Well maybe it wasn’t quite a sink disaster, but it was far from successful to start with. To see the YouTube video, click here. You will want to watch all the way to the end of the video in order to get my overview.

The water valves with hose clamps – pre disaster

Quite frankly, this project, became a lot more of a train wreck than I ever imagined. The easiest part of the project was cutting the water lines. It pretty much when downhill quickly after that. The reason it went downhill is that Grand Design (and they’re not the only manufacturer), decided not to use pex for water lines.

In fact, this is what Grand Design published back in 2016: “The TS-25 standard for Flexible Hose allows the use for both, hot and cold waterlines. The RV industry has used the hose on the PEX barbed fittings for more than 15 years with success along with the use of the Oetiker clamp rings that have a 20 year warranty. This installation has been successful as the PEX fitting are listed just as the PEX tubing for high heat, just as the flexible hose and PEX tubing.

Keep in mind, the standards that they refer to is not a residential standard thanks to the RVIA. Thats a bad thing!

Using the flexible lines, disguised as pex, was not what I was expecting. Once I realized what they had done, I tried to get a new 1/2 pex clamp over the water line but to no avail. The water lines outside diameter are just too large for the pex clamp. So, then I moved on to my plan B.

Plan B involved using some hose clamps that are used for this type of flexible hose application. They are made in a way that won’t cut the water line as they are tightened. I hooked everything together and even used a ratchet to tighten the clamps to the new water valves.

Then I turned the water on to the trailer. Keep in mind, I am here alone, and the hose bib is about 100 feet from the trailer. As soon as I opened the trailer door, I thought I’d left a faucet on. Nope! Water was pouring out around the connections under the sink. I ran like a lunatic back to the house in order to turn off the water. Then I ran to the trailer and opened the low point drains to relieve the pressure in the lines. Then about seven towels later I started taking everything apart.

Now, here’s the scoop for folks with travel trailers. When you go buying a new one, find out how they are plumbed. Unfortunately, most are plumbed crappy like this, using flexible tubing. Sometimes they will use a combination of Pex and Flexible tubing. If possible, steer clear. Like everything else though, sometimes you may just not have a choice. Just be aware that you could face leaks in the future.

Here’s where having a reliable, honest RV repair guy down the street pays off. I called him basically wondering how he would have attached the water valves. There are some other options when it comes to the flexible tubing (like some flare fittings). I figured I could go buy a couple fittings from him and go about my business. He recommended that I come down to his shop as he was certain he had some pex clamps that would fit the flexible tube. I ran down and he did, and it fixed my leaks.

So, what size were they that they would fit so perfectly on the tubing. Well, they are considered 1/2″ but they really are just a smidge wider. In addition, I was able to track down the manufacturer, and I am currently trying to see if I can buy a small quantity to have on hand. I don’t want or need 100.

If I can get some, and make sure they are identical to what I used, I will come back and let you know the item number and order information.