Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 08-18-2019, 06:24 PM   #1
Orv
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 619
Garage
Water system repair - what fittings?

So, I needed to replace the sink feed line on my van, it having failed at an elbow fitting. I'm having a lot of trouble figuring out what connectors to use. I don't have a lot of experience with PEX plumbing.

I tried using a sharkbite connector, but I found it would only seal under pressure and leaked every time the pressure dropped. While this is fine in a house it's obviously no good in an RV. Just forgetting to turn on the pump before turning on the faucet makes a puddle in the cabinet.

I'm also a bit confused about what pipe Sportsmobile used, it's gray (all the other PEX stuff I see is red or blue) and seems loose on 3/8" barbs but too small for 1/2". I wish they'd used something standard because I've bought and thrown out two sets of fittings now trying to find something that works.

Orv is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-18-2019, 06:36 PM   #2
Orv
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 619
Garage
I'm really learning to hate PEX. I know how to sweat copper pipe. I know how to deal with hose connections and compression fittings, and a know how to glue PVC. But PEX just seems to be a mess of expensive proprietary systems. I really don't want to re-plumb the whole van just to deal with one bad fitting.
__________________
N8SRE
1990 E-250 Sportsmobile w/ penthouse top, converted when new by SMB Texas.
Orv is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-18-2019, 10:18 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Scalf77's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Beaverton, OR
Posts: 2,490
You don't have PEX pipe in your van, to old. Hopefully someone that has worked on an older van knows the type of fittings you need.

PEX is really pretty easy to work with.

-greg
__________________
-greg
__________________________________________________ ______________
"Goldilocks" 2020 Ford Transit High Roof Extended 3.5 EcoBoost AWD Homebuilt
Scalf77 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-18-2019, 10:37 PM   #4
Orv
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 619
Garage
I think you're right, I think now that I read up on it that it must be polybutylene. Well, that's bad news. Stuff's been banned here for years so the odds of getting couplers for it are probably pretty minuscule.

Saying lots of bad words right now that I won't repeat here.
__________________
N8SRE
1990 E-250 Sportsmobile w/ penthouse top, converted when new by SMB Texas.
Orv is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-18-2019, 10:54 PM   #5
Orv
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 619
Garage
Some sites claim Flair-It fittings will work on PB, anyone else have experience?
__________________
N8SRE
1990 E-250 Sportsmobile w/ penthouse top, converted when new by SMB Texas.
Orv is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-19-2019, 06:11 AM   #6
Member
 
Sboring35's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: East Tennessee
Posts: 49
Garage
Quote:
Originally Posted by Orv View Post
But PEX just seems to be a mess of expensive proprietary systems. I really don't want to re-plumb the whole van just to deal with one bad fitting.
PEX is the best thing since sliced bread. Very easy to install and I have never had a leak to date.

The "slip fittings" are the fastest repair I know of, but they are expensive. If your using it on the right pipe (CPVC, rigid copper, ect...) and push it all the way to the fitting stop it will not leak or blow off.

PEX fittings are branching out to different types of pipe OD's as well.

I use the "crimp fittings" and the copper crimp rings most of the time now.

No leak repairs in our SMB yet but if I can make PEX work I will use it. It worked great in our Airstream.

Sboring35 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2019, 01:57 PM   #7
Orv
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 619
Garage
Yeah, I think the reason the slip-on fittings weren't working is what I have isn't PEX, it's PB, which has a different outer diameter.
__________________
N8SRE
1990 E-250 Sportsmobile w/ penthouse top, converted when new by SMB Texas.
Orv is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-01-2019, 01:40 PM   #8
Orv
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 619
Garage
It looks like Flair-It fittings are the ticket. They're a plastic flare type fitting and seal against the ID of the tubing, not the OD. The 3/8-inch ones claim to fit both PEX and polybutylene. They're listed as for "accessible use only," which doesn't inspire a TON of confidence, but it seems to have made a watertight seal on my PB plumbing.


I used Flair-It #16870, 3/8-inch plastic to 1/2-inch Male Pipe Thread, which I connected to a 1/2-inch FPT to 3/8-inch compression adapter to fit my sink supply line.
__________________
N8SRE
1990 E-250 Sportsmobile w/ penthouse top, converted when new by SMB Texas.
Orv is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-05-2019, 07:49 PM   #9
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Posts: 50
Go to an RV store. My travel trailer is pretty much all PEX piping and connectors. The store had every fitting required to fix my toilet connection and to convert the plastic connectors to PEX. I now carry a crimping tool, some connectors and piping with me.


There are some videos about the shark bite slip on type connectors. They use rubber sliding seals so you know what that means. Many suggest that these type of fittings should only be used on the outside of buildings.



On another note, PEX has been in use in Europe for many decades. My son had his whole house converted to PEX a few years ago. It was fast and efficient. The only draw back is PEX should not be exposed to sunlight.
newoldguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

» Sportsmobile Registry

Moby

maptester

Big Backpack

RMAC
Add your Sportsmobile
» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sportsmobile SIP or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:13 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.