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Pipe material 1996
Does anyone here know what the water piping is in a 1996 ? It looks to have PEX compression connections, but the gray color makes me wonder if it’s the old Polybutylene.
20 + MH's since 1977 incl...
Past
FMC, 2x GMC's, Foretravel, 2x LD
Present
1996 LD RB under restoration, my project to keep me off the streets.
Re: Pipe material 1996
Reply #1 –
Our 1997-8 mid-bath had (what I believe to have been) polybutylene tubing. I used polybutylene-to-PEX adapter fittings where needed.

Mark H.
Former owner, 31-foot gas Class A
Former owner, 1997-8 mid-bath
Re: Pipe material 1996
Reply #2 –
Our '83 had the polybutylene tubing with grey plastic flare connectors. I might have had an instance once of a kinked tube, but every failure I had was with the plastic connectors, and most did fail. I replaced all with brass flares, and never had a failure since of any sort. I don't know if crimp connections are kosher, but if there are no leaks...

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Pipe material 1996
Reply #3 –
mine is a 1995, and has polybutylene pipes which I think I read somewhere that they were phased out in 1996, however that takes time, also the RV takes a year to make so a 1996 rv would have materials that were considered ok in 1995.

Check the pipe markings, if it says PB2110 it's polybutylene. It's no big deal if you don't have leaks, but definitely more prone to leaks.

If you plan on replacing any of it, they make transition joints to pex which work great.
1995 23.5 Rear Lounge
Re: Pipe material 1996
Reply #4 –
Thanks all. I couldn’t get anything in position to read the spec on the pipe. I found that some OEM used crimp rings like PEX, the copper rings, as on mine, seem to be superior to aluminum rings.
20 + MH's since 1977 incl...
Past
FMC, 2x GMC's, Foretravel, 2x LD
Present
1996 LD RB under restoration, my project to keep me off the streets.
 
Re: Pipe material 1996
Reply #5 –
Quote from: riverrd  - 
the copper rings, as on mine

if it's grey pipe and has copper rings then it's exactly like mine so you do have polybutylene pipes.

I saw on some YouTube videos that the issue with the connections is not the copper itself, but the joint itself just doesn't hold as well as fancy plex stuff there is now.

As long as you don't have any leaks you're fine. I personally have a leak on the hot pipe in the bathroom sink, but only when I use it with hot water, so something must expand I guess. Not as big of an issue for me to change that whole line yet though....
1995 23.5 Rear Lounge