Concept for cold weather use of rPod water systems

Maybe that’s what You meant Texman but probably just a valve is all you need to regulate the flow back into the fresh tank. Press on sharkbite type fitting work just fine, they’re just spendy. Personally I don’t think the low point drain fitting are going to be be necessary as you will have a route to flow any antifreeze back through the whole system once you’ve made these mods, but adding interior valves for them won’t hurt anything if you can find a place for them.

I use the crimp tool and ss crimps. Not having used the ring type I can’t compare either. I’ve rarely if ever had a problem getting into small spaces with the crimp tool though, it doesn’t go around the tube so you don’t need space behind or side to side of the tube but you do need some space in front to open up the crimp handles.

TexMan, I can’t see any reason that this valve shouldn’t work, and as you say the energy efficiency is better. Great find!

Yep, half inch pex. Not sure why they used that hose instead of pex for the pump suction line, maybe they saved 2 cents. I think that solenoid was 1/4 inch npt, not sure. You’ll need fitting for that. Keep us posted!

I’m not familiar with the 176 plumbing routing. I’d guess either there is a single branch for hot and cold that loops around the floor of the trailer or there are 2 branches. You’d have to trace it out to be sure. If there are 2 branches you’ll probably see tees for them in the pump/water heater area.

If you have a single branch then one new valve connecting the ends of the hot and cold lines of that branch would be required. If 2 branches then you’d need 2 valves, one at the end of each branch. Either way the concept should work, its the same approach that is used for those instant hot water systems you can buy for your house.