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Coloradobus · 09-25-2007, 10:38 PM

If that bill arrived in our mail. I'd hear, "we can't keep spending like this!!!, then peel Chris off the ceiling. Yikes!! Are these tanks anodized aluminum?, or just plain ole plastic? :-)))

InsideOut · 09-26-2007, 12:24 AM

I know, the sticker shock kinda hit us too...but, when you compare it to a new 10 gallon fibergalss black tank for Maxwell which would be $450 +/- and it's readily available and mass produced - it's not so bad. These are custom made to specifically fit the curves & frame spacing on our trailer that never had tanks to begin with. All are welded 1/4" thick polyethylene sheets (not fiberglass - which I believe are more prone to pin-holes over time).

Black Tank - Tank "A" is an above floor with a radiused corner - capacity 11 gallons.
Grey Tanks - Tank "B" & Tank "C" are below floor trapazoid shaped grey tanks - the combined capacity is just over 17 gallons.
Fresh Water Tank - 30 gallons and we already have it - it's one of the few things that came with the trailer that we are able to re-use. The two grey tanks fit within the frame and don't hang down below and maximize the capacity available.

Tank "A" = $482.12
Tank "B" = $412.24
Tank "C" = $518.33
Shipping = $87.00 (oversized) from CA

So, once it's broken down...it's not as bad as it first appears.

Shari

P.S. I've attached a .pdf of the tanks & sizes...but they are specifically for our trailer with minimal tolerances, so I doubt anybody would really have a need for them except as a reference or to understand what we are doing.

**Stefrobrts** · 09-26-2007, 12:40 AM

Well, it's also one of those things that you don't want to do later, and it's only practical to have grey tanks (and an absolute necessity to have black), so who cares what it costs. I'd do it too. It's just shocking to see the total. But that sure will be nice. Did you add grey tank to maxwell? That is something I've sure wished I had in the caravel. If I have to redo the floor in the back someday I'll add one then. I like that you can order the tank just the shape and size you need.

InsideOut · 09-26-2007, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stefrobrts

Did you add grey tank to maxwell?

No, we didn't have to do anything like this on Maxwell. His black tank is fine and the floor was solid, so there was no need to get into the frame/floor and mess with things. If/when we need to change the black tank out, we may consider it. In the meantime, the blue tote is fine...has been since day one for us. We either camp where grey on the ground is okay, have hook-ups or deal with the blue tote - maybe twice a year. We even debated whether or not to put the grey in Birdy...but as I've said more than once, these trailer restoration projects are slippery slopes...

Shari

uwe · 09-26-2007, 05:45 AM

OK, so tank C goes under the front floor...right? Centered between the begining of the A-frame?
Tank B under the floor to the curbside? And the Black tank in the front streetside floor cavity? These look like more than 17Gal, though.
I think the price is fair. The convenience and clean install more than make up for it, you will soon forget the money spent.

InsideOut · 09-26-2007, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uwe

OK, so tank C goes under the front floor...right? Centered between the begining of the A-frame?

Yes. The kitchen will drain directly into this one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by uwe

Tank B under the floor to the curbside?

No, this one goes on the street side under the front dinette seat. It will pick up the shower & bath sink. The two grey tanks will be connected so they level each other out and fill together as needed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by uwe

And the Black tank in the front streetside floor cavity?

No. This one goes above the floor in the front streetside corner. The curve of the banana wrap doesn't leave much room in the frame area. The tank will be above the floor with a low profile toilet sitting on top. We will then be getting a stainless steel floor pan that steps up over it made as ours is a wet bath.

Quote:

Originally Posted by uwe

These look like more than 17Gal, though.

The two grey tanks should be just over 17 gallons combined - they are only 3-7/8" high - the black one is about 6" tall. The total of all three tanks is supposed to be about 27-28 gallons - we'll see when they arrive and we can actually test them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by uwe

I think the price is fair. The convenience and clean install more than make up for it, you will soon forget the money spent.

After the intial sticker shock...we feel the same. No regrets - we are restoring this trailer as a "keeper" not to spin and get our money out.

Oh yeah, we also calc'd the "full" weights as follows:
Tank "A" = 91.8 lbs
Tank "B" = 48.1 lbs
Tank 'C" = 97 lbs

It's a lot of tongue weight...but is well balanced with the kitchen cabinets on the curb side - and we don't intend on traveling "full".

