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more black water capacity [message #263203] |
Thu, 02 October 2014 19:52  |
bpimm
 Messages: 211 Registered: June 2013 Location: Washougal Washington
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I would like to have more black water capacity, we use the coach as a tow vehicle for our play car, we autocross, hill climb and run track events with it and the GMC is the way to get there and the place to stay. None of the places we go have RV facilities and at most of the events we are the organizers so I don't have time to run out and find a place to dump. With the 24 Gallon waste tank it doesn't make it through a 4 day weekend without needing to be dumped. It also leaks when full so it needs to be replaced so I'm thinking of a bigger tank to help get us through the longer weekends.
It would be nice to be able to take 12 showers and still have the capacity to handle whatever cooking and washing needs to be done. That would be 4 people taking 1 shower a day for 3 days.
Has anybody found a large tank that will fit the GMC frame? Filling the space the small tank is in now would be around 50 Gallons which would work good for us.
If that is to much weight to pack around there are dump sites fairly close on most of our venues so I could dump on the way out.
Thoughts?
Brian & RaeDean
1973 26' #383
Washougal WA
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Re: more black water capacity [message #263206 is a reply to message #263205] |
Thu, 02 October 2014 20:10   |
bpimm
 Messages: 211 Registered: June 2013 Location: Washougal Washington
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Thought about that as well, how do you plumb the grey water into a separate tank when the shower drain is so close to the toilet drain? I already have a macerator just waiting to be installed.
Brian & RaeDean
1973 26' #383
Washougal WA
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Re: [GMCnet] more black water capacity [message #263208 is a reply to message #263203] |
Thu, 02 October 2014 20:12   |
kelvin
 Messages: 608 Registered: February 2004 Location: Eugene, OR
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On 10/2/2014 5:52 PM, Brian Pimm wrote:
> I would like to have more black water capacity, we use the coach as a tow vehicle for our play car, we autocross, hill climb and run track events with
> it and the GMC is the way to get there and the place to stay. None of the places we go have RV facilities and at most of the events we are the
> organizers so I don't have time to run out and find a place to dump. With the 24 Gallon waste tank it doesn't make it through a 4 day weekend without needing to be dumped.
24 gallons sounds small. Where did you get that number?
> It would be nice to be able to take 12 showers and still have the capacity to handle whatever cooking and washing needs to be done. That would be 4 people taking 1 shower a day for 3 days.
And 4 people using the toilet, too.
>
> Has anybody found a large tank that will fit the GMC frame? Filling the space the small tank is in now would be around 50 Gallons which would work good for us.
I'd be tempted to figure out how to install a gray water tank and plumb
the shower and sinks into that. My PO actually built one from 4" PCV
pipe that fits under the bed but it only drains the sinks, not the
shower. If you could get a gray water tank under the floor you could
plumb the shower into it.
Also an option to use an external gray water tank that could be dumped
(at night when nobody is looking) in the woods or into a manhole cover.
Not that I'd advise that, ever...
I think your black water tank is larger than 24 gallons, though.
Probably not 12 showers and 4 people worth, though.
Kelvin
'73 23' in Eugene, OR
Who doesn't autocross or hillclimb anymore.
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Re: more black water capacity [message #263212 is a reply to message #263203] |
Thu, 02 October 2014 20:28   |
lqqkatjon
 Messages: 2324 Registered: October 2010 Location: St. Cloud, MN
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someone at GMCMI convention, built a plywood/epoxy type of extra capacity holding tank. I wish I had a chance to see it.
I have a similar issue with not enough black tank capacity, because I camp with 2 daughters and my wife. I installed a new GMC 1 tank this spring, and without testing, I think there is less capacity, even though it fit like original. but maybe because my kids are a year older, they are using more water?
Anyhow, here are my suggestions to you... 1st, pull the tank and check it out.. see where your leak is, and maybe you can repair that, so it does not leak when full. However, it might be better for it to leak out under the coach when it is full, rather then over flow into the shower if it fills up.
my other suggestions are as follows:
1. hole saw another drain into the shower, and plum it of to the side so it either drains off to the ground, or you can maybe hook a hose to drain it to wherever. and when you are showering in location where you can just have the water hit the ground, do so. that should allow more showers. but some places and people frown on that practice.
2. install one of these:
http://www.amazon.com/Thetford-Exterior-Shower-Box-Head/dp/B002UC10ZA/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1412299388&sr=8-12&keywords=rv+outside+showe r
and buy one of these:
http://www.amazon.com/Stansport-Cabana-Privacy-Shelter-Green/dp/B0006V2B4G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412299482&sr=8-1&keywords=outside+showe r+tent
then just shower outside, water hits the ground.
other suggestion, would be with a macerator installation, build a holding tank into your trailer for your car. and then you can easily pump the water from the GMC to the holding tank on the trailer.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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Re: [GMCnet] more black water capacity [message #263213 is a reply to message #263208] |
Thu, 02 October 2014 20:32   |
lqqkatjon
 Messages: 2324 Registered: October 2010 Location: St. Cloud, MN
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Also an option to use an external gray water tank that could be dumped
(at night when nobody is looking) in the woods or into a manhole cover.
