I have a nineteen year old fifth wheel trailer that has pex plumbing. I like pex because of it's resistance to freeze breakage.
The fittings are hose barb type with nuts that are similar to flare nuts and made out of the pex plastic. Looking for new fittings all I find locally and online are sharkbite and another brand that require a crimping tool to install. The crimper is a problem in tight spaces as well as the idea of paying $40 or a tool I'd use very infrequently. I wanted a 90° elbow with a 1/4 turn shut-off so I could still have water elsewhere while I'm working on it. The only one I could find is brass. That provides a weak link for freeze damage (although the ability of pex to expand to 3x normal size might give a relief to the brass in case of freeze up?)
After installing new toilet seals I discovered that the foot lever valve leaks when I deperess it so I'll be replacing that on Monday. I wish I would've been that before I replaced the seals. There are cheaper valves but reviews on many of them mention longevity so I'll pay $42 for one from thetford. Before I do that I'll drive to an RV salvage yard and see if they're still in business and maybe pick up a nicer toilet and kitchen sink from a late model wreck.
Back to my original rant, not every improvement is an improvement in all applications.
The fittings are hose barb type with nuts that are similar to flare nuts and made out of the pex plastic. Looking for new fittings all I find locally and online are sharkbite and another brand that require a crimping tool to install. The crimper is a problem in tight spaces as well as the idea of paying $40 or a tool I'd use very infrequently. I wanted a 90° elbow with a 1/4 turn shut-off so I could still have water elsewhere while I'm working on it. The only one I could find is brass. That provides a weak link for freeze damage (although the ability of pex to expand to 3x normal size might give a relief to the brass in case of freeze up?)
After installing new toilet seals I discovered that the foot lever valve leaks when I deperess it so I'll be replacing that on Monday. I wish I would've been that before I replaced the seals. There are cheaper valves but reviews on many of them mention longevity so I'll pay $42 for one from thetford. Before I do that I'll drive to an RV salvage yard and see if they're still in business and maybe pick up a nicer toilet and kitchen sink from a late model wreck.
Back to my original rant, not every improvement is an improvement in all applications.
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