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Old 07-02-2008, 10:25 AM   #1
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Additional or New Gray Tank

Our beloved Lucy ('05 25FB) has a gray water tank capacity of 39 gallons. We would like to increase this capacity without using a blue boy or similar device.

Has anyone installed a larger or additional gray tank on a late model Airstream, or is this not feasible?

Brian
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Old 07-02-2008, 11:16 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by moosetags View Post
Our beloved Lucy ('05 25FB) has a gray water tank capacity of 39 gallons. We would like to increase this capacity without using a blue boy or similar device.

Has anyone installed a larger or additional gray tank on a late model Airstream, or is this not feasible?

Brian
Where there's a will, there can be a tank...can you make a diagram of where the tanks are located in relation to the frame members and other undercarriage components? Plumbing runs?
I would think that a second tank would fit somewhere under the coach. I bet that an additional 20 gal wouldn't even be visible under the trailer.
Does your fresh water match the tank capacity? There's little sense in increasing grey water if the fresh doesn't fill it.
How large is your black tank? Do you fill it frequently? You might consider installing a system that can pump grey water into the black tank for additional capacity.
Lots of options..
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Old 07-02-2008, 11:25 AM   #3
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Where there's a will, there can be a tank...can you make a diagram of where the tanks are located in relation to the frame members and other undercarriage components? Plumbing runs?
I would think that a second tank would fit somewhere under the coach. I bet that an additional 20 gal wouldn't even be visible under the trailer.
Does your fresh water match the tank capacity? There's little sense in increasing grey water if the fresh doesn't fill it.
How large is your black tank? Do you fill it frequently? You might consider installing a system that can pump grey water into the black tank for additional capacity.
Lots of options..
If you're at a campsite that has water but no sewage, I imagine it would be pretty easy to overrun your gray tank capacity-- is that thinking correct?

Uwe is definitely the right person to ask about tanks, last time I checked his blog he had no fewer than FIVE new tanks about to be installed on a vintage resto...
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Old 07-02-2008, 12:34 PM   #4
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I too am interested but don't want to drop the pan to see how/where to do it. I tried the "pump to the blank tank" method using my Flowjet sewer pump and the blank tank flush hook-up.. The pump didn't like the restriction created by the flush fitting and shut itself down due to heat, or at least that is what it looked like. Camping without sewer connections strains us for a weekend trip, not real good at conserving water.
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Old 07-02-2008, 12:39 PM   #5
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... is this not feasible?Brian
hi moose'

sure it's feasible (iike any other modification, but think out the full situation first.

most of these newer 25s have 39 gallon fresh water tanks and matching 37-39 gallon wash water tanks.

with black tanks ranging from 18 to 39...

even the 34s only have a 37-39 gallon wash tank, with 54+ of fresh water, and black tanks of 37-39 gallons...

so what camping situations prompt the greater wash water capacity?

are you willing to LOSE some black tank capacity for the change?

how much $$ do ya wanna spend?

i've got frame shots of most of these new trailers AFTER the tanks and sub-floor guts are added.

there isn't much (any) left over practical space in the 25 frame area...

contact a/s tech support...

suggest you wanna RETURN to j/c and have a bigger wash tank or a secondary tank added...

then let us know how they reply and what the price might be...

certainly a custom tank 1-2 inches deeper could replace the oem tank and this would expand capacity 10-18 gallons

but the belly pan would need modification AND the extra weight of the dirty water considered...

YOUR unit doesn't have heroic carry capacity figures, are u planning to upgrade the axles too?

the simplest way to 'expand' the wash tank capacity is USE A BASIN in the galley....

-then transfer sink water to the toilet and use it for flushing,

doing this can add 20-30 gallons of functional capacity, almost for FREE!

-carrying a small blue boy (10-12 gallons MAX) is easy, but there is still the issue of what to do with the water...

cheers
2air'
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Old 07-02-2008, 12:41 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by utee94 View Post
If you're at a campsite that has water but no sewage, I imagine it would be pretty easy to overrun your gray tank capacity-- is that thinking correct?
Absolutely.

