Which type of Pex fitting to use?

[Silverwanabe]

I have some plumbing to do in the trailer, need to replace the line to the water tank with Pex. Which fitting should I use?

Sea-Tech
Shark Bite
Quest

Confused

[crispyboy]

I am using the fittings that I purchased from Lowe's which I believe are Sea-tech. Everything is plumbed but I haven't tried the water yet because the outdoor temps are 7 degrees today. The fittings are extremely expensive but easy to use. They are also rather bulky. I'll be a sceptic until the water test is done.

Many others on the board have used the Shark bite and Quest. Have not heard any negatives except for the price. I believe the Shark Bite fittings are available at Home Depot. Seemed to be about the same price/construction.

[DFK]

I replumbed using Flair-It fittings. Not as easy to use as Sea-Tech or Shark Bites. My decision was based solely on personal preference. I choose the Flair-It's because in my mind they seemed to provide a more secure mechanical seal. Sea-Tech or Shark Bites are probably just as secure since they are all approved fittings. I'm only chiming in because I didn't see Flair-It fittings on your list and wanted to suggest that you include them as another alternative worth considering.

[DFK]

Oops! Reread you post. If you are replacing a section of copper pipe with pex and will be connecting the pex to the remaining copper plumbing, I can recommend Shark Bites. A section of the copper water piping in my house froze and split last year. I cut out the split section and replace it with pex using Shark Bite fittings. No problems with the fittings in over year with the line fully pressurized over that period. The Shark Bites were easy to install and to remove and reinstall when I cut the pex two short.

[LI Pets]

I had two Sea-Tech leak, they can't take too much out of alinement

[byamcaravanner]

I played around with the Shark-Bite demo at HD. It is really cool how you can attach them to either copper or Pex by just pushing them on... same fitting works for both.

[rwnash]

I had to replace the water heater on my 1986 25 foot center bath and elected to use "crimp" fittings. I heard that the others might leak due to road vibration - no personal experience on that point. Anyway, those fittings are lighter and smaller that the others, as well as costing less; downside is the crimp tool and the space it takes to use it.

I have put about 5000 miles on with no problems so far. One other observation - PEX and Polybutylene (PB) fittings are close to the same size; if your trailer has any PB tubing you will need a transition fitting which is a bit unusual. (I learned more on my project than I ever wanted to know!)

Good Luck

Whit Nash

[FreshAir]

I have been slowly replacing our copper with Pex. I love the (pricey but worth it) Shark Bite. It is especially usefull when you can't use two hands to make the connectios.

[rickandsandi]

Whit-

I have to agree with you on that one. Crimping for me was the only way to go. It doesn't have much to with cost, but rather the fact that it makes for a fail-safe connection. The only drawback as you mentioned is the space needed to fit the crimping tool. I have found that with a little thought before hand replacing the whole water system in the Tradewind was very quick and simple.

[centennialman]

How much are the shark bite fittings?

[byamcaravanner]

Originally Posted by centennialma

How much are the shark bite fittings?

$6-$8

[centennialman]

Thanks!

I am intrigued that it can be used on copper and pex! I need to patch an area, short term, for this summer and will give it a try.

[centennialman]

One other question.........what size copper line do we generally have in our Airstreams?

[byamcaravanner]

Originally Posted by centennialma

One other question.........what size copper line do we generally have in our Airstreams?

The stuff in mine was 1/2"

[centennialman]

Thanks Steve!

[Phil Gobie]

The size is 1/2" which is a nominal size for ID. The 5/8" is the same on copper, CPVC, Polly butyl and Pex. I like the shark bite the most. Long term or short term! The push fittings are probably the most resistant to movement and vibration. They will also spin without binding that may put presser on the pipe or the joint. I have been using them for years with great success. They also allow for disconnection and reconnection with one hand in a tight spot. There are no nuts to loosen up as you go down the road or during assembly. No way to over or under tighten the nuts. Lots of advantages and not much down side.

[rmpray]

I found the PO had replaced the park water feed with Pex. Heard it is very resiliant. Heard it can even stand a freeze (not that one would want to test that) Agree that the flare is best way to go.