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WT1J · 12-02-2021, 08:24 PM

Took delivery of a 2021 Flying Cloud 30FBO a few months ago. I have it on its first shakedown run. Dumped for the first time, and the black and grey tanks are switched.

Main equals Grey.
Auxiliary equals Black.

I only needed to dump the grey, so I pulled Aux and got black. Couldn't believe my eyes. Woohoo!! Thankfully there wasn't much in there, and the grey was full, so I could just wash it all away. Pure luck that the one time I'm only dumping grey, they switched it on a new airstream.

Anyone ever seen this? I'm a bit baffled by it. I'll compare it to my 2018FCFB that is parked alongside it, but I'm guessing they reversed the riveted labels on the levers?

Regards,

Mark.

BigSxyWhtGuy · 12-03-2021, 05:53 AM

On our classic the main is on the left, closest to back tire. The aux - grey is in the right. It is possible that the plates need to be switched or that airstream did change it. I’d check with airstream or dealer for clarification on if it changed or if your tanks got swapped or if it’s just as simple as swapping the plates

bobmiller1 · 12-03-2021, 06:07 AM

That was a big problem about 5 years ago.......I believe they were smoking to much weed on the assembly line, or it was a disgruntled employee. Regards, Bob

WT1J · 12-03-2021, 03:07 PM

I think they may be producing too fast. There were a few other minor oversights.

mythbuster88 · 12-03-2021, 10:22 PM

For bathroom duties use the kitchen sink. For cooking and washing dishes use the bathroom.

nitzo · 12-04-2021, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mythbuster88

For bathroom duties use the kitchen sink. For cooking and washing dishes use the bathroom.

**richard5933** · 12-04-2021, 06:16 AM

Curious that long after the industry switched to using the terms "black" and "gray" Airstream still uses "main" and "auxiliary" to label the tanks.

Can't say how many times I've had to stop and think which is which before pulling the handles. Looks like even the folks building the trailers can't keep it straight which is which, at least when it's time to put the labels on.

Stonecraft · 12-04-2021, 09:26 AM

I made a couple of labels, "Grey" and "Black", and stuck them on the bracket next to the handles. Way more informative than "Main" and "Aux"!

cegardner · 12-04-2021, 09:51 AM

Do the tanks diff in size? Could make a difference in volume for grey if empties into a smaller tank

Trowbridge · 12-04-2021, 11:23 AM

At least the plumbing was attached to your tanks upstream and downstream. But that's just poor workmanship...wow.

greenflag · 12-04-2021, 11:40 AM

When I bought my 2016 the tanks were switched from my 2007.
I put a gray handle on the gray tank drain.

Rltports · 12-04-2021, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard5933

Curious that long after the industry switched to using the terms "black" and "gray" Airstream still uses "main" and "auxiliary" to label the tanks.

Can't say how many times I've had to stop and think which is which before pulling the handles. Looks like even the folks building the trailers can't keep it straight which is which, at least when it's time to put the labels on.

That’s interesting…. The handles on mine are black and gray for the correct valve. No labels. Seems strange they would change something that is simple and makes sense. BTW.. my FC is a 2015.

DIDJA · 12-04-2021, 03:28 PM

You could check by running 20-25 gallons of water in the kitchen sink and looking at the gauges above the sink. Grey gauge should show more than half full. doubtful they reversed the tanks - likely just the labels. You definitely want the gauges to correspond with the proper tank.

Silver Comet · 12-04-2021, 05:35 PM

I had a similar issue with my new 2017 Flying Cloud. The gray water drain handle was labeled as the black water tank and visa versa.

I contacted the factory and they sent me out replacement labels immediately and at no charge.

Colossus · 12-05-2021, 03:51 AM

I second the question “does the tanks differ in size”? The answer to this question would definitely alter how I could use the trailer. Better to find out now before you’re out on the road.

fran&frank · 12-05-2021, 05:42 AM

Just for clarification and in response to some of the previous posts, what you are suggesting is the valves are labeled backwards, not that the tanks are actually connected wrong, correct? But you could verify this as described above.

Silver Comet · 12-06-2021, 01:06 PM

Hi Fran&Frank; in my case the valves were simply mis-labeled. (I had the trailer for a year before I noticed...)

Steamy1 · 12-06-2021, 01:29 PM

The black water pipe (3.0") and gate valve is larger than the grey water pipe (1.5") and valve, at least it is on our 2015 23FB.

Wazbro · 12-08-2021, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colossus

I second the question “does the tanks differ in size”? The answer to this question would definitely alter how I could use the trailer. Better to find out now before you’re out on the road.

In general black tank is smaller, how much varies with trailer size. From the ones I checked the newer 25' and larger trailers are close to the same (within 5 gallons), on the 23' the gray is close to double the size of the black.

Colossus · 12-08-2021, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wazbro

In general black tank is smaller, how much varies with trailer size. From the ones I checked the newer 25' and larger trailers are close to the same (within 5 gallons), on the 23' the gray is close to double the size of the black.

5 gallons in size difference isn’t the end of the world. If I had the choice, I’d prefer the grey to be larger as it was designed. I remember when I had my 23’ the black and grey tanks were significantly different in size as you mentioned.