2004 R Vision Trail Lite water systems questions.

[WayneGibson]

Greetings!
1) New to me 04 Trail Lite has small pex drain tube pointed downward coming from underneath next to Fresh tank that runs constantly. What is that from?
2) Is the Thetford toilet pressurized? There is a leak in a pex elbow behind it that I have to replace when I get home. Any way to stop flow to toilet until I need it?
Long time sailer and restorer of sailboats and marine carpenter/electrician/plumber, so I am pretty capable and systems are similar. We keep it covered through off season and parked over a deep gravel bed. Really well taken care of. Practically did a marine survey when I got it!
Thanks for any help!

 

[WayneGibson]

Greetings!
1) New to me 04 Trail Lite has small pex drain tube pointed downward coming from underneath next to Fresh tank that runs constantly. What is that from?
2) Is the Thetford toilet pressurized? There is a leak in a pex elbow behind it that I have to replace when I get home. Any way to stop flow to toilet until I need it?
Long time sailer and restorer of sailboats and marine carpenter/electrician/plumber, so I am pretty capable and systems are similar. We keep it covered through off season and parked over a deep gravel bed. Really well taken care of. Practically did a marine survey when I got it!
Thanks for any help!

Hey Wayne! Did you ever think that your neighbor that told you knows how to sanitize the tank forgot to close the drain valve when he finished...?

Why no, Wayne, I did not...let me.check it now.

Wow, Wayne you were right! That was the problem! Thanks a ton!

No problem, Wayne, anytime!

 

[donn]

Are you sure its the pex thats leaking? On my toilet there is an anti-siphon valve that plugs into a rubber plug on the toilet. That anti-siphon valve has a tendency to leak. Check it.

 

[Alfa38User]

2:
No, the toilet is not pressurized, water pressure from the water system fills it. Simply keep it nearly empty when not needed until you can change the fitting.

(Used on the black tank flush system (when equipped), the anti-siphon valve on mine was a LONG way from the toilet, behind the drawers in a cabinet on the opposite side of the room.) PVI: it's purpose is to stop potentially dirty toilet water from getting into the fresh water system. There is also a small one hidden behind the toilet amongst the piping there that can also spring a leak from time to time.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

It might be more accurate to say the toilet flush inlet is pressurized by the main water system. As long as the rest of the RV has water pressure, the toilet inlet does as well. Therefore you typically have to turn off all water pressure to de-pressurize the toilet inlet. However, if you only need to repair the valve that drains the water to the black tank, there is no need to de-pressurize anything.

You said the elbow behind the toilet leaks and that is surely in the pressurized part of the water line.

 

[WayneGibson]

Thanks a ton to everyone who responded. I'm going to replace the inlet piping and and elbow. Tough to get in there but I have no choice. Thanks again!

 

[Old_Crow]

When I had my coach replumbed, I asked that they put a shutoff valve in the line to the toilet. If I ever have problems in the future I can shut the water off to the toilet without loosing pressure anywhere else.

 

[WayneGibson]

Crow, that's def smart. I have no clearance behind for anything like that much lessre-pipe it. I may cut out the holed run, put a threaded male end on the inlet and use a stainless braided hose like a residential toilet would use and put one loop in it and connect to the toilet.

 

[Old_Crow]

Crow, that's def smart. I have no clearance behind for anything like that much lessre-pipe it. I may cut out the holed run, put a threaded male end on the inlet and use a stainless braided hose like a residential toilet would use and put one loop in it and connect to the toilet.

Mine was already plumbed like that. PEX up through the floor to a fitting and a braided line(not steel, though)from the pipe to the toilet. He just took the fitting off the end of the PEX, added the valve and then a short section of PEX and re-installed the fitting for the braided line. Haven't had to use it, but it's there when I need it.

 

[WayneGibson]

Yup. That's my plan!
Cheers!

 

[WayneGibson]

Are you sure its the pex thats leaking? On my toilet there is an anti-siphon valve that plugs into a rubber plug on the toilet. That anti-siphon valve has a tendency to leak. Check it.

Thanks Donn.
It is definitely the pex and elbow. I will look at that valve you mentioned as well.
Cheers!