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  • 2250RK Small Toilet connection leak question

    Pls see pic. This may sound very odd but nevertheless I need some advice or a tip or two:

    Background: This Dometic 320 series was installed about 10 weeks ago in NC and has provided no problems until about two - three weeks ago. We park in our back yard in FL in between trips. There is a very small, intermittent drip coming from the silver crimp-style (I don’t know the actual name) clamp. It can go as much as a week with no drips at all and suddenly I’ll check it out and the sponge wrapped in a paper towel (see pic) positioned below the tube clamp is moist to the point that it has received properly 10-15 drops and when I feel around I can tell that the only location of wetness is at the clamp location. Our Son is using (full hook ups) the Rig temporarily so although the toilet is flushed every day, there is no leaking, by any means, every day. I’d say about every 5-8 days is when I discover that the drips have occurred or reoccurred.

    Currently: I don’t believe that I would have any trouble removing the current clamp and replacing it with whatever style clamp you wizards would recommend, however, I would like to know for sure your thoughts and recommendations and if you think there may be more to this than meets the eye or not. All advice and suggestions are greatly appreciated!

    Dave and Sue
    2020 GD 2250RK
    2019 F-150 XLT, 5.0, 4WD, SB
    Curt 17500 WDH, 3.55
    GY Endurance, Dexter EZ Flex
    SCPO(SW) USN, (Ret), HP: Tampa Bay ⚓️🇺🇸

  • #2
    Schiefswret

    The silver clamp ring is called a PEX clamp ring. The issue that is causing the leak is the soft hose attached to an actual PEX fitting. The ID of the soft hose is too large for the fitting. The easiest way to fix this is to replace the fitting with another fitting that has a 1/2" hose barb on the end for the soft hose. The more involved way to fix this is to remove the soft hose and replace with PEX tubing. The soft hose has always been reported to begin to leak at some time. Check out some of the threads in the plumbing section on how to do these projects.

    Brian
    Brian & Michelle
    2018 Reflection 29RS
    2022 Chevy 3500HD

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by Country Campers View Post
      Schiefswret

      The silver clamp ring is called a PEX clamp ring. The issue that is causing the leak is the soft hose attached to an actual PEX fitting. The ID of the soft hose is too large for the fitting. The easiest way to fix this is to replace the fitting with another fitting that has a 1/2" hose barb on the end for the soft hose. The more involved way to fix this is to remove the soft hose and replace with PEX tubing. The soft hose has always been reported to begin to leak at some time. Check out some of the threads in the plumbing section on how to do these projects.

      Brian
      Great, much thanks Brian. Is the idea to swap out the connection for a 3/4 female with a 1/2 hose barb? Also, is it typically recommended to stay with the PEX clamp or do you suspect a worm gear hose clamp would do the job? Btw, is there a preferred method for removing the PEX clamp? Pls advise. Tks.
      Last edited by Schiefswret; 02-02-2021, 08:04 PM.
      Dave and Sue
      2020 GD 2250RK
      2019 F-150 XLT, 5.0, 4WD, SB
      Curt 17500 WDH, 3.55
      GY Endurance, Dexter EZ Flex
      SCPO(SW) USN, (Ret), HP: Tampa Bay ⚓️🇺🇸

      Comment


      • #4
        You would need to cut the "ears" off of the pex clamp , they are kind of hard to cut. If you have enough extra hose length then I would just cut the hose and old fitting off. You would want to cut the hose any ways as to get a "fresh" end to clamp. A worm gear clamp would work fine with the new hose barb fitting. This will fix one end of the soft hose but the other end may become a problem down the road. There is plenty of soft hose that you should be keeping an eye on. You can cut the clamp with a dremel tool or diagonals , I think Rob has use end nippers with good luck.

        Brian
        Brian & Michelle
        2018 Reflection 29RS
        2022 Chevy 3500HD

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by Country Campers View Post
          You would need to cut the "ears" off of the pex clamp , they are kind of hard to cut. If you have enough extra hose length then I would just cut the hose and old fitting off. You would want to cut the hose any ways as to get a "fresh" end to clamp. A worm gear clamp would work fine with the new hose barb fitting. This will fix one end of the soft hose but the other end may become a problem down the road. There is plenty of soft hose that you should be keeping an eye on. You can cut the clamp with a dremel tool or diagonals , I think Rob has use end nippers with good luck.

