agent99
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Post by agent99 on Jun 5, 2014 17:54:23 GMT -8
I am currently working on getting an old Nomad back into shape and plan to sell it when I am done. I llove working on these old trailers and I don't consider myself a "flipper" in the way the title is commonly used. I always try to do quality work. They all get names and I cry when each one rolls away. Empty nest syndrome sets in! Anyway, the Nomad has a bathroom. The grey water tank will need to be replaced. The sink drains into the grey water tank as well. The toilet must be as old as the trailer and I am not sure if it still works or not. I just cleaned it up enough in there so that I am actually able to venture in without a full body suit on. There is also a shower made for very skinny people. When I sell a trailer I am always getting asked, "Is there a bathroom"? So that seems to be very important to a lot of people. I guess what I am looking for opinions on is should I keep the toilet and replace the tank or should I change the sink drain (most of the ones I work on drain to the outside or connect to an exterior hose) and then remove the toilet which will allow for one of those nice porta-potties and if I do that does it eliminate the use of the shower that will probably never be used or is there a way to keep the shower functional and have it drain into maybe one of those mobile waste tanks? The other option would be to leave it as is and let the new owners make the decision. I have not done many with bathrooms and the one's I did were still functional so not a lot was involved. I like using the camp showers and bathroom myself, so it wouldn't matter to me. I am just wondering what potential new owners might prefer. Long question short: What is important to you as far as a bathroom goes? I appreciate any input in helping me to make a good decision. Thanks. Here are some pictures pre-cleaning:      |
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SusieQ
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Post by SusieQ on Jun 5, 2014 18:31:19 GMT -8
I know there will be varying opinions. Some people like a toilet that connects to the sewers at campgrounds. I don't like paying extra for sewer sites and I boondock frequently so I'm happy with a porta potti. A shower is a BIG plus. I think the most important part about a bathroom is just having the space for a private potty area.
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Jun 5, 2014 22:31:49 GMT -8
Well.......The short answer is YES, it's a very big deal for resale value, especially if a woman has a any say in the buying process. I don't think you could sell a 20' or larger trailer without a toilet, just my opinion. It's a $1000 amenity on a midsized trailer. Let me also say that it's not really the "bathroom", it's the "toilet" that's the major question. Available Space is the major consideration when you make the choice. You need a space at least 20" of width for a toilet and at least 36" of length for a "normal size" person. I've seen some innovative toilets mounted under "lift up" beds in very small trailers. But for the most part you need to have good access.
Another consideration is the weight of water at about 8# per gallon. You say not a big deal until you maybe have a short trailer, and when you pump the weight from the front fresh tank to the rear holding tank it changes the towing balance. It could be a swing of maybe 200#'s.
In my case, we camp mostly at very nice camp grounds with full hook ups, so the water weight is not an issue. One thing that I have done is to "not have" a holding tank. I just use a 3" ABS pipe out the bottom of the toilet. Then the pipe runs across the full width of the trailer into a 180 degree sweep, and all the way back to the left side of the trailer terminated at a slide valve. This gives me the volume of 10 feet of 3" pipe to use when on the road during the day, then I just connect at the camp ground, and pull the valve to empty. I also like "when possible" to use a separate slide valve, and drain, for the sink drain. This allows you to drain the grey sink water into a tree well in some camp locations. All you need is an extra 1 1/2" slide valve in the drain line so you can choose which drain you want to use for the sink.
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ndpap
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Post by ndpap on Jun 6, 2014 3:36:22 GMT -8
As a woman I think it is huge and said my next vintage camper will have a bathroom. It does not?  ?. The shower to me is a huge plus. I saw on another site that someone used a ventless tankless water heater from amazon for $150 and $75 in plumbing fittings to update plumbing system. I would love a shower and hot water!!!! |
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agent99
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Post by agent99 on Jun 6, 2014 6:06:55 GMT -8
Thanks for the responses. I appreciate them. I also read the thread "about the toilet" and that helps too. John Palmer - I have read what you wrote about eliminating the holding the tank and am wondering if I can do this with the Nomad and the toilet that is currently in it. Like I said, my experience with bathrooms is limited so if I sound like a big dummy on this subject it's because I am! I am also going to climb underneath and look at the way the shower drains. I am pretty sure it empties into the holding tank as well. You wouldn't happen to have a picture of the underside of your trailer would you? Just trying to wrap my brain around this and a visual would certainly help. So I guess my first step is to figure out if the current toilet even works. If it does, I may leave it. Would love to eliminate the need for a holding tank. If the toilet does not work I will remove it and go with the porta-potty option as I see people seem to not mind them. That will leave me with figuring out what to do with the shower water as far as draining goes. The sink should not be a problem. I also have an old on demand hot water heater. I had one in an old Yellowstone I once did and the thing actually worked beautifully. I have not even touched that yet. My list of things to do on this little guy it at the stage where it still seems endless. No light at the end of the tunnel yet!  Truth is I am kind of on a limited budget, but I do not want to skimp and am looking for the best way to do this with the least expense. But, it has to be functional, convenient and quality at the same time. Guess it is time to put on my plumber's hat! |
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John Palmer
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Hi, From a vintage trailer guy located in Santa Ana, CA. It's good to see lots of activity here.
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Post by John Palmer on Jun 6, 2014 8:02:39 GMT -8
Agent99 I take "lots of photos" on every trailer build, but have no patience for sorting and photo posting, Sorry.
The photo card becomes part of each trailer's Baby Book, and stays with the trailer for future owner/appraiser's reference.
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