Gray tanks

[65will]

Has anyone put gray tanks in a vintage trade wind with the shell on, working from underneath? I'm thinking about putting 2 in from VTS. Can I use one vent on one tank to vent both. Looks like picking up the kitchen sink will be easy, the tub and bath sink may take more effort. Also looking at routing the black to same exit point. What do you think? Is it doable?

[Bubba L]

Take a look at Post #46 on our renovation thread listed. We placed two of the VTS 4” tanks forward and aft of the axle. I ran the sink into the forward one and vented that. Both tanks are connected so one vent is all we needed. I had a macerated pump so that is what we use. I also have a manual drain with a water hose fitting in the event the pump doesn’t work. As far as placing the tanks from below, I would try it if there’s no reason to lift the shell. You may have to come in two feet from each side and cut the center piece of belly pan out. The only issue would be the width of the space between your crossmembers to have room for the tank. You may have to cut one crossmember out and weld another with more space between. Others will have ideas. Good luck

[65will]

Thanks Bubba, that is what I have in mind. I will drop the belly pan to do this. I had it off when I first got the trailer. This will be a Winter project. We are active with the trailer for the summer. We use a blue boy for gray now. I will put the new drain right behind the rear wheels.

[Aerowood]

I am currently installing grey tanks on my 71 Globetrotter. I got them years ago from RV Surplus. They measure 20" x 36" x 4". I am putting in 3. You can see the install in my "71 Globetrotter Full Monte" thread. I plan on having all 3 in by the end of next week.

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[Belegedhel]

It is all doable--I did mine with the frame flipped over, but I am sure most people who add gray tanks to a vintage trailer do so from underneath.

If you are going to add two tanks and link them together, you can have a single vent out of the roof of the trailer, but you will need to vent each of the tanks in order to not have trapped air in an unvented tank. This would not be necessary if you could link them absolutely flush with the tops of the tanks, but it isn't possible using spin-on fittings.

good luck!

[57Vintage]

I agree with Belegedhel that each tank needs to be vented. You won't always be perfected level side to side/front to back. (lesson learned the hard way). In a perfect world you should vent at opposite ends and opposite sides (i.e. front tank front corner curb side; rear tank rear corner street side). That isn't always practical, but something to consider.

There are flush mount spin weld fittings available, but being recessed means they won't allow a tank to completely fill. You have to drill a hole through your subfloor anyway, so it has to be a little larger with protruding fittings.

https://www.vintagetrailersupply.com...tings-vts-344/

You can have VTS mount the fittings for you, but make very accurate measurements of where the fittings will be not only on the tank, but where they line up in your subfloor (under the cabinet, not in the aisle). They are not hard to install with a good router and the proper driver.

I would also suggest having a valve between the gray tanks so water doesn't migrate back and forth while traveling. I used a cable operated valterra valve that is located on the shelf of the kitchen sink cab.



Pull up to open down to close.

[65will]

Thanks for all the input. Thinking about the pipes. Would you run them inside and go into the top of the tanks, or go underneath and into the side of the tanks up high? It looks like I can drop through the floor with the existing pipes and vent. I won't know until I drop the belly pan what I will get into, like duct work. Which is on the roadside. Thanks again for the input.

[57Vintage]

Assuming you're referring to vents. I would recommend on top. If you install the fittings on the side you automatically get an air space equal to the thickness of the fittings (inside diameter versus outside diameter). A minor point if mounting on top is not feasible, but every bit of capacity is nice to have.