Pex fittings on our 07 Fleetwood

I went on a tour of then new FW MH plant in PA a number of years ago.. They showed us the Pex assembly procedures. Every employee who worked on that part of the line was trained by the mfr. of the Pex fittings. All water lines were pre made on a bench. I don't remember the whole assembly but they had a special tool that expands the pex tubing and then the fittings are inserted. Pex has a memory and will always apply pressure to keep the fittings tight. I was impressed! One rarely hears of anyone having leak problems with this system.

Moisheh

Six different ways to connect PEX pipe to fittings Youtube vid.

The red and blue PEX used in RVs is typically rated for 100 psi. If you buy the red and blue PEX in a hardware store or at an RV parts store, chances are it may be rated 160 psi. The 100 psi version is a slightly smaller diameter and I am not sure if Sharkbite type fittings will work fine in the long run with this version. To be safe just in case, you may want to avoid Sharkbite fittings. The 160 psi type is close to or the same dia. as the PEX you'd find in a house.

The PEX fitting that connects to the faucet is called a "swivel adapter" as in the photo. Yes, you can get plastic ones at an RV parts supplier, but I would convert to brass ones and are readily available all over.

Personally, I don't like plastic RV PEX fittings like swivel adapters and valves (elbows and couplings okay). You could use clamps like the ones you probably already have throughout. Not sure if you can rent the clamp tool but I know it's expensive to buy at HD. I use copper crimp rings because I have a crimper tool (ebay).

Chris Bryant wrote:
Those fittings have been around for years- mostly residential use, though. You put the collar on the pipe, insert a tool that expands the pipe, put the fitting in, and the pipe contracts around it. One brand is ProPex.
The bad cone washer is an issue with all of those fittings though- no matter the brand. When ever anyone buys a new faucet from us, I always throw in a couple of new washers.

Does anybody read posts......
Chris Bryant posted info about fittings and cone washers on 10/07/14 09:57am



As for Sharkbite/Gatorbite/Sea Tech O-ring type fittings is folks don't cut PEX square end and/or fail to remove any burrs.
Slip a burred slanted cut PEX into those fittings and it is guaranteed to leak due to improper installation

There is a new type Flair-it fitting for PEX. This may be what you have. They use a slip over plastic collar in lieu of the compression nut. I tried to check the link I have to the Flair-it fittings and got a threat warning for the web site from my anti virus software.

"This website has been reported to Microsoft for containing threats to your computer that might reveal personal or financial information"

If you use Flair/it fittings, you won't ever have leaks. there is no O-rings or washers or anything else that can leak, there is nothing but the fitting itself, and the pex tubing, no tools, no nothing else. They are found at every RV supply, and many hardware stores. And they are not expensive in comparison.

Mountianeer wrote:

mlts22 wrote:
There are posts on the Airstream forums about sharkbite/gatorbite leak horror stories due to the fact they rely on a single O-ring to keep water in. I'd highly recommend going with Flair-It. Installs/removes by hand, but it uses the surface of the PEX pipe to create/maintain the seal instead of one piece of rubber which will erode.

Supposedly there are sharkbite/gatorbite/probite types that have multiple O-rings to help fix this, but I've not found a link or name.

New TT for me and DW. She wanted a new faucet in the bathroom. Bought one at Lowe's yesterday. 10 minute job turned into 2 hours of knuckle busting frustration when I couldn't get the hot water PEX line o-ring to seat on the faucet connection. I think/hope/pray I finally got it set but I don't have a lot of confidence in this. My first experience with these PEX O-rings. I must say I don't have a lot of confidence moving forward.

One day I'll learn to leave well enough alone...one day.

Keep a close eye on that fitting. I was looking under the shower & found it quite damp. Turned out to be a dripping fitting on the shower faucet that I had installed earlier.

mlts22 wrote:
There are posts on the Airstream forums about sharkbite/gatorbite leak horror stories due to the fact they rely on a single O-ring to keep water in. I'd highly recommend going with Flair-It. Installs/removes by hand, but it uses the surface of the PEX pipe to create/maintain the seal instead of one piece of rubber which will erode.

Supposedly there are sharkbite/gatorbite/probite types that have multiple O-rings to help fix this, but I've not found a link or name.

New TT for me and DW. She wanted a new faucet in the bathroom. Bought one at Lowe's yesterday. 10 minute job turned into 2 hours of knuckle busting frustration when I couldn't get the hot water PEX line o-ring to seat on the faucet connection. I think/hope/pray I finally got it set but I don't have a lot of confidence in this. My first experience with these PEX O-rings. I must say I don't have a lot of confidence moving forward.

One day I'll learn to leave well enough alone...one day.

mlts22 wrote:
There are posts on the Airstream forums about sharkbite/gatorbite leak horror stories due to the fact they rely on a single O-ring to keep water in. I'd highly recommend going with Flair-It. Installs/removes by hand, but it uses the surface of the PEX pipe to create/maintain the seal instead of one piece of rubber which will erode.

Supposedly there are sharkbite/gatorbite/probite types that have multiple O-rings to help fix this, but I've not found a link or name.

Oh, the pictured fittings are Uponor ProPex expanding fittings, and are viewed by some as the top of the line method for plumbing. The expansion tool is expensive, but they have a very good reputation for longevity. Of course, the only way to get those off is destructively.

BINGO! I knew somebody on RV.net would spot those fittings! Notice all the posts on replacing when all I really need is just the seals. I'll sniff it out. Thanks ever so much

Interesting not mentioned in the following informative link!;
http://rvtipoftheday.com/rv-repair/rv-plumbing-repair-pex-tubing-and-fittings

I'm off to find Uponor ProPex seals! LOL

There are posts on the Airstream forums about sharkbite/gatorbite leak horror stories due to the fact they rely on a single O-ring to keep water in. I'd highly recommend going with Flair-It. Installs/removes by hand, but it uses the surface of the PEX pipe to create/maintain the seal instead of one piece of rubber which will erode.

Supposedly there are sharkbite/gatorbite/probite types that have multiple O-rings to help fix this, but I've not found a link or name.

Oh, the pictured fittings are Uponor ProPex expanding fittings, and are viewed by some as the top of the line method for plumbing. The expansion tool is expensive, but they have a very good reputation for longevity. Of course, the only way to get those off is destructively.

smkettner wrote:
I don't know that fitting but I would cut it off and use sharkbite or gatorbite fittings.

X4, that's a morfidite if I ever seen one !
Except I'm still a flair-it fan. I will never use anything that involves O-rings or washers.