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04-12-2004, 07:00 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 53
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Replumbing '63 Safari
Hello all I am back after winter here in western Pa, Time to finish up the Safari and get ready for the maiden voyage (april 30th), My question is I am replacing all the plumbing in the trailer and I was wondering what type of pressure regulator was used for city water hook-up? I am quite competant in plumbing so it will be no problem, also does anyone have any suggestions for running the plumbing around the rear of the toilet on the radius, I was thinking of using cpvc, but was wondering what toher people have used in this area? Thanks Srgntpepper
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04-12-2004, 07:16 PM
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#2
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3 Rivet Member 
1952 25' Cruiser
Dummerston
, Vermont
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 169
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Quote:
Originally Posted by srgntpepper
...does anyone have any suggestions for running the plumbing around the rear of the toilet on the radius...
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Our '52 was plumbed with copper, much of it burst or leaking. We're replacing it with Pex tubing 'cause it's forgiving: flexible, easy to connect, and less prone (we hope) to damage from movement of the trailer. Pex tubing comes in rolls, so I'd think it'd run great around a radius.
Don't know much about pressure regulators; just picked one up at the RV store that said it was for city water inlet. Hope to find out in this thread if I got the right thing!
Doug
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04-12-2004, 08:11 PM
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#3
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2 Rivet Member 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 53
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Thanks alot Doug
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04-13-2004, 08:38 AM
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#4
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Vintage Alum. Enthusiast

1959 24' Tradewind
Phoenix
, Arizona
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: I currently do not own a 2nd Airstream
Posts: 4,360
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When it came time to replumb my TradeWind, I decided to use Pex for a number of reasons. I liked that it is flexible, uses quick connections and it is suppose to hold up to freezing temperatures better than copper. I've had it in now for over two years and have had only one small leak, which just required tightening the elbow connection to fix. I wrapped the hot water lines with that foam insulation with the slot in it and it keeps the hot water very hot all the way to the tub. It follows the shape of the curve in the bathroom wall very well. You won't regret using Pex if you do it right.
FF
__________________
4CU 2699 / AIR 10 / TAC AZ-1
I'm haunted by aluminum.
Charter Member of the 4 Corners Unit.
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04-13-2004, 09:32 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master 
1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Silverton
, Colorado
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,102
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Sorry to be so dumb, but what is Pex?
__________________
Michael & Tracy
1989 345 Motorhome
CHARTER MEMBERS: FOUR CORNERS UNIT, AND PROUD OF IT!!!
We live for the moment, 'cause when you get there, it's gone...
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04-13-2004, 10:08 AM
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#6
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Patriotic

1973 23' Safari
North of Boston
, Massachusetts
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 4,546
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ScrapIrony-2
Sorry to be so dumb, but what is Pex?
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That's ok. we know you can't help it.
(kidding, of course!!
"Pex" is "cross-linked polyethylene". its a plastic tubing used for water pipes. most new RVs are plumbed with it, as it holds up better to freezing temps than copper, its somewhat flexible, depending on what type you get. (some doesn't bend well at all), and its easy to install. it uses special compression type fittings.
here's a site w/ tons of info: http://www.pexconnection.com/
here's an installation guide for the "flair-it" type, which appears to me to be the type to use: http://www.pexconnection.com/instlltnguide.pdf
they sell the "qest pex" and associated fittings at Lowe's...dont' like the looks of it, particularly. the packages for the fittings warn agains using it in enclosed walls. I can only assume that's because they are prone to leaks.
the other type (probably used mostly by professionals) requires special expensive tools for connecting crimp rings to secure the pipes to the fittings.
__________________
Air:291
Wbcci: 3752
'73 Safari 23'
'00 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 QC
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04-13-2004, 11:58 AM
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#7
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Rivet Master 
1989 34.5' Airstream 345
Silverton
, Colorado
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,102
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Thanks, Chuck!
__________________
Michael & Tracy
1989 345 Motorhome
CHARTER MEMBERS: FOUR CORNERS UNIT, AND PROUD OF IT!!!
We live for the moment, 'cause when you get there, it's gone...
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04-13-2004, 01:59 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,486
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chuck
That's ok. we know you can't help it.
(kidding, of course!!
"Pex" is "cross-linked polyethylene". its a plastic tubing used for water pipes. most new RVs are plumbed with it, as it holds up better to freezing temps than copper, its somewhat flexible, depending on what type you get. (some doesn't bend well at all), and its easy to install.
they sell the "qest pex" and associated fittings at Lowe's...dont' like the looks of it, particularly. the packages for the fittings warn agains using it in enclosed walls. I can only assume that's because they are prone to leaks.
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If I recall correctly, the PEX on rolls can take a radius four times the pipe diameter when bent in the direction of the roll. The straight PEX can take a radius 10 times the diameter. Don't take this as gospel, but I think that is right.
When Quest says not to use it in enclosed walls they are talking about behind drywall or other material where it is not accessible. No plumbing connections other than soldered copper are, to my knowledge, permitted behind enlcosed walls by building codes. An Airstream has no enclosed walls in this context.
Mark
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04-18-2004, 12:40 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master 
1959 26' Overlander
Putnam
, Connecticut
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,064
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I am also gong to use the pex for a complete replumbing. My plumber is coming by when I have everything in place to put on the professional fittings. Worth the money to never have problems on the road.
Can this stuff take a freeze without damage?
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04-18-2004, 02:32 PM
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#10
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Vintage Alum. Enthusiast

1959 24' Tradewind
Phoenix
, Arizona
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: I currently do not own a 2nd Airstream
Posts: 4,360
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I don't think any type of plumbing can survive a hard freeze, its just that PEX is a little more forgiving than copper. If you live in a cold climate, be best to winterize properly.
FF
__________________
4CU 2699 / AIR 10 / TAC AZ-1
I'm haunted by aluminum.
Charter Member of the 4 Corners Unit.
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04-18-2004, 06:50 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master 
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,486
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Quote:
Originally Posted by psychpw
I am also gong to use the pex for a complete replumbing... Can this stuff take a freeze without damage?
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The tubing can almost certainly take repeated freezings without spliting. The connectors almost certainly cannot.
Mark
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04-18-2004, 07:14 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master 
1959 26' Overlander
Putnam
, Connecticut
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,064
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Always something.
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