Join us as we rebuild our 1962 22" Flying Cloud in preparation for our cross-country tour.
1962 Flying Cloud Gray Tank Installation
Posted 01-02-2009 at 01:22 PM by FLYNCLD
After we finished gutting the interior, the first major project we are undertaking is the installation of a gray water tank. Our trailer was not originally equipped with one, and they are now mandatory in many parks etc.
As we are installing a composting toilet which does not require a black tank, we began by removing the original black tank which was located under the existing toilet in a raised portion of the rear floor. This will allow us to install the new toilet at floor level and makes the bathroom area feel a little bigger.
After reading some of the posts on gray tank installation, we determined that the best place to locate the tank was under the trailer behind the axle. After an exhausting search for tanks, we finally found one that would fit between the second set of cross members and provide 23 gallons of storage. Since not all AS frames are the same, it is hard to say how many trailers this tank will fit, but on our trailer, the fit was so close that if the tank had been 1/8th of an inch bigger, it wouldn’t have fit! The tank we chose is made by El Monte Plastics, and is available through most RV shops. The number on the tank is 140H, and it cost about $240.00. This was considerably less than we were quoted for a custom tank, and it still provided maximum capacity. While we had hoped to install the tank directly behind the axle, we ended up going back one more cross member as the tank would not fit in the first cavity which was slightly smaller. It is still very close to the center of gravity and we do not anticipate it will cause any problems. If someone wanted to add additional storage, we think it would be possible to add a second slightly smaller tank in the first cavity and link it to the other tank.
The pictures below show the tank in its first stage of installation as we lined up and installed the plumbing. We are still working on the brackets and supports that we will use, and have some rust prevention to take care of before we finish the tank installation and reinstall the insulation and belly skin. There had been lots of odds and ends of work done on the belly skin over the years, so we will be replacing the rear portion of the skin with a new sheet.
As we are installing a composting toilet which does not require a black tank, we began by removing the original black tank which was located under the existing toilet in a raised portion of the rear floor. This will allow us to install the new toilet at floor level and makes the bathroom area feel a little bigger.
After reading some of the posts on gray tank installation, we determined that the best place to locate the tank was under the trailer behind the axle. After an exhausting search for tanks, we finally found one that would fit between the second set of cross members and provide 23 gallons of storage. Since not all AS frames are the same, it is hard to say how many trailers this tank will fit, but on our trailer, the fit was so close that if the tank had been 1/8th of an inch bigger, it wouldn’t have fit! The tank we chose is made by El Monte Plastics, and is available through most RV shops. The number on the tank is 140H, and it cost about $240.00. This was considerably less than we were quoted for a custom tank, and it still provided maximum capacity. While we had hoped to install the tank directly behind the axle, we ended up going back one more cross member as the tank would not fit in the first cavity which was slightly smaller. It is still very close to the center of gravity and we do not anticipate it will cause any problems. If someone wanted to add additional storage, we think it would be possible to add a second slightly smaller tank in the first cavity and link it to the other tank.
The pictures below show the tank in its first stage of installation as we lined up and installed the plumbing. We are still working on the brackets and supports that we will use, and have some rust prevention to take care of before we finish the tank installation and reinstall the insulation and belly skin. There had been lots of odds and ends of work done on the belly skin over the years, so we will be replacing the rear portion of the skin with a new sheet.
Total Comments 4
Comments
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Nice tank install! I will be doing the same very soon. Thanks for the detailed info.
How does the composting toilette work in the Airstream?Posted 01-22-2009 at 10:09 AM by Torii 
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Have not actually used the toilet yet, interior is still gutted! However I have heard a lot of good things about it. We will give everyone the straight "poop" once we have used it! Make sure you check out the rest of the install at http://www.airforums.com/forums/f444...ion-47643.html
Thanks!Posted 01-22-2009 at 10:13 AM by FLYNCLD - I will be adding a gray tank install on my 1963 Silver Streak so am very interested in your progress with your tank install as well as your other renovations. I do have a question about your final install of the tank. I would think if were installed as shown in the photograph that there would be some abrasion with the frame that would cause a problem down the road. Hard to tell how much room you have to add some type of protection between the tank and the frame. Thanks for the pics!
Posted 01-26-2009 at 01:54 PM by mikealeus - Greetings,
Take a look at the finished installation at the link below, and you will see what I did with the straps to avoid any chafing. As for the frame itself, this tank fit so tight that I actually had to tap it into place! Once strapped in, there is no room to wiggle so I don't think there will be any abrasion. Plus the tank is pretty tough stuff. The question is whether the opening in your frame is the same size or not, as they seem to vary wildly!
http://www.airforums.com/forums/blog...on-update-166/
Hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions!
FLYNCLDPosted 01-26-2009 at 02:09 PM by FLYNCLD
