How to Set Up Your Van Plumbing System

[@deniskalamar14]

Do you plan on having an indoor or outdoor shower?

[@thrivans]

Indoor. Right behind the driver's seat. Stay tuned for a video on this.

[@AmateurSuperFan]

Thanks man, this is the detail I was looking for in my build

[@conandal]

This was a super helpful video, again 😊. I enjoy how clear and straight to the point you are. Thank you!

[@michaelheppler2193]

Great job connecting all those drains!!Next time drill a 1 3/8 hole and use insulator plug. That way the hole is completely sealed and there are screw holes to secure it into floor. Also the plug protects the pipe from sharp edges. I use these plugs on every external hole. Put silicone on outer edge of plug for water proof seal. Hooking up all those connections was great. However you could have made the drain 3/4” to make it drain faster and also the pop off technically should be 3-4” ( I’m a plumber but in a van 1/2” will release the pressure plus it is only a 4 gallon tank)

[@miles0929]

Strainer idea is nice

[@sprinterdiscovery]

Very nice, neat and secure setup you created there. Good job!

[@jimnealephoto]

Jeff & Lisa, this is a very helpful video - thank you! Some interesting approaches. I'm curious about the benefits of a Fernco coupler. In your case you're using it to connect an adapter to 3/4". If you were connecting 1-1/4" braided hose directly to the tank from a fill dish, would there still be an advantage to connecting via a coupler or would you attach the hose to the tank port without other devices?

[@melissabeyle]

Super helpful video! Have you had any issues after reducing the 3/4" pressure release valve fitting to 1/2" pex? I know in the manual they recommend not reducing from 3/4" but wondering if we can get away with the 1/2" pex we have and avoid buying 3/4" pex. Thanks!

[@thrivans]

Haven’t seen any issues with this.

[@jkrums]

On the installation and usefulness - do you find this was a large enough hot water heater? Would you have upsized to the 4 gallon given the chance?

[@thrivans]

The 2.5 gallon is adequate for two people to take quick showers, wash dishes, etc. We now use a 4 gallon Isotemp marine water heaters in all of our builds. Keep in mind that a 4 gallon will use a lot more battery power to heat the water.

[@bgzwlz5119]

I didn’t totally understand the fill hose for the fresh water tank? You said you would “pull it out of the van”? Pull it out where? You never demonstrated that. You also said you don’t permanently attach it to the rear wall because it will drip? So if you installed a finished hose fill inlet on the exterior of the cabinet wall accessible from outside of the van and then permanently attached the hose from the tank to the inlet on the inside of the cabinet, the inlet will leak on the exterior of the cabinet once a garden hose is removed from the finished inlet? Also, wouldn’t the drain mechanism you invented tell you when the tank is full because the water would start running out at the hose below the van?

[@michellezizzle]

Great setup! Why do you use braided hose vs pex sometimes? For example for your drain you have braided that then leads to the red pex - is there any reason to just using one or the other?

[@3651sim]

Great informational video. thanks. I do have one question. Hooking up the drain hose and air vent hose together, aren't you going to have pressure issues when you drain the freshwater? when you drain the water, looks like the release pressure air can not go into the freshwater. Am I wrong?

[@guitardoc99]

Wondering the same thing. I'd keep those separate.

[@sabat7689]

This is exactly what is happening to me!! Im not turning the water off when the tank is full (just to pretend someone else won’t) so I’m overfilling the tank, then the overflow hose (which should also act as vent) is sucking water out and creates a vacuum so the tank starts to shrink until a fitting breaks to allow air in, I have tried different ways and I can’t fix the issue. Any help?

[@Thedestressguy]

Hey Jeff, thanks for putting this video out. Lots of helpful hints for us. Have you had any issues with the PEX fittings? Are the joints with the on/off valves holding up? We are at this stage of the build and I'm over whelmed with choices , thanks

[@thrivans]

Pex works great. I prefer the expansion Pex as it’s easier to work with in tight areas.

[@kat4animals004]

Is there any issue with having the water heater installed on the side?

[@thrivans]

It is recommended to only mount this water heater upright.

[@jeffreyharkness8754]

hey- dod you drill your tank yourself? looking for some tips on that...

[@Not_A_Tourist]

Very tidy. Is there a reason why the fresh water tank vent hose needs to be directed outside? Is it in case of overflow or something?

[@thrivans]

Correct. Hard braking or acceleration can cause water to come out of the vent hose.

[@dhillonz]

Are the fitting 1/2" npt in inlet and outlet? Is pressure valve 3/4 npt?

[@thrivans]

Yes.

[@sabat7689]

I built this set up and Im not turning the water off when the tank is full (just to pretend someone else won’t) so I’m overfilling the tank, then the overflow hose (which should also act as vent) is sucking water out and creates a big vacuum pressure so the tank starts to shrink until a fitting breaks to allow air in, I have tried different ways and I can’t fix the issue. Any help?

[@thrivans]

You need to vent the tank separately. We changed this and ran a separate vent tube through the floor of the van.

[@jdtracy]

Not sure what that one-way filter thingy is you put on the end of the drain hose, but doesn't that stop air from being able to go up, for the vent line?

[@thrivans]

It’s just a filter/strainer, not a one-way valve. Keeps critters from getting in.

[@michaelcarman4875]

where is city water hookup?

[@thrivans]

We don’t do city water unless the customer specifically requests it. Most don’t find it necessary.

[@jasonrose1758]

Terrible music