Loretta - Our 1967 Airstream Globetrotter

The Tank...

Alas, we have a porcelain throne yet no where to go (the black water tank has been removed). Hahaha! It's a bit Funny as not long ago we had a place for 'it' to go (the ld black water tank) but no porcelain throne! At some point we will have the best of both worlds and get to use Loretta's W.C.

After removing the black tank today we measured to verify the size for the replacement tank (which we'll need to order fairly quickly as it sounds like it'll take 3-4 weeks to ship).

We also chatted about plans for installing grey water tanks... Loretta, being a 1967, doesn't have a grey water tank. As such, any water coming from the sinks or shower exit directly - not a practice that's commonly accepted nowadays from what I understand. We've always intended to install grey water tanks, just a bit farther down the road (that's where the smurf blue portable tank comes in). Facing plumbing in a new black water tank and dump valve, however, we're thinking now's the time to install grey water tanks as well.

So it's official - we'll be ordering a black water tank to replace the old one and a total of 4 - 6 gallon holding tanks for grey water that we'll install from the axle on back to the grey water tank. We have to use multiples of the smaller tank size in order to work around the configuration of Loretta's frame and toilet location (got to install the black water tank directly below the toilet for proper drainage). That said, we're thinking being able to position the tanks evenly on each side will help with the weight distribution factor.

More on that as and when!

Another task accomplished today was fixing the front window... Last weekend when I had opened up the windows to let the cool mountain air flow through, I realized the front window was still not secured.

Matt found some screws that fit perfectly at home depot and also picked up some silicone spray which I put on the window gaskets... Most are in great shape but needed a bit of conditioning to avoid ticking to the glass in hot weather and cracking any further.

We are missing a piece that is used to pull the bottom of the window tight still... There are three evenly spaced on the front window and we're missing the middle one.

I'm going to do some online research and see if I can snag a replacement.... While the window seems secure enough I would feel better knowing all 3 are there as it was originally designed. (replacing the glass on these things isn't inexpensive).

On tap tomorrow is putting scotch guard on the upholstery ( I really should have done it before Loretta's maiden voyage) and fixing her stair. As much as it is good exercise to step way up into and down out of Loretta (it's currently like doing a lunge every time ya go in or out - perfect ski conditioning), having an interim step avail will sure be nice for the kiddos... ER, uh... Ok, and us adults who are vertically challenged and/or not as in shape as we'd like to be ;)

Stinky Business!

There's no escaping it - the leaky dump valve on Loretta must get fixed (we can't go around dribbling icky water AND we kinda want to use the toilet that took so much team to fix and install)

No time like the present (especially with the weather returning to cold and rain by week end)! I kicked the project off by removing the screws that looked to be holding the stainless steel box that covered the black water tankafter work tonight.

Sure enough, after removing the 4 bolts it plopped to the ground and we were able to see what was inside. Um, dirty water (and we'll leave it at that) and a bunch of styrofoam insulation that wrapped around the block water tank. I'm assuming it's to insulate it and postpone any freezing..... Cool! (not the smell, though... Holy smokes)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then it was time to tackle the dump valve and verify what was leaking all that, um.... Dirty water. We filled the water tank a bit and runs few test flushes. Sure enough, leaks at all gasket locations.

The initial thought was to dismantle the thing, replace the gaskets (for which I have replacements already) and then screw it back together.

Uh, shoulda know we'd have to look at plan B - this is a DIY project of course and to boot, a *plumbing* DIY project! Come to find out, the nuts on the bottom are so rusted and disintegrated we had to grind them off with the angle grinder... And we noticed one of the bottom 2 bolt holes is cracked. So even if we replace the gaskets, the 2 pieces wouldn't fit snugly together.

So we're now looking at a complete replacement of the dump valve assembly. Question is, how is the fitting that runs from inside the back water tank, to which the dump valve is attached, connected to the black water tank? Is it welded on? Screwed in? Got to figure that out first so we can remove it safely - no holes desired in the black water tank in the process! Else, we'll have an entirely new beast on our hands.

I'm going to inquire at Aerosuds tomorrow as to whether they have any parts in stock. I wouldn't mind the ability to call on some additional expertise in this area, as well as access to the part now - it would be really neat to have full use of the facilities on the Great Sand Dunes trip next week!

Even if we don't have Loretta's porcelain throne in fill working order by then, we're going to have a fantastic time! We've got a total of 5 families caravaning down to San Luis Lakes campground for an extendo weekend trip.

A Crappy Day...

What's worse that a plugged toilet that doesn't drain? A toilet that drains too well and leaks on the floor! And the latter, my friends, is what we have still. Despite Matt's efforts, the toilet is leaking at what I think is the blade seal. Argh!

So now I'm on a hunt for a new blade seal to fit an Aqua Magic 1400 permanent toilet.

And thank goodness we're testing with water - as we test flushed, the black water tank began to fill. And then I hear a drip, drip driiiiiip outside..... Unfortunately, it looks like valve to the black water tank is leaking a bit as well! Not much, but a bit of a dribble/drip. While I'd look past it if it was fresh water, or even grey water.... I'm thinking a bit of black water dribble is not a good thing.

Thank goodness I ordered a set of replacement gaskets some time ago in anticipation of needing them (figured I'd minimize the % of the order total I was spending on shipping). Let's hope they do the trick!

On a positive note, we've got fruit on our fruit trees! ( all but the honey crisp, but it didn't leaf out until just recently).

Yes, we know they're spaced very closely but the plan is to train them to spread along the fence and maintain them in the fashion....

 

these are wee little pears....

 

 

this is an Italian plum....

 

 

And these are lil' baby apples!