shortly after you stop. Another good thing is simple recharging. Many softeners use regular table salt that you just pour into the top of the unit to recharge it. You don’t need any tools to hook up and recharge most RV water softeners.
Lightweight
The popular brand water softeners are lightweight, usually less than 35 pounds, so you can easily load and unload the unit to your recreational vehicle. Lightweight also means you can move the softener into storage with ease and move it around the water source without worrying about potential back strain.
Other Considerations
- Price. The average price for an RV water softener is about $250. But do your research and find out which unit is best for your situation, whether it be a mobile home, RV, or double-wide. Check out the reviews, ratings, product descriptions, and FAQs.
- Testing. You need to test the water hardness before you use your RV water softener. Units come with test strips, so simply follow the instructions provided to determine the hardness and, after you use the RV water softener, the eventual softness of the water.
- Storage and Transportation. Some people permanently install the RV water softener in their RV, mobile home, or double-wide. Other people use it as an outside-the-vehicle appliance. Consider how and where you plan to use your RV water softener before you buy.
Best RV Water Softeners Reviews & Recommendations 2021
Best Overall
On The Go OTG4-DBLSOFT Portable RV Water Softener
Best Value
Mobile-Soft-Water Portable Water Softener
Honorable Mention
u003cstrongu003eWatts Water Quality/Condition M7002 Flow-Pur RV-Pro Water Softeneru003c/strongu003e
Honorable Mention
PRO+AQUA Portable RV Water Softener
Tips
- These units use regular table salt to soften water, not water softener salt. Be sure to use the correct type when adding salt to the device.
- It is possible to use potassium as a recharging agent. But since potassium comes in large pellets, you will have to grind the pellets into a table salt-type grind before you use it.
- If you plan to leave the water softener in the vehicle when it gets cold, you must find a way to keep it from freezing. Put it inside an insulated box or heat the storage area with a light bulb or heater.
FAQs
Q: What are the benefits of installing a water softener in my RV?
With fewer minerals in the water, you’ll notice less spotting on dishes, glassware, shower doors, and on the surface of your vehicle after you wash it. You will also notice less mineral buildup on the kitchen, shower, and bathroom faucets and on the inside pipes.
Q: How does a water softener work?
When water flows through a water softener, a process known as “ion exchange” takes place. The hard minerals (primarily magnesium and calcium) in the water entering the water softener have a negative charge. The water then flows through a layer of resin beads, which have a positive charge. When the hard water circulates through the layer of beads, the positively-charged beads attract the negatively-charged minerals and take them out of the water. This de-mineralized water then flows out of the softener and into your RV.
Q: Are there other benefits to installing a water softener?
Yes. You will find that your skin and hair are softer after showering in soft water, and soap and shampoo easily lather up. Dish soaps and automatic dishwasher soaps will work better, too.
Final Thoughts
The large capacity and compact fit of the On The Go OTG4-DBLSoft Portable RV Water Softener make it our pick for the best water softener overall. The super-efficient Mobile-Soft Portable Water Softener is our pick for the best value.