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Grand Master · 06-12-2010, 09:55 PM

Vintage Trailer Supply has posted that they have made a gray water tank that fits inside the the belly skin and between the frame.

Anyone have plumbing diagrams to help explain the complexity of adding this tank, and tying it into the existing plumbing system.

I have a 1963 Tradewind with a rear bath (Tub - curbside; sink - center; toilet - street side). This is a common early 60's layout.

It would be great to ditch the blue boy and add this 15 gal gray tank, especially since it doen't hang down below belly skin.

Maybe those that attended the Vintage Restoration Rally got some tips they could pass along.

Mike

TouringDan · 06-12-2010, 11:12 PM

I have a 66 Tradwind and would really like to add a gray water tank. Is this practical and I would like to hear from somebody that has already done this.

Thanks, Dan

Grand Master · 06-14-2010, 02:08 AM

Let's try again.

There must be someone who has installed one of these newly designed gray water tanks by Vintage Trailer Supply.

Frank's Trailer Works · 06-14-2010, 04:41 AM

I have installed grey tanks. Unfortunately not the ones VTS now offers. This one will fit into your frame with out too much alteration. You just need to tie it into the grey lines and find a way to restrain it.

FLYNCLD · 06-14-2010, 05:37 AM

These tanks are so new it is probable that very few have been installed as of yet. Call Steve at Vintage, he may have some info. Here is a link to our gray tank install, but it is a bigger tank that drops below the belly. Same idea however, strap it it, hook it up to the existing drain system.

1962 Flying Cloud Gray Tank Installation - Airstream Forums

FLYNCLD

bredlo · 06-14-2010, 07:44 AM

I think it's time for VTS to make a demo video of this installation.... and I know just the '62 Globe Trotter that would serve as the perfect guinea pig!

Melody Ranch · 06-14-2010, 09:21 AM

Look at how and where you use the Airstream. Do you really, REALLY, need a gray tank? ...or are you caught up in the feeding frenzy of the discussion. Unless you already have the parts, the belly off, time and money I don't see it. Either a cheap Blue Boy and/or a hose and connection, depending where you are and want it to be used, is way more functional and economical.

ScottyWed · 08-23-2010, 11:39 AM

I was able to find a pair of 13 gal tanks to put in my trailer. I've got some pictures that I will upload as soon as I find them. I was able to tie both of them together to give me 26 gal for grey water.

RickDavis · 08-23-2010, 12:45 PM

I built a grid of 3 inch pipe which holds about ten gallons. A Blue boy is fine, but not too practical in Rest areas , truck stops, or other "alternate" overnite parking areas.
This keeps us politically correct in these spots.

lucymcdog · 10-01-2010, 09:07 PM

I was wanting to add a grey water tank as well to my 18' 1960 trailer. Since it has no shower, just a potty that sits on a box covering the black tank, why can't I put in a grey tank sitting above the floor rather than under it? I have room either under the sink or in a nearby closet. I could then run the plumbing from the sink to the grey water tank then the outlet to the back of the trailer where it could be dumped when the black tank is dumped. Any reason this wouldn't work?

FLYNCLD · 10-02-2010, 06:46 AM

It will work assuming you have no shower in an 18' as long as the tank is below the level of the sink.

easyride · 10-02-2010, 08:16 AM

Sounds like a winner to me. Dave

robwok · 03-03-2011, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickDavis

I built a grid of 3 inch pipe which holds about ten gallons. A Blue boy is fine, but not too practical in Rest areas , truck stops, or other "alternate" overnite parking areas.
This keeps us politically correct in these spots.

this seems like a neat idea, going back and forth in a open space using 2 90 degree elbows. Can't remember how much the elbows cost - I know that can be a factor.

My initial thought was to pull in and park next to a storm drain, but I guess that's not really Kosher?

lucymcdog · 03-04-2011, 07:19 AM

Actually, we ended up getting a tank from TankDepot.com that fit in our closet and just behind the wheel well. It is a nice size and works just fine. We ran the existing air vent into the closet to vent it and made a separate drain that attaches to a hose so we can drain it where it is allowed. Otherwise we empty it when we empty the black tank. If anybody wants pictures, I can take some and post them.

**azflycaster** · 03-04-2011, 07:47 AM

It sounds like your grey tank is above the floor. How does it collect water from the shower?

CtRobert · 03-04-2011, 07:48 AM

I'm gettting ready to open the belly on our 66 Globetrotter to provide meaurements to Steve at VTS so we can design a bigger tank to fit into the bay behind the wheels. My bay measures approx 24 inches front to back. If you have the ability to get me the measurements for that bay so we can get a generic size done we would appreciate it. We would need accurate side to side, front to back and floor to lower beam edge measurements along with your year and model. We are shooting for a 19 to 23 gallon tank.

We are doing the Full Monti on ours currently so we can do whatever we want as we build along. What I'm doing for drain and venting is to put the bath and kitchen drains into one pipe on the curbside below the Fridge and drop it right through the flooring into the tank, the shower pan will drain forward into the side of the tank(center shower setup), the vent will come up through the floor on the streetside and be run out the vent for the black tank in the wardrobe. Vent on the curbside will be eliminated. Dump valve will be a Valterra straight out the bottom on the streetside. Holding the tank in place will require bolting in angle iron on each end and 1 or 2 straps in the center.

Cheers, Rob

lucymcdog · 03-05-2011, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azflycaster

It sounds like your grey tank is above the floor. How does it collect water from the shower?

My little trailer doesn't have a shower.

That's why we park it as far away from other people as possible

MtnMDStan · 04-03-2011, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucymcdog

Actually, we ended up getting a tank from TankDepot.com that fit in our closet and just behind the wheel well. It is a nice size and works just fine. We ran the existing air vent into the closet to vent it and made a separate drain that attaches to a hose so we can drain it where it is allowed. Otherwise we empty it when we empty the black tank. If anybody wants pictures, I can take some and post them.

I'm doing a shelf off restoration of a 1959 18' CA Traveler, and I'd appreciate pictures of your tanks, venting, etc. I have the original black tank - which I'll use as a template for a new black tank - and I've been considering a small above-floor closet tank as a grey tank. This is our first and only trailer so I'm just learning about trailer plumbing. Any advice on how your grey tank drain is set up would be appreciated.

Colin H · 04-03-2011, 06:57 PM

I worked with Steve on the development of these tanks & have installed many of them since they went into production. I feel the best approach is to install two of them so you'll end up with a 32 gallon capacity. As I have "spin welding" capability, I install the coupling fitting, entrances & vent fittings myself, however if you make a sketch for Steve, he'll install them to your spec before shipping. I've included a few photos of a recent installation while the chassis was on my rotisserie.
Colin

Grand Master · 04-05-2011, 09:00 PM

I have had one of the VTS tanks installed, but it will only hold 9 gals. of gray water, rather than the 16 gals. I have a '63 Trade Wind with the rear corner tub/shower.

I am wondering if the bottom of the tub is below the top of the gray tank thereby preventing it from completely filling. At 9 gals in the water starts backing up in the tub drain.

How would you re-engineermy set up to get a complete fill?