Re: [VAC] Add Gray Water Holding Tank to 1973

[Jan Delfel <delfelj@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I may have a voice worth adding to the chorus.

We have a '75, 25' rear-bath Trade Wind with a gray water tank. Our 
first trailer, a 24' SOB, didn't have a gray water tank (a fact we were 
horrified to discover on our first trip out with it when the tub filled 
up with nasty-looking water. Where the water might be going was 
something that had never occured to us. I mean, hey, it went away at 
home, didn't it? Why should this be any different? Duh. But that's 
another story for another time.), so we have of of those blue, portable 
tanks from those days. 

We were excited to have a gray water tank when we purchased our "new" 
Airstream 5 years ago. The fact is, however, that the capacity of the 
tank is pretty minimal. I don't have the owner's manual for the 
trailer, so I can't say for sure what the capacity is, but I know that 
if you do the dishes a couple of times, you're pretty much tapped out. 
For that reason, we have continued to use our portable tank. With the 
things I've learned about frame-sag on rear bath models while lurking on 
this list this winter, I'm more convinced than ever that using the 
portable tank is the way to go. The temptation (or necessity) of 
traveling with waste water in the tank could have such serious bad 
effects that I'd rather avoid that as an option. 

Given my experiences, if I had a trailer without a gray water tank, I 
wouldn't go to the trouble or expense of adding one. We've learned to 
get along fine without one, and in fact, don't use the one we have.

Thanks to those of you who contribute to his list. What a wonderful 
source of information! I hope to meet some of you in the future.

Jim Delfel