          Brian
          ok got it. Are you in agreement here that I’ll be removing and replacing the black plastic fitting in the Pic?
          Dave and Sue
          2020 GD 2250RK
          2019 F-150 XLT, 5.0, 4WD, SB
          Curt 17500 WDH, 3.55
          GY Endurance, Dexter EZ Flex
          SCPO(SW) USN, (Ret), HP: Tampa Bay ⚓️🇺🇸

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by Schiefswret View Post

            ok got it. Are you in agreement here that I’ll be removing and replacing the black plastic fitting in the Pic?
            Hi Dave,

            See the attachment to post 1 of this thread https://gdrvowners.com/forum/operati...oft-hose-leaks for a summary of what fits correctly with what.

            Rob
            Cate & Rob
            (with Border Collies Molly & Angel + Kitties Hazel & Elsie)
            2015 Reflection 303RLS
            2022 F350 Diesel CC SB SRW Lariat
            Bayham, Ontario, Canada

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by Schiefswret View Post

              ok got it. Are you in agreement here that I’ll be removing and replacing the black plastic fitting in the Pic?
              If you can get a replacement with a hose barb end. If not you would just need to change to PEX tubing and use new pex clamps.

              Brian
              Brian & Michelle
              2018 Reflection 29RS
              2022 Chevy 3500HD

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by Cate&Rob View Post

                Hi Dave,

                See the attachment to post 1 of this thread https://gdrvowners.com/forum/operati...oft-hose-leaks for a summary of what fits correctly with what.

                Rob
                ok good deal, thanks Rob, super helpful 👍🏻
                Dave and Sue
                2020 GD 2250RK
                2019 F-150 XLT, 5.0, 4WD, SB
                Curt 17500 WDH, 3.55
                GY Endurance, Dexter EZ Flex
                SCPO(SW) USN, (Ret), HP: Tampa Bay ⚓️🇺🇸

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by Country Campers View Post

                  If you can get a replacement with a hose barb end. If not you would just need to change to PEX tubing and use new pex clamps.

                  Brian
                  Again Brian, much thanks, very helpful. Only concern I have is that the black plastic adapter in my pic may (probably) was added by my field RV Tech
                  when he installed the toilet so it seems that in order to use the brass hose barb in Robs pic, I would need to remove my current black plastic adapter and use a double female to accommodate the new arrangement because (see my pic) I’m dealing with a male (see white threads in my pic) fitting that protrudes out to accept the hose, so, I was thinking about skipping/removing my black plastic fitting completely and using a double female, one end to screw into the existing white threads (see my pic) and the other end would accept the 1/2” OD fitting to 1/2” ID hose recommended on one of Rob’s pages that he posted. Does this make sense?
                  Last edited by Schiefswret; 02-02-2021, 10:01 PM.
                  Dave and Sue
                  2020 GD 2250RK
                  2019 F-150 XLT, 5.0, 4WD, SB
                  Curt 17500 WDH, 3.55
                  GY Endurance, Dexter EZ Flex
                  SCPO(SW) USN, (Ret), HP: Tampa Bay ⚓️🇺🇸

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Schiefswret
                    Hi Dave,

                    The black plastic female fitting is a Pex part that seals to the end of the white plastic male part with a "cone washer". The white part will be straight threads . . . not tapered pipe threads, so sealing to the threads with a double female pipe thread coupling will no work. If you really want to keep the soft hose, you may need to make up an adapter to get from your black plastic Pex fitting (or a replacement brass one) to a proper hose barb fitting. The second picture (with the red Pex pipe) shows how to make this adapter to a hose barb, with parts from Home Depot or similar.

                    Rob

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                    Cate & Rob
                    (with Border Collies Molly & Angel + Kitties Hazel & Elsie)
                    2015 Reflection 303RLS
                    2022 F350 Diesel CC SB SRW Lariat
                    Bayham, Ontario, Canada

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by Cate&Rob View Post
                      Schiefswret
                      Hi Dave,

                      The black plastic female fitting is a Pex part that seals to the end of the white plastic male part with a "cone washer". The white part will be straight threads . . . not tapered pipe threads, so sealing to the threads with a double female pipe thread coupling will no work. If you really want to keep the soft hose, you may need to make up an adapter to get from your black plastic Pex fitting (or a replacement brass one) to a proper hose barb fitting. The second picture (with the red Pex pipe) shows how to make this adapter to a hose barb, with parts from Home Depot or similar.

