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10-04-2016, 09:48 AM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member
1965 17' Caravel
Hull
, Massachusetts
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 5
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Repairing copper lines in '65 caravel
Hi,
Need some direction. I had to replace the rotted plywood of the wet wall of our '65 Caravel. Now am ready to button up but have found that local supply houses do not have copper connectors for the 3/8 " lines. Any help in finding source for them would be appreciated.
Thank you
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10-04-2016, 10:02 AM
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#2
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3 Rivet Member
1973 31' Excella 500
Vicksburg
, Mississippi
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 164
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Sharkbite connectors will work in a pinch, I've never used them in a rv but many do.
Did you try amazon?
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10-04-2016, 10:23 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1969 29' Ambassador
brooksville
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,270
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While you have it apart, you might want to take the time to replace all the copper with pecks. The copper in my 69 was so badly warped from freezing that the shark bite fittings would not work.
__________________
Not all those who wonder are lost.
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10-04-2016, 10:33 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton
, Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,868
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IMHO, ditching the copper in favor of pex is a smart move.
In many ways I prefer the old proven ways, and I was considering going back with copper in my trailer, but I am so glad I opted to go with pex.
It is easy, fast, and effective. And should the need arise, it will be easy to repair.
Gradiens super tenui glacie.
__________________
The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......
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10-04-2016, 11:56 AM
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#5
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3 Rivet Member
1977 Argosy 24
Gilbert
, Arizona
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 129
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Replace with PEX. The copper will just get worse with time. PEX is easy to install and more resistant to temperature extremes.
__________________
Cheers....John
1977 24ft Argosy - sold.
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10-04-2016, 12:19 PM
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#6
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4 Rivet Member
1977 31' Sovereign
Lynnwood
, Washington
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 311
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Quote:
Originally Posted by repairsart
.....local supply houses do not have copper connectors for the 3/8 " lines.
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You've got copper tubing, not copper pipe. There's a difference. Ace Hdwe should have what you need in the way of brass fittings.
Freezing is an important consideration. When water freezes, copper expands easily. So if your pipes were frozen at some point, new fittings will not fit.
Compare outer diameter(s) with calipers to see if OD is uniform throughout. Compare pipe OD with a new fitting's ID.
Tom
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10-04-2016, 12:23 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Taos
, New Mexico
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 566
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I agree with SilverFlames. We had all the copper replaced with pex and once it was all out it was obvious that we would have been in for constant repair of copper lines as well as the associated water damage. They were worn and aged to the point that they were literally falling apart with bulges and weak spots the entire length. The pex is nice because it isn't as subject to damage with a light freeze as the copper was. We left 12" or so of the copper at the faucets and there was some copper we simply could not get to in the back but it still looked okay. We were all done with that and then we had a wet floor in the back of the trailer one night. Sure enough the water heater was leaking, it was the original water heater so there we went with that replacement also along with a new water pump. So far it is great with no leaks in the full system. The copper was really awesome though and it was clear that these trailers were literally hand-built one at a time with that copper being custom fit to each trailer. It was sad to see it go - Good luck!
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10-04-2016, 12:32 PM
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#8
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4 Rivet Member
Vintage Kin Owner
Superior
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 442
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If I ever needed a reason to move to pex, it was apparent when I gutted my 1972 streamline. I found no less than four locations where water had pooled in the copper supply pipe and busted it.
Pex rules.
__________________
1972 33' Streamline Emperor Crown Imperial
1949 30' Spartan Royal Mansion
2012 Nissan Armada
Most of China
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10-04-2016, 03:26 PM
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#9
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2 Rivet Member
1967 24' Tradewind
Aurora
, Colorado
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 62
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I've replaced almost all of the copper in the Silver T*rd with Pex. As soon as I fail to properly winterize the remaining copper, I'll replace that too.
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10-04-2016, 03:52 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1966 22' Safari
Hilltop Lakes
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,767
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I agree with those who say go ahead and replace all the copper with PEX. We did that for our '66 Safari back in 2008, and it hasn't given us a bit of trouble since.
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10-04-2016, 05:08 PM
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#11
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2 Rivet Member
1974 Argosy 26
Joshua Tree
, California
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 37
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PEX is a great idea
Just finished doing my 1974 Argosy 26' with PEX. The only place I have small leaks is with the 3/8 PEX To copper Sharkbites. I'm going back to remove the rest of the Copper. about 4'. But if you must...the plumbing pro at Home Depot showed me that many times the fittings used on copper in older trailers(usually compression fitting) were gas items, not usually used for water. Might look there.
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10-04-2016, 06:03 PM
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#12
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1 Rivet Member
1964 19' Globetrotter
Fall Branch
, Tennessee
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 15
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Pex
When I restored my 64 Globetrotter 2 years ago, I replaced all copper with Pex. Worked out great, highly recommend using Pex.
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10-05-2016, 05:59 PM
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#13
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1 Rivet Member
2024 28' Flying Cloud
Savage
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2015
Posts: 18
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Copper to PEX
I just finished changing all my copper to 1/2 inch PEX.
I found that the PEX fittings that are quick type (You do not have to use the compression tool) would leak if the 1/2 inch PEX did not go perfectly into it. By that i mean, if i came around a corner, and then went into the quick connect, the pressure from the side would cause the fitting to leak. I had originally not wanted to use the compression type fittings because the tool is so big and a lot of my work was inside cabinets. (Like under the bathroom sink or under the kitchen sink). But after i finally changed to the compression type, i finally got a leak tight system.
I know i am kinda thick headed. It took me a while:-)
The stores close to me did not carry sharkbite brand. I probably misspelled that.
John
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10-05-2016, 07:10 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton
, Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,868
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Repairing copper lines in '65 caravel
Copper is good sh!t, no doubt, but..... all in all, pex is better for a trailer.... truth is truth,,, as much as I hate to admit it, some newer technologies are better than the old standbys.
Gradiens super tenui glacie.
__________________
The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......
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