Replacing waste tank in a 1997 B190

[vacuumbed]

I am in the process of buying a 97 B190. The current owner was once driving on a sandy road when the back of the van dragged and busted one of the waste tanks. He doesn't know which tank he damaged, whether gray or black. I think these tanks are heated too.

Would these tanks be hard find and replace? I'm just trying to get some insight on this.

Thanks in advance.

[skater]

I'd try Airstream first. They're not really heated, so don't worry about that.

[vacuumbed]

I left their parts department a message.

I took delivery of my 1997 B190 last Thursday! As it turns out, it's the fresh water tank that's missing.

[skater]

I left their parts department a message.

I took delivery of my 1997 B190 last Thursday! As it turns out, it's the fresh water tank that's missing.

Interesting. Where is that on the '97? (In the '91 it's inside the camper, under the counter, so you definitely wouldn't be dragging it on the ground.)

[vacuumbed]

That's what I expected, for it to be inside. Here's what I found, the fresh on a 1997 is behind the rear axle but before the next crossmember going back. Then behind that crossmember, is the gray water tank. The black tank is inside under the toilet inside a cavity that's under that big one peice fiberglass shower/toilet/sink combo. The tanks are also heated as the gray tank is encased in a metal box that has furnace ducting running to it. There is also ducting running to where the fresh water tank used to be. That's the the only evidence left of the fresh water tank.

I reached the parts department at Thor this morning. They told me they don't have anything for the water tanks, not even drawings or specs. They also went on to say that they can't get any parts for the B190's anymore, everything is pretty much obsolete.

That said, I'm starting from scratch. I'm have been looking at fresh water tanks on ebay to see how that match up. I also have to figure out if I'm going to encase the tank to retain the heated tank system and how I'm going to support the tank.

[skater]

Honestly, I wouldn't bother with that ducting. It doesn't accomplish much. If you are going to be out in freezing weather, then I would install those electric tank heaters instead - they'll do much more (as long as you have an electric hookup, of course). I plan to do this with our trailer someday - switch to the heaters, then reroute the ducting into the cabin of the camper.

[vacuumbed]

I agree, I'd like to get rid of the ducting to keep things simple. I'm just not sure if I should enclose the tank or how to mount it. Maybe I ban make a wooden box for it.

[skater]

Hmmm. Good question. I'd be afraid of using wood for fear of it getting wet. Maybe wood with a sheet of metal over it if it's exposed.

[Alaskan]

What was the final outcome....?