Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: What’s this cold water line running under my black tank? (Read 882 times) previous topic - next topic

What’s this cold water line running under my black tank?

Despite my absolute best efforts, the rats are winning this year. Can anyone tell me what this waterline that they chewed through does? Is it the city inlet feed?
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: What’s this cold water line running under my black tank?

Reply #1 –
Elliott,

We have friends with a coach in Arizona.  Problem with rats.

He strung an LET light cord around the perimeter of his coach and no more rat problem.  This is at his home.  Not sure all night lights would work in a CG.

Never studied rat behavior, but evidently they don't like bright light.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: What’s this cold water line running under my black tank?

Reply #2 –
Yes it is. You got rats. I have rabbits. Sorry to see this, hows the engine compartment doing?

Re: What’s this cold water line running under my black tank?

Reply #3 –
Quote from: dsd –
Yes it is. You got rats. I have rabbits. Sorry to see this, hows the engine compartment doing?
It was fine a couple weeks ago when I was changing the oil and fuel filters... will have to go inspect again.

Hoping I can fix this with a sharkbite fitting because I REALLY don't want to pull the whole manifold and black tank  :(
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: What’s this cold water line running under my black tank?

Reply #4 –
I suppose the easier way to tackle this would probably be to disassemble the bay on the other side of the coach and feed a whole new line from one end to the other. Can someone that has taken their wet bay apart confirm this would work?
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: What’s this cold water line running under my black tank?

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Elliott –
I suppose the easier way to tackle this would probably be to disassemble the bay on the other side of the coach and feed a whole new line from one end to the other. Can someone that has taken their wet bay apart confirm this would work?

Elliott,

That is the best way. You have a straight run no hill for a stepper. I have even pulled a heat trace through there for freeze protection in that area under the tank.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: What’s this cold water line running under my black tank?

Reply #6 –
Elliott... that is what that line is on mine. It is accessible from the bay on the other side. That would be the easiest fix IMO .As you know of my previous water leak issues, the area in the bay on the other side is where Keith Risch finally found my drip. It was on a connection behind the stainless panels in my water bay, a PITA to remove/replace just FYI. Good luck...
Keith and Dawn Hudson #18766
Current- 1999 U295 DFGE 40ft. - Build #5405
Coach Name: 4BUS4US
Previous- 2008 Nimbus CE338: 40th Anniversary Edition- Build #6486. 
Toad: 2021 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk

 "I know something about a lot of things..a lot about something's..and everything about nothing "

Re: What’s this cold water line running under my black tank?

Reply #7 –
Thanks guys. The irony of this is that I left that AH register on for a bit of redundancy to protect those pipes, and it's that warmth that attracted the rat. I had a rat trap in that bay just incase too, but it circumvented death while still getting the cracker >:(  Peppermint, LED rope lights, and a "walk the plank" style bucket trap ordered.
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: What’s this cold water line running under my black tank?

Reply #8 –
[Discussion of rodent prevention options split to its own discussion here:  [Rodent prevention] split from I hate rats

Let's keep this on what is, and how to address, the water line - Michelle]
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: What’s this cold water line running under my black tank?

Reply #9 –
Elliott,

One other thought is if you plan on using the OEM style copper rings for this repair, a pair of PEX offset crimpers will be able to reach in those tight spots.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: What’s this cold water line running under my black tank?

Reply #10 –
While we are on the subject of PEX. There are 3 different type of PEX A, B, & C. They have different fitting and means of fastening the fittings.  Type A you install a special collar and with a special tooI you expand the pipe with the collar on it, then quickly install the fitting before the pipe shrinks. B & C you slide a ring on the pipe, install the fitting, then crimp or clamp the ring or you can use a shark bite fittings. PEX A is said to be more freeze resistant.  I use to never see PEX A at Home Depot and always had to go to a plumbing supply.  I am now seeing it at some Home Depots.  Home Depot seem to be doing a good job of keeping the pipe and fitting in different sections.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: What’s this cold water line running under my black tank?

Reply #11 –
Quote from: Pamela & Mike –
Elliott,

One other thought is if you plan on using the OEM style copper rings for this repair, a pair of PEX offset crimpers will be able to reach in those tight spots.

Mike

The offset crimper sounds handy.  You could also just crimp the needed fittings on the cross pipe before you feed it through.
Dave and Kelli
1997 U295 40' Build #5188 CSGI
1995 U240 36' Build #4621 SBID-SOLD
2006 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

Re: What’s this cold water line running under my black tank?

Reply #12 –
I guess I'm also replacing aqua hot lines. Today is the first day I have actually considered selling the coach.
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: What’s this cold water line running under my black tank?

Reply #13 –
Aqua Hot fuel or coolant?
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: What’s this cold water line running under my black tank?

Reply #14 –
Quote from: craneman –
Aqua Hot fuel or coolant?
Coolant. Not a hard fix, but just overwhelming to find when I'm already neck deep in a project I already didn't want. I discovered it when I was cleaning out my utility bay and found coolant pooled at the top of the gray tank.
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: What’s this cold water line running under my black tank?

Reply #15 –
Not cool.

Re: What’s this cold water line running under my black tank?

Reply #16 –
Elliott,

You REALLY need to start choosing your snacks better.

Chewing on hoses " just ain't rite"!
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: What’s this cold water line running under my black tank?

Reply #17 –
Elliott if I were in your shoes I would consider it a blessing to find it while working on the coach instead of out on a trip. I found a potential leak while removing the base box under the couch.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: What’s this cold water line running under my black tank?

Reply #18 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Elliott,

You REALLY need to start choosing your snacks better.

Chewing on hoses " just ain't rite"!
I can't afford better snacks because I own this damn Foretravel!

Quote from: craneman –
Elliott if I were in your shoes I would consider it a blessing to find it while working on the coach instead of out on a trip. I found a potential leak while removing the base box under the couch.
Very, very true. Now that cooler heads are starting to prevail and I know you're right.
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: What’s this cold water line running under my black tank?

Reply #19 –
Quote from: Elliott –
I can't afford better snacks because I own this damn Foretravel!
You have very good taste in snacks actually, doesnt get any better than a U320 treat