Mystery Black pipe questions 1972 Airstream

[Rothermel]

We are redoing our bathroom and have noticed a black pipe that runs to the ceiling and out a vent on the roof. Does anyone know if this is a custom job and what it might be used for? It splits, one end going out of the airstream with the other gray water pipes, the other running into the black water tank. We would like to get rid of it if we can.

Thanks!

[Nuvite-F]

That's your vent pipe. It's original, and it's needed.

[Panama Red]

Listen to Nuvite. He's dead on the money... Without that vent, toilet flushing would get interesting, and messy. For water and waste to go in the tank, the same volume of air has to come out. Right now, that air that the water and waste is replacing goes out your vent, which is conveniently outside your camper. Remove the vent, and the air will force it's way out of the toilet while waste and water try to squeeze in past it. The escaping air will blow a portion of the waste and water back into your camper, and probably on you...

Here's another tip for your vent stack. There is a rubber seal up under that little aluminum chimney that needs to be replaced every five years or so. It is a prime spot for a leak to start, and seeing as how it is leaking inside your wall, you won't notice it right away. I have three of those on my camper. They're about five bucks a pop. Cheap leak fix...

-Red, plumbing 101...

[Rothermel]

Thank you very much for the information. I will look into replacing those rings.