16' Bambi Info ?

[vargalu]

I am considering a 16' Bambi can anyone tell me the cons or problems of having only one waste water tank?
Thanks

[TBRich]

Hey vargalu...welcome to the forums, and to all things Airstream! The obvious thing about having a combined grey and black water tank is reduced holding capacity...but whether that is an issue depends on how you plan to use the Bambi. If you use it for long weekends and short trips or if you ususally have hookups or are able to dump your holding tanks frequently, then it's not as much of an issue. If, on the other hand, you use your AS such that you need high capacity holding tank capabilities, it is an issue. Think about how you want to use your Bambi and if you think you can be conservative enough to make it work, etc... That having been said, those we know who have 16' Bambis love them....

[InsideOut]

The biggest problem I see is with separate black & grey tanks, typically your grey tank gets full faster than your black tank. We can go 3+ days without filling our 10 gallon black tank, but a couple of showers will fill a grey tank very easily.

In some places, it's okay to empty your grey tank or run grey water on the ground or into a culvert, etc. It's never okay to do that with a black tank...or "dark grey" of a combined tank. You must find a suitable dump station for every dump with a combined tank ~

Then there is the pure volume of the "dark grey" matter - instead of 10 or 15 gallons, you have 30+ to deal with. Which is more than likely more than one trip with a blue boy for most, if that is how you are dumping...more likely to be a messy job having to stop the flow midway.

Shari

[overlander63]

Um, what year is the 16' Bambi you are considering? If it's a 1960's model, it will only have a black tank. If it's a nearly new one, it will likely have a combined waste water tank, usually 45 gallons.
If it is the 1960's model Bambi, you will need an auxiliary tank, commonly called a "blue boy", to hold the grey water. When full, you can trundle over to the dump station with the tank.
If it's the newer version Bambi, you will find the combined tank will fill faster than you think it would, because dirty dishwater and shower water go into the tank, and you would have to move the trailer to dump it. He-Man may be able to lift and dump a 50 gallon blue-boy, but I like my internal organs to remain where originally placed.

[Silvertwinkie]

It think Shari nailed it squarely on the head. If you are comfortable with that as some are, then by all means a combo tank is for you.

[BamCamper]

Never had a problem with mine in almost four years of frequent use.

I can boondock for a week if I'm careful...short showers, occasional campground showers, paper plates so less dishwashing etc.
I don't use a Blue Boy.

Again it depends on how you use it and how many people are traveling together.

[pod people]

I agree with BamCamper.

We have used ours frequently for over 4 years with no problems. With 2 people, we can last 3 to 4 days if we are careful (short showers and minimal dishwashing).

We did buy one of the wheeled tanks (15 gal) for use on the rare occasions we plan to be in a campground for about a week. We just fill it and tow it over to the dump station. Not pleasant - but easier than moving the trailer.

The great advantages of the 16' are tow weight and the ability to get into tight places.

We love it.

[bkmoore]

I agree too. One tank is not a problem and is easy to manage. It's scaled right for a 16 footer...

[ITsIT]

I love my DWR Bambi, except for one thing, the black and grey water is mixed and the holding tank is 2 gallons less then the fresh water. I am planning to go to the Region 2 rally in Niagara Falls, it will be several days and I am taking my parents who are in their 80's & I like to shower every morning, so the 21 gallon tank will fill fast. I am trying to figure out the best way to deal with this. Do I get a Portable Waste Tank or do I tow my rig out to the dump station. And if using a Portable Waste Tank, how do I know when to stop filling.

[bkmoore]

Congratulations on your DWR! Nice trailer.

Using the potable totes can be a real hassle and they take up a lot of room when traveling, especially with at 16' Bambi. How about using the campground facilities? Just use the trailer's bathroom at night. You should have more then enough capacity on board to make it through the rally.

bkm

[ITsIT]

Thank you for your suggestions.
I love my trailer, it is my first, and backing up is still a mystery, but I am working it all out.

[TBRich]

ITsIT...don't worry, backing it up is a learned skill and you will get there...just take it slowly and carefully... I know! The first time we brought our Bambi home we entertained the neighborhood for a good 45 minutes just getting it into the driveway! Now we can back it into not only the driveway, but it's covered port with only 2' on eiher side in less than 5 minutes... Single axle trailers have a very short pivot point and once you've reached that pivot point, no matter which direction you turn the steering wheel on your TV the trailer will continue in the same direction... If that happens, just pull forward, get in front of the trialer and then you'll be able to control the direction the trailer is moving again. This works: put your hand at the bottom of your steering wheel...to move the rear of the trialer to the right, move your hand on the wheel to the right. To move the rear of the trailer left, move your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel to the left.

[ITsIT]

Thank you for all of the advice, practice practice practice will not get me to Carnegie Hall but hopefully it will get me backed into a parking place.
I have had 13 outing in my trailer since I got it and I hope by 26 Ricky (Long Long Trailer) and I will not still have the same backing trouble.
Thanks again

[62bam]

We have a 62 Bambi (Ohio)... is there anyway a gray water tank could be added ?

[Snowey BC]

Just a question, (as you see I have a 16 ft. newer Bambi). Since the black and grey are combined when you tend to business at the sani dump, would the extra grey water not dilute and flush the system more effectively? I have yet to see anything discernable as a turd only flecks of TP. Not that I'm looking that closely but my grey/black seems to clean itself out very well (enzymes added). This could be a benefit rather than a straight black and grey.