Air filter for heater?

[Megan3186]

Hi everyone can you tell me if there is supposed to be an air filter for the gas furnace? I don’t see one on my rig but I bought my camper used and I’m still new to this.

[chuckster57]

No there isn’t any filter for the furnace. There is one for the air conditioner, and keeping it clean is essential for proper operation. It should be located in the ceiling assembly. Units with the “quiet” system have AC returns with filters on the ceiling at the edges.

[notanlines]

Megan, generally RV's do not have furnace filters because it would impede the flow of air in the small systems. Your furnace system has what is called a 'sail switch' to insure that it doesn't overheat because of poor air flow. Should you use a filter it would likely clog up and reduce the air flow, thereby causing the air and furnace to get too hot.

[Megan3186]

Ok thanks everyone.

[skids]

I would like to see intake filters designed into the system. A course filter to catch hair and fuzz could make the sail switch remain functional longer.

[ChuckS]

Originally Posted by skids

I would like to see intake filters designed into the system. A course filter to catch hair and fuzz could make the sail switch remain functional longer.

Its a good idea but there is no practical way to really make filters for the RV furnaces considering how most are mounted... Especially in a fifth wheel..

The furnace draws air from the blower motor squirrel cage fan and with most fifth wheels the furnace is buried under the floor... Access is minimal at best.. In the typical under the floor fifth wheel mounted furnace it is drawing air from the basement area and the so called furnace return grill inside the coach is a joke at best... Mine are completely blocked off and have been on my Alpine for the last 8 years with zero affect on furnace performance, air pressure out of the floor vents, and of course zero overtemp issues

Now for those RVs with the furnace mounted inside the RV under a cabinet or inside a door panel a filter could be placed there but all its gonna take is an owner not cleaning the filter monthly to have overtemp issues, etc due to low volume flow...

If the RV furnace Builders (Suburban and Dometic Atwood) would design a sail switch that was truly sealed in the first place then there would be no sail switch issues due to dog hair, lint, etc

This cheap switch causes RV owners more grief and cost than just about an other single part on an RV...