• Waste Tanks

    // Brian Dennis // Plumbing No Responses

    These early trailers never had separate grey water tanks. Back then it was ok to dump the gray water out on the ground. Today that is unacceptable so I ordered a grey tank that would fit where the old black water tank was.

    This is a drawing of a tank I ordered from Vintage Trailer Supply with the fittings I wanted them to install.

    I spaced the tank about one inch below the floor at the back of the trailer so that the fittings would line up with holes in the cross members. To hold the tank in place I mounted 2″ straps and ratchet type cinches.

    KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA
    KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA

    I ordered a dual valve setup by Valterra. The main valve comes up on the inside at the very back and drains the grey tank and the small one drains the black tank from underneath the back bumper.

    KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA

    The black tank is mounted on top of the floor in the bathroom cabinet. I will install a marine toilet that macerates (grinds) and pumps into the tank.

    KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA

  • Instant Hot Water

    // Brian Dennis // Plumbing No Responses

    Given the size of the bathtub I installed a tank-less water heater and as long as I have propane and a water supply I can generate continuous hot water. The original opening was too large so I made a patch panel out of Alclad aluminum and installed the new heater.

    KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA
    KONICA MINOLTA DIGITAL CAMERA

  • Exterior Vent Caps

    // Brian Dennis // Plumbing No Responses

    I decided to replace the existing vent caps along with the new vent pipes. I ordered three from Vintage Trailer Supply.

    First I had to remove the old ones that were caked with silicone sealant.

    I removed the old vent pipe and carefully scraped off as much of the silicone sealant as I could then lightly wire brushed the area. I placed a short piece of pipe in the opening to help locate the new cap.

    I trimmed the cap so it wouldn’t overlap the trailer seam, drilled a hole in each corner and ran a bead of parbond sealant around the underside and riveted it on. I put tape 1/8 inch away from the edge of the cap and spread sealant around the edge.

    The tape helps control the sealant and leaves a clean look.

  • Vent Pipe Cover

    // Brian Dennis // Plumbing No Responses

    Since lowering the bathtub, the original vent cover isn’t long enough so I decided to make a new one out of the left over fiberglass I have.   I made the form out of birch plywood, applied a mold release, two coats of gel-coat and laid up two layers of fiberglass mat leaving the excess hanging over the edges.

    Trimmed the excess off with my table saw and miter box.  I had to tear apart the form to release the part from the mold. Oh well, I didn’t need it anymore.  The new cover next to the old plastic one.  All that’s left is to cut it to length and fit it to the curved ceiling.

  • Tub is back together

    // Brian Dennis // Plumbing No Responses

    I have a taller back added onto the tub out of fiberglass that wraps around behind the sink. In this picture I have temporarily assembled the sink onto the tub. (more…)

  • Sink Mods

    // Brian Dennis // Plumbing No Responses

    Lowering the bath tub 2 inches means that to keep the sink at the original height, I need to raise it 2 inches. Leaving it low would mean having to lean down too far. In fact I would raise it up farther if it wouldn’t interfere with the window. (more…)

  • Modifying The Tub Phase 1

    // Brian Dennis // Plumbing No Responses

    I’ve taken the tub out to do a small repair to the floor and decided, since it was coming out anyway and I am adding a grey tank under the floor in the trailer frame, I would be able to lower the tub down 2 inches giving this 6 footer some much needed headroom.  The picture above shows the difference in height from the old support and the new ones.

    (more…)

  • Taking the bathroom apart

    // Brian Dennis // Plumbing No Responses

    I carefully removed the partitions that divide the bedroom and the bathroom and removed the cabinet.  Now I have to decide what to keep and what to replace.   The nasty toilet goes for sure.  I have a new macerating toilet that will take it’s place.  Sitting on the floor in the corner is the old Univolt that will get replaced with a modern converter/charger.