RE: [VAL] Re: fixing vintage trailers

["Tim S." <safari_tim@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Tom,

I did re-plumb all the supply lines.  I researched it pretty well and did
not choose pex or copper.

As you say copper requires lots of soldering and tight spaces with a torch
and I have not done that before.  My trailer was not a place I wanted to
learn ;-)

PEX required an expensive crimping tool or expensive and bulky compression
Quest fittings.  The Quest fittings seemed to run about $5 each and I needed
many.  Also they are very bulky and take up a lot of space.

So, against the common wisdom, I chose CPVC.  It's not pvc, its CPVC made
for potable hot and cold water.

Very easy to work with, all kinds of fittings that the average cost was 50
cents.  It uses special CPVC glue and made for a neat compact replacement.

We have been using it for the last couple of years with no problems.  I
would defiantly use it again.  I like the idea of glued fittings instead of
crimped or compression in my moving house.

From what I understand the PEX can handle some freezing, the CPVC like the
copper cannot.

I did not have to gut the trailer.  The worst I had to do was remove the
street side cushion on the couch and the plywood that is on top of the
frame.  The rest of the pipes I was able to work in as needed.  I typically
created the entire manifold for a certain area then set it in place.

I probably took about 10 hours, a couple a night for a week or so.  And
several trip to the home store!

I have a small webpage about how it turned out you can check it out here.

http://www.ldservice.com/tim/airstream/plumbing.htm

Good luck and let us know what you decided and how it turned out.



-Tim
www.ldservice.com/tim/tim