Shari

InsideOut · 09-26-2007, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coloradobus

If that bill arrived in our mail. I'd hear, "we can't keep spending like this!!!, then peel Chris off the ceiling. Yikes!!

Yeah, but we only have two trailers to restore, store and maintain...uh, what's your herd up to now?

Shari

Coloradobus · 09-26-2007, 08:14 AM

Ahhhh, you got us there! Just check our signature, as the list "could" grow?"-)))

InsideOut · 09-26-2007, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coloradobus

Just check our signature, as the list "could" grow?"-)))

Yeah...I've heard those whispers in the wind...

Shari

safari57 · 09-26-2007, 09:06 AM

Shari,

There will always be folks who can find a better deal than I seem to get. Sometimes substantially less. I don't know how they do it and I wish I had the knack - a case in point - an inline hot water heater - our buddy picked a brand new one up at a garage sale he happened past on the way home from breakfast one morning and paid $10. It works great in their trailer. I can't find a comparable unit anywhere for under $200. He constantly finds good deals and that's his lot in life.

Overall, when things are all said and done, you will have a gorgeous trailer that is fully functional to your needs for a fraction of what a new(er) one would have set you back. Finding the right tanks to fit your exact requirements is expensive. When I was pricing tanks I was blown away at what some of them cost. Your trailer should be a beauty when it's done.

Barry

**Stefrobrts** · 09-26-2007, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by safari57

Shari,

There will always be folks who can find a better deal than I seem to get. Sometimes substantially less. I don't know how they do it and I wish I had the knack - a case in point - an inline hot water heater - our buddy picked a brand new one up at a garage sale he happened past on the way home from breakfast one morning and paid $10. It works great in their trailer. I can't find a comparable unit anywhere for under $200. He constantly finds good deals and that's his lot in life.

I've known people like that too - and I hate them

I'm one of those who rarely catches a break and often pays top dollar during the wrong season when it costs the most. Oh well!

InsideOut · 09-26-2007, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by safari57

There will always be folks who can find a better deal than I seem to get. Sometimes substantially less.

So Barry, are you saying you think I'm getting a deal or over-paying?

I think it's fair...considering a ready-made fiberglass tank is about the same price.

Shari

safari57 · 09-26-2007, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InsideOut

So Barry, are you saying you think I'm getting a deal or over-paying?

I think it's fair...considering a ready-made fiberglass tank is about the same price.

Shari

Shari - I think you are getting an acceptable deal. The tanks are what you need and no playing around trying to fit tank "deals" that are not quite the right size or shape. It's what I'd be doing - I'm tired of spending more time and effort trying to make the special deal fit when for a few dollars more I could have had the real thing. What ever it takes to get your trailer done in a timely manner.

Steph - yep, you and I seem to be in the same boat (uh, no reference to your own recent acquisition of course). I'm always at the upper end of the pricing scale it seems. But hey, life is good, I have what I want (well, mostly

) and if I really need a deal on something I've been known to ask the deal getter buddy to see what he can find.

Barry

InsideOut · 09-26-2007, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by safari57

I'm tired of spending more time and effort trying to make the special deal fit when for a few dollars more I could have had the real thing.

My sentiments exactly...

Shari

InsideOut · 10-04-2007, 03:57 PM

Got the tanks today...that was pretty quick!

If I get home before dark, I'll post pics of them where they go - if not, I will this weekend.

Shari

InsideOut · 10-16-2007, 08:56 PM

Okay...day late and a couple of dollars short! But here are the pics of our tanks - placed temporarily in the frame just resting on the belly pan. Also our Sealand Low profile toilet.

Shari

Sugarfoot · 10-17-2007, 10:46 AM

It's encouraging to see these possibilities. I'm sure one day I'll have to replace the Tradewind's black tank. And gray tanks would REALLY be nice.

Birdy is going to be an awesome coach.

InsideOut · 10-17-2007, 11:05 AM

Birdy had a busy "ebay week"...she even bought something to share with Maxwell!

Can't wait to start putting things back together!

Shari

Sugarfoot · 10-17-2007, 08:15 PM

Man, I never find cool stuff like that. You must have some fantastic search strategy.

yukionna · 10-28-2007, 04:43 PM

Shari -- I saw on an earlier post in this thread that you are replacing the floor without removing the shell. How will you do that? I thought the ribs were attached to the top of the floor.