While on our vacation in Florida last week, we returned to the camper one day to find water dripping from the roof mounted ac unit. I pulled the vent cover and filter, and found the drip pan was full and not draining. I cleaned the drains the next day and all was well. I have been using a filter designed for a house ac window unit. Since the filter was soaked, I ran the ac without a filter. The next day the filter was dry and I reinstalled it. My wife noticed how much less air flow we had with the window unit filter installed vs. no filter. I told her that no filter was not an option, it had to have one. Previous owner didnt use a filter and the evap core was completely plugged when we bought it. So what kind of filter does everyone use? I hope to find one with better air flow but still filters dirt.

Cheap sponge material that you can buy at any RV store. I usually wash it every few months, and replace it when it starts to fall apart.

Both our ROO 23SS and our new TT have a sponge-type material. Maybe 1/4" thick and fits the appropriate opening in the unit. Simple to wash with a little Dawn and water, rinse, let it dry and replace. I'd be very hesitant to use anything other than the OEM filter. Check your manual or if not available, you should be able to get the info by going into the manufacturers website.

I found the foam filter media of the same type used as the OEM filter in an RV AC at Home Depot. Enough in the package to do several replacements; I just cut it to size and discard the dirty filter. Amazed at how much stuff gets trapped in the filter just on a short weekend trip with heavy AC use.............

I use a foam media I found at Walmart. I cut and change it every month. It is washable, but I found that it was cheap enough and not worth the hassle. I just cut and change the silly thing.Cale

Foam material......1/4" thick...for A/C units....can be found at Home Depot, Lowes, Ace, Walmart..just about most any hardware/big box store.Big bag....cut to fit......change out old..slap in new...clean/dry old...discard when it wears out.And it's cheaper than any RV Store.

Which AC filter to use? | Good Sam Community

13 Replies

CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Nov 12, 2013
SC camper wrote:
I have been using the foam filters that most of you are talking about. My wife noticed the air flow difference and she is right. We got much more flow without the filter installed. I was hoping to find a filter with better flow but still filters the air. Has anyone tried to cut a mesh or paper type house filter to size for the rv air conditioner?
filter
or
filter 2

I don't think your going to get filter 1 to work. It need the framework of the filter to stay together. And, besides those filters are not any better then the thin foam. Filter 2 I something I've considered too. But, have never tried. You might still need a framework of sorts. Maybe something taped together out of the original frame. The real question is do you have enough room to get it to fit?
SC_camper
Explorer
Nov 12, 2013
I have been using the foam filters that most of you are talking about. My wife noticed the air flow difference and she is right. We got much more flow without the filter installed. I was hoping to find a filter with better flow but still filters the air. Has anyone tried to cut a mesh or paper type house filter to size for the rv air conditioner?
filter
or
filter 2
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Nov 11, 2013
Thanks for the links. And the stuff is super cheap too. I see now why you say it's easier to make a new one and throw the old away.
westend
Explorer
Nov 11, 2013
CavemanCharlie wrote:
Hi, a interesting thread for me because the filter on my old Travel Trailers AC is shot. But, I live in the country 90 miles from the nearest Home Depot and 45 miles from the nearest Walmart. So, I order most everything I need for my TT on-line. I can't find the "Foam Media" or "Air Conditioner Filter" in a search at either Home Depot or Wall Mart. Does someone have the right search words I need to put in to find it. Thanks !

Here 'ya go Charlie: Foam Filter at HD

BTW, my local True Value sells it also.
mileshuff
Explorer
Nov 11, 2013
Every RV I've owned came with a cheap 1/4" gray foam sheet. It often gets sucked part way up into the air intake because its just a sheet without any form to hold it flat. Doesn't really filter much, just the largest of particles. Theres got to be something better. Why aren't RV units made to accept a filter similar to a home?
dadmomh
Explorer
Nov 11, 2013
Check the Camping World website or other RV supply....CW is likely pricier, but it's still pretty cheap. We camp about 1 - 2 times a month for about 3 - 4 days at a time. I usually give it a quick check once a month and for sure start the season with a clean one.
calewjohnson
Explorer
Nov 11, 2013
CavemanCharlie wrote:
Hi, a interesting thread for me because the filter on my old Travel Trailers AC is shot. But, I live in the country 90 miles from the nearest Home Depot and 45 miles from the nearest Walmart. So, I order most everything I need for my TT on-line. I can't find the "Foam Media" or "Air Conditioner Filter" in a search at either Home Depot or Wall Mart. Does someone have the right search words I need to put in to find it. Thanks !

This is the stuff I use: Foam Media. I just clip it down to size. Use to wash/vacuum it, but not worth my time. Cut, use, throw away.

Cale
CavemanCharlie
Explorer III
Nov 11, 2013
Hi, a interesting thread for me because the filter on my old Travel Trailers AC is shot. But, I live in the country 90 miles from the nearest Home Depot and 45 miles from the nearest Walmart. So, I order most everything I need for my TT on-line. I can't find the "Foam Media" or "Air Conditioner Filter" in a search at either Home Depot or Wall Mart. Does someone have the right search words I need to put in to find it. Thanks !
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Nov 11, 2013
Foam material......1/4" thick...for A/C units....can be found at Home Depot, Lowes, Ace, Walmart..just about most any hardware/big box store.

Big bag....cut to fit......change out old..slap in new...clean/dry old...discard when it wears out.

And it's cheaper than any RV Store.
calewjohnson
Explorer
Nov 11, 2013
I use a foam media I found at Walmart. I cut and change it every month. It is washable, but I found that it was cheap enough and not worth the hassle. I just cut and change the silly thing.

Cale