1951 Silver Streak Clipper ("Paris")
Plumbing
The trailer plumbing system of this vintage Silver Streak Clipper originally had a small (approximately five-gallon) freshwater holding tank, with a hand pump for delivering water to the kitchen sink. There was no gray tank; waste water from the sink drained straight to the ground. Our all-new freshwater supply system, illustrated below, includes:
- 33-gallon water supply tank, with low-point drain to ensure no standing water when emptied and automatic vent/overflow port for error-free filling. Water supply tank can be refilled through city water connection or manually (with a a water jug) through a dedicated fill port (useful when boondocking or when only a community water spigot is available).
- Digital tank level monitor (Garnet 709 SeeLevel II Tank Monitoring System), to prevent unexpected water shortages
- Acuva C108 Eco UV-LED water purification system (powered by 12V system), providing the cleanest drinking water available, on demand
- 12v water pump, supplying water pressure on-demand
- Propane-powered/tankless/on-demand water heater, providing endless hot water, even while boondocking
- Outdoor shower nozzle for washing gear, dogs, or just taking advantage of nature
Although some Clipper floorplans included a bathroom, this particular unit did not. Our new floorplan includes a bathroom and all-new drain/waste/vent system, shown below. It includes:
- Generous tank capacities to allow extended boon-docking time before emptying tanks
- Digital tank level monitors (Garnet 709 SeeLevel II Tank Monitoring System) on both the gray and black tanks
- Wet bath drain, enabled through marine shower pump module
- Two waste vents through the roof, one on each side (sealed and capped against weather)
- Standard Valterra connections, with hose storage tube mounted on the underside of the coach
- All components hidden in the furniture but easily accessible for maintenance.
The new propane system includes:
- two bottle supply with automatic changeover regulator
- four interior supply branches for the range, tankless water heater, fireplace, and coach lantern
- one exterior quick-connect supply branch for outdoor accessories, primarily the included outdoor firepit
- safety: all branches have a separate isolation branch; all piping through the subfloor is continuous (all fittings are inside or outside the coach); and the coach is continuously monitored with a hard-wired CO/LPG gas detector
Renovation of the plumbing systems included the following:
- Installed new 14-gallon black tank, Valterra main waste valve and shower pump
- Installed new Valterra storage tube for san hose on underside of coach
- Installed all new propane piping installed on the underside with Cavanaugh dual bottle regulator
- Installed tankless, on-demand Girard water heater, elevated to clear structural “u-channel” along the perimeter of the floor
- Installed two propane quick-connects on the underside of the trailer for accessories such as a firepit and grill