                      Rob

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                      Wow, you've been a great help Rob and it's very much appreciated. I think your solution will do the trick. Thanks again. Hope to see you, Brian, and the other GD Wizards in August if able make the Rally. Thanks again to you and Brian also. Travel safe!
                      Dave and Sue
                      2020 GD 2250RK
                      2019 F-150 XLT, 5.0, 4WD, SB
                      Curt 17500 WDH, 3.55
                      GY Endurance, Dexter EZ Flex
                      SCPO(SW) USN, (Ret), HP: Tampa Bay ⚓️🇺🇸

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Schiefswret , take the opportunity to add a shutoff valve while you do this! Make's doing maintenance on the toilet easy if you can shut the water off to the toilet, instead of the whole rig.
                        Mike
                        2017 Imagine 2800BH pushing a 2019 Ford F150 Platinum

                        Formerly: 2002 Rockwood Popup
                        Location: Massachusetts

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Ok, good idea, thanks Mike!
                          Dave and Sue
                          2020 GD 2250RK
                          2019 F-150 XLT, 5.0, 4WD, SB
                          Curt 17500 WDH, 3.55
                          GY Endurance, Dexter EZ Flex
                          SCPO(SW) USN, (Ret), HP: Tampa Bay ⚓️🇺🇸

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by Cate&Rob View Post
                            Schiefswret
                            Hi Dave,

                            The black plastic female fitting is a Pex part that seals to the end of the white plastic male part with a "cone washer". The white part will be straight threads . . . not tapered pipe threads, so sealing to the threads with a double female pipe thread coupling will no work. If you really want to keep the soft hose, you may need to make up an adapter to get from your black plastic Pex fitting (or a replacement brass one) to a proper hose barb fitting. The second picture (with the red Pex pipe) shows how to make this adapter to a hose barb, with parts from Home Depot or similar.

                            Rob

                            Click image for larger version  Name:	IMG_2612.jpg Views:	41 Size:	91.1 KB ID:	41707Click image for larger version  Name:	IMG_2295.jpg Views:	41 Size:	178.2 KB ID:	41708
                            Hello again Rob. Wanted to run this by you as I think that I'm over-thinking this whole thing. I took the info you and others gave me to HD and proceeded to get myself completely confused which is not always hard to do. So, Referencing the info and pics you sent in #10; do you see any problem with the following:

                            Replacing my current PEX (black plastic in my pic) adapter with the 1/2 in ID X 1/2 in FIP brass adapter mentioned in your response (purchased at HD) and simply plug my hose back in using a SS worm gear hose clamp? Again, much appreciate your help!
                            Dave and Sue
                            2020 GD 2250RK
                            2019 F-150 XLT, 5.0, 4WD, SB
                            Curt 17500 WDH, 3.55
                            GY Endurance, Dexter EZ Flex
                            SCPO(SW) USN, (Ret), HP: Tampa Bay ⚓️🇺🇸

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by Schiefswret View Post
                              Replacing my current PEX (black plastic in my pic) adapter with the 1/2 in ID X 1/2 in FIP brass adapter mentioned in your response (purchased at HD) and simply plug my hose back in using a SS worm gear hose clamp? Again, much appreciate your help!
                              Hi Dave,

                              This is the essence of the problem . . . a Pex fitting is too small a diameter and has incorrectly shaped ridges to permanently secure a 1/2" ID braided hose. This connection will seal for a while, but the hose will deform to the fitting shape and squeeze out from under the clamp until a drip leak (like you have experienced) is created. Another thing to watch out for is disturbing one end of a soft hose section will inevitably wiggle the other end on its Pex fitting and can cause a drip leak there. This is what happened to me and got me on to this quest to remove all the soft hose from my trailer. For a permanent connection, the hose/pipe should be matched to the fitting and clamp used.

                              Important Note: This is my personal experience and my opinion. Grand Design and their RVIA requirements do not agree with this perspective.

                              Just to add to this discussion, if you are taking this apart anyway, why not add a valve so that you can shut off water to just the toilet in case of a future leak or malfunction. This would also be an ideal time to replace the soft hose with Pex pipe back to where the soft hose line to the toilet connects to the Pex main line. Then, you can stop worrying about the inevitable future soft hose leaks.

                              Soft hose also has other problems waiting to happen. See third picture (soft hose connection to water heater on my Reflection). Pex pipe will never do this.

                              Rob

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                              Cate & Rob
                              (with Border Collies Molly & Angel + Kitties Hazel & Elsie)
                              2015 Reflection 303RLS
                              2022 F350 Diesel CC SB SRW Lariat
                              Bayham, Ontario, Canada

                              Comment

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