I found a "solution" to the lack of a gray water tank in my "66 Overlander. I
use my a/s a lot at my wife's horse shows, which have limited or no hookups. I
bought one of those blue, roll about tanks at Camping World, but instead of
placing it on the ground out back of the single drain pipe, I bought another
Thedford cap, and attached a 12 V. aerator "bait well" pump through the cap
with a 3/4" hose. I placed the rolling tank in the back of my pickup with one of
those expandable bars to keep it from rolling around, attaching the 3/4" hose to
it, with the other end attached to the Thedford drain cap/pump (keep the black
water valve closed). I rigged up a switch for power to the aerator pump when
using the water/shower. If one (my wife) forgets to turn on the aerator pump,
the water backs up into the tub for a reminder. The aerator pump was sufficient
enough to keep up with the running hooked up water source to pump the gray water
up into the blue tank, so dry docking would not be a problem. When the tank
filled, I was able to drive to a dump site and easily empty the 30 gallon tank.
Simply extend the handle and roll the tank to the back of the pickup bed, attach
the drain hose, OPEN THE VENT CAP ON THE BLUE TANK and let it rip, or as I
learned, once the drain valve is opened, the force of the draining water will
calapse the tank without the vent open. I kept the black water tank strictly for
its intended purpose. This worked fine. These 12 V pumps can be purchased at any
marine or fishing store for under $30, and the caps are cheap as well. The
biggest cost was the 3/4" 50' hose unless one has a spare..I have considered
anchoring the portable tank under one of the center twin bunks (over the axle to
avoid rear sag) and pumping gray water there, adding a drain pipe back to the
rear drain, but the mobile solution has worked to date, and my wife is happy
with her long, hot showers (I can say, "sure, take a 30 gallon shower but you
empty it").
I found the 30 gallon tank lasted almost 5 days before filling with careful use
of water.
This eliminates the problem of wrestling with a full, portable gray water tank,
so one can say "yes" when asked 'do you have storage for gray/black water'.
If one needs to pump black water as well, one could substitute a macerator pump
for the aerator pump, but at added cost.
Randy Unter
'66 International Overlander
Denver, Colorado
Scott & Lise Scheuermann wrote:
> Dana, I believe that Airstream did not start equipping their travel trailers
> with gray water tanks until 1974. Do not let the lack of a gray tank keep
> you from the National Parks, I don't have one either and find the auxiliary
> blue tanks to work just fine.
> I have not heard of a "sewer solution". If it is a connection for a hose to
> flush out the tank, I would be hesitant to use it. These items are designed
> for a system that has a separate gray tank that can be shut off while
> flushing, which you do not have. You could possibly rinse the black tank
> contents into the drain lines of your sinks and tub. Maybe also plug the
> drain lines with some of the back wash? Just a couple of thoughts.
>
> Scott
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dana Kelley" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Sent: Tuesday, June 06, 2000 9:58 PM
> Subject: [VAC] Re: 73 Overlander, No gray water tank.
>
> > Hello,
> > We apparently don't have a gray water tank. The water from sink,bathtub
> > just drains out the back. We have a holding tank for the commode and a
> dump
> > valve inside the bathroom to turn and it will open it. Was this commonly
> > done on that particular model? We realize we'll have to use an auxiliary
> > tank if we go in to National parks.
> >
> > Also, we bought one of those sewer solutions. Are those good things to
> > have? It won't wash the waste back up inside since we don't have another
> > valve to close to keep it from coming back into the sink. The guy we
> bought
> > it from assured us that it won't, but who knows. We haven't gone anywhere
> > yet to use it. I know you hook up the hose to it and it's supposed to
> flush
> > the waste thru to where you dump into. Anyone using that sewer solution?
> >
> > DSK in TEXAS
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> > Date: Tuesday, May 30, 2000 1:36 PM
> > Subject: [a/s] a/c condensate
> >
> >
> > >my problem: condensation was dripping into the coach.
> > >my solution: remove the a/c unit, repair the pan, reinstall (this
> > >evening)
> > >
> > >if anyone would like i will do a write up on this scenario, what i
> > >encountered and how i corrected it.
> > >
> > >philip, docked in spfd mo
> > >64 trade wind behind a 66 continental convertible
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
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> >
