pex plumbing question

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by rustyrivet

Thank you all. This is very confusing. I bought my Airstream Safari used (2005 model). I have never had to change any of the pipes; water or propane. I assumed, perhaps incorrectly, that the PEX pipe to the propane tank was factory installed by Airstream. Some on the forum say they have replaced their systems with pex and others say it is a definite no-no. The quote by 2daBeach, from the SharkBite manual sounds very definitive. I may need to run an entirely new copper propane line. I am going to contact Airstream and see if PEX was factory installed for propane on 2005 Safari's.jc

PEX is for water only. Propane should be copper or in some cases black iron pipe. Copper preferred and it is what AS uses from the factory. There are a some rubber hoses used at the regulator (from the tanks to the regulator).

Aaron

[rustyrivet]

Just received a response to an e-mail that I sent to the Airstream website regarding the use of Pex on the LP line in my Safari. They indicated that they surround copper pipe with the flexible water pipe (PEX) to protect it from rocks and other road debris. The propane is carried through the copper pipe. The Pex is simply for protection. I'm not sure when they started doing this but am relieved that I don't need to replace my LP lines. Thanks for all the advice. I feel safer already. jc

[airbassador]

Lowe's now sells a competing product they've cleverly named 'Gator Bite' if you can't find the Shark Bite product in your area. It works the same and connects your pex to coppor, butyl, pvc, etc.

[airbassador]

Originally Posted by rustyrivet

Just received a response to an e-mail that I sent to the Airstream website regarding the use of Pex on the LP line in my Safari. They indicated that they surround copper pipe with the flexible water pipe (PEX) to protect it from rocks and other road debris. The propane is carried through the copper pipe. The Pex is simply for protection. I'm not sure when they started doing this but am relieved that I don't need to replace my LP lines. Thanks for all the advice. I feel safer already. jc

That's actually a really good idea, as the pex would give it quite a bit of protection. I think I'll do that as I'm about to run some new propane lines on my old Ambassador.

I seem to remember Andy @ InlandRV saying something about using foam insulation for the same purpose, but I'm not sure because he may have just been yelling at someone to replace their !@#$ axles and I ignored everything else (Just kidding Andy... I need axles and will be ordering them soon!).

[76sovereign]

Be careful after the repair to check the lines with air. If it holds 40lbs pressure for 10 mins you're good to go.....

What we found was after fixing the obvious and hitting it with air pressure we had many more leaks that were in impossable place to reach.

Good luck to you