Hello, I’m new to this list and have been lurking for two days now and have learned a heck of a lot about the very things that really concern me about my rig. Maybe I shouldn't really be on this list, but I think I qualify as my trailer was built by Airstream; a 1976 28 foot Argosy.

I have been living full-time since October 15 when I bought her and I must have picked the most severe winter to learn the ins and outs of trailer life. I’m in a campground near Toronto, Ontario Canada and the temperature has gotten down to minus twenty below zero Fahrenheit and maybe lower. So the water supply is of special interest to me. In the rear is a big brass and bronze structure with large spigot sticking out the side and a rubber hose is attached to it that runs down and outside the trailer - 60 lb is stamped on the spigot. I know all this intimately because eventually this rubber hose froze solid where it
exited the trailer. Rick I can confirm that this relief valve does indeed release pressure (water)! If it can't release the water then you won't have any water coming into your trailer. After climbing under the rig with a hair dryer and thawing out the hose a couple of times, I just removed the hose and hung a
bucket on the spigot inside the trailer. This accumulates about a cupful or less of water a day, which I just empty out occasionally.

I was tempted to remove the entire artifact come spring and just use one of those little Marshal brass pressure things that all the other rigs use in this camp and have been urged to scrap mine and just use the Marshall thing. But after reading your explanation I now realize that it is a quality feature of this well thought out and built rig.

Thank you,

John Brooke
76 Argosy - the “Tin Tent”
Milton Heights Campground

Rick Davis wrote:

I believe my Airstream, a 1989 29' Excella has an internal water pressure regulator. Don't all Airstreams?

Yes they do, at least as far back as 69, possibly further. By using a pressure regulator at the faucet you are also protecting your supply hose. I have a 100 lb pressure guage on a hose fitting. On a few occasions I have seen the gauge pegged when hooked to the campground faucet. Your airstream will also have an overpressure safety valve.( or at least my 70 does) If the regulator isn't doing the job this will open and release the pressure.

Rick Davis 1602
54 Safari
69 Ambassador
70 Globetrotter
Amateur Radio K8DOC
NSS 14876