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05-05-2009, 01:42 PM
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#1
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2 Rivet Member
1960 24' Tradewind
Fairfield
, Ohio
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 36
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'60 Tradewind plumbing
I am replacing the floor in the front of my 1960 tradewind. I'm wondering if I should replace the freshwater tank and plumbing while I have the floor out. I haven't tested the tank yet, but it doesn't look to good. I'm guessing that the pump next to the tank pumps the water through the system, but I am confused about the the air fitting on the the fill tube. Any help would be appreciate. Thanks'
Dave
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05-05-2009, 01:45 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
1951 21' Flying Cloud
1960 24' Tradewind
Folsom
, California
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 727
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I believe (w/o seeing pictures) you have a pressurized system, at least that's what they came with. You could use the pump to pressurize the tank or you could get out your bicycle pump and pressurize it. And we'd love to see pictures.
__________________
Aluminumbskull with Led Balloon in Drag
***
Birch Plywood and Aluminum go together like
Peanut Butter and Chocolate
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05-05-2009, 01:55 PM
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#3
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Naysayer
1968 24' Tradewind
Russellville
, earth
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,954
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Depends on the originality to function balance you are trying to strike. If it were me I would say the heck with originality and rip that puppy out and replace it with a new tank and 12 volt pump. But you may feel otherwise and want it just like it came out of the factory. Btw, if you replace it and the plumbing, consider using PEX for the pipes- easy to work with and more durable/forgiving if it freezes.
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05-05-2009, 03:01 PM
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#4
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2 Rivet Member
1960 24' Tradewind
Fairfield
, Ohio
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Gen Disarray
Depends on the originality to function balance you are trying to strike. If it were me I would say the heck with originality and rip that puppy out and replace it with a new tank and 12 volt pump. But you may feel otherwise and want it just like it came out of the factory. Btw, if you replace it and the plumbing, consider using PEX for the pipes- easy to work with and more durable/forgiving if it freezes.
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Is PVC like PEX? Never heard of PEX. Thanks for the help.
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05-05-2009, 03:04 PM
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#5
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2 Rivet Member
1960 24' Tradewind
Fairfield
, Ohio
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkR
I believe (w/o seeing pictures) you have a pressurized system, at least that's what they came with. You could use the pump to pressurize the tank or you could get out your bicycle pump and pressurize it. And we'd love to see pictures.
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So the system is not reliant on air pressure. That makes sense. I'm going to go out and see if a bicycle pump fits it. Wow, lots to learn about!
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05-05-2009, 03:05 PM
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#6
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2 Rivet Member
1960 24' Tradewind
Fairfield
, Ohio
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 36
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Does it make sense to do the plumbing while the floor is out or should I worry about one thing at a time?
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05-05-2009, 03:05 PM
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#7
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Naysayer
1968 24' Tradewind
Russellville
, earth
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,954
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WcfdPiper
Is PVC like PEX. Never heard of PEX. Thanks for the help.
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PEX is plastic, how much it is like PVC I cant tell you. The connections are hand fit and do not require glue, the kind I used in my 68 can be taken on and off quite easily. Just do a search on PEX and you will find tons of information.
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05-05-2009, 03:06 PM
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#8
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2 Rivet Member
1960 24' Tradewind
Fairfield
, Ohio
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkR
I believe (w/o seeing pictures) you have a pressurized system, at least that's what they came with. You could use the pump to pressurize the tank or you could get out your bicycle pump and pressurize it. And we'd love to see pictures.
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Mark can you send any pictures of your Tradewind? I'd like to compare it to the mess I have!
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05-05-2009, 09:37 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1951 21' Flying Cloud
1960 24' Tradewind
Folsom
, California
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 727
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Thanks for asking . . . this is mine just before I "tore into it". It was an Ohio Built w/Twins. It looked a lot better in pictures. The closer I looked the more "worms" I found until eventually they all got out of the can - I slipped down the slippery slope and now it's gutted, lots of new plywood sub-floor, all interior walls out, new insulation, lots of work still ahead. Post some pictures when you get a chance. And good luck.
MarkR
1960Tradewind6
__________________
Aluminumbskull with Led Balloon in Drag
***
Birch Plywood and Aluminum go together like
Peanut Butter and Chocolate
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05-07-2009, 04:09 AM
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#10
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3 Rivet Member
Columbia
, South Carolina
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 173
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The air fitting on the fresh water tank is most likely a vent to let air in/out of the tank as it is being filled/emptied.
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05-07-2009, 05:47 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
Vintage Kin Owner
Vintage Kin Owner
Vintage Kin Owner
Currently Looking...