Not that I'd advise that, ever...
Please try the woods.. do not dump into manholes... I have to work in those occasionally.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
[Updated on: Thu, 02 October 2014 20:46] Report message to a moderator
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Re: [GMCnet] more black water capacity [message #263215 is a reply to message #263208] |
Thu, 02 October 2014 20:58   |
bpimm
 Messages: 211 Registered: June 2013 Location: Washougal Washington
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Kelvin Dietz wrote on Thu, 02 October 2014 18:12
24 gallons sounds small. Where did you get that number?
Measured it and calculated 49 X 23 X 5 the 5 is a guesstimate for the average depth, then I compared it to one on Applied's site that is 51x6x36 and 30 Gallons for a reference.
Kelvin Dietz wrote on Thu, 02 October 2014 18:12
And 4 people using the toilet, too.
Maybe on the toilet, we have porta potties for the event so the MH toilet would only be night use.
Kelvin Dietz wrote on Thu, 02 October 2014 18:12I'd be tempted to figure out how to install a gray water tank and plumb
the shower and sinks into that. My PO actually built one from 4" PCV
pipe that fits under the bed but it only drains the sinks, not the
shower. If you could get a gray water tank under the floor you could
plumb the shower into it.
Also an option to use an external gray water tank that could be dumped
(at night when nobody is looking) in the woods or into a manhole cover.
Not that I'd advise that, ever...
I think your black water tank is larger than 24 gallons, though.
Probably not 12 showers and 4 people worth, though.
Kelvin
'73 23' in Eugene, OR
Who doesn't autocross or hillclimb anymore.
I like the idea of separate tanks, it would be a lot easier to just drop the 3 drains into the top of a single tank tho.
The portable tank crossed my mind but it's just another thing to have to fit in, I'd prefer a fixed tank that would do the job.
Brian & RaeDean
1973 26' #383
Washougal WA
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Re: more black water capacity [message #263216 is a reply to message #263210] |
Thu, 02 October 2014 21:00   |
bpimm
 Messages: 211 Registered: June 2013 Location: Washougal Washington
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A Hamilto wrote on Thu, 02 October 2014 18:21My 73 Operating Manual says the OEM holding tank was 40 gallons. Why is yours 24? If you are going to replace it, get a 40 gallon one. Also, stop taking showers and start taking bird baths. Why do Americans look for ways to waste everything? Learn how to cut back. My CFO runs the water while brushing her teeth, so the kids do too. What's up with that?
Probably replaced by a PO, if I could find a 40 gal that would fit I'd do it.
I think my shower is about a gallon of water but the others.....
Brian & RaeDean
1973 26' #383
Washougal WA
[Updated on: Thu, 02 October 2014 21:11] Report message to a moderator
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Re: more black water capacity [message #263217 is a reply to message #263212] |
Thu, 02 October 2014 21:08   |
bpimm
 Messages: 211 Registered: June 2013 Location: Washougal Washington
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Most of the places we camp are on asphalt so I can't use the outdoor shower most of the time, but I think I will have one eventually. I like the tank on the trailer idea I'll haavve to look at that.
lqqkatjon wrote on Thu, 02 October 2014 18:28someone at GMCMI convention, built a plywood/epoxy type of extra capacity holding tank. I wish I had a chance to see it.
I have a similar issue with not enough black tank capacity, because I camp with 2 daughters and my wife. I installed a new GMC 1 tank this spring, and without testing, I think there is less capacity, even though it fit like original. but maybe because my kids are a year older, they are using more water?
Anyhow, here are my suggestions to you... 1st, pull the tank and check it out.. see where your leak is, and maybe you can repair that, so it does not leak when full. However, it might be better for it to leak out under the coach when it is full, rather then over flow into the shower if it fills up.
my other suggestions are as follows:
1. hole saw another drain into the shower, and plum it of to the side so it either drains off to the ground, or you can maybe hook a hose to drain it to wherever. and when you are showering in location where you can just have the water hit the ground, do so. that should allow more showers. but some places and people frown on that practice.
2. install one of these:
http://www.amazon.com/Thetford-Exterior-Shower-Box-Head/dp/B002UC10ZA/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1412299388&sr=8-12&keywords=rv+outside+showe r
and buy one of these:
http://www.amazon.com/Stansport-Cabana-Privacy-Shelter-Green/dp/B0006V2B4G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412299482&sr=8-1&keywords=outside+showe r+tent
then just shower outside, water hits the ground.
other suggestion, would be with a macerator installation, build a holding tank into your trailer for your car. and then you can easily pump the water from the GMC to the holding tank on the trailer.
Brian & RaeDean
1973 26' #383
Washougal WA
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Re: more black water capacity [message #263225 is a reply to message #263203] |
Thu, 02 October 2014 22:10   |
Adrien G.
