Hi all.

I have done some more research on what is available for the potable water line replacement in my trailer. What it appears to have come down to is PEX. There seems to be at least three different and highly technical methods of making this plastic tubing. What is not clear about the methods is whether one is better than the next. I suspect that it likely doesn't matter a whole lot. One manufacturer, by the name of Wirsbo, has also come out with a line of insert fittings for connections. These are used with a PEX expander tool and require no external compression rings making installation even easier although I don't konw how much the tool costs. The standard PEX fittings consist of brass and copper inserts with external copper compression rings or wrench style compression fittings, all of which are specific to PEX. The 'grey' ABS style fittings and brass fittings designs for such will not work as the tubing OD is different. PEX has been around and in use for almost 25 years, but it is only recently that it has started displacing the 'grey' ABS style of tubing previously used in potable water systems. Some features of PEX which are noteworthy for those of us contemplating replaceing water lines:

- very light
- strong: 180øF @100psi
- excellent freeze resistance
- quite flexible
- highly chemical resistant

Has anyone on the list used this stuff and is it as good as I have been lead to believe?

Rick.