Underfloor Water Tank

[muddy_hollow]

I'm working on my 56 caravanner and one of the things I would like to do is maximize the interior space up front, but guess what the darn water tank is in the way

Has anyone discussed the idea of putting the fresh water in the frame? I was thinking of a small tank 13-15 gallons that could be custom made to fit into the 4" x 48"x36" area held up by strong straps. The tank would have to be tappered to flow the water down to the outlet but that might be an option. The inlet and vents would likely have to come into the rig and out the side as needed.

Anyone done this type of thing?

Thanks,

Doug

[CanoeStream]

SmokelessJoe has radically altered the tanks on his Argosy -- plus other ideas to numerous to mention. Here and here.

See any answers in there?

[Chuck]

Originally Posted by muddy_hollow

Anyone done this type of thing?

Thanks,

Doug

Yes. The Airstream Factory, from 1969 to present.

Seriously, I'm sure this design would be quite adaptable to vintage units. I think this is in "Safari Tim's" plan for his ambassador.
70's units had a custom tank made to take up 2 frame cavities, so there's a generous 45gallon capacity. I'm sure you could accomplish the same thing using 2 seperate tanks...or if ~20g is enough, just one. You can also rig it w/ the plumbing so that it fills from the city connection, although, if that's the only method, you'd lose the ability to fill it w/ a bucket. (and I've done that, in a pinch).
Put the drain along the back edge, then the tongue jack will give you all the slope you need.
the 70's tanks were (are) flat. and it does take a long time to drain on mine, anyway...the drain is only a 3/8ths pipe. it can take a couple of hours to empty it.
Since you're going to be doing frame mods, I'd say you could probably even get one of these specific tanks...but they're meant for a 5" cavity.

[muddy_hollow]

Here's a picture of my frame, already modified. In the picure starting at the bottom, the grey water tank goes in the first bay. The next one or two I was thinking of using for water. The large area up front is for a spare tire that Colin and company are fashioning for me.

The tire carrier will stick down a couple of inches but I wanted the rest to be flush, so the tanks would be limited to 4". IN the 70s plan how do you fill up the tanks? Is there an inlet on the side?

[Chuck]

Originally Posted by muddy_hollow

IN the 70s plan how do you fill up the tanks? Is there an inlet on the side?

yup. like the gas tank on your car....
pipe comes inside, hidden by the galley cabinet. stays above the floor of the cabinet as it comes in toward the frame rail, then goes down into a big hole in the floor that forms a compartment of sorts, so you can access the connections to the tank. (fill, drain, pump intake lines, h/c water supply drains). The tank/water connection access hole is still inside a cabinet, so its not visible from the living area.

[Fyrzowt]

Originally Posted by muddy_hollow

Here's a picture of my frame, already modified. In the picure starting at the bottom, the grey water tank goes in the first bay. The next one or two I was thinking of using for water. The large area up front is for a spare tire that Colin and company are fashioning for me.

The tire carrier will stick down a couple of inches but I wanted the rest to be flush, so the tanks would be limited to 4". IN the 70s plan how do you fill up the tanks? Is there an inlet on the side?

If the photos upload, here is how my '72 GT has it plumbed. Street side.

Dave

[muddy_hollow]

Originally Posted by Fyrzowt

If the photos upload, here is how my '72 GT has it plumbed. Street side.

Dave

And that was original? very cool. Gives me a couple ideas.

[Fyrzowt]

Originally Posted by muddy_hollow

And that was original? very cool. Gives me a couple ideas.

Original as far as I can tell. Let me know if I can help, photos are easy to get - weather is nice.

[Jacob D.]

I'm working on this same project for mine, putting all three tanks under the floor between the rails. The black tank was there originally, but quite small. I'm thinking I will go below the frame with the fresh & grey water tanks because they'll be close to the axles.