2021 Micro Minnie 2108TB - Why no PEX Plumbing?

[Mrfixit99]

I had a minor water leak this summer in my 2021 Micro Minnie. It was the hot supply line to the kitchen tap. Not too bad, just a small leak which we identified quickly. I repaired the leak by cutting off the old fitting and replacing it with a new one. But I was surprised to see that that none of the water lines in this trailer are standard PEX tubing. The lines are more like thin garden hose material which I think is a polyvinyl product. The max pressure rating stamped on it is 80 psi which is about half the rating for PEX tubing.

Standard PEX fittings and crimp rings don't work with this stuff so I had to go to an RV store to get parts. Is there an advantage to using what appears to be an inferior product for the waterlines? We've had a few other RVs and they've all had standard 1/2" or 3/8" PEX tubing for plumbing so I was really surprised to see this in a fairly new trailer. Thanks

 

[OnTheGo]

... don't know why you don't have PEX, but don't see it as a problem. I would consider it a benefit. You should never have 80 psi in your system or even close to it. If your supply pressure is that high, you need to reduce it with a regulator / choke.

I replace PEX lines with braided vinyl tubing in my trailer. Have used tubing for decades and have never had a line collapse or burst. I use screw type hose clamps so I can replace a line anywhere with a screwdriver and scissors. Tubing, being more flexible, gives you more options on where you run the line. Obviously, I don't see tubing as an inferior product, but rather an adequate one with a lower rating.

PEX is an excellent product and there's no reason to avoid using it. It's a personal choice.

Our 2023 2108 TB had PEX lines.

 

[Pointyears]

Using non-PEX with PEX clamps is a no-no, and a lot of RVs are plumbed that way, though less every year. RV repair tech reveals the truth about RV plumbing codes

 

[Mrfixit99]

Thank you very much for the link to that video. The types of bad connections he refers to in the video are exactly what I found in my 2021 Minnie. PEX crimp rings being used with non-PEX tubing. I really expected more from Winnebago because the rest of the trailer appears to be well built. Maybe during the COVID years they cut some corners? I don't know but now I will be hyper-aware of plumbing issues. Maybe stainless steel gear clamps are a more appropriate type of clamp for these braided vinyl water lines.

 

[Mrfixit99]

... don't know why you don't have PEX, but don't see it as a problem. I would consider it a benefit. You should never have 80 psi in your system or even close to it. If your supply pressure is that high, you need to reduce it with a regulator / choke.

I replace PEX lines with braided vinyl tubing in my trailer. Have used tubing for decades and have never had a line collapse or burst. I use screw type hose clamps so I can replace a line anywhere with a screwdriver and scissors. Tubing, being more flexible, gives you more options on where you run the line. Obviously, I don't see tubing as an inferior product, but rather an adequate one with a lower rating.

PEX is an excellent product and there's no reason to avoid using it. It's a personal choice.

Our 2023 2108 TB had PEX lines.

According to the video linked by another user, the braided vinyl tubing itself is ok, but using PEX fittings and crimp rings with it as Winnebago did with my trailer is just a leak waiting to happen. I would definitely prefer a plumbing system that was made entirely of PEX tubing simply because it is ubiquitous in the plumbing industry and I can get parts at any hardware store. I like your approach of using gear clamps instead of the PEX crimp rings that are not intended or approved for use with braided vinyl tubing.

 

[Pointyears]

Thank you very much for the link to that video. The types of bad connections he refers to in the video are exactly what I found in my 2021 Minnie. PEX crimp rings being used with non-PEX tubing. I really expected more from Winnebago because the rest of the trailer appears to be well built. Maybe during the COVID years they cut some corners?

My money is on it saves them a few bucks per unit, and it will last longer than the warranty period. Maybe not by much…

 

[klook]

Actually there were shortages during Covid and they used what they could get. I have fixed 17 leaks in on 5th wheel, brand new. What has been said is correct. Braided is fine with the correct size barb.