DIY Network

Airstream: RV Plumbing Supplies From "Classic Rides" episode DCLR-202

Host Kevin Tetz is joined by Mark Huggett, from Zurn Plumbing Products, who demonstrates some new plumbing products. Jeff Grigg, a master plumber, helps Kevin replace the old and deteriorating pipes in the project 1970 Airstream, and the new electric-gas water heater is installed in an extremely tight space inside the bathroom closet.

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New Plumbing Product

• Polyurethane Cross-Linked (PEX--figure A) tubing helps connect the existing pipes that are in the trainer to the new pipes without having to re-plumb the entire Airstream. PEX can replace copper, CPVC or polybutylene pipe and is small enough to fit into tight areas.

• No longer are glues, solders or tape necessary since the tubing can be pushed into a pipe (figure B) and once the nut is tightened it's ready to go.

Figure A

Figure B

	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F
	Figure G

Installing the New Water Heater

1. Begin the water-heater installation first by cutting the copper lines back, getting a new toilet supply line (figure C), and then running flex lines out to the back of the water heater.

2. Secure a pipe cutter around the copper line and rotate it around until it's cut. Then install a quick tight t-fitting (figure D) onto the main water pipe. The fitting goes onto the pipe until it bottoms out and can be tightened down.

3. The original shut-off valve is then attached to the top of the fitting and is tightened down. The fresh water line to the toilet can then be attached to the main valve.

4. Attach the new cold-water flexible PEX line to the main water valve, which goes to the inlet of the new water heater. A quick tight fitting can then be attached to the hot water output pipe. A new red PEX line is then inserted into the fitting and tightened down. Now the hot and cold lines are in.

5. Since the project Airstream is converting back to an RV-style water heater, the floor is built up so the clearance is appropriate. Guides (figure E) are added so there is no side-to-side movement. Wrap Teflon tape around the hot and cold water fitting threads; install that onto the new water heater; and tighten down using a wrench.

   Note: The new water heater can now go in the opening a bit, leaving some access to the electrical hook-ups.

6. Fish the Airstream's AC 110 power line through the junction box opening and connect it to the corresponding wires; the black power wire to the black wire on the water heater; and the white wires and ground wires are all secured to the junction box (figure F). The wires are stored in the junction box and the cover goes on and is secured into place.

   Safety Alert: For the safety switch wiring please follow the manufacturer's installation instructions carefully.

7. Slide the unit a bit more into place and caulk the perimeter of the frame. Now the frame goes onto the unit and can be secured into the Airstream with exterior mounting screws.

8. Pre-drill the holes into the frame and let the caulk from the other side seep through so the screws have a layer of silicon on them when screwed in to hold it into place.

9. Next the long mounting screws are installed to hold the water heater to the flange in the body of the trailer. To hook the LP gas up to the new water heater, remove the grommet and the flair nut valve at the valve. Then get the gas supply line down from the bathroom and guides the end through the hole in the control housing (figure G). The line can be connected to the flair nut on the gas valve. Make sure to tighten the gas fitting down using a pivoting basin wrench.

   Safety Alert: Be sure to check for leaks once the gas is turned on.

10. The caulked grommet goes back in and seals the gas hook-up. Kevin and Jeff installed the on/off switch to the water heater in the closet of the bedroom.

11. All that's left is to connect the supply lines from the inside. Attach the hot water PEX line up to the output valve on the new water heater. The blue cold water PEX line is attached to the water inlet valve.

In the next segment the new furnace and thermostat will be installed on the project 1970 Airstream.

RESOURCES :

Water Heater/Furnace
Suburban Manufacturing
PO Box 399
676 Broadway St.
Dayton, TN 37321
Phone: 423-775-2131
Fax: 423-775-7015

Zurn Plumbing Products
Website: www.zurn.com

Water Pump
SHURflo Pump Manufacturing
Website: www.shurflo.com

GUESTS :

Mark Huggett
Zurn Plumbing Products
Highway 11 East
Commerce, TX 75428
Phone: 903-886-2580
Fax: 903-886-2583
Website: www.zurn.com

Neal Stultz
Suburban Manufacturing
230 Blackburn St.
Dayton, TN 37321
Phone: 423-775-0437

Jeff Grigg
Master Plumber
4621 Ellistown Rd.
Phone: 865-689-3999
Knoxville, TN 37924