Removing Fresh Water Tank

[thirsch76]

Good Morning. I have a peculiar question. We have a 1972 Airstream Argosy 26'. We removed our fresh water tank because it had black mold in it and there was evidence of a leak up front. Now that it's out, we're thinking about not replacing it and only using the water system with city hook-ups. Is that safe enough to do and also, where should I cap lines, so we don't have some sort of blowout? And, since the city water is pressurized, a water pump won't be necessary will it? Thanks in advance for all of the help. We're getting the old girl ready for a 4-Day Camping Trip at Shady Lake. Very excited.

Thanks Again!

Todd

[Minno]

While I personally thinks its a mistake to not install a fresh water tank and pump for various reasons, if you decide not to, the easiest place to cap off the fresh water line would be where the tank was connected. Might want to install a low point drain at that location to help drain the system for winterizing. You can use the hole through the tank support plywood where the tank drain used to be.

Without a fresh water tank, no, you do not need a water pump. If you remove the water pump, you could cap the line there instead of where the tank used to be.

[utee94]

I'm firmly in the camp of "It's your trailer and you should do what you like with it."

That said, overall I still agree with Minno. You'll limit the capability, and the resale value, if you choose not to install a new fresh tank. If all you ever do is go to campgrounds with freshwater hookups, and you're certain that's all you will ever want, then go ahead and leave it out.

But what if, sometime in the future, your beloved Aunt Bessie decides to host a family reuniuon on her 100-acre ranch, but there are no provisions for freshwater hookups. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to carry your freshwater on board?

To me, one of the coolest things about our trailers, is that they are self-contained. I'd hesitate before altering that. Just my opinion of course.

Capping the lines should be easy enough at either location Minno specified, and that was an excellent suggestion of installing a low point drain if/when you cap it.

Good luck!
-Marcus

[morgandc]

Not sure why, but some rvparks only allow self contained.

[eljay]

The PO's PO had removed the fresh water tank. Told her some line about how it wasn't built with one (The patch for the fresh water tank fill is there. The water pump is gone.) "That's why the Tradewinds are so light, no freshwater, no grey water"...The PO was a cute young thing and gullible.

Not have the freshwater tank was not a deal breaker for us. We may install another tankin a different location. Maybe under the double bed. We'll see.

The idea of self-contained is a sound concept.

[thirsch76]

Thanks all. I agree about installing a new tank and we will be doing the in the future. We want to go with a stainless tank, possibly, but money is tight at the moment. Isn't it always? I just want to make sure I won't have some blowout when we hook up the city water. Again, thanks for all o the replies. I really appreciate it.

Todd

[Jammer]

There are some inexpensive polyethylene tanks available that might work out well.

Around here the state parks took out the city water connections at individual campsites as a way of discouraging greywater dumping.

[ventport]

Your tank could be cleaned and the leak fixed if you wanted to save money and not buy a stainless tank.

[rogerdodger]

Cap off the line to the pump and go camping. Before you ditch the old tank, think about clean and repairing it. Mine had a leak, and black stuff in the tank. I installed two cleanouts, scrubbed it clean, used chlorine to kill any left over bacteria. Then I repaired the leak with a soldering iron and left over cuttings from the install of cleanouts, all for about $30. So, hold onto the tank until you rethink it.

[Jim Foster]

Originally Posted by Jammer

Around here the state parks took out the city water connections at individual campsites as a way of discouraging greywater dumping.

Don't they know that most all RVs can carry from 20 to 50 gallons or more of fresh water on board? How is doing away with fresh water connections going to discourage gray water dumping?

Seems crazy to me.

[eljay]

Originally Posted by rogerdodger

Cap off the line to the pump and go camping. Before you ditch the old tank, think about clean and repairing it. Mine had a leak, and black stuff in the tank. I installed two cleanouts, scrubbed it clean, used chlorine to kill any left over bacteria. Then I repaired the leak with a soldering iron and left over cuttings from the install of cleanouts, all for about $30. So, hold onto the tank until you rethink it.

Is that the original location for the freshwater tank or did you move it? Sorry, I haven't researched the Argosy location.

[TG Twinkie]

The original location for the tank is across the front of the coach.