Wasps in filling hole

[CarCollector]

I noticed on my 1964 Overlander that the area you put clean water into has a wasp nest and no cap.

Where can I get a cap? And, what's the best way to get them out? Can I do it without removing the tank? It's still cold here, so if there are any wasps in there, they are too cold to even fly. I was thinking about taking a shop vac and sucking them out.

Is there a way to drain the tank from the bottom so that I can flush anything out that may have gotten in?

Also, while we are talking about the water tank... What's the best way to clean it before use? It's been sitting 5 years.

Thanks.

[Foiled Again]

I was going to suggest that you hook up your water pump backwards, then use a hose on the inlet side, and blast them out from inside. The shop vac idea seems a lot simpler. Go for it on a cold morning, and keep some wasp spray handy just in case.

There should be a low point drain somewhere to empty from the bottom. I'd fill with water, add a bit of bleach, and let it sit for at least a day, then drain and refill with plain water, then drain again after another day. 1/4 to 1/2 cup of bleach should be plenty for a good shock treatment depending on the size of your tank. When draining check for any scale, or evidence of wasp parts or other yuckiness in the water. If it's really bad you may want/need to take the tank out and pressure wash the inside. Don't overfill the tank in place as I've heard of a couple of people who've buckled their floors when their tanks bulged. Is yours PVC?

Paula

[CarCollector]

Originally Posted by Foiled Again

I was going to suggest that you hook up your water pump backwards, then use a hose on the inlet side, and blast them out from inside. The shop vac idea seems a lot simpler. Go for it on a cold morning, and keep some wasp spray handy just in case.

There should be a low point drain somewhere to empty from the bottom. I'd fill with water, add a bit of bleach, and let it sit for at least a day, then drain and refill with plain water, then drain again after another day. 1/4 to 1/2 cup of bleach should be plenty for a good shock treatment depending on the size of your tank. When draining check for any scale, or evidence of wasp parts or other yuckiness in the water. If it's really bad you may want/need to take the tank out and pressure wash the inside. Don't overfill the tank in place as I've heard of a couple of people who've buckled their floors when their tanks bulged. Is yours PVC?

Paula

That sounds like a great idea on cleaning it. I was thinking bleach would be a good idea as over time it evaporates out of water. I have no idea on what the pipes are made off. I will have to check once we get the trailer home. We are suppose to pick it up this weekend.

[Phoenix]

See info on flushing your fresh water tank at this link: http://www.airforums.com/forums/f443...ml#post1261690

Suggest you dilute bleach in water before adding it, as I am unsure whether it will damage things if added full strength. I think there are instructions in some of the posts in the above thread.

[overlander64]

Greetings CarCollector!

The water filler used on 1964 Airstreams seemst to be a one-year-only design. While it is quire durable, it does provide an attractive location for wasp and/or mud dauber nests. The cap, is what appears to be a stainless steel threaded plug with a galvanized metal bow-tie-shaped handle. I have been told that it is the same thing as a "bung-hole" cap for a steel barrell (I think 50-gallon metal barrell). The hose that connects the filler to the ABS(?) tank is a flexible plastic/vinyl . . . there are also plastic/vinyl/rubber hoses utilized to connect the tank to the water pump and the water pump to the copper tubing that supplied water to all of the trailer. There are at least six low-point drain valves on my Overlander as well as a separate drain valve for the fresh water tank. The fresh water tank is located on the coach's floor below the streetside bed. The plywood cover under the bed slides together and lifts off to provide access to the water tank. The water pump is likely just inside of the streetside corner of the one-stop-service-compartment. When refurbishing my Overlander, the water pump was relocated to the compartment with the fresh water tank, and that made the pump much easier to access.

Good luck with your Overlander!

Kevin

[Frank's Trailer Works]

If you find that cap, please let us know....

[CarCollector]

Originally Posted by 62overlander

If you find that cap, please let us know....

Inland RV Center, IN has them for $34.50 according to a PM they sent me. It seems a little high to me right now, so I'm going to see if I can find something a little cheaper right now. When I locate something I will post it here. We will be working with a small town RV center near us too, Doug's RV in Startup, WA. He's got some generic stuff that looks like it will work. We will also see if we can find anything in a scrap yard. I think there is a camper scrap yard near us. The kids are going to my parent's house this weekend so maybe we'll take that time to check it out. If I find any Airstreams I will buy all I can even if it doesn't fit my trailer and post up what I find and maybe someone here will want or need it. If not, I'll store it in my shop till I find someone who needs it. We do that with our cars/trucks. It's a great way to make friends, lol.