Quote:
Originally Posted by utee94 View Post
Uwe is definitely the right person to ask about tanks, last time I checked his blog he had no fewer than FIVE new tanks about to be installed on a vintage resto...
The five tanks in the current project are 35gal black in the very rear, 2x35gal grey immediately behind the rear axle, and 2x30gal fresh water immendiately in front of the front axle. I doubled up on the tanks to spread the load over a wider area, and needed to do less frame modifications this way.
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Old 07-02-2008, 12:45 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by 2airishuman View Post

i've got frame shots of most of these new trailers AFTER the tanks and sub-floor guts are added.
Would you be willing to post those?
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Old 07-02-2008, 12:51 PM   #8
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I am going to visit with my friends tomorrow, there will be 2 of the FB models on hand for close inspection. If I remember to crawl under before indulging in too many Martinis, then i will try and figure out a plan for this mod.
The frame on the new trailers is quite deep, and a sizeable tank might fit inside and be completely invisible, other than the plumbing.

I am a big fan of large tanks. When I redid my Overlander a few years ago, no expense was spared to make sure there's enough capacity for at least a few days of conservative camping without too many restrictions. I fully understand moose's desire for more capacity.
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Old 07-02-2008, 12:52 PM   #9
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Would you be willing to post those?
uwe...

i've posted a few in the relevant threads as needed, but threads get buried.

eventually i'll put them ALL up somewhere.

but u do realize shooting (production) pictures NOW at the mother ship is prohibited...

which means that those of us with 1000s of factory shots...

have a PRICELESS commodity!

oh, wait i think someone from the a/s cia is trying to erase my hardrives....

customer espionage (and backup drives) requires fun-ding....

cheers
2air'

Quote:
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...The frame on the new trailers is quite deep, and a sizeable tank might fit inside and be completely invisible, other than the plumbing...
perhaps on some models, but only the ones with SMALLER tanks.

my 34 (and many of the 25-30s) have a 2-4 inch galvanized belly pan extending BELOW the axles and underskin....
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Old 07-02-2008, 12:55 PM   #10
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Originally Posted by 2airishuman View Post
uwe...

i've posted a few in the relevant threads as needed, but threads get buried.

eventually i'll put them ALL up somewhere.

but u do realize shooting (production) pictures NOW at the mother ship is prohibited...

which means that those of us with 1000s of factory shots...

have a PRICELESS commodity!

oh, wait i think someone from the a/s cia is trying to erase my hardrives....

customer espionage (and backup drives) requires fun-ding....

cheers
2air'
...just post the one for the FB 25 already, wouldcha?.....I promise it's relevant....
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Old 07-02-2008, 01:32 PM   #11
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completely legal pic from d'driveway...

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2air
... 2-4 inch galvanized belly pan extending BELOW the axles and underskin....
the attached pic shows the current pan extension for larger (standard) fresh tanks on a 34...

which is already several inches below the axle shafts...

it's the light grey horizontal area between the last 2 axles...

and there is another dropped pan area the same depth, behind the last axle for black/wash n drains...

it could be deepened, maybe another inch or 2 at MOST but....

the drain pipes would also need be dropped a tad more than this...

no doubt a bypass to the black tank would be an easier (and less $$) modification...

again the wash tank will hold the entire fresh tank contents...

so you'll need to drink a LOTTA beer and bottle water to really need a bigger bladder...

cheers
2air'
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Old 07-02-2008, 01:43 PM   #12
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As I recall, the 25's look different from below.
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Old 07-02-2008, 01:48 PM   #13
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As I recall, the 25's look different from below.
that's pretty much true for every length and model right?

the point is THIS is what the current belly pan extension looks like.

the frame rails are still only 5-6 inches deep across the new product line.

and the current tank depth fills that space.

again i'd suggest moose contact a/s tech support and report back with the info specific for his unit.

cheers
2air'
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