What is this for? Help

[jillianbug22]

Hi! We acquired a 1972 overlander back in may and have been slowly making her our own and loving (maybe hating) every moment!

Anyways she’s got this extra long back platform that I have searched forever to try to find out what it’s for. I purchased it from the original owner and so I think it’s original but who knows I could be wrong.

Can anyone help tell me what it’s for?

[Hittenstiehl]

That rear bumper looks like it was extended by a (po) previous owner. Look underneath and you may see that the frame rails either side have an extended piece of metal welded. The smaller section that opens up would be storage compartment where you would put your sewer hose ( stinky slinky). Depending on the construction of that extension you don't want to put to much weight there. You don't want it to pull down and away from the trailer. When you look inside is that whole section hollow for storage?

Hoses, Lego stacking blocks, a rolled up rug on top maybe.

[ITSNO60]

Looks like a holding tank was /is in there. Or did they just extend the pipe out for convenience?

[jillianbug22]

Here is a look underneath. Anyway to know for sure if it was added by a previous owner or if it is original? The lights are functioning as well and are the same as the other brake lights on the trailer.

[ROBERT CROSS]

An add-on to store the 'poop' stuff, not an AS option.

Bob
🇺🇸

[ITSNO60]

Some of the older models came without gray tanks didn't they? At any rate if there is a holding tank in there whatever you do don't ever tow with it full, it could really cause problems with sway.

[jillianbug22]

No tank inside that part. Just storage. There is only one tank under the bathroom as far as I know.

[jillianbug22]

Haha good to know. Where on earth would people store the nasty stuff with the originals??

[Streamracer]

The narrow part that opens is for your electrical cord. Most often people carry their slinky in a pvc tube mounted under the trailer. Does the large part open up and separated from the original? If so that is where he stored slinky. Can you ask original owner?

[fthopkins]

Two things:

1 - Here is a time consuming way to confirm if the add-on is for wastewater. [BTW, I've done this, but for other reasons.] Check your manual (or google) to determine how much wastewater storage you should have, i.e. 30 gallons, 40 gallons. Then you can get a water meter (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...8D2FH3WRX&th=1) OR you can do it the painful way like I did. Pour one gallon at a time into the toilet until the you reach the printed amount. If you have more room in the tank you know the PO increased the size of the wastewater storage tank. Now that you have gotten this for, may as well go head and fill the tank until it will hold no more. Then you'll know the total amount of wastewater (in gallons) that you have available.



2 - From looking at the pictures you provided it appears that the PO has make you a easy access way to flush out the wastewater tank. Hence the copper pipe that is just to the left of the drain pipe.


I "assume" there is some reason you can not contact the PO to inquire as to what or why he/she made this add on.

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by fthopkins

T
2 - From looking at the pictures you provided it appears that the PO has make you a easy access way to flush out the wastewater tank. Hence the copper pipe that is just to the left of the drain pipe.

That's the area the stock city water connection was in that era AS.