Grey tank installation

[Stormy Weather]

I'm looking at buying a '73 Tradewind. Has anyone out there installed a grey tank on a 73 Tradewind? If so where and how difficult is it to do? Is it something that I let an Airstream certified tech do? Any advice would be great. Thanks.

[uwe]

Originally Posted by Stormy Weather

I'm looking at buying a '73 Tradewind. Has anyone out there installed a grey tank on a 73 Tradewind? If so where and how difficult is it to do? Is it something that I let an Airstream certified tech do? Any advice would be great. Thanks.

I did a grey tank on my 1971 Tradewind.
It resides between 2 crossmembers right behind the rear axle. It holds 36gal, which is good for about 2 days of conservative boondocking, with showers and cooking etc., more if you're using campground facilities.
It was not very difficult, but did require quite a bit of plumbing modifications.
If you're not sure, then you should have it done by an RV specialist.
A good quality custom tank will cost between $ 300 and $ 400.00, figure labor on top of that, plus plumbing parts.
It's not a cheap undertaking.

[bryanl]

see

http://sierranevadaairstreams.org/me...k/gallery.html

for one idea

[malconium]

Bryan,

That is a clever aproach for adding some gray water capacity.

Congratulations,

Malcolm

[Chuck]

I did something similar with my 25 gallon blue-boy...mounted it to the spare tire carrier way up in front, and ran a long piece of pex tubing all the way from the "exhaust" pipe to the front of the trailer. It worked....

eventually, I'll install a more "permanent" solution.

Uwe: do you know the source of your tank? I still have the pics you sent me way back when...having a hard time tracking down a specific tank make/model that will fit between the frame x-members. I priced out a custom made tank...cost prohibitive. ($400 + ).

[DavidsonOverlander]

Originally Posted by Leipper

see

http://sierranevadaairstreams.org/me...k/gallery.html

for one idea

Is it safe to add that much weight to the back bumper? 12 gallons would be around 100 pounds. I guess if you were emptying before you left each camp site and not using it much when you stopped during the day it wouldn't be a problem.

Grant

[uwe]

Originally Posted by DavidsonOverlander

Is it safe to add that much weight to the back bumper? 12 gallons would be around 100 pounds. I guess if you were emptying before you left each camp site and not using it much when you stopped during the day it wouldn't be a problem.

Grant

Grant,
I share your concern. i do not think that this is a good solution for travelling, due to the extra weight on the rear bumper.

[uwe]

Originally Posted by chuck

Uwe: do you know the source of your tank? I still have the pics you sent me way back when...having a hard time tracking down a specific tank make/model that will fit between the frame x-members. I priced out a custom made tank...cost prohibitive. ($400 + ).

There are many source for tanks in the $ 150 to $ 200 range, ( on the web) but they're all SOB type tanks. You might find one that's close, but I'd rather spend the money and have a solution that is permanent, safe and neat.
The 3 tanks for my Overlander will run over $ 1000.00, plumbing and frame work not included. The result will be a professional installation, with the proper venting and plumbing.
$ 400.00 for a one-off custom tank is actually a good retail price.
The frame rails on Airstreams are very thin and shallow, plus the trailers ride low to the ground. This makes tank selection and installation a bit of a challenge.

[Wardinbb]

Originally Posted by Stormy Weather

I'm looking at buying a '73 Tradewind. Has anyone out there installed a grey tank on a 73 Tradewind? If so where and how difficult is it to do? Is it something that I let an Airstream certified tech do? Any advice would be great. Thanks.

Hey Stormy,

Good luck with your acquisition and maybe the replacement. The PVC bumper design IMHO looks to be a suck job, a good deal of work for not a lot of result. The following link, http://www.incaplastics.com/, is one source for tanks. I also think that this manufacturer is or was an AS vendor.

Certified AS tech installation is a judgement call and subject to debate these days. Many members rely on their local AS dealer/service and have been pleased as punch over the years with the results. Others have horror stories, that are really almost unbelievable.

Ed

[Stormy Weather]

All of your insight has been helpful!