Pex Cost

[L911]

Anyone hired out or replaced their plumbing with Pex? What did it cost?

1973' AS Ambassador, 29'

[purman]

Pex is relatively cheap. It's the tools that cost the money. Plumber will charge you more than copper probably. But I have no idea as I replaced it myself for about $175 including tools.

[Melody Ranch]

I have found that "local" hometown lumber yard/hardware stores around here let you use the tools for free. AND, the PEX price is good too.

[TG Twinkie]

There are PEX fittings out there that don't require special tools. "Flair It" is one of them. It is what I used and have had no problems since I installed all new PEX in our trailer. One of the reason I chose this brand. If I'm on the road, no special tools are required to make repair.

[NorthernWind]

Hi, the cost of PEX is not a big problem but if you are going to use any of the push and twist, or Shark Bite fittings or even the ratchet type crimp i would be careful as they are all designed for homes and not something bouncing down the road at 120 KPH. The most secure type is the crimp rings and I use them on repairs all the time, it takes a little longer and you have to hold your mouth a certain way and curse but I know when crimped its not coming apart! Never had a leak yet with the crimp ring!
Yes the tools are expensive but most hardwares will lend out the units when you buy the supplies from them!
Steve

[AldeanFan]

I did the work myself, replaced everything except the water tank and pump. Total cost about $350 including new kitchen and bathroom faucets and the crimp tools.

[DanB]

I've had the "press-on" fittings installed for a couple of years without problem. The original ones from Lowe's sold I beleive were for the marine industry.

I actually like the new ones they carry better. In addition to the O-ring securing the pex, the fittings have a hand tightening nut to clamp the tubing.

The pex is cheap, the fittings are not. Figure $4-$5 each.

[M2HB]

I highly recommend PEX "a" over the other PEX. It is much more flexible, but it also costs more and it is a little harder to find. It is a different manufacturing process. It isn't as popular because it does cost more. It uses the same fittings, it is just a better PEX tubing. You get what you pay for.

[68 TWind]

Make sure you buy red pex for hot water lines and blue or white for cold lines. Makes it much easier to keep up with what goes where and the price is the same. Best price I found on pex was at a big plumbing supply house (where the local plumbers and HVAC guys go). A good deal less per foot that buying sticks at HD or Lowes. I keep a pocket crimper in my took kit and a few shark bite fittings but the only leak I have had in 3 years is a hose clamp on the flexible line running out of my 12V water pump. One tip, many of the connections in an Airstream are in tight spots where the long handle crimp tools are impossible to use. Make up the connections in the trailer and use a Sharpie to mark the orientation of the tubing and the fittings. Take the pieces apart and do the crimps outside the trailer. If you plan it carefully you will only need to make one or two crimps in the tight spots and for those you can use either the pocket crimper or SharkBite fittings.

[AirHeadsRus]

I use Pex B. You may want to check pexuniverse.com. They don't seem to think a lot of Pex A. Types of PEX tubing (A, B, C). Choosing the right brand of PEX for your project..
I think I'll stick with B,
Joe

[bwoodtx]

Hi, the cost of PEX is not a big problem but if you are going to use any of the push and twist, or Shark Bite fittings or even the ratchet type crimp i would be careful as they are all designed for homes and not something bouncing down the road at 120 KPH.

Shark Bite type fittings have been used on over the road and off road construction trucks for years on air systems with great success.

With that being said, I replaced the plumbing in a 24' Argosy I'm rebuilding for about $350 total. PEX, fittings, new 1/4 turn shut offs at EVERY water connection.

[Melody Ranch]

Yeah! Bruce!...I have used Shark Bite of five Vintage ...the oldest almost five years....never a problem....never. And, when I wanted to add an additional line it was a breeze. I just don't know where these rumors start. I am all for trying new ideas...even if it fails it was a "ride."

[Jerky guy]

I had my 73 replaced with pex cost around $1050 and that was everything new including water pump filters!

[rogerdodger]

I replaced all plumbing with pex, built the manifolds for hot and cold outside the AS, then installed it, making the kitchen connections, inside the trailer. I used the crimper made to be used with the pliers, but because I don't have the required grip, I used my vice I have mounted on a portable 4 legged stand. My total cost with $26 crimper = $125. I used all white 1/2 pex because I know where the cold and hot are. No leaks!

[M2HB]

Originally Posted by AirHeadsRus

I use Pex B. You may want to check pexuniverse.com. They don't seem to think a lot of Pex A. Types of PEX tubing (A, B, C). Choosing the right brand of PEX for your project..
I think I'll stick with B,
Joe

Anytime you need the lines to be very flexible, PEX "a" is the way to go. They clearly state that in the info. If you don't need it to be flexible, choose what ever works.
If you have PEX "a" and PEX "b" next to each other you can see that the flexibility is like night and day between the two.