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cannesdo's avatar
cannesdo
Explorer
Sep 30, 2015

Need help with Airstream plumbing issue...

My friend is 89 and has a 1970 Airstream (32'?) He doesn't know much about it but just moved into it and we're trying to get the plumbing sorted. Water wasn't coming out into the sink so we suspected a pipe burst and I found a 1/2" blow-out in one of the pipes right next to the water heater. So that needs fixing. When I plug that with a towel and we turn on the water it does come out the sink.

When the water is running water runs out a tube underneath in the back which piggy-backs (off the side) of the black plastic hub the sewer hose is attached to (right where the hub enters the trailer (plywood plank). Is that the gray water exit? No idea how Airstream plumbing works.

We also can't find any kind of sewer valve so my guess is there isn't one. Is just essentially open all the time? Are there any tanks at all? Fresh water? Black? Gray?

Next question...the two valve knobs in the rear external compartment and the one inside by the water heater. What do those control? Anyone have a similar set-up?

And we found a gas valve that comes out the side -- is that for some kind of external bbq or something?

Some pics. Sorry, they aren't great. It's 106. Heat exhaustion:

http://imagehost.vendio.com/a/2918824/view/air1.jpg
http://imagehost.vendio.com/a/2918824/view/air2.jpg
http://imagehost.vendio.com/a/2918824/view/air3.jpg

Thanks very much...
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Sep 30, 2015
    When the water is running water runs out a tube underneath in the back which piggy-backs (off the side) of the black plastic hub the sewer hose is attached to (right where the hub enters the trailer (plywood plank). Is that the gray water exit? No idea how Airstream plumbing works.

    You are long on questions and short on descriptions. I have no idea what "piggy-backs" is. Does that mean that this "tubing" is a pipe that is adjacent to the black tank drain? When you refer to "hub" is that the sewer drain exit? How does "plywood plank" become relevant and what is it?

    It sounds like neither of you are conversant with plumbing and it will behoove you to find someone that is. Plumbing is very straight forward for someone that has done installation or repair.

    The metal tubing with a valve on it could be the supply point or, as you've said, a branch to supply another propane device.
  • cannesdo's avatar
    cannesdo
    Explorer
    Sep 30, 2015
    It was a starting point. I figured anyone with a similar Airstream would know what I was talking about. I'm exhausted and sick and trying to help a friend so may just ask questions if you want to help rather than criticizing my word choice. Plumbing in an Airstream is not straight forward for someone not familiar with the way Airstreams are designed which is why I'm asking in a vehicle specific forum.

    Is this a generational thing? Opening with a critique of how the querent could have better phrased their question? Leaves me regretting my request for input -- every single time.

    I'll figure this out on my own.
  • DrewE's avatar
    DrewE
    Explorer II
    Sep 30, 2015
    It's rather hard to guess exactly what's going on without a bit more context in the pictures. (Thanks for taking and posting them, still—without them, we'd be far more in the dark!)

    On modern RVs, you typically have three tanks in total—a freshwater supply tank, a blackwater tank for the toilet (and sometimes the bathroom sink), and a gray water tank for the shower and sinks. Old RVs (of that era) frequently did not have a gray water tank and just let the gray water run out on the ground. That's not really acceptable these days in most places.

    The knob valves may be drain valves for the plumbing, or a water heater bypass setup for winterizing, or probably a bunch of other possible things grafted on.

    The gas line valve may be for an external BBQ connection, but I'd be more inclined to suspect perhaps the trailer was semi-permanently installed somewhere and it connected to a bulk tank and regulator. In either case, it doesn't look to me like something I'd particularly want hanging off the bottom of my trailer when I was driving down the road.
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Sep 30, 2015
    cannesdo wrote:
    It was a starting point. I figured anyone with a similar Airstream would know what I was talking about. I'm exhausted and sick and trying to help a friend so may just ask questions if you want to help rather than criticizing my word choice. Plumbing in an Airstream is not straight forward for someone not familiar with the way Airstreams are designed which is why I'm asking in a vehicle specific forum.

    Is this a generational thing? Opening with a critique of how the querent could have better phrased their question? Leaves me regretting my request for input -- every single time.

    I'll figure this out on my own.

    Sorry to hear of your poor health. I'm sure climbing around and under a trailer isn't where you want to be.

    Unfortunately, with mechanical systems there is a nomenclature and getting beyond that for the lay person can be a steep climb. Even with totally accurate descriptions and a few pictures, it will be difficult to answer a lot of your questions. Trying to establish procedures and tactics to make the Airstream's plumbing serviceable may involve "hands on" work and experience with RV systems.

    If you post on the Airstream Forums, you may get a description of the original '72's plumbing. That could help you sort out what additionally has been done with it.

    Beyond that, there are two supply lines to service the hot and cold water. The drain system may have a single tank and output, as many of that era did. You observed a pipe draining when water was sent down the sink so the drain system may have been altered to drain grey water away while waste is contained. Again, hands on work with the different drains would show the functions.
  • harold1946's avatar
    harold1946
    Explorer
    Sep 30, 2015
    I suggest you go to www.airforums.com
    There are owners there that are well versed in vintage Airstreams. Good luck
  • Chris_Bryant's avatar
    Chris_Bryant
    Explorer II
    Sep 30, 2015
    cannesdo wrote:

    When the water is running water runs out a tube underneath in the back which piggy-backs (off the side) of the black plastic hub the sewer hose is attached to (right where the hub enters the trailer (plywood plank). Is that the gray water exit? No idea how Airstream plumbing works.


    That is a pressure relief valve- it has failed. The usual fix is to unscrew the drain pipe from it and cap with a (IIRC) 1/2" flare cap. You can replace, but I never have, as it involves dealing with torches and solder.

    We also can't find any kind of sewer valve so my guess is there isn't one. Is just essentially open all the time? Are there any tanks at all? Fresh water? Black? Gray?


    A 1970 had fresh and black tanks- no gray tanks. There should be a valve on the black tank- it is usually right at the tank with an extension rod to the outside.

    Next question...the two valve knobs in the rear external compartment and the one inside by the water heater. What do those control? Anyone have a similar set-up?


    Those are darin valves for the water system- hot and cold and probably fresh holding tank.

    And we found a gas valve that comes out the side -- is that for some kind of external bbq or something?


    That is probably from an appliance that was removed- they have external valves on all LP appliances.

    I have the factory service manual for 1972, which should be similar. The manuals from that era have *everything*- every plumbing fitting, ever appliance. If you find the serial number on the plate beside the door, you can find out more about it- exact model would help.

    On edit- here's the plumbing diagram for the 1972 27, 29, and 31 foot models. Click for larger.

    .

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