 Messages: 474 Registered: May 2008 Location: Burns Flat, OK 73624
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bpimm wrote on Thu, 02 October 2014 19:52I would like to have more black water capacity, we use the coach as a tow vehicle for our play car, we autocross, hill climb and run track events with it and the GMC is the way to get there and the place to stay. None of the places we go have RV facilities and at most of the events we are the organizers so I don't have time to run out and find a place to dump. With the 24 Gallon waste tank it doesn't make it through a 4 day weekend without needing to be dumped. It also leaks when full so it needs to be replaced so I'm thinking of a bigger tank to help get us through the longer weekends.
It would be nice to be able to take 12 showers and still have the capacity to handle whatever cooking and washing needs to be done. That would be 4 people taking 1 shower a day for 3 days.
Has anybody found a large tank that will fit the GMC frame? Filling the space the small tank is in now would be around 50 Gallons which would work good for us.
If that is to much weight to pack around there are dump sites fairly close on most of our venues so I could dump on the way out.
Thoughts?
Brian,
The black tank measures out to be about 30 gal max ( no way the OEM tank can be 40 gal.), but how it was installed can cause to loose some capacity,
I removed mine to repair the tank leaks and found that the top was caved in about 2 inches and bowed side to side about 1 1/2 inch on both sides.
After the repair I closed the openings, used heat and a little air pressure to push the top up. When installing the tank don't over tighten the tank bars,
use nuts on top and bottom of the bars, make brackets to hold up the side lips. The toilet tube has a lot to do with holding the tank top up.
I had to shorten my toilet tube by 2 1/2 inches. Now the capacity is 28 gal to the bottom of the toilet tube, a gain of about 4 gal.
I feel that an about 25 gal gray tank could be put where the main gas tank location is, by moving the 2 gas tanks forward.
FWIW
Adrien & Jenny Genesoto
75 Glenbrook (26-3) Mods LS3.70 FD / Reaction Sys / 80mm Front&Intermidiate / Hydroboost / 16" Tires / Frame Rebuild / Interior Rebuild
Yuba City,Ca. Text 530-nine-3-three-3-nine-nine-6
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Re: more black water capacity [message #263246 is a reply to message #263231] |
Fri, 03 October 2014 03:09   |
midlf
 Messages: 2212 Registered: July 2007 Location: SE Wisc. (Palmyra)
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A Hamilto wrote on Thu, 02 October 2014 22:42Adrien G. wrote on Thu, 02 October 2014 22:10...The black tank measures out to be about 30 gal max (no way the OEM tank can be 40 gal) ... Operating Manual X-7321A, © General Motors Corporation, Page 120:
"Living Area Water Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Gal.
Holding Tank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Gal."
Could be a misprint. Could be an exaggeration. I dunno, but the manual says 40 gallons. The Operating Manual FOR YOUR 1975 model says it came with a 32 gallon holding tank (and a 40 gallon fresh water tank - talk about a problem waiting to happen). The standard GMC waste tank Jim K. sells is 30 gallons.
If I had to guess that was GM's original desired and specified capacity. Would that be great. My new holding tank from applied is 22 gallons as measured after installation. Fresh water tank is measured at 32 gallons. I did not measure the capacity of the shower floor.
I suspect my low capacity is the bowed top and I have it clamped up tight so there is no movement. The low capacity is not a problem when traveling as we have a working Thermosan. Parked for a week at GMCMI CF it took 4 trips to the dump station. Not too bad a job with the macerator. I hope I never have to use my emergency 3" big stinky.
Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI
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Re: more black water capacity [message #263247 is a reply to message #263203] |
Fri, 03 October 2014 06:37   |
g.winger
 Messages: 792 Registered: February 2008 Location: Warrenton,Missouri
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Bpimm,,, I didn't like the grey tank being full after 2 days of dry camping. Soooo,,,, I installed a 50 gal grey and a 40 gal black tank. Can't remember who I got the tanks from but they have a huge seleltion. But,,, it makes the bottom of the tank relly low. At the International rallys I dump when i leave and never travel far with these full. I'll look at my old posts and search my records. Maybe????
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Re: more black water capacity [message #263252 is a reply to message #263247] |
Fri, 03 October 2014 08:37   |
bpimm
 Messages: 211 Registered: June 2013 Location: Washougal Washington
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g.winger wrote on Fri, 03 October 2014 04:37Bpimm,,, I didn't like the grey tank being full after 2 days of dry camping. Soooo,,,, I installed a 50 gal grey and a 40 gal black tank. Can't remember who I got the tanks from but they have a huge seleltion. But,,, it makes the bottom of the tank relly low. At the International rallys I dump when i leave and never travel far with these full. I'll look at my old posts and search my records. Maybe????
Hope you can find the info, also pics would be great, I'd like to see how you fit them in.
Brian & RaeDean
1973 26' #383
Washougal WA
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