Tanks

[GerryS]

Are there any fresh/black/grey tank and trailer combinations that work well? I am thinking of a cargo conversion, and a working head and shower is a must have.

After several years with a teardrop, I had my last bad experiment with a foul smelling bathhouse...stunk worse than the Brookfield zoo monkey house.

I'm unable to find 2 things:

1) is there a tank maker / trailer combination that works especially easily? I want the tanks stowed underneath with the traditional RV knife style valves etc.

2) I can't find any details about how black tank is plumbed to the toilet. Obviously, the toilet dumps directly into the tanks, but what is needed between the flange and the tank....how are they connected.

I realize with tanks, showers will be GI style, that's fine...for a husband wife pair, how many gallons is reasonable per day? 8 gallons in our teardrop covers 2.5 days...so 3 for washing/cooking is the base we start with...

[aggie79]

Gerry,
I would have thought that more folks would have chimed in on your post. I have putting together links for resources and how-tos in the hope that some day I can do a CTC. Here is a link that I found on another post for RV holding tanks:

http://www.plastic-mart.com/category/34/rv-holding-tanks.

I'm at work, so I'll need to look at home for the RV plumbing info I've accumulated. The following are what I've learned for the "black" portion of the waste side of RV plumbing:
1. Generally, the toilet needs be situated directly over the black tank but can be offset.
2. The black tank has three fittings. Two are on top. One is for the vent pipe that vents through the roof. The other is for the toilet. The third fitting is on the side for the waste valve.
3. Grey and black tanks are usually built with a step or a flanged edge. I believe the step rests on a frame rail and the flange can be screwed to the deck. Generally metal straps are that wrap around the tank are used to help support it when filled.

This site shows how RV plumbing goes together: http://vintageairstream.com/plumbing/.

There was a good build journal on this site where someone built a small travel trailer on an old pop-up frame. The build journal was very detailed and showed plumbing, tank connections, etc. I can't recall the name but I'll see what I can dig up.

Take care,
Tom

[aggie79]

I haven't been able to find the link to the build journal on this site, but I remembered seeing him post his build journal on other sites. This is one: http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/tow-rigs-trailers/955664-how-home-build-rv-doesnt-look-like-ass.html.

I also found a link to his photo gallery. Here's the link; http://gallery.shadetree.org/main.php?g2_itemId=4319&g2_page=1. I couldn't imbed the photo links but here are some pics I grabbed out of the gallery:

[OverTheTopCargoTrailer]

For the LIFE of ME , I just can't understand why people wanna have their Sh*t float in water if your into boondocking
((( unless your hooked up at an RV Park )))


http://www.google.com/search?q=loveable+loo&client=safari&rls=en&prmd=ivns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAUQ_AVqFQoTCKqd1aCkjccCFcaSDQodYjAP8Q

or

http://www.littlehouse.co/2012/09/diy-compost-toilet-installation-part-1/

you tube video

https://youtu.be/IPpMLa1cc8o

or his story

http://www.littlehouse.co/2012/09/diy-compost-toilet-installation-part-1/#lightbox/10/

I built my own box & I installed a bilge blower fan, a little loud, but ZERO SMELL when i drop a bomb in the pot.....

I would be using 20 gallons a day on black water & you gotta pay to dump that crap to boot.

Cheers OTTCT

[GerryS]

I am not sold on composting..at least the bucket and sawdust types. I can't see carrying around crap in a pail . As far as RV units go, I've watched the Wynns love fest with theirs, and I've looked at them in showrooms. They're also big. Simply put, ain't no way it's gonna fly. It's easier to dump that to find a place to pile it when your a suburbanite.

Second, we will have to deal with dumping grey water anyway, so one more tank isn't a big deal. Here in Indiana, most parks that we stay at include dumping in the fee, so it's not a big deal. If not, by the time I get this project done, hopefully I'll have my own dump when I get home.

The other posts look like what I'm looking for, thanks. I was surprised there wasn't a better response as well.

I didn't realize I was interested in a conversion until after the CRA...had I only known...

[Rainier70]

From what I have seen on this site, there are only a small number of conversions that have put in a RV toilet and black water tank. Most people have used either a porta potti or other facilities. If you are making a camper only unit and not a "toy hauler" it is much easier to use a permanent area for the toilet and shower.

I went with a porta potti as I didn't want to use a lot of permanent space for a bathroom, and I wasn't sure how much clearance under the CT I wanted to sacrifice.

