Water line connections in slide loosen

[Hummelr]

I have a 2021 Thor Outlaw 29S.


There are 3 - 1/2" FIP x 1/2" FIP x 60" riser lines similar to this that run between the pex under the floor and into the slide where they connect to the water heater and city water connection.


Often when the slide goes in and out, the connections between the pex and riser lines loosen and start to leak.



The riser lines are the type that you can tighten with your hands. (see photo).



Only the connection points between the riser line and the pex will loosen.


Does anyone have any idea how to keep these connections tight?


I have thought about replacing the riser lines with ones that have a wrench type fitting on them.



Rick

[Jimbo56]

Hmmmm….. Loctite?

[Hummelr]

I have thought of Loctite but if one of the lines breaks, I would be in a world of hurt to get the line off.



As I look at the connections now, it looks like they take a beating every time the slide moves in and out.


Rick

[Judge]

I would try a longer line. My guess is that the movement of the slide is causing the line to twist and loosen as the slide moves because it is a bit too short. If you install a longer line, you can put a clamp-mount on the hose on that end to keep it from twisting.

[Chateau_Nomad]

I agree with Judge on using longer hoses. Open/close the slide and watch how they move, and if there's too much tension/strain on the hose ends/joints.

You might try a janky fix using a single wrap of black Gorilla tape... BUT IMO the best option is trying to relieve the strain on the hose ends with longer hoses and repositioning.

[abjbrtd]

Have tried any Channellock Pliers?
You should be able to get the connections tight enough to stop the leak?

Teflon tape will also help.
Good luck and keep us updated

[Vibeman]

Installing a longer line is relatively easy and a good suggestion and may solve your leakage problem, if it is indeed caused by twisting.

On the other hand, moving your slide in and out should not twist your water lines (or any other lines) in the first place. It is entirely possible your lines were not properly routed when your coach was built, mine weren't, and improper routing is usually the root cause of the twisting. If you can view your lines while moving the slide try to identify how the twisting motion is happening then loosen the line and re-route it so it does not twist.

[Hummelr]

Thanks for all the ideas.


My wife and I took the slide in and out a bunch of times.


It looks like the hand tightener fittings are rubbing against the gas lines and walls as it goes in and out.


This may explain why they loosen.


I did reroute one line as it was 180 degrees pointing in the wrong direction.


I am going to go ahead and order new hoses with wrench type fittings on them and install them. The lines pictured at the beginning of this post I can only find at trekwood.com and they have failed to respond to me.


All 3 current lines are mangled where they connect to the lines under the floor.


There is no stress at all where they connect to the water heater or the water inlet.



Thor did put 90 degree elbows on the end of the pex to where in flexible lines connect. This makes the connections point up and to me causes a HUGE PROBLEM since the flexibles must immediately make a 90 degree bend. There is not enough pex for me to remove the 90's and just put in a straight connection.



I wonder if I should put a 90 elbow on those connections to straighten them back out. However, that is another potential leak point.



Rick

[Pete'sMH]

Won’t help you at all, but I was NEVER able to make mine work entirely well. Resolved to never again buy an RV with water in a slide. It’s just easier that way.