Greeeneville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,301
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Instead of a pump, you may have the original air compressor that pressurized the tank. Check out a blog by Airforums member Sugarfoot. She recently dealt with replacing the tank on her 1960 Tradewind trailer. Enjoy Traveling With Elvis
__________________
Kevin with Baity the Lab/Pointer //------AIR # 7303------\\ WBCCI 17109 visit my restoration blog at:
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05-13-2009, 06:50 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1958 22' Flying Cloud
1956 30' Sovereign of the Road
1963 16' Bambi
Southeastern Area
, Tennessee
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,116
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Hi WcfdPiper, yes I've replaced my tank but not the plumbing yet. If you've got your floor out and can get to everything, I'd bite the bullet and replace all before something goes wrong on the road. I've had broken plumbing on the road and it's not fun. I stayed with the pressurized system because I'd already replaced the compressor. I had a sheet metal fabricator make the tank to original specs, and a metal machinist thread the fill neck and install the compressor fittings and Schrader valve. All works like a charm now.
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05-13-2009, 09:13 AM
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#13
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Vintage Alum. Enthusiast
1959 24' Tradewind
Phoenix
, Arizona
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: I currently do not own a 2nd Airstream
Posts: 4,360
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Early TradeWind Plumbing
Welcome wcfcPiper. Yea!! Another early TradeWind owner. On mine, I had the original cylindrical aluminum pressurized water tank but the pump or compressor was already missing. I elected to take out the tank and replace it with a rectangular one made to my specifications from All-Rite.com. I gained quite a few more gallons of capacity and then I put in a 12 volt AquaJet pump. All of the original copper fresh water lines were replaced with PEX and the cast iron waste water lines were replaced with ABS. Installing PEX is fairly easy as it is flexible, easily cut and the connectors don't require special tools. In one of the photos, you can just make out the white poly tank nestled into the seating area under the window. It holds about 23 gallons as opposed to the original tank's 15 or so.
Now I'd like to learn more about this TradeWind of yours so I can add it to my early TradeWind registry. Post some pix when you can.
Brad
FF
__________________
4CU 2699 / AIR 10 / TAC AZ-1
I'm haunted by aluminum.
Charter Member of the 4 Corners Unit.
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05-13-2009, 03:23 PM
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#14
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2 Rivet Member
1960 24' Tradewind
Fairfield
, Ohio
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 36
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Thanks Brad. Your before pics look a lot like what I'm dealing with now. Was your custom tank expensive? Someone else suggested the PEX as well. I am in the process of replacing the front floor and am wondering if I should do the plumbing then replace the floor or do the floor then the plumbing. My thought is floor then plumbing. My refrig is completely destroyed and I am considering going just electric. The 2 ways are VERY expensive. I'll post some pics.
Dave
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05-13-2009, 03:40 PM
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#15
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2 Rivet Member
1960 24' Tradewind
Fairfield
, Ohio
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 36
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Thanks Sugarfoot. I enjoyed "Traveling with Elvis".
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05-13-2009, 03:54 PM
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#16
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Vintage Alum. Enthusiast
1959 24' Tradewind
Phoenix
, Arizona
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: I currently do not own a 2nd Airstream
Posts: 4,360
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WcfdPiper
Thanks Brad. Your before pics look a lot like what I'm dealing with now. Was your custom tank expensive? Someone else suggested the PEX as well. I am in the process of replacing the front floor and am wondering if I should do the plumbing then replace the floor or do the floor then the plumbing. My thought is floor then plumbing. My refrig is completely destroyed and I am considering going just electric. The 2 ways are VERY expensive. I'll post some pics.
Dave
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Hi Dave ~
The replacement tank was just over $200 back in 2002. Probably more now. Try to put all of the plumbing lines, both fresh and waste above the floor so it doesn't freeze. So you'll want to do your floors before the plumbing. If you plan on putting in tanks between your frame rails, as some have done, obviously those would need to be below the wood floor and easier to do from above before the floor is installed.
I sent you a PM about your TradeWind serial number and floor plan.
Brad
FF
__________________
4CU 2699 / AIR 10 / TAC AZ-1
I'm haunted by aluminum.
Charter Member of the 4 Corners Unit.
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05-13-2009, 06:14 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
1958 22' Flying Cloud
1956 30' Sovereign of the Road
1963 16' Bambi
Southeastern Area
, Tennessee
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,116
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Dave, welcome to the wonderful world of Tradewind ownership. Tradewinds are AWESOME!
BTW Brad, that tank set-up under your dinette really looks nice.
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05-14-2009, 08:01 PM
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#18
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2 Rivet Member
1960 24' Tradewind
Fairfield
, Ohio
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 36
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Brad,
Can you resend the PM. Either I didn't get it or I'm doing something wrong. Thanks for the advise and help. I'll try posting pics very soon.
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05-15-2009, 09:07 PM
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#19
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2 Rivet Member
1960 24' Tradewind
Fairfield
, Ohio
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 36
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Here are a few pics of the tank and "pump."
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05-15-2009, 10:30 PM
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#20
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Vintage Alum. Enthusiast
1959 24' Tradewind
Phoenix
, Arizona
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: I currently do not own a 2nd Airstream
Posts: 4,360
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WcfdPiper
Brad,
Can you resend the PM. Either I didn't get it or I'm doing something wrong.
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I resent the PM. Did you get it? Yup, your tank area looks very similar to what i started with.
Brad
FF
__________________
4CU 2699 / AIR 10 / TAC AZ-1
I'm haunted by aluminum.
Charter Member of the 4 Corners Unit.
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