All I really know about putting in a RV toilet and black tank is that you place it as close under the toilet as possible and you set the plumbing up so that you can empty the black tank out the hose and then run the grey tank out the same hose. I have seen somewhere in the CT section where someone used a custom build black tank that didn't hang down as far. You might try using Google to search the site for more info. Wish I could be more helpful.

Two thing that I have learned with having the porta potti is the Geo method for cleaning and maintaining a black water tank and using calcium nitrate in the tank to stop odors. Calcium nitrate is what sewage treatment plants use. With it in the tank the bacteria create odorless nitrogen gas instead of smelly sulfur gasses. It makes a HUGE difference!

Odorlos is a premixed calcium nitrate treatment. http://www.amazon.com/Yara-PA352LU53-Od ... ds=odorlos

Geo method is here: https://sites.google.com/site/cbruni/

In this thread I liked how they protected the dump valves etc. viewtopic.php?f=54&t=49798

[GerryS]

I'm going to have fresh and grey tanks regardless, I might as well have black as well. I thought about cassette, there are some advantage. But since I'll have the fresh and grey I might as well have the black. I'm sure my grey will fill and my fresh empty faster than I'll fill black. I'm full of it, or so I'm told, but that full

Good to know about the calcium trick. I was a little worried about that. I have never been next to an RV (luckily) that had a problem...I don't want to become "that" guy.

I'm thinking more Rv than conversion....I really want to build a cosmetically pleasing place that is more stealth RV than conversion. At least interior wise. I've seen some conversions that are little more than a few 2x stands and a mattress thrown in. I hate the look of exposed blue water tanks and folding tables. I really want a very finished look, or I'll buy a small Camper (airstream Bambi).

I'm not building for off road expeditions. I'm thinking light dispersed camping is as rough as I'll ever see with it. BLM land is far too far away for me...unless I get totally fed up with our society and go walkabout...which gets closer every day

[Rainier70]

Hope you didn't think that I was trying to discourage you away from putting in a black tank. Far from it. I was just trying to explain why there are fewer on here that have black tanks. Simply because there are so many of us that converted our cts with the idea of being able to haul equipment etc also.

I think your putting in a bathroom is great, and I am really looking forward to seeing what you put together.

[Padilen]

I'd have "chimed in" if I knew my plan would work. But since I'm having trouble getting parts I can't say it will.
If I make any progress I'll post it.

[McDave]

I'm just about ready to start my build, so I don't have a lot of info fore you. I'm going with 25gal fresh, 21 gal black w/sensors. Shower/toilet combo pan. Look on ebay, that's where I found my pump, filter, tanks, toilet/shower, water heater and fridge.
I would recommend that you draw up a floorplan of your trailer frame so you can decide where to put tanks etc. and determine the size/shape of the tanks.

[hankaye]

McDave, Howdy;

Might want to re-think the size of your tanks, better to have more for the used than the unused
there will be stuff added that will be taking up extra space in the used ... I'd forget about the sensors,
RV folks are always complaining about them. They may work the first few times then they'll get something hung
on a sensor and give false readings after that, besides, don't you need those amps for something else more
important. I live in an RV and have one of my jackets or something hanging over the control panel so the
lights don't bother me.

hank

[McDave]

@ hankaye,
Hey hank, good to hear from you. I understand what you are saying about tank size, however I already have my fresh tank (25g) and the biggest black tank I could find that would fit the area was 21g. I'm pretty sure I can overcome the difference by raising the pick up tube in the fresh tank so as to run out of water before fresh is empty, or black is full. Also, I thought I could use extra fresh water for cooking etc., and to help flush black tank out and flush pipes from shower to tank. As far as the sensors go, Thank you for that info. First time I've heard that. I will take into consideration.
McDave

[MtnDon]

There are solutions to the problem. External sensing of water levels

One link to info

Another link to info

I have not used them. I have had issues with black tank readings with past RV's that used the typical through the tank wall sensor points.

[225]

I didn't realize I was interested in a conversion until after the CRA...had I only known...

The bath house at CRA was horrible.

[GerryS]

That isn't typical. I don't know what happened that week, perhaps it was just a really log wet spring and the bacteria took over...I not know. But that was the worst bathroom experience I've ever had at an Indiana state park....ever.

Friends stayed in loop B, they said their was fine...I don't know. I hope this isn't a trend.