Bambi II Saved from Recycler!

[Becky B.]

As I promised Ben (Pa Bambi II), here are some pictures of how we dealt with the black tank plumbing. We used a piece of solid plastic (like what a cutting board is made of) between the tank & first fitting. The pictures should speak for themselves:











The white fitting is part #IF338

[Globie64]

Wow, what a great project, and great problem solving.

[PA BAMBI II]

Looks great, Becky! What Valterra valve part did you use? I saw the tutorial on Vintage Airstream on how to do this, but the internet is so thick with Valterra fittings, I cannot find a good candidate. What is the part number and who did you order it from?

Thanks! Keep up the good work!

Ben

Originally Posted by beckybillrae

As I promised Ben (Pa Bambi II), here are some pictures of how we dealt with the black tank plumbing. We used a piece of solid plastic (like what a cutting board is made of) between the tank & first fitting. The pictures should speak for themselves:


The white fitting is part #IF338

[Becky B.]

The Valterra valves were in this link--we got them from Amazon.

T1010
1005-1
T1003VPM
Amazon.com: Valterra T1010 3" San Tee Reducing with 3" Bayonet x 3" and 1-1/2" Rotating Flange: Automotive

[Becky B.]

I finished painting the interior this week. I'm thinking about coating with clear coat as recommended by Rustoleum RustOleum.com

The light fixtures are in (except the ones that attach to cabinet bottoms & walls. Fantastic Fan is all together & so is the Jack Antenna (looks kinda weird in this picture, but trust me, it's all lined up!




I painted the wall around the door & kept out the buck rivets so they would remain silver over the pewter color. Finished that up after paint was nice & dry.


Next will be installing the flooring. Taking this week off to plan a big bash for my hubby. He adores Cajun food, so we're have a late Mardi Gras party & having the crawdaddies shipped up here from New Orleans. Have to do alot of cooking this week!

[HiHoAgRV]

I'm loving that interior. We are struggling to get our bare aluminum looking good enough to leave it bare. How did you paint it?

[Becky B.]

Originally Posted by HiHoAgRV

I'm loving that interior. We are struggling to get our bare aluminum looking good enough to leave it bare. How did you paint it?

First I pressure washed it (it was really gross) then used some stuff call Amazing Orange from the dollar store, then sanded with 150 grit sandpaper, then washed down one more time with TSP. I used Zinnser oil-based primer & then the Rust-oleum pewter color (the link is in the above post). I did 3 coats of the paint--it has a sheen & a bit of a texture. I just ordered clear coat -- can't hurt & will protect from scratches in the paint. Really, not much will show of the paint--just the shower & basically the ceiling & door.

Is your aluminum badly scratched? It looks great in pictures, but I know everything looks better in pictures (if only that were true of me!)

[reinergirl]

Becky,
REALLY nice job! I love the pewter color, everything blends without that "funhouse" look. I know how hard you worked on the end caps and they look great too.... what a long way this trailer has come from humble beginnings

[Argosy Heir]

Do you have a picture of your trailer showing the Jack antenna ? I am thinking of adding one to my Argosy and am wondering how it looks on top.

[Becky B.]

This was from when I was sealing the seams. You can see the "Jack" on top. It's a bit foreign, but I likes my TV. If I really hate it, I can take it off & patch, but it's ok for now.

[PA BAMBI II]

Becky-

Did you ever figure out what to do about a gray water tank? My trailer is almost gutted...thinking about pulling the front interior panels and floor for frame repairs soon. As I work back, I know I will need to decide on a gray water tank or not. The one from Vintage looks like it will work, but I am not rebuilding my frame, so I will have to box it in below. I have also thought about using a blue boy, but not sure I want to decide on that route then regret it later. I am only pulling this floor once in my lifetime!

Thanks! Ben

Originally Posted by Colin H

Hi Becky,
I'm assuming you're talking about the grey tanks from Vintage Trailer Supply that are 15 gallons. I worked with Steve on the development of these tanks & they were designed to fit within the bellypan cavities between the frame rails & crossmembers. I have recently complete four rotiserrie chassis restorations & we installed two of these tanks in each of the trailers. They now have 30 gallon capacity each, along with a flush bellypan, so they look completely original from below. Steve & I also have "spin welding" tools so these tanks can be configured to suit virtually any layout.
Good luck with it,
Colin

[Becky B.]

