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**azflycaster** · 05-07-2008, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DEITZ645

The piping in my '06 is PEX and I love it. The piping in the '87 is a grey plastic. I don't think it is PEX or PVC. Does anybody out there know what they used in the '80's era trailers?

Could it be Polybutylene?

DEITZ645 · 05-07-2008, 04:54 AM

Ricahrd,
Thanks, Polybutylene is definitelt what I have in the '87. One more mystery solved

.

Aria · 05-27-2008, 09:06 AM

Thanks all for all your info. We located a hairline crack in our main line.
Material to be used ...thanks to you...will help. Thanks again, Aria

peegreen · 05-27-2008, 09:48 AM

Isn't there a class action law suit filed for any polybutylene installations?

richinny · 05-27-2008, 02:21 PM

Polybutylene Plumbing and Pipe Replacement-Polybutylene Lawsuit and Class Action Settlement Information

Aage · 05-27-2008, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobfowler

I'm jumping in here kinda late, but...

I soldered up two copper manifolds with 1/4 turn ball valves for hot and cold water (located under the bathroom sink). All lines from the manifolds to the fixtures are braided stainless steel supply lines from Lowes. I de-winterized and used the trailer in mid-April - plenty of pressure with either the on-board pump or city water. If those puppies burst, I've got a MUCH bigger problem...

Pardon my ignorance, but what does the manifold do?

cameront120 · 05-27-2008, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aage

Pardon my ignorance, but what does the manifold do?

Quick answer:

Plumbing Manifolds

Aage · 05-27-2008, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cameront120

Quick answer:

Plumbing Manifolds

Thanks, Cameron. Wow, how cool! It's like Central Command for water supply (hot & cold) to all fixtures.

So is the point as it concerns TTs to centralize all the shutoffs for seasonal shutdowns and emergency use?

Looks like a very organized way to go.

I would imagine that PEX is cheaper and safer to install since it doesn't require a torch. How do the materials costs compare to copper?

cameront120 · 05-28-2008, 08:12 AM

Centralization of valves is the very reason a manifold is so nice. Especially for a trailer where you can locate it in a location with easy access and then run individual cold and/or hot lines to the point of use. Material cost for Pex and fittings is more than that of copper, but the savings are in the labor. Also, no soldering and less chance of split pipes if they aren't thoroughly drained in winter.

Aage · 05-28-2008, 12:33 PM

Thanks.

53flyingcloud · 01-21-2010, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fyrzowt

That's because you haven't had your pipes freeze yet. In that case, the PEX is better.

I like this idea too. I would suggest a drain down through the floor and belly pan so it would allow the water to exit the coach with no further damage. It (the leak) would still be quite noticable IMO.
Dave

You are so correct~!
I once had a 64 GT, that a PO forgot to winterize, and he let the copper pipes freezes over that winter.(Afterwards, I am guessing, he never had any further problems..lol) Plastic? Gawd, I could not agree more. As much as I love vintage Airstreams, the use of plastic makes my blood boil~! I am, like everyone else, finding new breakage from the aging of same, which resulted from brittle plastics.
The latest on my 84 unit is the city water overflow or drain control knob. Wouldn't you know it? It's plastic~! Do you know how hard this is going to be to replace?? What were they thinking of at Airstream??
It is no wonder why we love Airstream..lol

bwaysteve · 01-26-2010, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fotochop

- very informative thread...glad my unit has already been replumbed with PEX and sea tech fittings...I wish so much of it didn't live behind the vacu-formed plastic bath, but I guess that's why they sell 1/8" rivets by the gross and harbor freight makes a 30 dollar air pop riveter ;-)

I noticed that Harbor Freight riveter is now $39.Have you used one?

bwaysteve · 01-26-2010, 04:24 PM

The the new pex fitting tool looks really easy.A video on the new Flairit Pro pex is on iplumb.tv

silverleeper · 01-26-2010, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwaysteve

I noticed that Harbor Freight riveter is now $39.Have you used one?

I have one it works OK. It beats the heck out of putting in a bazillion rivets by hand.

bwaysteve · 01-26-2010, 04:34 PM

Lee , do you use a water manifold?

silverleeper · 01-26-2010, 05:09 PM

No, It didn't cross my mind when I redid the plumbing. I mimicked the stock setup.

gmwelder86 · 03-02-2010, 11:55 PM

I know this is my first post in a almost old thread, but as a plumber by trade I would personally never use pex. The reason it has taken so long to be passed in all of the state plumbing codes is it has been found to be carcinogenic. And up until now most states have been against it, but the pex company put enough money in enough pockets to get it passed to the plumbing code. I know most do not use their rv as their main source of drinking water. I am just saying its anothing thing to think about.

Stick to copper and common sense, the laiter is worth a heck of a lot more.

silverleeper · 03-03-2010, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmwelder86

I know this is my first post in a almost old thread, but as a plumber by trade I would personally never use pex. The reason it has taken so long to be passed in all of the state plumbing codes is it has been found to be carcinogenic. And up until now most states have been against it, but the pex company put enough money in enough pockets to get it passed to the plumbing code. I know most do not use their rv as their main source of drinking water. I am just saying its anothing thing to think about.

Stick to copper and common sense, the laiter is worth a heck of a lot more.

Hi gmwelder86, Can you post some information on this? I did a quick web search and did see anything to back this up. http://www.documents.dgs.ca.gov/bsc/...2010.16.08.pdf and http://www.documents.dgs.ca.gov/bsc/...%20Terrace.pdf.

I like copper, but PEX has made plumbing for the DIY types a lot more simple.
I'm not saying it isn't true... I just couldn't find any info.

bwaysteve · 03-03-2010, 10:30 PM

When I got my AS the plumbing had been redone,but not hooked up.Probably due to the 8in. crack in the fresh water tank up front.I want to redo with PEX.The lines ran in plastic down the CS to rear across back and back up the SS to the sink.Is this the regular routing?

markdoane · 03-04-2010, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmwelder86

I know this is my first post in a almost old thread, but as a plumber by trade I would personally never use pex. .

I found lots of info on PEX and Prop65 in California.

One of the opinions is that plumbers in California are against PEX because it takes work away from plumbers and gives it to the DIY homeowner. And that it's the Plumbers Union putting money in the Legislatures pocket to hold it back.