Above floor black tank

[my3sonsdad]

When I disassembled the rear twin beds on my 79 Argosy 30’ mid bath / rear twin, I realized the black tank sits above the floor (under the furnace duct). The mid toilet is mounted above on the other side of a partition. I haven’t investigated the grey tank, but since the shower is elevated off the floor also, I suspect it too may sit above the floor.

I couldn’t find this tank configuration in the service manual I have. Anyone else have this configuration and have a sketch or photo taken during renovations?



I really hope it never springs a leak!

[Lumatic]

Contact Vintage Trailer Supply or Aztec Plastics

[dbj216]

That is a strange design for a black holding tank. Airstream did provide a lot of above floor black tanks early on. My son's 69 Globetrotter has one. I disliked the straight down discharge port on this tank. Connecting the sewer hose was a pain. And since it is located at the rear of the trailer, it got scraped off somehow. Further, the tank console was 9" off the floor, and the 14" low profile toilet makes the assembly a high 23". Not comfortable.

I bet you are doing a major renovation to your Argosy. You might very well consider a underfloor black and grey waste water holding tanks in your project. I did so in my 66 Trade Wind, and it worked out okay. Here is a photo of the tanks under the trailer, and a photo of a "normal" toilet position.

David

[azflycaster]

My 75 TradeWind had an above the floor black tank, but the grey tank was under the floor. Neither tank was very big.

[my3sonsdad]

Originally Posted by dbj216

I bet you are doing a major renovation to your Argosy. You might very well consider a underfloor black and grey waste water holding tanks in your project.

Thanks David

No “ major “ renovations planned ... yet.

We’re going to take a few trips in the current layout and see how it works for us. I was toying with the idea of swapping the front gaucho and rear twins to make a dinette up front, but the twins are almost a full foot wider than a typical bench. I had disassembled the twins to get out the musty/smelly 40 yr old carpets underneath them.


I found a rotted out corner section in the process and the whole rear floor needs to be replaced at some point but for now I’m going to try the structural epoxy on the worst of it and hunt down the leaks.



I did remove the 3 door closet to make room for a mid twin donated from my 26’ rear twin. I will add a window in the space also. For now I’m going add a smaller window that can fit between the ribs.

When I get to replacing the floor I’ll tackle the tanks and look to move them below. I don’t care for the elevated toilet, but for now I can live with it.

[rugjenkins]

The above floor black tank is what both my 74 and 75 argosy had (7 gallon holding tank, I think). The grey was mounted under the floor in a galvanized box plastic anglers to help the waste water flow downhill. The tank was small and flat (12 gallons). On mine the black tank sat above the gray with the floor separating the tanks.
On the 75 I moved all tanks to below the floor and upgraded to bigger tanks. It's a big job to do this mod! It's doable but requires lots of planning and welding. Mine is a 28 ft would love to have the extra 2 ft of the 30.

[my3sonsdad]

I’ve read enough of everyone’s tank relocation threads to know it’s not a project I want to tackle yet.
I’m trying to keep the projects on the 30’ to a minimum so we can use & enjoy it. I have 7 weeks to get it ready for a spring trip to the Smokey Mtns. I still have the 26’ that I plan to refresh as a gift to my oldest son and his wife.

The extra few feet and the rear panoramic windows in the 30’ make a world of difference!

[Lumatic]

Originally Posted by Lumatic

Contact Vintage Trailer Supply or Aztec Plastics

Correction Inca Plastics

[Magnet18]

Hi,
I'm aware I've wandered well out of my neighborhood, but my 83 310 motorhome had a tank that was half above and half below. I've just finished modifying it to be flush with the floor and totally below, and I found the material easier to work with than anticipated.

After seeing this video https://youtu.be/3l83gNU-8eY
If I was to do it again I might consider attempting to build my own from scratch.

The takeaway being, if you do ever decide to relocate your tanks, it's not as intimidating of a job as I had initially thought it would be

[LuvsPossums]

[emoji15]Yikes, it already looks like there's been SOME water damage. Plz be sure to be careful to prevent any kind of mold situation.

[my3sonsdad]

Originally Posted by LuvsPossums

Yikes, it already looks like there's been SOME water damage. Plz be sure to be careful to prevent any kind of mold situation.

I took out the corner today... not pretty. I’m patching for now and will need to wait on a permanent repair to the whole rear floor, frame and last set of outriggers. I suspect the opposite corner is only slightly better but see signs of water damage there too.