Hi all
I have just been reading the owners manual for my new (to me)Bailey Unicorn Madrid and getting to now how things differ to my old swift one thing that I am not to sure about is the way the flush water tank differs, on first looks not to sure the new design is better than the old (no level sight glass and smaller tank)also we always towed with a little amount of water in the tank just in case of a emergency, my dealer told me to empty the flush tank before towing which I find a bit of a pain any comments please ? before we start our outings next month not to sure the H/O will take to kindly at having to jump over the nearest hedge lol
Just fill it up to the top. You can see it's full. You get to know after a while how much you use. It lasts 2 of us several days on one fill.
No problem having it filled ready to go. You could argue that if it's full, you have weight right at the back of the van so snaking will be worse. I don't think it will make much difference, presumably the holding tank will be virtually empty.
The holding tank could get a pressure rise if you go up lots of hills to a high altitude, maybe that could put a strain on the seal.
The flush shouldn't really be more than quarter full when travelling. Thetford the toilet manufacturers will state that the tank should be empty. This is to stop any water passing between what little seal there is between the filler cap and the tank. Like wise when the tank is full it shouldn't be to the level where you can see it at the filler cap.
So how are you going to know when its full if theres no visual gauge? I've always brimmed ours with no issues of leaking. They will have this covered in design, for this reason. I wouldnt travel 'full', but otherwise i see no problem. Too many folk invent and worry about 'problems' that dont exist.
My thetford has no site leval for the flushing and I have never seen a loo with one. I always put a shot of pink into filler cap using graduations on bottle.
I then use a short spout watering can that holds 9 litres, I have found that by filling can to 8 litres is enough to fill tank without over filling.
I replenish tank when I have to pump flush more than twice to get decent suction.
My last van was electric flush which drew water from aqua roll supply to bathroom sink.
I used a empty windolene spray bottle filled with water and pink flush to spray bowl once a day and keep clean and smelling nice.
About once a month I put on the marigolds and used W5 synthetic material care and a j cloth to clean the outside and bowl, which kept the loo looking like a brand new one had been installed. the W5 can be purchased from Llidl for £1.99.
I have used this product for about ten years and always buy 2/3 cans when in stock.
I have used it on every part of a van bar fabrics and I have always got a better price when part exing or selling private because it makes every thing shine and look spotless.
Hi,
further to my original post my local dealer told me the reason Bailey recommend towing with only a small amount of water in the flush tank is because with the new alutech construction the only wood used is in the floor and if you had a leak from the tank it would be hard to detect for any damp until one had major problem's with the floor and could affect the 10 year warranty !!
So one would assume that this only applies to newer Bailey vans
Quote: Originally posted by Sevenexile on 14/2/2016
I agree with what your saying Mick S, but just relaying what I was told by Thetford themselves on a course that I went in before Christmas.
Ah good old Thetford. The very same company that sells top tank fluid...then sells you more fluid to get rid of the algae the original stuff causes!
Like i say, how do you know when its near full? Unless you run it dry every time, then put a measured amount back in - which is damned inconvenient at 3 in the morning!
A word of warning if the flush tank filling is through a small door on the outside of the caravan DO NOT fill it to the top when travelling also be very careful if you fill it to the top when on a site,why, the seal (has provisions for 2 ) can leak I found that out to my horror, I decided to take out the toilet to fit one of those fume extractor fans and the wall behind the toilet( which you cannot see) was rotten through mould but I caught it just in time. One way to make sure you are not filling it so that it can overflow is to take a stick with a flat section put it into the filling hole then take a long artists paintbrush with black paint on it and make a mark just below the level of the stick.