What is hanging down on my bambi?

[thinktankair]

I have a 1961 Bambi that I am replacing all copper to PEX. I have assorted connections hanging down from the belly pan, some of which I know their use and others I do not. I see the Water Heater overflow - check, the outside water hookup - check, and by the outside water hookup is another connection that is not a standard hose connection. I know this is where a picture is worth a thousand words, and I hope I can post one later. Any idea what this other connection is for?

[Thalweg]

Hard to tell without a picture, but in a 1961 you probably had a compressed air line to to pressurize the water tank. Many of those have been removed over the years and replaced with electric pumps. Mine has a copper line by the water fill port with a Schrader valve on it.

[thinktankair]

I will post a picture when I get home. Thanks for trying!!

[ragin-cajun]

My '61 Bambi (Ohio build) has one in the back, streetside that is a cold water drain point that we use for fresh water outside the unit. Up front is a drain for the freshwater tank. Hot water heater isn't original, but there's a hole through the belly pan where it's original drain was.

[thinktankair]

Here is a picture.

[ragin-cajun]

Could it be a connection for a gas line? Only other suggestion would be to look inside at that area to see what it runs to. Sorry, I'm not much help.

[Beaker63]

Hey think tank,
I'm with RC. it looks like a gas line connection. See what it goes to.
Tim

[Thalweg]

That's exactly how the low point drains looked in my trailer. I had one for both the hot and cold water.

[thinktankair]

It is connected to the cold water going to the hot water heater. You may be on to something with the drain idea. There was a pipe I removed between the hot water heater and the shower that was stuck out beneath the belly pan. I remember thinking that water would just run out of it because it the end was open. It maybe had one of these heads on it too but got ripped off. Having drains at low points is good for winterizing, but these will be a pain to open. Any better way to do this? This is my first AS. How is this done on other models?

[thinktankair]

OR ... Is this a compressed air line to keep the tank pressurized? The bambi didn't come with a water pump (but it has one now).

[Colin H]

Originally Posted by thinktankair

It is connected to the cold water going to the hot water heater. You may be on to something with the drain idea. There was a pipe I removed between the hot water heater and the shower that was stuck out beneath the belly pan. I remember thinking that water would just run out of it because it the end was open. It maybe had one of these heads on it too but got ripped off. Having drains at low points is good for winterizing, but these will be a pain to open. Any better way to do this? This is my first AS. How is this done on other models?

There should be two of them, both drains, one for hot side of system, one for cold side of system. Really a dumb design in my view, as if you have water in your trailer & the outside temp falls below freezing, these will be the first to freeze. I added ball valves inside my trailer & left the bottom of these pipes open. Keep in mind that if you still have the pressure tank up front, there will be drop pipe there too, along with a threaded cap.

Colin

[thinktankair]

Thanks Colin! I will add the ball valves inside. Much better idea. And the mystery drain on the hot water side is solved as well!