I now put about 23,000 miles on my unit and plan to change it for the first time since I have owned it. I have not had any issues with it to-date but figure it may be good preventative maintenance.
I change my fuel filters every time I change the oil, which is every 15,000 miles. I use Mobil Delvac I 5W40. Some people say to wait until the fuel in the canister is even with the line. I just change it every 15,000 miles.
It's cheap insurance.
Fuel filter life is determined by the quality of the fuel used rather than mileage or the calendar.
For many years, Newells have been equipped with a fuel filter that has a transparent bowl. As the filter capacity is used beginning at the "bottom" of the filter media, the fuel progressively fills the bowl to reach clean media. When the fuel level reaches to top of the bowl (the top of the media), it is time to change.
These filters can certainly be changed early when it might be convenient. But the filters can be used until the level of fuel in the bowl reaches to top.