DIY: Water Filtration & Water Softener System

[MMD]

I've seen numerous water filtration systems some for as much as $500. And most of them do not have water softener included.

I knew I could DIY and, after doing research, I created a water filtration/water softener system that you can do too...

My 3-stage filtration plus water softener system turned out great - really happy with it. 3-stage filter (about $110.00 on Amazon) is in a small black container sitting on a cut-to-fit Home Depot Husky kneeling pad (2” I think) with another foam piece holding it in place.

Pic of Water Softener connected to Convenience Center:

3-Stage Water Filtration System behind the Water Softener Tank:

The system, from the water source hose bib, starts with a stainless steel Y 2-way splitter with shutoffs connected to the water pressure regulator which leads to the potable water hose itself.

1. Hose Splitter, 304 Stainless Steel with shutoffs
Garden Hose Splitter 2 Way Heavy Duty, 304 Stainless Steel 2Way Hose Splitter, 3/4 Inch Water Hose Splitter 2 Way with Wrench, Full Flow Garden Hose Y Splitter(All Components are Stainless Steel)

2. Pressure Regulator
RV Water Pressure Regulator for RV Camper. Brass Lead-free Adjustable Water Pressure Regulator with Gauge for Camper Travel Trailer, Reducer Valve W Filter. M11-0660R.

3. 35-foot Potable water hose from Camco
Camco TastePURE 35-Foot Premium Camper/RV Drinking Water Hose - Features a Heavy-Duty No-Kink Design with Strain Relief Ends & 5/8-Inch Inside Diameter - NSF Drinking Water Safe Certified (22843)

The potable water hose that connects to a 4-foot hose running to the three stage filter. I used two 3 foot hoses, one in between the three-stage filter and the water softener tank and another from the tank to the inlet into the trailer.

4. Quick Connect Stainless Steel Fittings
McKillans® Water Hose Quick Connect [UNIVERSAL FIT] 3 Pack - Stainless Steel Quick Connect - Garden Hose Quick Connect Stainless - Durable Quick Connect Garden Hose Fittings - EASY INSTANT CONNECTION

The end of the potable water hose, with Quick Connect, is connected to the inlet of the 3-Stage Filtration System.

5. 3-Stage Filtration System:
Max Water 3 Stage (Good for City Water) 10 inch Standard Water Filtration System for Whole House - Sediment + GAC + CTO Post Carbon - ¾ Inlet/Outlet - Model : WH-SC2

The water softener tank (also about $110.00 on Amazon) is sitting on another piece of the foam pad in a 5-gallon bucket with a small piece of foam, squeezed in between the water softener tank and the inside of the bucket to keep it from moving.

Replacement Filters (one set - other quantities are available):
Max Water 5 Micron Replacement 10 x 2.5 inch Filter Cartridge Set For Standard RO | Reverse Osmosis Water Filter Systems - PP Sediment, GAC & CTO | Compatible with AP110, WHKF-GD05, WHKF-WHWC, GAC-10

Connected to the outlet of the 3-Stage Filtration System is this short potable water hose:

6. 3-foot Potable Water Hose
Fevone 3ft Garden Hose – Hose Reel Leader Hose, 5/8" ID, 600 PSI, Hybrid Polymer, Kink-Resistant, Flexible, Durable, Leak-Free, 3/4" GHT Aluminum Fittings, Drinking Water Safe

The end of this hose is connected to the Water Softener Tank's inlet fitting.

7. Water Softener Tank
VEVOR RV Water Softener, 16,000 Grain Portable Water Softener, with 3/4" Brass Fittings and 42" Hose, Soften Hard Water Filter System for RVs, Trailers, Boats, Mobile Car Washing, Pressure Washing

Connected to the outlet of the Water Softener Tank is another 3-foot Potable Water Hose.

8. 3-foot Potable Water Hose
Fevone 3ft Garden Hose – Hose Reel Leader Hose, 5/8" ID, 600 PSI, Hybrid Polymer, Kink-Resistant, Flexible, Durable, Leak-Free, 3/4" GHT Aluminum Fittings, Drinking Water Safe

I used stainless steel fittings. I got on Amazon, including quick release fittings. There’s some really nice SS right angle fittings on Amazon that I found - they’re very good quality.

The end of the potable water hose, with Quick Connect, is connected to a 90-degree swivel hose adapter that is threaded into the water inlet in my trailer's Convenience Center. This is a high-quality fitting and I bought several of them and used them on the inlets/outlets of the 3-Stage Filter and Water Softener Tank as needed.

9. 90 Degree Garden Hose Swivel Adapter, 304 Stainless Steel Hose Swivel Elbow
Garden Hose Splitter 2 Way Heavy Duty, 304 Stainless Steel 2Way Hose Splitter, 3/4 Inch Water Hose Splitter 2 Way with Wrench, Full Flow Garden Hose Y Splitter(All Components are Stainless Steel)

The 3-Stage Filtration System sits inside a small black storage container (I think I purchased it at Home Depot). I cut a Husky Kneeling Pad to fit the bottom of the container (Husky Pad also from Home Depot) - it's a great way to protect the Filtration System from the constant bumps and impacts when driving down the road. I also used a piece of the pad inside the bottom of the 5-gallon pail that the Water Softener Tank sits in. Both the container and pail catch any water that may leak (I had zero leaks during my 2-week "test" trip) in use or when disconnecting/connnecting the hoses.

Also used a couple of Stainless Steel Shut Off Valve
10. Enoch's Land Garden Hose Shut Off Valve
Enoch's Land Garden Hose Shut Off Valve, 3/4" GHT Water Shut Off Valve 304 Stainless Steel Heavy Duty High Flow Garden Hose Connector(2 Packs)

I’m happy as it works very well, doesn’t leak, the container and pail stay in place inside, and they can be very easily removed. I only had to hole saw one hole in the divider wall between the basement and the convenience center. I have yet to add a protective bushing in the hole to protect the hoses from chafing (2 hoses go through one hole - the water hose going IN to the 3-Stage Filtration System and the water hose going OUT of the Water Softener Tank into the 90-degree SS fitting connected to my trailers water inlet fitting.

Link to above 2 pics:
https://www.montanaowners.com/attachments/img_3985-jpeg.1329587/
https://www.montanaowners.com/attachments/img_3984-jpeg.1329588/