Shortening water line

[steilkurve]

Hey all. Need to further shorten a small tube section of the water lines in my 2020 Bambi 22FB. Have to do so to move the water pump to accommodate the winterization kit I want to install. See attached photo. The part I need to shorten is circled in green. I understand this is E-Pex tubing. I’m also all set in terms of pipe cutter. However, I do have a few questions:

1) What kind of crimping tool should I use so as to not damage the plastic elbow fitting?

2) Same question but on the crimping ring. Anyone knows what brands these are or which ones I should use as a suitable replacement? Parts book doesn’t specify brand or specs.

3) Any advice on how to remove the current ring and get the excess tubing out of the plastic elbow without damaging in?

Thanks.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

The best answer is to cut the pipe just at the start of the section you have circled and rebuild it from there. You then are just dealing with "raw" pipe and can use whatever crimps and elbows the local big box store wants to sell you. It also gives you the ability to fit the kit in rationally rather than squeezing it in.

That said, the area you have circled appears to be the outlet side of the pump. Most winterization kits get put on the inlet side of the pump.

Bob

[richard5933]

Another suggestion is to replace the plumbing on both sides of the pump with flexible lines. They give you more flexibility with placement of things and also help to remove some of the noise/vibration transmitted from the pump to the trailer. I've used nylon reinforced vinyl tubing and stainless steel hose clamps with success.

Those crimp-on things you've circled are likely just generic PEX plumbing fittings you can find in any box store.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Why do anything with the water pump?
I've winterized successfully since '03 with an intact wp.
I just blow out the lines & water heater, open one faucet at a time, hot & cold, with the wp on, add AF to all the traps, leave faucets open, add toilet seal lube.

POI...as Bob 1 noted..if you are going to use a flush kit you want the pump to suck not blow.

Bob
🇺🇸

[steilkurve]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

That said, the area you have circled appears to be the outlet side of the pump. Most winterization kits get put on the inlet side of the pump.

You are correct but I need to shorten that pipe so I can move the pump towards the outer skin to fit the winterization kit on the other side of the pump where there is no room right now. Cutting the pipe and moving the pump will give me the clearance on the right side.

[steilkurve]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

Why do anything with the water pump?
I've winterized successfully since '03 with an intact wp.
I just blow out the lines & water heater, open one faucet at a time, hot & cold, with the wp on, add AF to all the traps, leave faucets open, add toilet seal lube.

POI...as Bob 1 noted..if you are going to use a flush kit you want the pump to suck not blow.

Bob
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Never any antifreeze?

I’ve been doing belt and suspenders for the last two winters. Blow the lines and put in antifreeze. Overkill?

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by steilkurve

Never any antifreeze?

I’ve been doing belt and suspenders for the last two winters. Blow the lines and put in antifreeze. Overkill?

No not entirely...in the beginning I just drained the FW tank, poured 3gal in, and pumped it thru the system.

That lasted for 4 seasons. Got tired of tasting AF even after flushing the tank & lines 3 or 4 times.

I finally got an extra 40' of air line for the garage compressor so I could use it to blow the water lines in the AS. (a small 5-10gal pancake compressor will also work just fine).
After completely blowing the ALL,(shower head), the lines for 15-20mi,
I blow out the WH for 10min.
Add AF to all the traps and seal lubricant to the toilet valve.
If there is no water in the lines after all that blowing, is AF really needed? I haven't found it so.👍

Bob
🇺🇸

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by steilkurve

Never any antifreeze?

I’ve been doing belt and suspenders for the last two winters. Blow the lines and put in antifreeze. Overkill?

Hi

The problem with the "blow it out only" approach is being *sure* you have it all out. Some spend 10 minutes with a small compressor and claim "it's all gone". Others spend days with a much larger compressor and can't seem to get things dried out.

Blowing out the hot water heater is the only practical answer. Fill it with anti-freeze and it's a mess to flush out. You do need to do some of the process with a compressor.

Bob

[CRH]

I do both air and antifreeze. I don't want to be that guy that didn't get the last bit of water out and have an elbow in an impossible to reach area without s Sawzall freeze.