Improper water line clamps result in leaks

[Sky-WO]

I have a 1700BH. I noticed water dripping from the front left side corner after an outing. Investigation showed multiple slow dripping leaks from 3-4 line in the area of the water heater. Winnebago used PEX crimp fittings on braided PVC flexible lines, so of course, they leaked. I'd guess there are other posts describing this problem. It looks like W used PEX crimp fittings on all lines, whether they were PEX tubes, or not. I find this a little bit incredible. I wonder how many fittings are dripping under the trailer? Yet another repair in progress.

 

[eatSleepWoof]

I've got the same drip on the hot water valve at the water heater, and have seen photos in Winnebago Facebook groups of the same exact problem. I bet this affects most, if not all of these trailers.

I'll be dealing with mine in the spring.

 

[Sky-WO]

Repair in-progress

I purchased a PEX ring clamp cutting tool. I'm going to cut off the offending clamps and replace them with stainless steel adjustable ring clamps. I'll update later if this approach was successful.

 

[powercat_ras]

It is an issue on some Winnebago motorized, too. They also used PEX clamps on the flexible lines that isolate water pump vibration from the PEX tubing on my Vista, and they had very slow leakage. Replacing them with stainless steel hose clamps resolved the issue.

 

[Sparky19053]

Most of the water line crimps have leaked on our 21V, IN ll fairness on a trip home on December in WV high in the hills it got in to the 20's at night. We were in our sleeping bags nice and warm bur i figure the wet bay got really cold. After cutting most of the factory clamps I replaced with theses, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B4S6Q5Y5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
You may also find these at an auto parts store.


.

 

[Wmlunt-WO]

Anyone have a picture of the offending clamp?
Thx! Bill

 

[AlanO-WO]

It is also important to note that the edges of the clamps are rolled outwards away from the hose. This is particularly important to protect the hose from being cut by the sharp edges of standard cheaper worm gear clamps

 

[goatlocker]

I have a 1700BH. I noticed water dripping from the front left side corner after an outing. Investigation showed multiple slow dripping leaks from 3-4 line in the area of the water heater. Winnebago used PEX crimp fittings on braided PVC flexible lines, so of course, they leaked. I'd guess there are other posts describing this problem. It looks like W used PEX crimp fittings on all lines, whether they were PEX tubes, or not. I find this a little bit incredible. I wonder how many fittings are dripping under the trailer? Yet another repair in progress.

YouTube Jacob Rigor RV repair; he made some EXCELLENT videos on this particular subject. They are worth the time and effort.

 

[Sparky19053]

I purchased a PEX ring clamp cutting tool.

there is a tool, I've been cutting them with a cutoff wheel in a Dremel tool. Thanks for the info on the tool.
My clamp of choice to replaced these leaking connections is a high pressure fuel line cable available in several sizes at the automotive parts store or online at the big A

 

[Sky-WO]

Photo of the offending water line clamps

Here is a photo showing the PEX tubing clamp on a vinyl water line. The blue line clamp is factory installed and dripping anytime the water pump has pressurized the system. The red line shows a simple ring clamp I found at Home Depot that seems to work. The hard part is getting the PEX clamp off. I used a PEX clamp cutter which didn't do the job and also a large and small wire cutter to cut across the crimped/folded portion of the PEX clamp. I have at least 5 more to replace. I wonder how many leaking clamps are under the floor? Winnebago.....buyer beware.

 

[eatSleepWoof]

The "cinch" style PEX crimps do not need any special tools for removal. A small, flat head screwdriver will get them off in seconds. Just get it under the outer lip of the clamped-down part (the very edge) and twist the screwdriver to lift it; I've done it countless times.

 

[Wmlunt-WO]

Hard to see in the picture, but is this the same as the crimped style hose clamps I see on automotive hoses?
Thx! Bill

 

[eatSleepWoof]

Hard to see in the picture, but is this the same as the crimped style hose clamps I see on automotive hoses?
Thx! Bill

I've never seen pex-anything used on automobiles.

Google "pex cinch" and you'll see these clamps.

 

[Sky-WO]

10 water line clamps replaced

I ended up replacing 10 PEX clamps installed on 1/2" reinforced vinyl water line with ring clamps. All 10 were behind the L-shaped wooden cover near my hot water heater. The low-point water drain valves for winterizing are also located behind this cover. I wonder if there are any other pressurized vinyl water lines with the PEX clamps that I cannot access?

 

[RayIN]

Most of the water line crimps have leaked on our 21V, IN ll fairness on a trip home on December in WV high in the hills it got in to the 20's at night. We were in our sleeping bags nice and warm bur i figure the wet bay got really cold. After cutting most of the factory clamps I replaced with theses, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B4S6Q5Y5/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
You may also find these at an auto parts store.
.

Those are much better than standard screw clamps. IMO the only better clamp is constant-tension clamps, which of course are much more expensive
More expensive, better PEX hose clamp tools have different jaws for different size and type clamps. I doubt the production lines took time to change crimping jaws. My crimper has a LED light that comes on when the proper crimp is made with a correct clamp-ring.