We put in two grey water tanks. They are connected with a fitting. I personally drilled the holes in the new frame (pretty scarry stuff!). I actually drew a picture for Vintage Trailer Supply of where to put the holes for the fittings (vents & pipes for connecting) Sadly, my perception & theirs differed--my drawing was 3-d in my mind, but not to anyone elses! I had to send one tank back & they closed the hole & put it in the proper spot. All of this they did free of charge (Thanks, Steve!) They are both tucked nicely into the belly of the trailer, just waiting to be plumbed. We have 30 gallons of grey tank capacity. Here is a picture of the frame & the holes where the tanks connect. They sit side by side. When my husband designed the frame, he moved some things over to accommodate the tanks. I guess I didn't take a picture of the tanks installed!

[PA BAMBI II]

Becky-

This is quite helpful. I can envision now that the tanks sit in the frame width-wise and not length-wise. I presume from the photo that the tanks sit in the frame cavity where the lower straps are welded on to hold them? So there is some space between them and they are just connected with a pipe. Did you vent both tanks?

I am struggling to decide if I want to add one tank, or just use a blue boy. I am leaning toward adding the tank...and know that I must get it figured out while things are torn apart.

Your whole thread is so helpful! Ben

Originally Posted by beckybillrae

We put in two grey water tanks. They are connected with a fitting. Here is a picture of the frame & the holes where the tanks connect. They sit side by side. When my husband designed the frame, he moved some things over to accommodate the tanks. I guess I didn't take a picture of the tanks installed!

Attachment 153386

[Becky B.]

Did you vent both tanks?

Yes, both are vented. Here are a couple of pictures of where they come out. They are both on the curbside:




They are grey & have tape over the ends so I don't drop junk in them! The blue piping is pex for the water. I just taped it because it's sun sensitive & this is taking a loooonnng time!

[Becky B.]

I went out to the Bambi II last night to prep for laying the floor (had some bondo in the house, so that's what I'm using for the seams & bolt heads). We had some driving rains yesterday & I discovered not one, but TWO places where I have leaks! Naturally, I have everything together. There were none when I put the insulation in. Oh, I'm so bummed Now, instead of laying the flooring, I'll have the stupid hose out there & tediously try to find the leaks. AARGH!!

[Becky B.]

My hubby saw my state of deep depression & helped me find my leaks. He rigged up a hillbilly "Sealtech" system with two shop vacs. I sealed up the vents & grey tanks & away we went with the air. Much to my chagrin, the lights all leak. I sealed all the olympics when installed, but used plumbers putty on the wires instead of Vulkem. I will be sealing around all the perimeters of the lights tomorrow. I sanded all the bondo today, so I'll be laying the flooring sometime next week. Here are a few pictures of the hillbilly sealtech system:

leaky lights:


leaky upper window:


two fancy shop vacs:


a shoe box with two holes cut in it that covers the black tank hole:


Why these leaks didn't show up earlier is waaaay beyond me!

[masseyfarm]

If it was easy Becky, everyone would do it!

Dave

[Chlyman]

That is a great way to find leaks yourself! I might have to try that. My door does not fit well, so I would have to seal that up somehow.

[Becky B.]

Originally Posted by Chlyman

That is a great way to find leaks yourself! I might have to try that. My door does not fit well, so I would have to seal that up somehow.

You could get it all set up and then shut the door and seal the outside with blue painter's tape....I think that would work.

[HiHoAgRV]

that's an awesum solution...I have an old central heat fan that I intend on using. I'm guessing my '63 is gonna look like like an episode from the Lawrence Welk show...bubbles everwhere.

I used Vulcum around the top 3/4 of each lamp and left the bottom open, I hope it's don't pour in. Humm...I'm thinkin' I need to seal the bottom on the forward lamps so they don't get wet during a tow in the rain...