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Topic: Water Hose Replacement (Read 1394 times) previous topic - next topic

Water Hose Replacement

My foretravel water hose has started turning brown and DW says to replace it.
 
The original water hose on the original hose reel appears to have been 1/2" x 35' of white potable hose. I would like to replace it with a better quality hose. The big box stores have 5/8" hoses in a better quality.
 
The first question is whether or not a 5/8" hose would fit into the OEM Reelcraft hose reels. Has anyone successfully made such a replacement? I *think* that the end fittings are the same external size for 1/2" hose as for 5/8" hose, since they have to be able to hook together, but am not sure.
 
Standard water hoses seem to have one male and one female end. The end of the water hose that plugs into a faucet is female, so the end that plugs into the hose reel is male. However, the hose fitting on the reel appears to require a male 1/2" NPT end. I have found some 3/4" FHT to 1/2" NPT adapters, but most seem to say they contain some lead and are not legal for potable water. What is really required?
 
I had assumed I could just pull the hose out to the end, letting the ratchet cog catch. Then remove the hose and replace it and let it reel back in. However, if I am replacing a 35' hose with a 25' hose, there is 10' too much tension on the hose reel. How do I avoid that problem? So many projects, so little time!  :headwall:
 
Thanks for any information you can provide to help me get another project done,
 
Trent



(Since I am not real conversant with pipe/hose terminology, I am trying to be consistent with the following terminology I found as a table on one of my search pages:)

Terminology Used On This Page
MHT = Male Hose Thread
FHT = Female Hose Thread
Mips = Male Pipe Threads (Npt)
Fips = Female Pipe Threads (Npt)
NPSM = National Pipe Straight Mechanical
Npt = National Pipe Threads Tapered
HT = Hose Threads
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Water Hose Replacement

Reply #1 –
Trent, perhaps you will get a better answer here, later but my advice after a lot of searching and a lot anguish is to replace the whole mechanism, reel and hose. I had a similar problem plus I had a leak near the connection of the hose to the coach. The price of the unit can be eaten up quickly by the price of labor to jury rig the system.
No RV! Have hung up the keys.
In the past: 2016 Winnebago Era, 1994 Foretravel U240, 1995 Foretravel U240 (wide body), 1999 Foretravel 320, 36 Foot, 2003 Foretravel U320 38 foot,

Re: Water Hose Replacement

Reply #2 –
Hi Trent,

"What is really required?"  Drinking water safe hose and fittings.  No exceptions.  Just trying to keep you and your family safe.  Think about Flint, MI.

Seems to me a 1/2' supply hose should be OK.  All other internal plumbing is 1/2" so a bigger hose is not going to get water in any faster.  On ours the choke point seems to be the fresh water fill solenoid valve.  We can only fill as fast as water goes through there.  A bigger hose won't change that.  Maybe more pressure would help but you should have a pressure regulator at the source.  On our coach we go from the water source through a 48" FloodSafe hose to an 80 micron flushable filter to a 40 psi regulator and then to the coach hose.

I did add a direct fill connection to the water tank. A 5/8" hose connected to the same setup above and then to the direct fill connection adds about 100 gallons in about 15 minutes compared to 40 minutes pushing water in through the coach plumbing.

We have been in many places where we were very thankful to have 35' of hose.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Water Hose Replacement

Reply #3 –
why not buy a 50' one and cut the excess off???
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Water Hose Replacement

Reply #4 –
Quote from: John Haygarth –
why not buy a 50' one and cut the excess off???

Amazingly enough, IIRC, the 50' was cheaper than the 25' in one of the 5/8" hoses from Amazon!
 
Trent

Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Water Hose Replacement

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Horace B. Cupp –
my advice after a lot of searching and a lot anguish is to replace the whole mechanism, reel and hose.

Horace,

There is nothing wrong with my hose reel.

The white hose has turned brown where it lay in the Florida sun for years.

Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Water Hose Replacement

Reply #6 –
I installed a new shore water hose this past July.  I just pulled the hose all the way out and let the rachet catch, then removed the reel from the coach.  I was a little nervous working on the reel "in tension", so I tried to keep my fingers out of the way as much as possible while switching the hoses.  The job went smoothly and without incident - I still have all my digits!  8)

I also took the opportunity to replace all the mounting hardware (nuts, bolts, washers) on both reels with fresh pieces, and cleaned up and painted the steel backing plates on the underside of the coach.  I had to cut off a couple of the old nuts because the bolts were severely bent from one of the prior owners dragging them (over a high spot on the road?).

I ordered the replacement hose from:  RV Water Filter Store: Standard Filter Canisters for Whole RV

You are correct - the original hose on your reel has a 1/2" NPT male connector.  I did not realize this until after I had ordered the replacement hose.  The new 30' 1/2" hose came with standard "garden hose" male and female connectors.  After I removed our reel from the coach, I quickly discovered my error.  I took the new hose to a nearby tubing supply store, where they installed the correct male fitting using a crimping machine.  If you call the RV Water Filter Store, you may be able to request the correct fitting on your hose, and save yourself some extra work.  Other than the wrong fitting (my fault) the Kuri Tec K6155 hose seems to be an excellent replacement choice.

I cut the male end off the old hose, and replaced it with a standard brass "garden hose repair" male connector.  I will carry it on the coach to use as a 30' shore water extension hose and/or general purpose hose.

Photos: reel showing data plate and old hose connection, new hose, reel reinstalled with new hose, and 1/2" NPT fitting.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Water Hose Replacement

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 –
"What is really required?"  Drinking water safe hose and fittings.
. . . .

Seems to me a 1/2' supply hose should be OK.  All other internal plumbing is 1/2" so a bigger hose is not going to get water in any faster.

Roger,

I give up; no need to replace with a 5/8" hose.

I will look for a 50' x 1/2" hose and cut off the male end at 35', to which I will attach a 1/2" male NPT fitting. What is the best way to attach that fitting to the cut hose to prevent future leaks?

Then I will use Teflon tape or pipe thread goop to attach to the hose reel, and let it coil back up.

Sounds too easy peasy for a Trent project!

Thanks,

Trent

Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385

Re: Water Hose Replacement

Reply #8 –
Trent, I am often the victim of my own over-complication.  Susan frequently brings me back to reality.  Starting with the simplest, most common sense solution usually works quite well. And then add as many multi-function features as you can without getting to complicated.

I would ask around to see who can add fittings on the ends of the hose where you cut it with minimum restriction fittings.  Check with a good hardware store or a plumbing and heating company or an irrigation supplier. We have an agricultural equipment dealer just south of town that can make just about any hose (water, fuel, hydraulic) and any big electrical cable usually while you wait.

Keeping the other end of the 50' hose (15') would be a good idea. If I were doing it I would get a 75' hose and make a 35' for the reel and a 40' for an extra hose.  We have an extra hose that is for drinking water only. It is stored in a large coil with the ends connected to each other.  Fits under the joey bed.

I took an extra 50' 3/8" air line and put male and female hose ends on it for a non-drinking water utility hose.  Perfect.  It winds up on a small cord reel and stores well. 
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Water Hose Replacement

Reply #9 –
Take you hose to about any hydraulic hose shop they can put a nice factory crimp on it.
91 GV U300 Unihome 40' Build 3811
6V92TA Detroit

Re: Water Hose Replacement

Reply #10 –
I have used the stainless steel small clamps for many connections on my filter line system on coach and have no problem with "lack" of water. Seems fairly simple to me as the joint is out in open and will not constrict hose retraction.
IMHO
JohnH
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Water Hose Replacement

Reply #11 –
My hose was brown also and cleaned up nicely with a bit of laquer thinner.
 

Re: Water Hose Replacement

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Traveling Man –
My hose was brown also and cleaned up nicely with a bit of laquer thinner.

Mine was well past that stage. If you look at the right hand end in the photo above, you will see it is torn off. That is what happened when I picked it up to attach my air hose. Had to scramble and use a lot of duct tape to blow the hose out after that.
 
Obviously I have to replace it before I can add water for our trips starting with the FMCA Reunion in Perry, GA, in mid March. (And not wait until the last minute before adding some water to test for leaks.)  :facepalm:
 
Trent
Trent and Jean Eyler
2000  U295  4003  WTFE  ISC  350
Build#5603 MC#17385