Re: [VAL] vexing plumbing leak

["kodiak66joe" <kodiak66joe@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Chris,
If your '79 is like out '85, then that large metal box between the wheel 
wells (and between the axles) not only protects the fresh water tank, I 
think it is what actually holds it in place.  I say this because ours is a 
relatively heavy gauge steel (at least for an Airstream), it has about a 
hundred good sized bolts holding it in place (I assume to handle the weight 
of 50 gallons of water), and because when I removed the little acress cover 
to try to repair a leak in our fresh water tank, I was able to slide the 
tank around inside this metal pan a few fractions of an inch when it was 
empty (which indicates the tank is not otherwise bolted to the frame).  On 
out trailer there is just some styrofoam sheets sandwiched between the tank 
and the metal pan.  I guess what I'm saying is that removal of this pan 
likely means removal of your fresh water tank (disconnect all water and 
electric lines going to the tank first!), and only then would you be likely 
to see the shower trap from below.  Other than that I have no advice as I 
haven't had to deal with our shower trap yet.

Joe